Electing the President, by Peter Finn

 

Available August 1,2024

A solid, relatively concise look at not just how Americans elect their president but some of the basic concepts that surround elections. The title is rather self-explanatory as to the focus but it includes topics such as the electoral college, the difference between a primary and caucus, conventions, debates, slogans, polling, and more. Even third party candidates get a mention although it is also noted that no third party candidate has even won a state in more than a half century. There's also a nice, easy to understand breakdown of the three branches of government and the core duties of each. The information is nicely broken down in an easy to read and understand (non-political) manner with other facts and info listed in side-bars/boxes. In other words, it does a good job covering the basics with some details.

The retired teacher in me particularly liked the list of questions entitled "Think About It!" provided to guide young readers. There is also a solid glossary and index as well as lists of additional sources, all vetted as being suitable for children. That said, my hunch is that this can provide a basic course for children as well as being a refresher course for all ages. Thanks #NetGalley and #RosenPublishingGroup - #CavendishSquare for sharing this handy source with me. It definitely deserves a place on every history/social studies teacher's bookshelf.

History Tipsters Sneak Into the Oval Office The Inside Scoop on the U.S. Presidency, by Blake Hoena

 Publication August 1, 2024

Done in comic/graphic style, this is a succinct, fun look at not just the Oval Office but some of the very important things that go into making our government work effectively. Illustrated by Manuel Molina Navarro, the artwork is at once both whimsical and realistic, not to mention not particular reverent toward its targets. Not insulting, just not necessarily always seriously respectful. Supposedly narrated by President Harrison, the various presidents are usually referred to by their number, ie Washington is #1 and so on and so on. And, yes, while it dwells on a handful, each president through Biden does get a mention, albeit the latter ones largely only a one-liner of their chief accomplishment as it draws closer to modern times.

Basically, what you'll get here isn't just a recitation of the presidents, however, but also how our nation was born, its government set up, Washington's role, er, #1's role, the importance of a peaceful transfer of power, the development and use/need for cabinet advisors, as well as exactly what executive orders and a veto are. For instance, as important as it was, it notes that the Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order. Interestingly enough, Theodore Roosevelt once held the record for the most executive proclamations with 1,081. Franklin D. Roosevelt would later use 3,721, not to mention having 635 vetoes. Of course, as noted, remember his term of office was long, which ultimately lead to the 22nd Amendment limiting a president to only two terms. In other words, precedents were being set, tweaked, and used as reference for future actions and, let's face it, inaction. My favorite quote, btw, was "No one wanted our president to be a bossy king". That's what I mean by the sometimes flip irreverence of the book.

Bottom line, while sparse on presidents after FDR, one where the entire world was frequently in turmoil, this is an informative, easy read for, oh, upper elementary and beyond. That said, given some of the rather inside jokes, so to speak, an in-the-know adult may need to explain some things to young readers. Timely given the upcoming election as I type, and manages to remain rather rather firmly in the middle without ignoring basic elements of the government established by the Founding Fathers. Thanks #NetGalley and #Capstone for refreshing my mind on our government basics and those who have wielded it in the most powerful office in the world. And, oops, readers, almost forgot. There's a glossary, Read More section, list of internet sites, and index at the end. This would make a great addition to school libraries and classrooms, not to mention our own bookshelves.

The Shadow of War: A Novel of the Cuban Missile Crisis, by Jeff Shaara

 

Publication May 14, 2024

Wow. I was unnerved after-the-fact as I read this book. You see, I largely grew up in Florida, a mere 90 miles away from Cuba as the news kept reminding us. Although I was either too or too naive to fully grasp the sense of fear many adults knew, it still made an impact. While I've read history books about the time, there's been a sort of filter between the events of those readings and me as a reader, so to speak. This one tore down that filter. You are there. You are living this nightmare. Shaara puts us, to paraphrase a line from Hamilton, in the rooms where it happened. And, unlike my young self, I'm old enough now to shiver as I realize how very, very close we came to annihilation. That's the power of Jeff Shaara's writing style. While historical fiction, he evokes that "you are there" sense, relying on in-depth research and extensive readings to create the scenes that reveal how close we came to the edge.

I won't detail the cat-and-mouse games that lead us to that point as, quite frankly, I'd be depriving you of experiencing the scenario as it unfolds by trying to even hit the highlights. Trust me, there are many, from the opening scenes revolving about the Bay of Pigs fiasco to the aftermath, revealing not only how Kennedy's stand paid off -- and it came close to not doing so -- so what happened to each of the players of the story. One thing I will note, however, is how this showed the growing maturity of both John and Robert Kennedy, their ability to learn from mistakes, as well as their ability to accept their responsibility for the situation. The thoughts attributed to Joseph Russo, another real character you'll get to know well throughout the story, at the end should also evoke thought. 

History buffs or those who lived through this should grab a copy of this book as soon as possible. If old enough, you'll be compelled to read, even as you shudder after the fact, realizing how close we came to not growing up. Teachers, history teachers in particular, of which I was one, you definitely need to read this book and make sure it's on library shelves. Thank you to #NetGalley and #StMartin'sPress for sharing this early glimpse of, well, what I'm rather glad happened too early in my life to have left much impact. I hope we never come face to face with possible annihilation again. 

