Amazon.com
Sumner Redstone should be dead. At least that's what the prologue to his autobiographical tale of business trial and triumph reveals, relating the story of Redstone's narrow escape and painful recovery from a Boston hotel fire in 1979. It might also be what some of Redstone's business adversaries secretly wish after reading this revealing book. Much has been written about the man in control of the Viacom empire, but in A Passion to Win, the consummate winner spills the beans on how he got to where he is, who stood in his way, and what drives him to succeed.
Redstone began life in a hardscrabble Boston neighborhood in the early 1920s, the son of a Jewish entrepreneur and a woman determined to see her children excel. Instilled with a drive to succeed at an early age, Redstone went from the academically tough Boston Latin School to Harvard to a military career breaking Japanese codes during World War II. After the war, he went back to Harvard for law school, then spent the next seven years immersing himself in a profession based on reason and justice, ideals that he claims hold his life together. Realizing that practicing law was just a business, however, he went on to enter another business arena, joining the movie drive-in company his father had founded and very quickly expanding it, assuming leadership, and changing the company's name to National Amusements. Redstone's story details his experiences at the helm of this company--taking on the big studios by challenging film industry practices like blind bidding; investing heavily in those same studios, often to great profit; gathering the stock-owning clout and financing needed to make a serious bid for Viacom; battling fiercely to win against the Viacom management group's efforts to take the company private; and finally acquiring the media conglomerate in 1987. Many of the juicy bits lie in tales of Redstone's subsequent years with Viacom, his involvement (initially through MTV) with the Clintons, and the company's acquisition of both Paramount (and the bidding wars that entailed) and Blockbuster (and that deal's ensuing battles with Wayne Huizenga). Redstone is obviously a tough player, not averse to overriding team decisions when he believes in his own vision and not afraid to litigate when he feels unjustly treated--something he's done often, though he claims to hate lawsuits and denies suing "too readily." But he's also book smart and business savvy, and his story offers many tidbits of advice on deal making and power playing when the stakes are high.
A Passion to Win isn't going to win any literary prizes; the writing is simple, and the story unfolds in an often-tedious litany of accomplishments. Indeed, as autobiographies go, this one's tone is rather self-satisfied and can even seem petulant when the author is rehashing what he perceives as the many business wrongs committed against him. But this is a tell-all from a high vantage point in corporate entertainment, and as Redstone's personal account of all that helped and hindered on his way to the heights (jam packed with big-name players in entertainment business, law, finance, and politics), it's sure to be a source of anxiety for some and a titillating read for many. --S. Ketchum
Book Description
In one of the great business autobiographies of this or any other year, Sumner Redstone, at age 77, reveals, blow-by-blow, how he battled his way to control and ownership of a vast media and entertainment empire that includes Paramount Pictures, MTV, Nickelodeon, Blockbuster, Simon & Schuster, and now CBS. This is not the story of "a modern manager" such as a Jack Welch or a Gerald Levin; rather it is the story of the epic rise of a media giant, in the grand tradition of the Hearsts, Paleys, and Pulitzers. Redstone can proudly exclaim, "I AM VIACOM!" A Passion to Win tells the whole extraordinary, inside story of his battles and friendships with Barry Diller, Paramount head Martin Davis; his abrupt firing of CEO Frank Biondi and Simon & Schuster CEO Richard Snyder, among others; and finally in an $85 billion merger, loosening his powerful grip to consent to CBS chief Mel Karmazin as Viacom COO. But the book also provides countless practical insights into his credo of "Content is King" and his amazing talent for negotiation -- perhaps unrivaled in the entire industry. At the heart of the book is the relentless drive that helped Redstone overcome every obstacle in the way of his $10 billion takeover of Paramount, one of the toughest and nastiest battles in modern media history.
