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It's been an amazing first year for the FDL Book Salon. When we first announced the inception, we had hoped to create a counterpoint to the wingnut welfare-subsidized right wing book scam which made it so difficult for serious liberal authors to compete, and we've been able to do that both by introducing online audiences to important books and boosting online sales. We've hosted incredible chats with authors like John Dean, Keith Olbermann, George Soros, Sidney Blumenthal, Arianna Huffington, Rick Perlstein, Tom Schaller and more. We've also been able to support home-grown authors from the blogosphere like Glenn Greenwald, David Neiwert, Markos Moulitsas and Jerome Armstrong, and Bill Scher. It's been a remarkably successful endeavor.
So thank you very much today to everyone who has supported the Book Salon this year, especially those authors who have taken the time to stop by and chat, and those who were willing to engage them about their works. Today as we take stock of what we've done this year and look forward to where we're doing, I'd like to open it up and ask everyone what they'd like in the upcoming year. For the time being we're going to limit it to current political non-fiction, and with that in mind, what books and authors would you like to see appearing in the Book Salon?
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Fitz!
I think I learned the most from Dave Niewert, but several of the salons were fantastic.
Lots of folks mention in comments Jimmy Carters new book. Start at the top invite President Carter!
Jane,
Any chance of interviewing Bilmon on the history of “Whiskey Bar?”
I was blown away by John Dean’s appearance, especially because he wrote such thoughtful responses and stayed with us the whole time. He even posted more responses the next day. What a mensch!
Ed*ard Teller @
4
I like that idea, but I don’t know if he’d do it.
Jimmy Carter — contacted them, never heard back. I imagine they feel an online conversation might be a bit volatile, given the wingnut attack he has endured.
I’d like to see Elizabeth de la Vega online discussing her U.S. v. Bush.
Jane Hamsher @ 6
Maybe send them the John Dean thread comments, to show how we moderate and mind our manners when it counts.
OhioTex @
7
Second this.
Anatomy of Deceit by Marcy Wheeler.
John Dean was great and I enjoyed Joseph Wilson, too. Kudos to FDL for the opportunity. I am not worthy.
The Book Salons are great; I’ve bought many a book as a result of them.
I would love to have Greg Palast here.
I’d like to request Frances Moore Lappe’ in regards to her books Democracy’s Edge and Hope’s Edge. Wonderful books about social and economic justice. Banker to the Poor by Mohammed Yunus is great too.
The book salons often move too fast for me to keep up in real time,but I love going back to read all the comments and questions. Keith Olberman even answered one of my questions(swoon,lol).
Say, that young Obama fellow has a book out. I think.
OhioTex @
5
That was one of many book salon highlights. i have this image of Diogenes of Sinope walking by the outside of a window, with John Dean inside, typing his fdl answers all night long.
Diogenes stops and watches Dean for awhile, smiling. But eventually Diogenes harrumphs, moving on. He was a cynic, after all.
Rajiv Chandrasekaran was real good too. Some of the best, funniest, most unreal comments of any book salon. The comments got me to request “Imperial Life in the Emerald City” for Christmas. Wonderful book! And, it is light enough for me to hold up with one hand….
OhioTex @
7
That’s an interesting idea. I haven’t read the book yet but some of her online stuff was pretty good.
Marcy’s gotta be #1 on my list.
Not strictly political, but it might engage the FDL crowd: “Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed” by Jared Diamond.
It’s in paperback now, but the environmenal questions it raises are compelling.
Murray Waas,
as soon as i get a chance to read his book
“What Cheney Told Libby”
Should be coming out any day now.
Senator Byron Dorgan, Take this Job and Ship It.
John Edwards, his book on Home.
Elizabeth Edwards, Saving Grace.
I have the highest regard for all these people, and recommend them in large part because I think it’s important to understand not only a particular book topic but also what forms/informs that book’s author…what context the politician brings to the policy.
Dorgan, being my home state Senator, I know firsthand brings his authentic small town prairie roots to the discourse.
And Edwards & Edwards…interesting karma that he announces simultaneous with the passing of Ford. I like his directness and his determination. We’re going to need that to cut thru the chaos of the last six years and rebuild this country. The qualities that made Betty Ford an admirable first lady are ones that shine in Elizabeth. And Edwards, too, has authenticity. No mission accomplished hyperbole nor a Haves and Haves More selfishness. I see in him my own values of what government should be, a polar opposite of the corruptions of the last six years.
For more on Edwards, ABC’s sure to have the This Week interview, but also he’s the new Time cover story…check it out.
Will be an interesting year! Thank you, Jane, and Christy and all your team for sustaining this village square. Happy New Year.
egregious @
8
I actually did that. Great minds….
RBG @
16
Just got off the phone with Marcy, she’ll be here next Sunday to discuss “Anatomy of Deceit.”
(We’ve been holding off announcing until Amazon gets the graphics up, which should be the next couple days, but the book is fabulous and I can’t wait. I’m really proud of it.)
Jane Hamsher @ 20
Plus we interviewed Ambassador Wilson, that was pretty civilized.
emptywheel!! Yay!!
egregious @
23
Pretty exciting, huh?
Jane Hamsher @
21
Well…guess I know what I’m doing next Sunday. That’s excellent news.
