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Summary: Even better in paperback.
Review: I received the hardcover in 2002 as a birthday gift. Now that it's out in paper... I have to go & buy it myself! This is not merely a reissue, but a new edition, including updated material on events since publication -- and material that had been deleted because it violated certain United Kingdom libel laws (which is where the book was first printed) (the story is complicated, but those of you who read the original will recall the footnote).In a different world, I'd consider myself moderate, if not conservative, and Palast an interesting nutball. However, beginning with the elections of 2000, events have proven him correct time & again. I have developed much respect for his research, and can only recommend him to anyone of any political stripe -- yes, for you dittoheads, he doesn't spare the Clintons either.
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Summary: This is one great book!
Review: Everyone interested in what really goes on behind closed doors and elsewhere absolutely must read this book! It is great! Very in-depth but yet very reader friendly! Keep the antacids handy though because it might make you sort of nauseous to find out what crooks we are working with!
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Summary: Connecting the dots...
Review: When you've got the feeling that you're continuously "being had" by the angle that "news" are being portrayed (or NOT portrayed) in mass media, this book is for you. 9/11 was for me the peak event that started to make me question the 'status quo' and look for alternative views on current and historical issues. Greg Palast was one of those sources that started to open my eyes. During one of his book signings during a "VoterMarch" event, he actually showed the audience the database that was used to scrub tens of thousands of black (mostly democratic) Florida voters from the voting lists. Lots of other goodies in the book that will shock you and will leave you thirsting for more. ... We've all got to ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS - and this book will greatly empower you to do so.
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Summary: Thank You Greg!
Review: Understand upfront that you will not enjoy reading this book. But you owe it to yourself to do so anyways. Greg Palast skewers the American Press, providing details of their unwillingness to publish controversial, but critcally important, information. And everything he says is documented with facts, facts, and more facts. In this new edition, information is provided to prove that over 50,000 eligible voters were blocked from voting in Florida, and the proof was provided by none other than faxed information from Katherine Harris! Details of the Bush family dealing with the Saudis is equally disquieting. Greg Palast now publishes his stories exclusively in Europe, since the US media is unwilling to publish stories they consider too controversial. This book will shake your faith in the media, and open your eyes to stories you'll wish you had seen when they were originally published.
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Summary: Hidden Risks to Corporate Value
Review: This is an important, deep, and interesting book. I especially liked the expose on fraudulent practices. Some of the new products like total return swaps, off shore vehicles, and derivatives have contributed to the ability to create the appearance of profits without the reality. People with a finance backgound will enjoy "Credit Derivatives" by Tavakoli, which explains how all kinds of risk can be taken and it is all off-balance sheet.
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Summary: I don't know about you, but I hate reading long reviews.
Review: Some selections are weaker than others. There are enough strong ones to make you sit up and take notice. This is an important book.
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Summary: Be Very Afraid
Review: Remember all those great things you were taught to believe about America when you went to school? Well, until you're prepared to have your illusions blown away, stay away from this book. I was not one to be blinded by propaganda and lies, or at least so I thought. I thought the Supreme Court was a bastion of rationality and reason, an impartial body of law. I thought that we had a representative democracy. Well, only the events of sElection 2000 could've prepared my mind to read this book. And even still, the documented facts and evidence that Greg Palast presents in "Best Democracy Money Can Buy" kept me up at night. This book is not about left or right, conservative or liberal. It's about who really runs things on this planet, about who has the power and who does not. In chapter after chapter, media myth after government lie is laid bare before the reader, and it's a wonder that Mr. Palast is still among the living. For anyone who wants true freedom, truly free markets, and a safe world for his or her children, you better read this book. Or turn on the TV and stay comfortably sedated. The beginning of the book is a bit clunky, but once Palast gets in his groove - look out! The scales will fall from your eyes.
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Summary: You want to be informed look elsewhere.
Review: This has to be about the worst book I have ever read on a political subject. The Author is so one sided and creative in his accusations that you would not only have to be on the extreme side of the Green Party but in need of a biased brain washing to further reinforce your ideals. If your conservative I suggest reading this book if you want to be ...off and motivated into action. If your liberal I would suggest skipping it and reading something to inform you better on issues or find something that is ultra conservative to...you off and get you motivated into action. If you are looking for something to inform you better on the issues skip this book and pick up something with a few more facts and a balanced approach. Knowing the rants of one side without the facts will do you no good.
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Summary: Where's the gratuitous liberal bashing?
Review: Seeing as most other books written by leftist/progessive authors usually receive scathing reviews by conservatives as being "socialist," "communist," or "anti-American," why hasn't this been the target? Perhaps because they're afraid to face the truth contained within?
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Summary: Intensely difficult to get through...
Review: ... Not because of the subject, grammer, or writing style -- but because every page absolutely jolts you with one disturbing fact or revelation after another. It's one thing for this to occur in a Stephen King novel -- you're reassured to know that it's a work of fiction. This book is not a work of fiction. With each page, I felt the rug being pulled from under my firmly held notions of "the truth", and our supposedly free and fair access to information in this country. Whether from our various news media, or our elected government, which is supposed to be accountable to us. As hard as this book was to read, I feel better for the knowledge. But why does it take an American investigative journalist, living in virtual exile in the UK, to tell us these things? If you're happy in your ignorance, I don't recommend you buy this book. If you think inconvenient truths, injustice, and atrocities should by shut up in an attic like a crazy old uncle -- stick with popular fiction. This book can change you, I promise. It changed me. Damn you, and thank you Greg Palast.
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