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A titan of modern media, Viacom Chair-man Sumner Redstone reveals how he battled his way to become the head of one of the world's great media empires, and the richest man in entertainment. In one of the most fascinating business autobiographies of this or any other year, Sumner Redstone tells the unvarnished story of how he overcame every obstacle to build a vast media and entertainment engine that includes Paramount Pictures, MTV, Nickelodeon, Blockbuster, Simon & Schuster, and now CBS. A larger-than-life figure in the grand tradition of the Hearsts, Paleys, and Pulitzers, and voted in a recent survey of 600 corporate executives as the number-one most inspiring CEO, this is the man who can truly say, "I am Viacom." A Passion to Win gives a riveting look behind the scenes at the highly charged negotiations that won Redstone both Viacom and Paramount.
Customer Reviews:
A Complete Surprise!.......2005-02-26
Wow! I'm the first to review this book here in over a year!
A Passion to Win was recommended to me by a fellow Viacom employee, though he's at Paramount and I have freelanced at MTV for the past four and a half years. I'm embarrassed to say that I previously knew nothing of Sumner Redstone or his behind-the-scene battles to turn Viacom into the world's top entertainment company. When confronted with the inevitable bureaucracy of performing my job duties, I just envisioned a nameless, faceless corporation that really only cared about the bottom line.
What a treat it was to spend the last day and a half seeing operations from the creator's perspective! I have a newfound respect for Mr. Viacom (or Mr. Redstone) and every other division that has invariably kept him awake at night as he set to reform it from the inside out. Quite an inspiring and optimistic tome from someone who could easily have concentrated on the negatives of his own triumphant journey.
I was surprised with Redstone's candor in recounting his business deals, including the personalities of the players involved. The character "types" he has dealt with paralleled my own encounters with businessmen over the years. It was comforting to know that our dealings were not so dissimilar, only in the scope of what was being negotiated.
I'm sure Sumner has his share of detractors, but I was really impressed with his story. I found myself cheering (though not audibly) when he closed a significant business deal. The uncomplicated prose actually helped me through most of the legal situations, as that's never been an area of interest for me.
Suffice it to say that I think this book holds up exceedingly well, giving great insight into one of the top business minds currently at play on the American (even global) corporate landscape. A complete recommendation.
Sarah's Review.......2003-12-18
As a highschool student, I found this book to be extremely inspiring. Anyone who has ever thought of entering the field of business should read this book. I did and it helped me channel my i nner ambition. Redstones inspiring stories (he survived a terrible fire) made me want to get out and conquer the world. At times, Redstone seems a bit full of himself, but anyone who can climb to the top usuallly is. This book is a great read to anyone wanting to find passion by reading from a passionate person.
You will love talking about this book........2003-09-30
Whether you buy this book for self-help or because you want to know how the top people made it in their careers, this book will satisfy you. Well written and focused, you catch a glimpse into the life of Sumner Redstone as he rose from a "poor, Jewish boy" to becoming a media conglomerate who is well respected (and feared) in his arena.
Reading about people like this, you can't help but be inspired. Whether you agree with Mr. Redstone's tactics, you will admire and respect his fortitude and resilience. He takes you through a journey of his life, and you see how successful people overcome the obstacles in their lives. I don't want to give away everything in the book, but Sumner faced many "obstacles". What's nice is he also names the names of the people who have infuriated him throughout his career. He has guts!
I recommend this book. Honestly, though, it may not be for someone who has already "made it" in life. I think the best person to read this book is a recent high-school or college graduate who has his/her whole life ahead of them. This book will make an excellent gift to someone and will definitely inspire them.
Memoirs of an evil genius.......2002-09-26
If one is asked to describe a blueprint for genocide, Hitler's "Mein Kampf" invariably comes to mind. Thus ever should Sumner Redstone's "A Passion to Win" be linked with the equally heinous crime of cultural genocide.
In this book, Mr. Redstone recalls the long road that led him from drive-in theater projectionist to media mogul. At every twist and turn, Mr. Redstone defeats "incomprehensible" odds to claw his way to the top of his "entertainment" empire. The capstone of this empire was his acquistion of Viacom, and with it, MTV.
