The Performance of Politics: Obama's Victory and the Democratic Struggle for Power Review

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The Performance of Politics: Obama's Victory and the Democratic Struggle for Power ReviewAlexander's book is a very special one. There is plenty of books on presidential campaigns, and even more on electoral campaigns in general. The analogy between campaigns and shows is also well-known: the social world is a theater, and politicians are often thought to be actors (not to mention those who have been previously movie stars ;-)). Alexander's approach, however, is radically new. In other books, these kind of performances are usually thought of as mere decoys, while the 'real' 'actual' politics is taken to be primarily a matter of power, of money, of deceit.
Alexander is not naive, and he takes into consideration quite well the reality of power. But he is also able to understand that democratic politics is not only about power, but also about meaning. Political campaigns do indeed select the elites. But they also re-enact and re-fresh a strong cultural understanding of the polity. Voters do not follow only their interests, but also their values, their vision of what they are and what they would like to be. Alexander's book provides a quite innovative analysis of the cultural dimension of politics, and his arguments are likely to be important both for scholars and for activists.The Performance of Politics: Obama's Victory and the Democratic Struggle for Power Overview

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The Inauguration of Barack Obama: A Photographic Journal Review

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The Inauguration of Barack Obama: A Photographic Journal ReviewIf you want a good reminder of Barack Obama's inauguration, this handsome hardcover is it. It brings back all the goosebump moments. It's the result of the Washington Post's exhaustive coverage of the event, which employed over 100 photographers and reporters.
It makes a nice bookend with the new New York Times book Obama: The Historic Journey as well as, of course, The Audacity of Hope.
Big and beautiful enough to be a coffee table book, The Inauguration of Barack Obama is more than a collection of photos. Also included is a stirring foreword by Washington Post Editor-at-Large Ben Bradlee, who recalls the first inauguration he attended, of John F. Kennedy, and writes: "This shift of power is orderly, but it's always exciting. It's the essence of democracy." Though the coverage of it isn't as thorough as in the Times book, Obama's story is detailed, too, from childhood through young adulthood -- when he, in his own words, burned inwardly with a "knotted, howling assertion of self" -- through his marriage and family life. At the back of the book is the full text of the Inaugural Address.
I like the variety of photos. One spread shows the thousands gathered for the ceremony itself, another simply Obama's hand encircling his wife's waist on the Day of Service. A sober tribute from Obama and Biden at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery is followed by a sweet portrait of Biden holding his young grandson. My favorites are the more candid, silly shots: First lady Michelle Obama getting her gown stepped on by her husband while dancing; daughter Sasha playfully holding her hand in front of her sister Malia's camera, ruining her photo; bundled-up fans at 4 a.m. on the National Mall looking like mummies in their sleeping bags.
The presidential seal on the dust jacket is embossed into the glossy paper. Underneath, the cover of the book looks exactly like the dust jacket, front cover and back.
Here's the chapter list:
Foreword by Ben Bradlee
1. Road to the Presidency
2. Inauguration Weekend: Day 1, Destination: Washington, D.C.
3. Inauguration Weekend: Day 2, Honoring the Dead, Raising a Chorus
4. Inauguration Weekend: Day 3, Answering a Call to Service
5. Inauguration Day: All Eyes on the Moment
6. Text of Inaugural Address
7. AfterwordThe Inauguration of Barack Obama: A Photographic Journal Overview

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J. Edgar Hoover: The Man and the Secrets Review

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J. Edgar Hoover: The Man and the Secrets ReviewA fascinating and comprehensive look at a complex, powerful, and manipulative man. Gentry brings to life the power that Hoover held, power bestowed on him by virtue of the secrets he held in the massive volumes of FBI files he collected over his 48 year tenure.
Hoover's far reach and influence are stunning. Most people probably have a cursory idea of Hoover's god-like legacy, but Gentry brings out the jaw dropping, scandalous details in vivid candor. Hoover had leverage over his superiors - the president and the attorney general - as well as his subordinates, Congress, Hollywood, local police jurisdictions, and civil rights leaders. His sway only increased with every year his held his office.
Gentry's account is exhaustively researched and probably the most extensive and authoritative history of Hoover in existence. He delves into the paradox that Hoover was, a rigid, aggravating, unlikeable, and deeply vindictive man to many, yet to a few close associates, he was engaging and affable, if not warm, and to him they were 100% loyal.
Hoover was no doubt a product of his time. For the calculating personality he possessed, who could ask for better career advancement opportunities than to serve in a time of the depression, bootleggers, gansters, the mafia, the Communist red scare, and the Kennedy assasinations successively. All during Hoover's time at the FBI, there was a valid argument to be made that he was simply indispensible. The desire of many in government to end his tenure was thwarted time after time, almost to a comical degree. Hoover was saved by the skin of his teeth more than once by fortuitous turns of events.
Beyond just Hoover, this book explores the dark side of politics in general. The horse trading, the double dealing, the secret deals, the blacklisting, blackmailing, break-ins, cover-ups, set-ups, take-downs, paybacks, payoffs, and the vindictiveness. It's ugly, ugly work. Most would have no idea their own government operates in such a shameful, despicable manner.
Gentry writes in an engaging narrative style that's easy to read and compelling. The book is well paced and very cohesive despite covering a wide time period and a diverse range of incidents. The book is lengthy and comprehensive. It does not skimp on details. I'm hard pressed to imagine a more thorough account.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in this period of contemporary American history or the fascinating personality that was J. Edgar Hoover.J. Edgar Hoover: The Man and the Secrets Overview

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