Not since Richard Nixon's heyday has there been a more controversial president capable of polarizing public opinion than George W. Bush. From his arrival in office through what many still regard as one of the most flagrant miscarriages of electoral justice in modern history to the long road to Iraq, liberals have vilified Bush as ardently as neoconservatives have embraced him. Both Alterman and Green are known for their doggedness in researching the media and political figures, and what they discover in the case of Bush is a consistent pattern of double standards, misrepresentation, and contradictions. The Book on Bush methodically critiques Administration policy from the standpoint of its truthfulness as well as its merit, with the characteristic wit of both writers.
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"This book will make you sick. It was published before he was re-elected and quite honestly if everyone had read this book there is no way that would have happened. Good hard facts, but it will make you so angry you will be shaking."
— Elizabeth (5 out of 5 stars)
“Examining the Bush administration’s record on domestic and foreign policy issues, Alterman and former New York City public advocate Green see a pattern of dissimulation to promote the interests of the religious right, big business and neoconservative radicals. The two progressive champions make no effort to hide their dislike of Bush, branding him an ‘affirmative-action-legacy student’ lacking knowledge and brain power…Expect liberal cognoscenti to back this book in droves.”
— Publishers Weekly“Read with appropriate outrage and clarity, this report attempts to tie up Mr. Bush in his own doubletalk and evasions. It usually succeeds. Whether examining domestic or foreign policy, the environment or the budget, on-the-record or hush-hush rumor, The Book on Bush overlooks nothing. Citizens of all stripes will be sure to cringe at the robustly, wryly delivered barrage of GWB blunders, bullying, and bombs.”
— AudioFile“Alterman, and Green, a New York City Democrat, offer a critique of both the president and his policies, with one of their main premises being that Bush starts with conclusions and then finds facts with which to frame them. So how does he make decisions? According to the authors, by asking what the religious right wants, what big business wants, and what the neocons want, and then proceeding accordingly…It’s all presented in highly readable fashion.”
— Booklist" Pretty compelling, persuasive and provocative. Made my blood boil. Goes to show you how transparency, freedom of speech and check-and-balance are very important in any democracy. "
— Mike, 7/12/2013" I just finished this as a 16-cd audio book. Does that count? "
— Jeannie, 1/18/2012" Sticking to the facts, and only the facts, this is an indictment of the policy disastors of George Bush's first term of office. Must read for political junkies. "
— Deedee, 7/15/2011" My head is spinning having just finished this book. I imagine that most if not all Presidents have said one thing and done another, but probably not as prodigiously as Bush and as the authors conclude, with forethought. "
— Camilla, 4/21/2010" Illuminating study of the flawed G.W. Bush presidency--the difference between the image and the action. Our country will be digging out of the ruins this man has caused for a long, long time. "
— Diane, 8/17/2009" Nothing new for me. Good primer if you wanna catch up on what's transpired over the last 7 years. "
— Nicko, 5/8/2009" Alterman's points are interesting and important. The writing, however, is academic and so thick that it takes forever to get thru. I've given up after the second try, made it thru just one fourth of it. "
— Bill, 8/6/2008Eric Alterman is a distinguished professor of English at the City University of New York Brooklyn College and holds a PhD in history from Stanford University. He is a columnist for The Nation magazine and the author of eleven books.
Mark Green is an author, public interest lawyer, and a Democratic politician who lives in New York City. He has written and cowritten over twenty books, including two bestsellers: The Book on Bush and Who Runs Congress? He has also collaborated on numerous published works with consumer advocate Ralph Nader. In addition to his career endeavors, he is also the host of the nationally syndicated radio show Both Sides Now with Huffington & Matalin.
Nick Sullivan has narrated audiobooks for over twenty years and has recorded over four hundred titles. An Audie Award winner, he is also the recipient of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards. His TV and film credits include The Good Wife, The Affair, Bull, Boardwalk Empire, 30 Rock, Our Idiot Brother, and Private Life.