Redstone describes with almost messianic fervor how he ignored advice to sell off the fledgling music channel. "I believed that MTV could be a cultural force in America" (page 116). "Young people 12 to 20 were going to become adults of 30 to 40...", "If we attracted them early, we could keep them forever." (page 117).
Well, attract them he did, and anyone who can sit through ten minutes of MTV "programming" can readily appreciate Mr. Redstone's "cultural messages". (Try searching "Shower Rangers" on you favorite browser some time. Thanks, Sumner!).
Even more sinister is the calculating way in which he targets the youngest viewers for his oily propaganda. "I felt much the same way about Nickelodeon and the possibilities in creating a children's brand." (page 117). From cradle to grave, Uncle Sumner had a direct conduit to America's, and then the world's, most impressionable viewers.
But Mr. Redstone does not live in a vacuum. He has children and grandchildren of his own. They grew up with the MTV generation too (Can't you just see Grampa Sumner settling down with the grandbabies to watch some quality rap videos?). Mr. Redstone, however, believes that while "multiculturalism" and "diversity" are just the ticket for the gentiles, his family would attend private schools in Israel.
Towards the closing pages of this book, Mr. Redstone also mentions his wife of 50+ years, as he is in the process of divorcing her. "I took measures to see that she would have no control in the company". Heart warming, ain't it?
I highly recommend this book. As the old proverb goes, "Know thy enemy."
an interesting autobiography for those in the business.......2002-07-29
i agree with the EDITOR's review of this book as well. Often self-promoting, this book can often be too tedious in its descriptive of the deal makings. i enjoyed it more having worked for the firm for a while. i didnt agree with everything he said and his comments about some of the people he fired were too slanted in my opinion, but hell, thats what being the boss entitles you to. i would have liked a more candid description of the different chgannels rather that a listings of the shows which appeared to be just a listing provided by someone at each channel. toughness during deal-making is the message i got most from this book and is what will stick with me most. one last thing--i would have enjoyed more details on the work during wwll .
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Who Dares Wins: Throbbing Torment (Pansy of Passion Series)
Alethea Ballard
Manufacturer: Faber & Faber
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ASIN: 0571137741 |
Product Description
For more than ten years, Mark Evans has been telling stories on the radio - many from the world of sports - that teach life's lessons. Now these stories come to life on the written page, in an entertaining, easy to use format that will help you find your way to the next levelliving.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Winnipeg Free Press, published by Thomson Gale on June 9, 2007. The length of the article is 641 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Jericho fans win fight for TV drama's return; Boosters express 'unprecedented display of passion'.(Entertainment Wire)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication:
Winnipeg Free Press (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 9, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Page: c19
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Westchester County Business Journal, published by Westfair Communications, Inc. on April 1, 2002. The length of the article is 1502 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: SmartPros Bill Grollman: Playing to win. (Profits & Passions).(KeepSmart Inc and executive continuing education)
Author: Bob Chuvala
Publication:
Westchester County Business Journal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: April 1, 2002
Publisher: Westfair Communications, Inc.
Volume: 41
Issue: 13
Page: 32(2)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Video Age International, published by TV Trade Media, Inc. on October 1, 2001. The length of the article is 2665 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Sumner Redstone's Book Illuminates Show Biz.(Passion to Win)(Review)
Author: Dom Serafini
Publication:
Video Age International (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 1, 2001
Publisher: TV Trade Media, Inc.
Volume: 21
Issue: 6
Page: 1
Article Type: Book Review
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Book Description
This digital document is an article from Fairfield County Business Journal, published by Westfair Communications, Inc. on March 18, 2002. The length of the article is 1321 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: USST's Murray Kessler: Riding to win. (Profits & Passions).(profile)
Author: Linda Phillips
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Fairfield County Business Journal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 18, 2002
Publisher: Westfair Communications, Inc.
Volume: 41
Issue: 11
Page: 18(2)
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Book Description
Saying that no generation of Americans has produced a finer array of combat commanders than that of World War II, a thirty-year army veteran examines combat leadership throughout the war at every level of command in the U.S. Army. The author argues that although Army chief of staff George C. Marshall's organization and training policies were indispensable, the ultimate victory was the result of spirited leadership and the undaunted courage of those who served, from individual riflemen to the upper echelons of army command.
