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Politics: Observations and Arguments, 1966-2004
by: Hendrik Hertzberg

Used Price: $1.50
Third Party New Price: $2.78

Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 320
EAN: 9780143035534
ISBN: 0143035533
Label: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 720
Publication Date: June 28, 2005
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Sales Rank: 395233
Studio: Penguin (Non-Classics)

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Editorial Review:

Product Description:
Here at last are Hendrik Hertzberg’s most significant, hilarious, and devastating dispatches from the American scene he has chronicled for four decades with an uncanny blend of moral seriousness, high spirits, and perfect rhetorical pitch. Arranged thematically, each section contains the choicest, most illuminating pieces from his body of work and begins with a new piece of writing that frames the subject at hand. A tour of the defining moments of American life from the mid-’60s to the mid- ’00s, Politics is at once the story of American life from LBJ to GWB and a testament to the power of the written word.

Amazon.com Review:
These are rich times for writers of Hendrik Hertzberg's political persuasion. The stalwart political commentator has plenty of qualified company on the left when it comes to critiquing the conservative revolution, notably Lewis Lapham, William Greider, and Paul Krugman. But the former New Republic editor and current New Yorker executive editor has a voice that is particularly suitable for an on-the-outs observer. Hertzberg seems almost delighted to pinpoint hypocrisy, inconsistency, greed, and masked cynicism. At his best, he makes indignation fun. Politics gathers dozens of Hertzberg's editorials and essays in one hefty volume, organizing them in loose subdivisions ('The Wayward Media,' 'Wedge Issues,' '2000 + 9/11'). The former Jimmy Carter speechwriter isn't above lancing those on the left who fail to match their ideals with their actions, but, naturally, he's at his best when scrutinizing those on the right. The Reagan and Bush II administrations proved to be particularly inspirational. Keen, pithy, and daring (if not always right; in 1988, he ruefully forecasted a Dan Quayle administration), Hertzberg ranks with the finest political writers of his era. The proof is in this wide-ranging and smartly edited compilation. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews

Average Rating: out of 5 stars

Rating:

- Never got my book
I was very displeased with this purchase! It took over three weeks to get any answers or solutions regarding why my book never arrived!! I was very upset because I ordered it for school and was unable to complete my required reading due to this book NEVER showing up. Thankfully the seller was willing and able to give me a refund, but it took several upset emails.

Rating:

- Progressive America at its most eloquent
Hendrik Hertzberg, speechwriter of President Carter and editor for The New Republic and the New Yorker, has collected the best of his essays in this book. Describing a variety of subjects and experiences, Hertzberg consistently takes a fiercely progressive and compassionate position, while at the same time never stooping to the level of the mud-flinging political 'books' so often published by Beltway insiders.

The book's essays are about a great variety of issues, both inside and outside the United States. Notable are his experiences as speechwriter to Jimmy Carter, his activities as election observer in Nicaragua and Pakistan, his work as a journalist during various presidential campaign candidates and his brilliant and insightful essays on the structural flaws in the American political system, in particular the elections.

Personally I do not agree with Hertzberg on many things (I'm more ... Read More

Rating:

- a shame
Others have drawn attention to Hertzberg's civil tone. We have all become accustomed to discourse via amplified insult; measured voices such as Hertzberg's are refreshing indeed. Having said this, it amounts to nothing more than a shame. When a leftist advances his argument with the typical manic lunacy, we may simply dismiss him as a fool. Hertzberg, however, cannot be so dismissed. He is bright and learned. Unfortunately, he's got it all wrong. All the facts are on the table, and the judge appears to be fair. Yet the judgment is random and chaotic - the judge has added it up as if following a different arithmetic altogether. After reading Hertzberg's work, one has the queasy feeling one gets watching news coverage of the person dragged off to the asylum, leaving puzzled neighbors in his wake saying "he seemed so normal." Something's gone wrong, and no one can quite figure out how it happened. A shame, indeed.

Rating:

- A Pleasure To Read
One of the finest nonfiction titles I've ever read. I can't recall having derived so much enjoyment from a book since Brave New World.

It's a must-own, especially in times where most politically oriented "Non-fiction" titles are so abysmal both in prose, substance, and veracity. Regardless of whether your passion is history, politics, or cadence and style (he is a former speech-writer), the book should prove fascinating (all the more if you're passionate about all of the above). The pieces on the 1988 election were especially well written.

Just an all-round pleasure. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

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