Rating: 
Summary: A Guide for Winning at Life
Review: HARDBALL was a required reading for my AP Government class, but upon reading it I discovered that it different from traditional assigned books in a few ways. The book was easy to read, highly interesting, full of information, and very logical and understandable. The book teaches a series of axioms that all politicians ought to learn to succeed. There are also myriad examples of how some of today's most successful politicans, LBJ, JFK, Nixon, Reagan, etc, became to be. Beyond this, I believe that the tactics that Matthews writes about can be used to succeed in life. In fact, I would make the analogy that it is tantamount to a modern version of Sun Tzu's ART OF WAR in that both of these works teach important lessons to succeed in today's society. This is definitely a book I will read many more times to understand how to succeed in the future.
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Summary: Excellent Book for Those Who Want to Get to Know Washington
Review: Matthews', "Hardball" is an excellent book for those who want to get to know the mechanics of Washington in less than 300 pages. As assigned reading for my AP Government and Politics course, I feel it, along with Hedrick Smith's "Power Game", is an excellent basis for anyone, student or not, who wants to learn the fundamentals of American Politics.
Rating:
Summary: "An Excellent Political Primer"
Review: The promotional copy gives an excellent overview of thebook:"Chris Matthews has spent a quarter century on the playingfield of American politics--from righthand man of Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill to host of NBC's highest rated cable talk show "Hardball." In this revised and updated edition of his political classic, he offers fascinating new stories of raw ambition, brutal rivalry, and exquisite seduction and reveals the inside rules that govern the game of power."The introduction begins with an interesting anecdote: "I was standing one day in the Democratic cloakroom, that narrow hideaway just off the floor of the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol. The room is equipped with a snack bar, banks of telephone booths and two rows of worn leather couches with pillows so that members can take afternoon naps. It was lunchtime and the smell of steaming hot dogs filled the air. A small crowd of congressmen, escaping the Capitol's chandeliered formality, were lined up munching sandwiches at the stainless-steel lunch counter. The talk, as always, was of politics. Quietly, I confided to one of the members that I was writing a book about the rules of politics, including all the tricks I had overheard in the off-the-record hideaways like this. He look at me, a crease of pain crossing his forehead, and said with dead seriousness, 'Why do you want to go and give them away?'" (p. 17) I own and have read both editions of this book (1988 and 1999). I must confess that when I first read the story above, I interpreted the comment about giving away the political tricks as a concern by a loyal party member that Democratic secrets would possibly be compromised to the benefit of the Republican party. But, after reading the 1999 edition of this book, and also after having watched a lot of "Hardball" episodes on cable, I have changed my opinion about the meaning of the concern. It just may be that the individual was actually more concerned about what the public would think if they had detailed knowledge of how politicians operate--and that's actually the compelling reason why the public should read this book! I agree with the general consensus of this review forum, that any aspiring politician can read this book and learn the basics of how Washington operates. There is some good advice given, such as chapter seven, which is titled "Leave No Shot Unanswered." Matthews writes, "A sad rule of thumb is that most people believe that if any shot goes unanswered it must be true." (p. 125) But, I would also suggest that some of these methods are not worthy of respect. Did you know that recessions are "timed" by politicians? It says, "Did you ever notice that swings in the economy nearly correspond to the political calendar? Recessions usually occur in the first year after a president wins an election. Recoveries are timed to reach full vigor as the country is poised for a new political season. A president knows that he must complete his term on an economic upswing. If he is going to squeeze out the inflation and cut some benefit programs, he'd better do it right up front so that the pain is forgotten by the next election." (pp. 83-84) Matthews explains how Congress refuses to make minimum wage increases automatically indexed to the cost of living, because members want to be able to offer a "sugarplum" to their hard working constituency to show that they are actually doing something for them. (pp. 85-86) Matthews goes on to explain how one politician would purposely stretch out a job over more than one year for political gain. (p. 86) Most people are probably familiar with the term "spin," which Matthews states as "defining the events in the most self-seving way possible." (p. 171) But, Matthews also explains a couple of political maneuvers that some people may not be familiar with. "Lowballing" is the method of manipulating the public's expectation about an upcoming election result or poll with an articificially low estimate for possible future political gain. Matthews also explains the related technique of "sandbagging." He says, "One of the most effective means of diminishing your opponent's stature is to advertise his strengths, to set unreasonable expectations of his potential." (p. 201) Matthews sums up these latter two techniques thus: "In both lowballing and sandbagging, the principle is the same: create a handicapping system that makes any success of yours seem bigger than it is and your opponent's victory much smaller." (p. 202) If you watch enough "Hardball" on cable and understand these techniques, you can start to develop a finely tuned spin-meter and you will know when a politician is trying to pull the wool over your eyes. In the chapter called "Spin!", Matthews states that "to mass, uninformed and unanalytical audiences, the moral imagery always outdazzles the scientific." (p. 179) This is quite a sad statement about the public, in general. Even more pathetic, is some of the quotes attributed to politicians, "If you can't drink their booze, take their money, [have sex with] their women and vote against them in the morning, you don't belong in this place." (p. 67) And also this one, "I would walk over my grandmother to help Richard Nixon." (p. 48) With quotes and methods such as these, perhaps one can see why someone might not want a book like this to be published. At some point, we, the general public, have to look in the mirror and ask ourselves whether we like to be manipulated in this manner. And if we have the self-respect to say "no" to that question, then it behooves us to understand the methods of how this is done and not to be fooled. At some point, the general public has to start demanding a higher standard out of Washington.