Rather than a history of battles and campaigns, this book is an analysis of leadership in combat over three continents and across two oceans. It looks at how soldiers react in war -- how sergeants, lieutenants, captains, and generals direct soldiers in the most intense of all human dramas. The first part focuses on the generals and takes a thematic approach, examining such topics as restoring the fighting spirit and analyzing the unique characteristics required to command special units in combat. The second part examines a special breed of junior leaders who fought the German and Japanese armies on the front lines and whose contributions merit attention. Like war correspondent Ernie Pyle, Kingseed includes both the big and the little to offer a balanced view of what makes a good combat leader.
Customer Reviews:
A Brilliant End to Colonel Kingseed's World War II Trilogy.......2006-08-07
"The American army that fought World War II reflected both the strengths and weaknesses of a democracy at war...Although lacking the professionalism that marked the Wehrmacht in 1939, the individual GI proved a quick learner."
Colonel Cole C. Kingseed's conclusion is proven again and again in this marvelous series of essays of some of the most remarkable, brilliant, brave, and very human soldiers in the history of this nation.
This is the third of three recent combat tomes penned by the prolific Colonel Cole Kingseed in the last year. The first two were the inspiring personal stories of Joe Dawson of the First Infantry Division and Dick Winter of the 101st Airborne Division in World War II.
Colonel Kingseed expands his knowledgeable reach in Old Glory Stories and covers U.S. Army heroes on both the European and Pacific theaters. The first half of this indispensable volume is dedicated to the commanders. The dash and flaws of Generals Eisenhower, Patton, Bradley, Stillwell, Gavin, and MacArthur are well-told in concise profiles. The galaxy of stars reads like a West Point Alumni directory.
In the second half of the book, Colonel Kingseed takes a look at the war through the eyes of GIs who were more on the level of Bill Mauldin's Willie and Joe. We again meet Dawson and Winters and still marvel at their leadership under harrowing conditions.
One is left to wonder how different the Normandy Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge might have turned out, if not for two citizen soldiers named Len Lomell and Lyle Bouck. Being at the right place and the right time does not do justice to their actions in those fiercely bloody struggles.
It is also heartening to read about the courage of Vernon J. Baker of the Buffalo soldiers and Charity Adams of the Women's Army Corps. Not only did these two fearless soldiers endure the hardships of the war, they also overcame of ugly racism and gross bigotry from fellow American soldiers.
Colonel Kingseed had the privilege and honor to interview many of these exceptional people. It's hard not to envy the time he spent in their presence. Not one of them claimed to be a hero. They were just doing their duty and hoped they measured up to their awesome responsibilities. It's very clear from these pages that they achieved their objective.
Finally, Kingseed acknowledges the importance of Army Chief of Staff George C. Marshall. "No officer had a more profound impact on the performance of the U.S. Army as a whole." It's just a shame Cole neglected to mention Marshall's alma mater, the Virginia Military Institute: the West Point of the South. Or perhaps West Point is the VMI of the North.
The United States was blessed to have this pantheon of leaders in the field during our darkest hours of the 20th century. We pray that the nation's civilian leadership will be as wise when committing today's young men and women into harm's way. They are far to precious to waste under false and foolish premises.
A compilation of true stories of valor and especially leadership.......2006-08-05
Written by a thirty-year U.S. Army veteran, Old Glory Stories: American Combat Leadership In World War II is a compilation of true stories of valor and especially leadership. The first part of Old Glory Stories focuses on the American generals of WW II; the second examines junior leaders, dubbed "warriors" by the author, who fought German and Japanese armies on the front lines. By exploring American leadership in both the grand picture and gritty detail, Old Glory Stories offers a comprehensive view of the qualities that surfaced when they were most needed from the greatest generation.