Hit 'Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game, by Rachel Bitecofer, with Aaron Murphy (Editor)

 

Available Feb. 6, 2023

I debated taking this to review. I made the mistake of looking at the one then available review and it was scathing. Still, I was curious. Some others commented on the review that the reviewer had mis-read. I decided to ask to review it. While it certainly isn't soothing reading, I'm glad I opted to read it. The title pretty well says it all as far as the focus, to share tried and true methods developed to elect the candidate of your choice. 

Started prior to the November 8. 2022, election, the author points out what has worked in the past isn't working now. I'm actually seeing the ideas within being utilized more frequently, so someone is obviously listening. I'm not going to share highlights as this is a book that should be read in its entirety, not just grasping onto isolated details/ideas. One builds on another, so to speak, and it'd be doing the book an injustice to share bits and pieces that, in their isolation, might not have the impact desired. Please read the blurb below for a more detailed look. Bitecofer pulls no punches, I will note.

As the author note, this book is for those who are uneasy about politics right now and where the nation is going. It should be in every single election consultant's hands and, quite frankly, should be read by anyone who wants to better visualize the big picture in the political scene. Bitecofer is a political scientist and has been featured on various media sites that are well known and respected. This guide to elections/politics is an excellent roadmap for all, candidates, election coordinators, and the public. Thank you #NetGalley and #CrownPublishing for making it available. I only wish it were available sooner. 

Publisher Blurb:

"A radical, urgent plan for how the Democratic Party and its supporters can maintain power at one of the most pivotal moments in the history of our nation’s democracy

Why do Democrats fail to win voters to their side, and what can they do to develop new winning political strategies—especially as the very fate of democracy hangs in the balance in 2024? Too often the carefully constructed, rationally minded arguments of the Left meet a grisly fate at the polls, where voters are instead swayed by Republican candidates hawking anger, fear, and resentment. Only when Democrats are handed an overwhelming motivational issue—like the Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade>/i> —have they found a way to counter this effect. 
 

Political scientist and strategist Rachel Bitecofer came to prominence after predicting to the seat the size of the Democrats' rare Blue Wave in the 2018 midterms. At the heart of her prediction lay a powerful concept—negative partisanship, or the idea that voters, even most so-called independents, don’t vote for their candidate so much as they vote against their candidate’s opponent. Seen through this lens, Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts is a deep dive into the Republicans’ own playbook, sharing how Democrats can turn the Right’s own tactics against them. The way for Democrats to wage—and win—electoral war, Bitecofer writes, is to present themselves as “brand ambassadors for freedom, health, wealth, safety, and common sense,” the very opposite of the extremist, freedom-fearing Right. This is a last-ditch effort to armor democracy while there is still time to save it and strengthen it so it can never again be hijacked by a small minority of ideologues.

As America careens into the election cycle that determines its democratic future Hit ‘Em Where It Hurts is the book for any Democrat who has ever banged their head against a wall when obvious rational arguments failed to sway voters over to their side. This guide is a lifeline to save American democracy in its own darkest hour.'"

The MAGA Diaries: My Surreal Adventures Inside the Right-Wing, by Tina Nguyen

 

Publication Jan. 16, 2024

There is much food for thought within this book. It's both captivating and frightening, possibly depending upon one's political viewpoints. I have to admit upfront to being hesitant to read/review this as, quite frankly, so many politically based books are either stridently one side or the other or, well, tediously boring. This one is neither, thank goodness. Tina Nguyen does an excellent job cutting through the hoopla and stridency, laying out where we are in the world right now and, maybe more importantly, how we may have gotten to this point. Just as importantly, she reminds us that much of it happened because, well, we weren't really paying attention. 

I won't even attempt to share specific points because, as she notes, part of the success of this movement is that it was coordinated, ie look at the overall picture, events rarely taking place without rhyme nor reason or in solitude. It didn't happen overnight but, whoa, over years and even decades. Nguyen reveals her own path as she writes, noting how innocent yet intoxicating it was to be caught up in a movement -- Turning Points was the center of that universe at the time -- that seemed to care about you. One that helped you meet others of a like mind, network, and ultimately find your place in the grand scheme of things. Let's just say, Tucker Carlson played a big role in her story. Even when she broke away, seeking journalistic positions outside the conservative core, she continued to cover it with an inquiring, professional mind, one knowing more of the many ins and outs of the movement than even some of the nation's top journalists. She never condemns nor praises, simply sticking to the professional journalists' "these are the facts" aspect. In the process, we learn a great deal about Nguyen's path to where she is now, not all of it easy.

One point she makes that I will share is that the left, particularly the far left, is that they are impatient. They want results and they tend to want them NOW. She points out this in contrast to the long game the far right has and is playing. It's fascinating and a bit frightening to realize how easily we humans can and are being manipulated, Seriously, if you have even the remotest interest in politics or even beginning to figure out what is going on in our political and cultural wars nowadays, you should read this book. I went into it trepidation but found this one fascinating in an unsettling way. It's an eye-opener. Thank you #NetGalley and #OneSignalPublishers - #AtriaBooks for allowing me this sneak pee. I've always disliked politics but it's obviously time I/we start paying far more attention to even the little things, local on up.