Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with books and politics

Help a 13 y/o get to know the Amercian soldier.

keith0718 — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 12:30:34 -0800

What resources (films, books, websites) can I share with my 13 y/o daughter who has expressed a recent keen admiration and care for the American soldier from the Vietnam War era to the present? I recently took my 13 y/o daughter to see The Hurt Locker, after which she expressed a deeply felt admiration for the American soldier. I told her that not everyone feels the same way; and that, especially after the Vietnam War, soldiers were subject to quite a bit of disrespect when they returned home. She was really interested in his phenomenon and I would like to direct her to some resources (films, books, websites) that help her explore it and empathize with the existential experiences of the American soldier both on the battlefield and at home.

Is there a good book about the Reagan administration out there?

orange swan — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 21:31:11 -0800

Can anyone recommend a solidly researched and well-written book that critiques Ronald Reagan's administration? Last Sunday during the Swan family Easter do at my place my brother and his 21-year-old son opined that Ronald Reagan was one of the three best U.S. presidents, that he ended the Cold War, and that his administration was good for the economy, etc.. Anything I tried to say to the contrary was dismissed as "leftist propaganda" by my nephew. So, I would like to give my brother a book on the topic for Christmas. I need something readable that comes across as very reasonable and fair-minded. Title suggestions, please?

The Books & Mortar of Libertarianism

dead_ — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:49:17 -0800

Which books comprise the canon of libertarian philosophy? I'm looking for titles, authors and links. I hope this isn't too broad. Thank you for your help!

Can anyone recommend any funny novels about government and politics?

Myles — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:20:38 -0800

Can anyone recommend any funny novels about government and politics? I just got done reading The Mezzanine by Nicholson Baker, a witty, funny, and light-hearted short novel about the life of a modern day office worker. I thought the concept was pretty nifty and am wondering if there are more books that are similar in scope -- something with witty and humorous moments though also serious when needed, perhaps something epic like 1984 or smaller -- with the setting taking place in some political environment. Would anyone be kind enough to give some suggestions?

Reading recommendations for a 14-year-old girl?

quidividi — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 23:39:41 -0800

I've sponsored the daughter of friends in a charity event. As part of the sponsorship, I can name a book for her to read. Here's where it gets interesting -- My friends' politics are left of center, while mine lean to the right, and I'd like to introduce their daughter to something she might not encounter otherwise. It should be age-appropriate and not over the top (like Atlas Shrugged). All suggestions appreciated.

Books on impact of miracles on Latin American politics?

Joakim Ziegler — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:59:21 -0800

I'm looking for recommendations on books on purported (modern) religious miracles in Latin America, and their impact on society and politics. For instance, the Virgin of Cuapa appeared to a man in Nicaragua during the civil war, and ordered him to "burn bad books", which was done, with "bad books" interpreted to mean Marxist literature.

In general, I'm interested in purported miracles leading to mass movements, political change, and societal impact. Additionally, if there are some really good books out there on the influence and impact of the Catholic Church on modern Latin American politics (big subject, I know), specifically as it relates to the Latin American right wing, and possibly the various "dirty wars", I'd also be interested.

Academic works are preferred, but more popular reporting works too. Prefereably books I can get on Amazon.

Books about Down Under

Jimbob — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 04:42:42 -0800

Can anyone reccomend good books, or documentaries, about Australia (history, culture, politics) written by people from outside Australia? I'm interested in how we look from an international perspective - not from people who've spent a significant part of their lives here, or ex-pats, but people who are really writing from the outside, or who have only visited for a short time and grabbed a glance at the place.

Academic or humorous, either would be good. I've read Chatwin's "Songlines", enjoyed Bill Bryson's efforts, and even Billy Connolly's touring TV show was pretty good. What else is there that people can reccomend?

radical books wanted

arcadia — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:37:17 -0800

I'm looking for book suggestions for a radical reading group. Hi everyone -
I'm thinking about starting a reading group focusing on radical subjects such as anarchism, deep ecology, questioning technology, radical history, art, literature, etc. I'm looking for suggestions of good books that fall into this territory. NOT looking for rants, screeds, ludicrous claims, etc. I want to build a solid library of well-written books that will leave reading group members educated rather than indoctrinated. Thanks - Alan

Depress me!

poweredbybeard — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:38:03 -0800

Deforestation. Extinction. Soil depletion. Toxicity. Mental illness. Mass imprisonment. Neocolonialism. Etceterugh. What should one read for a better comprehension of just what the hell we're doing to the planet, ourselves, and eachother? What books or documentaries effectively explain/encapsulate/investigate/contextualize trends such as these? What would you say is essential reading or viewing for anyone wishing to stay conscious of the problems of modern civilization, remind others, and seek out root causes?

Aside from the obvious (An Inconvenient Truth), I suppose other examples could range anywhere from The No-nonsense Guide to the Arms Trade to Silent Spring to The Politics of Experience. Gimme more, new or classic.

