American Disasters, Or The Books I'm Reading Lately

[weaklingrecords]

I cannot recommend strongly enough the following two books. Both are maddening for so many reasons.

The first, American Theocracy, I've posted about before, but I wasn't finished with it. [In an effort of full disclosure, I haven't finished either of these yet, but that's not because I haven't been trying.] I've made it another 100 pages or

Comments

[bassmike]

But we already knew all that. Why do we need to read two long books about it.

I keeed, I keeed.

Still, the only problem with books like these is that those who need to read them won't.

[weaklingrecords]

That's probably true, although I've seen a bunch of people reading one or the other in airports recently. Cobra II is incredible. If you have even a passing interest in politics, history, or the military you will be fascinated by it.

[bassmike]

I'm reading the Truman biography right now. But I'll add them to the post-law-school, post-bar-exam reading bonanza.

[baconfat]

have you read "what's the matter with kansas?" by thomas frank? that book'll depress the hell out of you. also, he came and spoke at nd around the time we were seniors- did you go? he is an excellent speaker and was just here in charlottesville last fall. i think this is my first comment to yr blog, woohah.

[weaklingrecords]

I have. And yes, it was a difficult read. The other one that was hard was "Don't Think of an Elephant."

I also just finished Jimmy Carter's book, "Our Endangered Values." I recommend that, as well, for a different perspective on the American Theocracy question.

Oh, and w00t! on the first comment. :-)

[novak]

FYI: What I've seen written elsewhere on the item. Myself, I do think "theocracy" is more than a bit bandied about: when you study history or political science and look at what real theocracies are, that does seem to me to raise a flag of suspicion w.r.t. its usage in this context.

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From America:

At the Brink of Disaster
American Theocracy
The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century
By Kevin Phillips

Olga Bonfiglio

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From First Things:

March 23, 2006
Richard John Neuhaus writes:

March 21, 2006
Joseph Bottum writes:

[efhayward]

It's always bothered me that the people presidents appoint to conduct wars never seem to have had to fight them, nor have they had any military experience whatsoever (McNamara, Cheney, Rummy Two-Times). And then everyone wonders how they can be so collossally bad at their jobs.

On your other point, when I worked in DC, it floored me that my boss - a devout Catholic but not preachy, and who voted much more in line with his faith than many preachier Congressmen - would be chastised for not attending "Prayer Breakfasts" and "National Day of Prayer" events initiated by members who could not have cared less about Jesus a decade before but knew they had to appease their fundy voting base. Sad how that switch can be flipped so easily.

[somedisco]

that second book sounds like a fascinating read.

P.S.
the - by American standards, certainly - tiny evangelical politically active Christian community in the UK likes to take its cues from their congregational cousins across the pond.
but they don't have any bearing on anything really, it must be said.
though the question of faith schools remains a hot topic in the UK.