Category Archives: Books

A Look at “Why Nothing Works” by Marc Dunkelman

Posted on May 5, 2025 by billmanzi

Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress―and How to Bring It Back by Marc J. Dunkelman My rating: 5 of 5 stars Having just reviewed the Klein/Thompson ”Abundance” time to look at “Why Nothing Works” by Marc Dunkelman, a book that … Continue reading →

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A Look at “Abundance” by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson

Posted on April 25, 2025 by billmanzi

Abundance by Ezra Klein My rating: 5 of 5 stars Ezra Klein, with Derek Thompson, has written the most important book of the year that is targeted at Democrats but should be read by all. Klein has the most fascinating … Continue reading →

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What Ails the Democrats: A Look at Party of the People by Patrick Ruffini

Posted on February 10, 2025 by billmanzi

Party of the People: Inside the Multiracial Populist Coalition Remaking the GOP by Patrick Ruffini My rating: 5 of 5 stars A book written by a Republican that Democrats should be paying attention to. Patrick Ruffini wrote this book before … Continue reading →

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A Look at Reagan: His Life and Legend

Posted on February 1, 2025 by billmanzi

Reagan: His Life and Legend by Max Boot My rating: 5 of 5 stars Max Boot has produced a biography of the Gipper that he explicitly says is neither hit job or hagiography, and I believe that the book bears … Continue reading →

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A Look at “The Price of Power: How Mitch McConnell Mastered the Senate, Changed America, and Lost His Party” by Michael Tackett

Posted on December 21, 2024 by billmanzi

The Price of Power: How Mitch McConnell Mastered the Senate, Changed America, and Lost His Party by Michael Tackett My rating: 5 of 5 stars A fine biography of the longtime Republican Senate leader who has just stepped down from … Continue reading →

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A Look at “War” by Bob Woodward.

Posted on November 2, 2024 by billmanzi

War by Bob Woodward My rating: 4 of 5 stars Another book by Woodward, and like most of the prior Woodward books I could not resist. It was a quick, enjoyable read. As always Woodward managed to extract some information/quotes … Continue reading →

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A Look at “At War with Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House” by H.R. McMaster

Posted on October 26, 2024 by billmanzi

At War with Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House by H.R. McMaster My rating: 3 of 5 stars He is no Kissinger. Where to start with this book? I picked this up with a sense of … Continue reading →

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A Look at “When the Clock Broke” by John Ganz

Posted on September 2, 2024 by billmanzi

When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s by John Ganz My rating: 5 of 5 stars I saw this new book and though I was not familiar with John Ganz I … Continue reading →

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Waiting for Caro. A Look at “The Triumph and Tragedy of Lyndon Johnson by Joe Califano

Posted on July 27, 2024 by billmanzi

The Triumph and Tragedy of Lyndon Johnson: The White House Years by Joseph A. Califano Jr. My rating: 4 of 5 stars This book popped up in a Kindle fire sale so despite the fact that I am patiently waiting … Continue reading →

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A Look at “The Return of Great Powers: Russia, China, and the Next World War” by Jim Sciutto

Posted on April 20, 2024 by billmanzi

The Return of Great Powers: Russia, China, and the Next World War by Jim Sciutto My rating: 4 of 5 stars Jim Sciutto has given us a very interesting, and obviously timely, book on the new relationship dynamics between the … Continue reading →

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