Fasinating Story of What Makes for Leadership.......2006-06-15
Just how the U.S. Army was able to produce such qualified leaders to fight World War II amazes me. The qualifications for a 'between the wars' soldier had to do with playing polo, being very patient as increases in rank came very slowly, living very poor as Army pay was pathetic, keeping up with the right people, drinking enough but not too much, marrying someone who assist in working toward your promotions.
And what we got out of that background came Patton and Stilwell, Bradley and Hodges, Eisenhower and MacArthur and of course Marshall. To be sure we also got Fredendall and Lucas, but they were quickly replaced. This book tells the story of the combat leaders. Not only the commanding generals but lower level commanders such as Dick Winters (of 'Band of Brothers' fame) and Audie Murphy, Paul Tibbets.
I read the exploits of these men and stand in awe. How to understand what they did? I was reminded of Sherman's comment about Grant: 'Grant has 4 am courage, you wake him up at 4 am when a disaster is in the making and he is cool as can be, making decisions, the right decisions.' (I'm not sure of the exact wording.) From the Butter Bar Lieutenant to Eisenhower worrying about the weather this is what's required. But just part of what's required.
Fascinating stories.
Book Description
When we were youngsters, our father would ask us provocative questions. One day he asked, 'What is the most powerful, event-producing force in the world?' We guessed and guessed. His answer: 'Apathy.' What? 'Yes,' he said, 'apathy, because huge numbers of apathetic citizens, or victims, allow bad guys to create all kinds of problems on the ground -- from dictatorial regimes, to repressed economic conditions, to health and safety hazards, to corruption, to wars and so forth.' Edmund Burke, the British conservative philosopher around the time of our country's revolution, put it another way-- 'All that is necessary for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.'"
Thomas Paine's Common Sense galvanized his fellow American colonists into seizing their independence from Britain. Today, as we again face "times that try men's souls," Ralph Nader's call to civic action is as crucial to our country's future as Paine's was in 1776. In Civic Arousal, Nader responds to thoughtful letters written by two young citizens, both frustrated with the political status quo but unsure about their power to affect real change. His insights will inspire every citizen to participate in our democracy and movements for positive change in this country.
Customer Reviews:
Very disappointing.......2007-05-21
I am a Nader voter and fan of CRASHING THE PARTY and THE GOOD FIGHT. This book is not worth even the reduced cover price. It is pointless babble in the form of letters from concerned (and uninformed) citizens, with Nader's preachy and unhelpful responses. Buy any other book from Nader and you will be happier.
Break free from the rigged election system!.......2005-06-11
This book concisely depicts the necessity of all the citizens in this county to fulfill their civic duties. The book consists of letters written by two people who are concerned with the state of this country and their disappointment with the electoral system that has been hijacked by the two-party duopoly. Ralph Nader eloquently responds to the letters with words of hope and encouragement to not be easily defeated by the two corporate parties. He cites numerous cases of how it only takes a few concerned citizens to revolutionize the social and political structure of this country. He stresses the fact that 90% of one's civic duties is merely showing up to the polls which over a half of the population of this country fail to do. Again this book is very concise, but I recommend this for anyone who wants to break free from the political sedation that the two-party duopoly has injected throughout this county. It can be done and it only takes a few of you!
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Civic Arousal
Ralph Nader
Manufacturer: Regan Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OEYKM6 |
Amazon.com
Crashing the Party is Ralph Nader's raucous and righteously indignant account of his Green Party candidacy in the 2000 American presidential election. Nader weaves an anecdotal recounting--virtually speech-by-speech--of his exhausting, 50-state campaign with impassioned summaries of his political opinions. Primarily, Nader sees the current political structure as ominously flawed: a two-party system, he says, exists in a "drowsy equilibrium," and the parties--both in thrall to corporate interests--are concerned less with the people's needs than their own self-perpetuation. An equal-opportunity critic, he slings arrows not only at what he sees as a myopic, lazy media and Republicans (he calls former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman a "latter-day Marie Antoinette"), but organized labor, prominent Democrats, and certain fair-weather Hollywood friends as well.
