Rating: 
Summary: Insiders guide to politics
Review: Hardball is fascinating comprehensive novel on how power is gained and kept Chris Matthews leaves the political garble so often used in politics, and gets down to the simple truths. His book is not only easy to comprehend but entertaining to read. He gives one a true insight into politics as only an insider can experience and witness.
Much like the great Machiavelli his guide to politics is timeless and explains a politician's rise in power or loss of it. Chris Matthews gives the reader-fascinating stories of, assent to power, rivalry, ambition, manipulation, and the loss of power. There is no better way to see how his rules apply to politics than learning about the success stories using his rules and the failures when contenders failed to abide by them. This is the perfect book for both the politically savvy and the normal person interested in politics.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliance--in about 210 pages
Review: Chris Matthews, his television show and media success aside, has risen from the frey to be one of the most respected political insiders in the beltway. Directly out of Holy Cross college he jumped into the political ring, taking some of the pitfalls along the way that serve to education and entertain. His very readable prose doesn't bombard you with political jargan that I have seen from other books, but rather divvies up his political know-how to your face for consideration. From the end of the first chapter I knew this book, indeed, was going to be worth my few hour investment.
For those involved in all aspects of life, Chris adumbrates some of the most important Machievellian techniques that inspire loyality in employees, political constituents, and relationships alike. From working with real examples--such as Ross Perot from the Reform Party position in 1992--abstract examples of how asking for help inspires loyality begins to permiate into my feeble mind. By asking for votes, rather than simply wishing support to be applied, Chris opens up the daunting task for political fundraising into not only a means to bolster your visibility among the 4th Estate, but also a way to gain votes. Learning from the top of his political power positions with former House Speaker Tip O'Neil, the author takes command of the axioms directed toward eloquence and polite pursuasion.
Clearly, you don't have to be seeking our nation's highest office to enjoy this book. The tenets of "keep[ing] your enemies close" and not getting even with your enemies carries a degree of sophistication we call can learn from. Moreover, you'll find each chapter choc full of stories which provide valuable insight which can be directly applicable to debate and discussion. As a supplement to Joseph Liebierman's "in praise of public life" this novel proves to have been an enjoyable read and I'm confident you'll enjoy just the same.
Rating:
Summary: Very Informative
Review: Despite the harshness of some of these reviews, I enjoyed Hardball, and found it to be very informative. One critic labeled Matthews "right wing". I find this interesting because most of Matthews political mentors were liberals, like Tip O'Neill and Lyndon Johnson. He knows alot about how Washington works, which is apparent from his books and TV show.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: I can't stand Chris Matthews' TV show, but this book is an
absolute must read for all political junkies. He's a great
story teller and he doesn't allow his left wing views to
corrupt the writing.
Rating: 
Summary: for trying
Review: i have to admit, i NEVER knew "cloakrooms" existed. that seriously is about the only thing i learned from reading this book. all matthews does is explain how the game of politics is played. dont any of you people look beyond the headlines?! maybe everyone who gave this 4 or 5 stars has been watching too much cnn and (God forbid) local news only to be overwhelmed when some (SOME) logic is added in. i dont think it takes a chapter to explain that contacts and connections can be helpful. remember in elementary school when your friends would let you cut in line to get lunch? there you go. the more people you know, the faster you get your lunch. go read Zinn, Chomsky, Said, Nader, or even Moore if you want something revolutionary. and if you really want something to help you get ahead... how about logic? rayan
Rating:
Summary: How To Win Friends and Influence People - - Hardball style !
Review: This book has often been described as Machiavelli for the '90s and beyond. One might even joke the cynical side of Dale Carnegie's "How To Win Friend's and Influence People" - - A brilliant story teller, Chris Matthews has written a book that to this day if actually read transcends his controversial personality and is an indepth study of how people get ahead... its not just a book for politicians - - everyone should read it - - whether viewed as a study of greed, or a guide to how to get ahead in life, Matthews makes some brilliant observations - - learned from a wide variety of political personae on all sides of the ideological coin, and proving the one thing that every political ideologue in Washington has in common - - a modus of operendi relating to their success based on their ability to pull people's strings. - - In essence, Hardball is a study of just this - - the art of pulling people's strings by understanding what makes them tick, incuring favor, indebting them to you (often by having *them* do *you* favor !) and playing by certain rules. - - People politics are key to the game of life in any field (whether or not you like the game.) On his TV show, Chris Matthews comes across as a cranky anti-intellectual motor mouth - - one who can have 7 guests, and not a single one will get a word in likewise... The myth of Chris Matthews is best characterized by SNL's Darell Hammond's routine where he's always cutting people off with that hillarious, "Yeah... yeah... yeah... yeah.. shut up !"
