Rating: 
Summary: Learned response
Review: There are some very learned responses to this book in these reviews, so I thought I'd add my own. Apparently the author has a problem with the capitalist ethics that are supposedly increasing their hold on the world. He apparently investigates some figures and statistics, and then reports about them in this book. My main question is, does the author expect to be paid for doing this work, and if so, how concerned can he really be about Tanzania's crippled economy? I guess some people are interested in this kind of thing, and I'd recommend this book to those people. So in conclusion, I'd give this book a 3 out of 5.
Rating: 
Summary: Probably the most important book you'll read this year
Review: Greg Palast leaves nothing sacred. He is willing to attack the most sacred cows of American (and British) politics equally, and exposes the lies and the corruption that is behind much of what we read and hear. He takes on everything from the 2000 election debacle to emissions trading to Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, most of what he writes cannot get published in the corporate-owned American press. If you care about the America you believe in, you'll read this book. If you just want more of the same, I would suggest ignoring it.
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Summary: A must read for Progressive thinking people
Review: First hand knowledge and great insight from a good Reporter. The section on the 2000 Florida voting scandal should be required reading for all High School students.
Rating: 
Summary: One-Sided but Very Important
Review: There are a number of better writers around that push a message similar to Palast's, but Palast should be rewarded for actually going out to dig up the truth. This is a ideological book and Palast's own philosopy is heavy-handed. In a way, however, I prefer to have the ideology out front where is can be easily separated from the more important part of the book - the painstakingly collected pile of facts. Chapter 1 is worth the price of the book alone; it details the stealing of the 2000 presidential election in a manner no negative reviewer here or anywhere can refute. For example, John Fury says "I think it's telling that those who accuse the Bush brothers of stealing the election in Florida totally ignore evidence that the Gore team was engaged in the same tactics." Really? How did the Gore Team get the Jeb Bush his Republican Secretary of State (Katherine Harris) to systematically disenfrachise 50,000 - 90,000 voters that would have overwhelmingly voted Republican if they were at the same time systematically purging the voter rolls of Democrats? Reviewers who have criticized Palast for slapping the book together have a good point, it is indeed disjointed to some extent. For me that is OK. I've read perhaps half of this book because I can only digest depressing material in small doses. Read the book though - every citizen has the responsibility to know about the lousy things their leaders are willing to do to accumulate power.
Rating:
Summary: The review below shows me there IS hope...
Review: The "Spotlight Reviews" say most all I wanted to say, and the last review shows the best of what Americans are capable of, given some information. I only wanted to add this: Media, as the Church Committee found out in a big way, is totally compromised in America in more ways than just Corporate - be it outright control, or conflict of interest. Also, in the first, very well-written "Spotlight Review", the statement was made that George W. Bush is the first un-elected President (meaning of course, by popular vote). It has happened twice before this: in 1876; when Tilden beat Hayes by over 250,000 votes; in 1888, when Grover Cleveland won the popular vote, but lost the election.
Rating:
Summary: Eye opening
Review: Not for people who wholeheartedly believe "My Country, Right or Wrong". But for myself, the writings of this journalist jump-started my thinking about my responsibilities as a citizen of the USA. Reading about some of the questionable activities my government has been involved in over the last few decades woke me up the the fact that I can't sleepwalk through participating in this democratic constitutional republic. It's not enough to just show up at the polls every now and then and blindly hope whoever gets elected takes care of business while I go on living in blissful ignorance.
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Summary: The best overview of the theft of the 2000 election
Review: Palast is a treasure for our democracy. There is much to like in this book, not the least of which is that Palast does origial source research to back up his claims. Without doubt, the most important contribution is his chapter on the 2000 presidential campaign and the very detailed revelations about how many voters were purged from the rolls as alleged felons. My only minor complaint is that while Palast is great, the book is a little self serving and he obviously has no small ego. On the other hand, he has earned his place in the pantheon of public personalities.
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Summary: So Good we Should be Ashamed
Review: For those of us raised on what passes for "news" in the corporate media, Palast's work is like a slap in the face. Here's a guy who rolls up his sleeves and digs through the actual stuff of journalism. He makes the extra phone calls, and wades through the reams of official documents in which the plots of the powerful are bureaucratically buried. If we're not ready, as citizens, to read exposes like Palast's, then we deserve to reap the fruits of a ruined democracy.
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Summary: The Best Democracy Money Can Buy
Review: Incisive, well researched and documented, unsparing and a much-needed addition to the thinking individual's library.
Rating:
Summary: Eye Opening
Review: This novel was an excellent read. For anyone wanting to find out what's REALLY happening in the world, Palast brings out the truth. Find out why black people weren't allowed to vote in FL. Also learn why Exxon allowed the oil spill to take place. Additionally Palast offers excellent examples of why globalization can suck. Sure, Palast is no comedian like political populist Jim Hightower, but if you're looking for the news (unadultered) Palast will offer it to you. A great read if you want to keep up with the truth.
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