Hardball : How Politics Is Played Told By One Who Knows The Game

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Summary: Christopher Matthews is a Master of Politics
Review: For political fanatics or for outsiders, this book just tells the tricks of the trade. It shows that reguardless of a politicians popularity, they can reach the top. From JFK's telivised debate to Reagan's termination of communism, Matthews shows the largest scandals such as "WaterGate" and small as Alber Gore, Sr.'s familiarity of the salons in Georgetown. Matthews gives advice to future politicians and reveals the right and wrong of politics. It's the survival of the fittest in politics. He shows how and when to use these political strategies unlike some of LBJ's foul ups. Great Book and recomended to all!

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Summary: A political masterpiece that even teaches polticians.
Review: A backstage pass to the life of politics! Christopher Mathews writes brilliantly on anything and everything to do with politics. This book not only keeps the reader engaged by unveiling the tricks of the trade of who gets ahead in politics but Mathews also shows that through hard-nosed work and determination, anything can happen. LBJ is the epitome of one who knows how to play Hardball. This book is for anyone who thinks they know everything about politics, and those who do not know anything. I recommend this book to anyone.

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Summary: Matthews brilliantly disects the unique game of politics
Review: Politics is a game that not everyone can play. One has to have certain qualities and be able to do certain things that the average person would never do. One has to follow a certain set of rules and look to the past for instruction on what to do in certain situations. In Hardball by Christopher Matthews, he writes "To get ahead in life, you can learn a great deal from those who get ahead for a living...People are jockeying for position, all the while keeping an eye on the competition. There's a magnetism to this world of make-or-break." According to Matthews, there are certain ways in which people can get a head in politics, and he gives many examples of the past to support these tactics. The four main areas in which these tactics lie are in: alliances, enemies, deals, and reputations. Matthews does a great job of explaining the game of politics to even I, who didn't know much about the game. Through the use of understandable examples that have occurred throughout this century, Matthews enables anyone to see the tactics that politicians use in getting ahead in Washington. Another great part of the book is that he makes politics meaningful to the reader by linking the way politics is played to the way life is sometimes played. In the process of examining Washington, he shows how the human mind works when dealing with allies and enemies. The language that Matthews uses sometimes is not understandable, but this is only to those that aren't too familiar with political vocabulary. The best part of the book is by far its humor. The examples that Matthew gives are not only insightful and meaningful, but also very funny at times. It is a delight to read about some of the humorous things that go on in Washington, a place normally viewed as a place full of dull, boring old men. However, it is far from just that.

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Summary: THE MOST EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIVE POLITICAL MUST-HAVE
Review: I am a college freshman that has always been interested in the public service field. I stumbled upon this book, and have been riding on a high horse ever since. I have since read this book at least six more times. Break out your highlighters cause you will be using them. FANTASTIC book. Nothing more can be said. FANTASTIC.

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Summary: Rrevealing handbook of how and why politicians win and lose.
Review: Chris Matthews' Hardball is a great book for those who are interested in how politicians manage to get elected, stay in office, and eventually lose in reelection. For political junkies and outsiders alike, this book takes you behind-the-scenes of campaign trails, strategy meetings, and into the offices of the most powerful people in the nation as they make deals, plot their next moves, and cozy up with lobbyist. Told by an experienced insider, his stories, from Johnson's retail politics to Reagan's decison to name nemesis James Baker as his Chieff of Staff, serve as the backbone for explaining how politicians have managed to convince others--voters, colleagues, and political adversairies--to support them and elect them.

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Summary: Great Practical Insight
Review: As a college student, I'm fed with a lot of theoretical leadership tenets. Matthews not only offers practical leadership tenets, but delivers a unique glance into Washington. A breeze to read.

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Summary: Great book.
Review: Have always enjoyed Chris Matthews show, "Hardball", on CNBC. His writting is just as good. His advice will work in both a political and/or business setting. This book will also help you understand some of the details of what actually goes on in Washington as well as help you offering great wisdom that will help you progress up the ladder at the office. He uses great examples to get his points across. It was a pleasure to read and will be in my library for a long time.

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Summary: Politically Enlightening
Review: This book is a must for anyone interested or involved in the political arena. In fact, this should be the first book one should read before engaging in the political field. Historical facts coupled with personal accounts makes this a truly invaluable piece of reading material. Matthews is the man.

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Summary: Chris is the master of politics
Review: Matthews does not just give us a fascinating insiders look at politics and reveal the strategies used by these conniving rats and reptiles. He also teaches us how we, as regular non-political people, can use these devious practices in our daily lives to destroy those we do not like and raise ourselves up in society without doing anything meaningful. And of course, as anyone who has seen this hyperactive genius on cnbc knows, Chris Matthews is a shining example of how it is possible to achieve wealth and fame by doing nothing more than flapping your gums at such a rapid rate and extreme volume as to overwhelm all those around you. Bravo, Chris.

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Summary: Share it with friends, hide it from your enemies
Review: What a book! I wasn't crazy about Chris Matthews before reading the book, but now who cares? I think it would be hard to find another book so packed with meaningful tips on how to play the political game and excellent examples of people using those strategies in brilliant ways. But this is definitely not a book only for those into politics. Although nearly all the examples are political in nature, the point is well made that this is information we can all use in our daily interactions with people. Read this more than once, highlight it, cherish it. Share it with your friends, but keep it from your enemies! What a book!!