Though overly strident at times, Crashing the Party is a noteworthy, thoughtful addition to the literature of muckraking. --H. O'Billovitch
Book Description
Ralph Nader is one of Americas most passionate and effective social critics, a man Time magazine called the U. S.s toughest customer. Naders work has gone a long way to improve the safety of the cars we drive, the food we eat, and the water we drink. In 2000, when he ran for President on the Green Party ticket, nearly three million people voted for him. In his scathing, honest account of the 2000 presidential race, Nader takes aim at those who have spoiled American democracy. Crashing the Party goes deep inside Naders campaign and reveals: What it takes to run against a two-party juggernaut How old liberal friends turned against him Why the Green Party looks better than ever to progressive Democrats Why Bush and Gore were afraid to let him in on their debates How public interest has been lost to corporate bankrolling.
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The inspiring and unrepentant memoir of Ralph Nader during the 2000 election.
Customer Reviews:
Crash the Rigged Two Party System.......2005-06-13
This is the ultimate book in understanding the importance of breaking free from the lesser of two-evil mentality. Journey with the Nader 2000 presidential campaign through all the obstacles the two-party duopoly inflicts on third party and independent candidates. It provides critical education about the rigged electoral system the Republicrats have cunningly crafted. This book shows that with courage and optimism one can stand up and fight with the corporate owned two-party system.
Great man of integrity and honesty !.......2005-05-27
Nader is brilliant, decent, and incorruptible.
Nader's high ethical standards and great ideas should be a guiding torch to our government.
Thanks to him, there is some accountability in Washington. His persistence to fight for the public stands strong in defiance of the black out by the media and the dirty smear campaigns by the politicians. If Nader was corrupt he would've been recruited by the elites and could've occupied the White House or other high positions in government and top corporations.
Nader is never for sale and will continue to stand for the little people as an icon of truth and integrity.
I would highly recommend his book for every citizen that has concerns for his country, and for every person that values ethics in business, government, and life in general....
Alternative Medicine For Corporate Aristocracy.......2005-02-03
This is an excellent book on the issues that face American politics today, the views of Ralph Nader and his story relating to the 2000 election year and his campaign trail.
The book raises awareness to the issues of corporate welfare practiced by both the Republican and Democratic parties, how the Democrats have morphed into a pseudo-Republican party, under the heavy influence of corporate lobbyists, ceasing to represent the working class and masses as Roosevelt and other great Democrats have done in the past.
And the results are ecological damages, social injustices which have removed equal opportunities, centralization of power, corporate owned business which has eliminated much of the community based revenues, a disrespect for diversity and citizen participation and the monetary interests of plutocrat - the corporate elites - removing personal and global responsibilities. Inflation has risen, workers make less, poverty has increased, minimum wage is lower today in relation to inflation. Americans work longer hours for the same pay. Farmers have been devastated by large corporate industry, public works and schools have been given less and less funding and are crumbling, corporate welfare programs that take our tax dollars amounting to hundreds of billions of dollars ever year continue to rise with government giveaways of taxpayer assets including public forests, minerals and new medicines. Affordable housing are at record low levels, while the large corporate banks show record profits. Consumer debt is at a al-time high. Personal bankruptcies are at a record level. Personal savings are dropping to record lows and personal assets are extremely low. Corporate welfare dominates while small inadequate budgets provide the publics health and safety issues. Environmental regulations are removed for corporate interests. Wealth inequality is greater than at any time since World War II. The top 1 percent of the wealthiest people have more financial wealth than the bottom 90 percent of Americans combined, the worst inequality among large Western nations. And with all this, the corporate lobbyists continue to receive more privileges and immunities for their wrongdoing, while the workers, the labor parties, the populists - farmers, the environmentalists, the feminists, those that work towards civil rights - all are diminishing in great degrees.