In fact, it was through SNL that I actually began tuning into Chris's show - - and I actually took a liking to him... Rather than finding him to be "anti-intellectual", I found him "anti-rhetoric" - - On the surface it sounds like he's hostile, rude and won't let his guests get in a word likewise, but if you listen in closely, what he does is not allow his guests (who are ALL in the P.R. game some way or another) to lay on their carefully rehearsed soundbits... He listens when they shoot straight, but all hell breaks lose when they start to launch into the same diatribe that they delivered on "Meet The Press" - - when he questions them, rather than eliciting the rhetoric talk show hosts are expected to do, he often lays their own rhetoric on them and cuts them off when they go for their carefully rehearsed speeches. - - After reading this book, it seems clear that Chris Matthews isn't Darell Hammond's cranky old big mouth... the truth is, he knows the game and is having fun throwing side pitches - - in reality, few will fluster or break down and cry (most simply resort to doing little other than repeating themselves over an over), but I think being able to outmouth any powerhouse with a big ceeeeeeegar is somewhat of a fete in itself. Incidentally, despite the rumors, its hillarious to find out that he was actuall Tip O'Neil's right hand man, and practically learned the game from the old Democratic sage of Capitol Hill ! ! ! Long after Chris's stint as a popular cable TV show talk show host is forgotten, this book will be mandatory reading at high schools, colleges and in the game of life (of course, played hardball style !)
Rating: 
Summary: Useful tool, even for critics!
Review: I'll admit it, I'm a progressive. I also think that Chris Matthews is a first class jerk with a completely unethical view on what's acceptable in this world. However, I'm extremely politically active, too. I bird dog presidential candidates (Bush, McCain, Gore, Bradley), worked on a Congressional campaign, etc. etc. And the truth is, as much as I hate the messenger, Matthews is pretty much dead on here with this book. If you want to know how the game of politics is currently played, or at least get a taste for it, you should read this book. It doesn't mean you have to like it or think that Matthews is a great guy. But don't dismiss him out of ideology. If you do you'll miss out on the opportunity to learn things that you can use to your advantage. Activists, particularly those on the left, need to smarten up if they want to succeed politically. I certainly don't recommend everything Matthews is suggesting, but he's got some words of wisdom that should be utilized. For example, there's "hang a lantern on your problem." That means, if there's no upside, there's no way to "hide" your problem, expose it yourself! In the process you can define it in your own terms and look honorable in the process. I've used this in my own political work. Then there's "Leave no shot unanswered" which means you don't let the opposition nail you without coming back with an effective counterstatement. This, as Matthews points out, needs to be balanced against "only speak if it'll improve the silence." He gives good examples (although at times a little disjointed) on these and several other words of wisdom to the politically active. I can't say I like the playing field, but it is the playing field whether I like it or not. I can curse it, or use it to my advantage while also applying my own moral standards. If you're a progressive, slog through the baloney -- the fact that this book received a rave review from George Will should give you some indication of what I'm talking about -- but read this book and learn.
Rating: 
Summary: Ugh!
Review: I can't stand Chris Matthews and his right-wing "hardball" game. Someone like Chomsky or Edward Said should put him in his place for once on his disgusting talk show. But no, he's too...uh...it doesn't matter...I'm going to get bashed for this review. I don't care though. Matthew's ways are unethical and quite sickening--so Randian--everything that's wrong with America. Go ahead, click "no," this review wasn't helpful to you. I don't care. I just want to express how much hatred runs through my veins for the likes Matthews (there are a lot of them).
Rating:
Summary: Lessons culled from political lore
Review: If you like politics, especially political lore, then you probably will like this book. Don't worry about a liberal or conservative slant, this book is about how to win, whichever side of the aisle you are on. The principles that Matthew's has assembled are informative, however, I found I was most interested simply in the campfire tales of political manuevering. However, I I would have liked more documentation and attribution to support the stories that Matthews recounts. Bottom line: a fun, easy read for anyone from the political neophyte to a full-fledged political junkie.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful insight on politics
Review: The back of this book has a self-description: How politics is played by one who knows the game... Yep, this is a "how to" book on politics, and Matthews does have the inside scoop. He is currently Washington Bureau Chief for the San Francisco Examiner and a syndicated columnist, but has run for office and was the righthand man for years for Speaker of the House Tip O'Neal. Matthews' Machiavellian approach to politics is evident in the title and throughout the book in the points he makes. Those points are concise, and can be summed by the titles of most of his chapters. But by weaving wonderful, insightful, and often humorous stories and quotes throughout, the book is entertaining and a quick read. My favorite chapters were: --It's not who you know; it's who you get to know --It's better to Receive Than to Give - With the opening quote from Ben Franklin, "If you want to make a friend, let someone do you a favor." Or, as Matthews put it, the best way to win a supporter is to get someone to do something for you. People love to be asked. --Keep your enemies in front of you - With the quote from Lyndon Johnson, "Better to have 'em inside the tent pissin' out than outside pissin' in." --Don't get mad; don't get even; get ahead - With the quote from Ronald Reagan, "I always throw my golf club in the direction I'm going." --Only talk when it improves the silence - "Silence is the ultimate weapon of power." Charles deGaulle I highly recommend this book for anyone, regardless if you are interested in Washington politics. The hardball lessons that Matthews offers are practical in any real world job, from business to academics to politics.
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