Please recommend current political non-fiction

December 8, 2010 10:11 AM

I need help picking out a book as a Christmas gift for my husband. I'm looking for fascinating current non-fiction about the inner workings of American politics. Husband is a staunch Democrat. Many thanks!
posted by Dragonness to Law & Government (10 answers total)

Best answer: Obama's Wars by Bob Woodward might fit the bill.
posted by saladin at 10:16 AM on December 8, 2010

Robert Caro's books on Lyndon Johnson are outstanding. I'd recommend "Master of the Senate," which covers the period from the time LBJ entered the Senate until he was selected as JFK's running mate. The particular topic of interest during that period was LBJ's work in passing the 1957 Civil Rights legislation. Let's just say his motivations were - complex.
posted by randomkeystrike at 10:27 AM on December 8, 2010 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I loved Game Change, a behind the scenes examination of the 2008 presidential election. The authors got incredible access to both Republican and Democratic candidates' campaigns. Knowing that a Democrat won in the end, your husband should find this a satisfying read.
posted by slmorri at 10:30 AM on December 8, 2010

This might be just slightly off your target, but I loved Becoming Justice Blackmun. It relies heavily on his papers, letters throughout a lifetime, his relationship with Warren Burger, his slow shift toward being the most liberal Justice on the bench (particularly on Roe v. Wade.) It is political, it shows the inner working of government (or a portion of it), and it's just fascinating.

If this does make it on to your short list, you might also direct your husband to NPR's conversations with, or programs about, Blackmun.
posted by yamel at 10:50 AM on December 8, 2010

Best answer: I haven't read it yet, but "Big Girls Don't Cry" is getting great reviews. It covers Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin's roles in the 2008 election. I'm giving it to my mom (a staunch Democrat) for Christmas and will read it when she's done.
posted by rsclark at 11:29 AM on December 8, 2010

Response by poster: Many thanks for your help, pressie sorted! He is very interested in anything to do with Obama and Hillary Clinton so this will be perfect.
posted by Dragonness at 12:07 PM on December 8, 2010

You seem to have made your mind, but I'll stick in to say I didn't care much for Game Change or Obama's Wars, but Becoming Justice Blackmunn is really, really, really good.
posted by General Malaise at 12:31 PM on December 8, 2010

Response by poster: I appreciate the other suggestions, but I know what my husband is more likely to pick up to read in his extremely limited spare time (works for a tech startup, 'nuff said!).
posted by Dragonness at 12:47 PM on December 8, 2010

Best answer: At The Tea Party?
posted by history is a weapon at 5:31 PM on December 8, 2010

Best answer: I would suggest any of John Dean's books - as a staunch Dem myself, I really enjoyed them. He's intelligent, writes well without a lot of flowery language and filler and makes great points. (Plus they're not huge unwieldy books so he can read them pretty quickly, I'm guessing.)

Good luck!
posted by Mysticalchick at 6:12 AM on December 9, 2010