The argument against Nader is his pulling of votes away from the Democrats, resulting in Republican elections. Yet this argument is a lame duck when you put Socratic inquiry to the Democratic party and see the morphing there of into another Republican party. The two party duopoly has been called the DemRep party and the corporate control, the plutocrats, are buying the government which can result in an aristocracy and totalitarian system, this time base on radical privatization instead of state owned communism, however the end results are the same. The third party, the Greens, offer an alternative, a vote against big-money politics as usual. The duopoly offers a politics of fear - the lesser of two corrupt parties, while the third party offers a politics of home and democratic renewal And even if not the elected party, if offers itself as a constant watchdog of the Democratic party to make necessary changes.
I think Nader gives a good account of the media, the third party partisan bias in American politics, the problem with the corporate directed Commission on Presidential Debates - the CPD, his campaign trail, his opposition, party funders, party loyalists and etc.
On page 289 take from the New York Times: "The Green Party recognizes that every major social-justice movement in our history was made possible by a shift of more power to the people, away from the power that the few control. And it's way past time for a shift of power today from big business to the people. When slavery was abolished, shift of power from the plantations. Women's right to vote installed, that was a shift of power. Freedom to form trade unions by workers, shift of power form the industrialists to the workers. When the farmers started the progressive political movement, shift of power from the banks and the railroads to the farm areas and gave us political reforms for all Americans to enjoy to this day 100 years later. Power is the central contention of politics; that's what it's all about. If we don't have a more equitable destitution of power, there is no equitable distribution of wealth or income. And people who work hard will not get their just rewards. And the main way to shift power, if you had to have one reform is with public funding of public elections. Clean money, clean elections. Clean money and clean elections to stop the nullification of your votes by special interest money. Just thing about it; you go down to vote, you expect it to count, and the votes are cut off at the pass by fancy fund-raising dinners all over the country where fat cats pay off politicians for present and future favors and the politicians shake down the fat cats in a kind of combined symbiosis of legalized bribery and legalized extortion."
"Civilization as if people are first is not just about opportunities; it is about limits and boundaries around antisocial, criminogenic behavior whose limitless logic eventually would spell omnicide for this very limited home we call Mother Earth." page 315
the inside story.......2004-12-02
This is a good recount of the inside story of our nation and it's one party political machine. Nader talks about how hard it is for third party (or in my view second party since the first two are basically the same) candidates to make any progress in our political system. It is the democrats who lost 2000 by giving up the recount vote, not Nader. Too bad he decided to go off and do his own thing this time instead of working on forming the Gree Party. But the book is definately a must read for anyone interested in our political system.
Review on Crashing the Party: Taking on the Corporate Govern.......2004-06-05
Yo pienso que este libro es interesante, pero no lo suficientemente interesante como para leerlo para la entretención de un lector. En lo personal yono le tomo mucha importancia a la política cometitiva porque todo lo que se habla es argumentos sin sentido y para obtenerpopularidad y no se ve la energía o el animo de querer ser el presidente de los Estados Unidos si no que solo obtener popularidad.
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Crashing the Party. (Review Essay).(Book Review) (book review): An article from: Journal of Consumer Affairs
Koshlan Mayer-Blackwell
Manufacturer: American Council on Consumer Interests
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ASIN: B0008DEGZE
Release Date: 2005-07-31 |
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Journal of Consumer Affairs, published by American Council on Consumer Interests on June 22, 2003. The length of the article is 2283 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Crashing the Party. (Review Essay).(Book Review) (book review)
Author: Koshlan Mayer-Blackwell
Publication:
Journal of Consumer Affairs (Refereed)
Date: June 22, 2003
Publisher: American Council on Consumer Interests
Volume: 37
Issue: 1
Page: 180(6)
Article Type: Book Review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
Books:
- Akiane: Her Life, Her Art, Her Poetry
- Albert Einstein: Out of My Later Years Through His Own Words
- All Encompassing Trip
- All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes
- America Is in the Heart: A Personal History (Washington Paperbacks, Wp-68)
- American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson
- An Italian Affair
- And the Sea Is Never Full: Memoirs, 1969-
- Arabists: The Romance of an American Elite
- Autobiography of Josiah Henson: An Inspiration for Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom (Dover Pictorial Archive Series)
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