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Summary: A Book that Gets More Interesting the More You Read
Review: Chris Matthews combines insights gleaned from both experience and his knowledge of political history to write a truly engrossing battle plan for how to be successful in politics or just about any vocation. Matthew's voluminous store of events, stories and insider vignettes from 20th century politics adds weight to the strategic insights he dispenses in what is really a fun and engaging book. You'll be amazed and fascinated at the tales Matthews tells and how he is able to weave those into a coherent narrative dealing with what makes for a successful politician, which lessons are translatable into just about any walk of life. Matthews' writing style makes this book all the more enjoyable. You'll find it hard to put down and what you learn from it will stick with you for a long time.
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Summary: Politically Stunning
Review: Chris tells the world of politics like no other. His fairness to the players only compounds his insight into how the game works. This book is a must have for anyone with any intention on getting into the game of politics, or is even half-way curious on how the machine works.
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Summary: Chris Matthews at his Best !
Review: Chris Matthews goes beyond his highly rated CNBC show Hardball. In this book he really gives the reader a real life day to day account of life with the Washington D.C. insiders. He gives the reader some really good stories as well as some good quotes. (which many Hardball regular viewers like myself will recognise right away) For anyone that enjoys his show Hardball, or any of you political junkies out there, this is the book for you !
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Summary: A book that works because it knows what it wants to do
Review: As a book, "Hardball" works because its simple. It lists the rules of political victory, provides a funny story, a little insight, and then moves on. I can see why this book is so popular among young and inspiring politicos. It won't change the way you see the world, but it will help you see the world you know more clearly.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Commentary...BUT....
Review: The "rules" were ones that are drummed into anyone interested in politics very early and often. So, if you are interested in the political scene know 'em and know 'em well. The stories that went along with those rules were pretty good too. HOWEVER, it was pretty disorganized and hard to follow within. Matthews is just like he is on tv--all over the place. One sentence he's talking about Reagan...the next, Clinton and then back to Reagan...all with unclear transitions that really made the book not so fun to read. But if you are interested in the basics and the general rules of politics you can take that away from this book.
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Summary: A good politcal book that can be applied to everday life
Review: This is a short book that none-the-less has much wisdom to offer. Matthews begins by recalling his background in politics and journalism, which is quite extensive. By 1988, he had already worked for a Senator, a President, and a Speaker of the house. The basic theme is how to play politics, or more specifically, how to win at politics. He has a couple of hardball theories. My favorite is the politician that loses the public fight but wins the greater policy victory. He explains in detail how Ronald Regean was able to sway congress in supporting the Contras in Central America by using their language with his policy. Many other things in the book seem like common sense or too easy, but Matthews shows how they work. He explains how Lyndon Johnson made his way from Congressional Secretary to Representative, to Senator, to Senate Majority Leader and later President. Johnson simply got to know people. He found what a person wanted, and then delivered when he could. This would almost always create a supporter. Johnson knew that if he could get some congressman's bridge built he would have that guy's vote later. Also interesting how he compares Washington politics with everyday office politics and how these lessons apply to most everyone.
Rating:
Summary: loved it
Review: Matthews tells you how it is. He's not condesending and he doesn't play hookie from reality. He is simply intelligent. If anyone wants to talk politcs or about the book email me.
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