Pick Me A Political Polemic

peacecorn — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 11:17:45 -0800

A friend and I want to read a current and topical book about U.S. politics together for online discussion, and we're looking for suggestions... Here's what he's already read:

How Would a Patriot Act by Glenn Greenwald, In Defense of the Religious Right by Patrick Hynes, American Fascists by Chris Hedges, and The Republican War on Science by Chris Mooney.

Not looking for the Sam Harris/Richard Dawkins books as a suggestion, and we're not limiting this to religion (although it remains on the table for suggestions). As a matter of fact, in the lead right now is Irving Kristol's Neo-Conservatism: The Autobiography of an Idea.

(None of the Amazon links are pointed to any referral accounts)

I don't think either of us cares what the political issue is, or what side of the aisle the issue(s) in the book is biased towards, but we're looking for something a little smarter and more focused than O'Reilly, Coulter, Moore or Franken. Must be current-event related (no Lincoln biographies), and bonus points if you've got first-hand recommendations for a lefty book and its righty counterpoint (or vice versa).

One Shouldn't Forget The Name of a Tyrant

DWRoelands — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 12:02:25 -0800

Help me remember the name of a series of political/scifi novels. The novels centers on the life of a character referred to as "The Tyrant". The first novel talks about his childhood, most notably the time spent on a spaceship full of families. The ship is plundered by pirates, the men are killed, the food is stolen, and the only way the women and children manage to survive is by eating the bodies of the dead.

Later novels in the series have this character rising to become a head of state. He makes the government "the employer of last resort", repeals all drug laws, and even (if memory serves) repeals age-of-consent laws.

He also hires one of his most strident critics in the media to be a sort of ombudsman for his government to guarantee that the government is not censoring the media.

I hope this is enough to go on. Thanks!

Help me nourish my brain.

Vindaloo — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 18:10:23 -0800

Can anyone recommend any good documentaries? Bonus points if its history or culture related. Recently I've been on a huge documentary kick (most with a leftist bent) but I'm having trouble finding new ones to watch. Here is a short list of the ones I've seen, that way you can hopefully get an idea of what I'm looking for.

The cream of the crop:
BBC - The Power of Nightmares
BBC - Why We Fight
BBC - Century of the Self
The Corporation
The Revolution will not be Televised
Orwell Rolls in his Grave
PBS Frontline - The Dark Side

Good ones but not "meaty" enough:
How William Shatner Changed the World
CBC - Stupidity
OutFoxed
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room
Supersize Me
BBC - Time (4 part series)

Things I'd rather avoid:
Micheal Moore (seen em all anyways)
Nova (educational but too basic)

A lot of the documentaries I listed changed the way I see the world, and made me go out and research the topics and people presented (for example, after watching The Corporation I read the book Ecology of Commerce mentionned in the film, what an enjoyable read). In a sense I feel like I know and understand a little bit more of our extremely complex world, and I hunger for more knowledge, can anyone help? Oh and I'll accept good book recommendations too!

Comments on "The John Batchelor Show"?

hwestiii — Sun, 09 Apr 2006 12:25:23 -0800

Has anyone out there heard "The John Batchelor Show" on the radio, and if so can they characterize it in terms of content and quality? I'm rereading a book of his from the 80's called "American Falls", (a Civil War era spy novel, essentially, though I don't think that capsule description does it justice), and I did a Google search to see what he's been up to in the 10 years since I last read a review of a new work of his.

It turns out that he's been hosting a talk radio show out of NYC devoted to current international affairs, or " offering insightful commentary on such issues as the war on terrorism, the presidency, the national and global economies, and defending our civilization" as the copy on his web site states.

Looking into this a little more deeply, I see that his show is broadcast on conventional radio only on the east and west coasts, which doesn't do me much good in Chicago, but he is also on XM Satellite radio.

I'm wondering if anyone out there is familiar with his show and can attest to its quality and content. Though I'm personally a little left of center, I'm not so much interested in left vs. right ideological leanings as I am a high "light" reading on the "light - heat" continuum. Put another way, I'd rather listen to NPR than Fox News, but I'd probably also rather listen to William F. Buckley than Al Franken, and I'm wondering how his show would fare in those terms.

If you are familiar with this show, do you think it is worthwhile listening, and if so, why?

Good books to read before wandering about Central and South America

airguitar — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 10:56:34 -0800

Good books to read before wandering about Central and South America for a few months? Culture and history and politics. The relationships between neighbor countries and neighboring people. Current affairs in the context of a greater story.

What are some good sources for American political history reading?

PrinceValium — Thu, 05 Feb 2004 20:06:38 -0800

AskMefi provided some great answers a few weeks ago to my solicitation for book recommendations. Now for a similar but unrelated question. I have a friend at law school who is an exchange student from Europe. He has had none of the mandated high school U.S. history curriculum that had been drilled into the heads of the rest of us years ago. As such, he would like some background on American political history to supplement our constitutional law lectures and McCloskey and Levinson's The American Supreme Court, which has been assigned for the class. Any suggestions?