Jane @21: Just got off the phone with Marcy, she’ll be here next Sunday to discuss “Anatomy of Deceit.”
Ummmm, any chance to get the book before then? Amazon says publication date is Jan. 28. So I’m guessing this will be a appetizer. Very cool!
FDL is so rich that it’s seemingly impossible to take advantage of all it has to offer. Book Salon is one such resource for me, having never participated (actually it would be a double-whammy because of the reading time needed to particiapte fully. my loss, I’m sure). but it’s great to know it’s happening. congrats for the sustained effort and success.
Chris Hedges’ book War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning is another one I really like alot. I wasn’t sure whether to weep,scream or be awed by that one.
I hope before the year is out we have a book salon for TRex! (chop chop) *s*
Hillary Clinton, It Takes A Village. This book has been recently republished. One can always ask. She likely fears the net effect more than Jimmy Carter does. Like kryptonite.
punaise @ 27
punaise, even if I haven’t been able to read the book I still will read the post and comments for the information and insights. What with working about 60 or more hours a week I don’t let myself feel TOO guilty about falling asleep without having done my homework!
I would be great to have Jimmy Carter, but it might be hard to moderate. The issues he raises cause tremendous difficulties on this site whenever the discussion turns to US-Israeli issues, as we saw yesterday.
hackworth @ 30
I suggested Obama for the same reason. It would be very illuminating to see how Hillary, Obama and Edwards would handle an invitation - and if they accept, how they deal with the Lake.
egregious beat me to it — I would LOVE to cover Marcy’s book Anatomy of Deceit, since many of us “invested” in it, and/or are Plame-oholics who came to FDL for the Fitz and stayed for more.
Another recent book that is not political per se, but world-changing in its intent is WorldChanging, from the website of the same name. We very much need to re-gear and re-calibrate our conversations in such a way that we change the world urgently to one focused on sustainable development. There are other books that are equally interesting and important on this subject, but I really like the immediacy of WorldChanging’s folks and their think-big-with-common-sense approach.
Other books that come to mind:
– Elizabeth Edwards’ book Saving Graces — since many of us will face the same journey that Elizabeth has faced, and could use a role model;
– Al and Tipper Gore’s now-out-of-print Joined at the Heart — because we could use frank discussion about the changes to our families and the stresses we face;
– More about Iraq, please; perhaps a conversation about texts on Iraq since we are still so committed and invested, with or without our consent;
– Perhaps a discussion with Larry Johnson about the texts we should be exploring on the subjects of intelligence and national security is warranted, too, especially as we get deeper into the Plame civil suit — perhaps with Ron Suskind, too?
I’m sure I could come up with more ideas if I gave it a bit more time and effort. FDL’s Book Salon has been a wonderful resource; I’ve been encouraged to read and share more texts than I ordinarily would have because of it. The books I’ve bought for the Salon’s were shared widely, got my money’s worth out of every one of them. Keep up the great work!
p.s. I do think we should discuss and entertain a different Salon, one focusing on video/movies and possibly music as well, the kind that affect progressivism directly.
masaccio @
32
Yep. Like I say, I’m sympathetic to why he might not want to do do it.
Oh, I am slow today, and I’m now in mod for my many links…
But while I was typing, my wish came true — can’t wait for Marcy’s visit here next week!! Timely, given the impending case!!
Thanks, Jane!! And thanks, Marcy!! (BTW, you going to the bloggers’ kaffee klatsch with the governor?)
punaise @
27
I’ll second that notion.
Al Gore’s new book, though not as good as “Earth in the Balance,” has proven to be the most influential book on the environment in a while, mostly because of the film.
How about interviewing NPR’s Terry Gross? I don’t think she’s recently written a book, but she is probably the best on-air interviewer in the history of US media, and has interviewed a number of authors also covered here. And she knows pop music and American music in general well enough to satisfy even this savvy pack of culture pups.
And there is no lack of new books around the corner…..
hackworth @ 30
Heck if she even accepted, no matter the quality of her performance, I’d be forced to give her a second look.
cc. Rahm Emmanuel, Chuck Schumer
In the spirit of thinking big, why not one or more of the authors of the Iraq Study Group?
Thanks for the great series!
First: how about Greg Palast. He is a top-flight investigative reporter deserving of much greater exposure. His book Armed Madhouse contains some revelations about the Bush-Saudi relationship I hadnt seen anywhere else. He has also done some excellent, ballsey recent work on the Katrina aftermath. Dont let his wacky demeanor throw you off - Palast is top flight, a true muckraker in the finest tradition.
Antonia Juhasz is another great author - her book, “The Bush Agenda: Invading the World, One Economy at a Time” is a first-rate examination of Bush’s privatization programs in Iraq. Antonia is consistently ahead of the curve and her work is as wonky and comprehensive as it gets. (Disclosure: I worked with her in conjunction with the Seattle WTO protests.)
Finally: Thom Hartmann, “Screwed: The Undeclared War on the Middle Class” would be a good pick.
President Carter? Israeli-Palestinian situation. As long as AIPAC continues to hold sway over our politicians, there will be no settlement. Courage on this issue is next to impossible to come by. It was right to establish a Jewish homeland in 1948. But it’s not right today for the Palestinians to have a home to call their own?
Suzanne @ 38
Good idea, although the two folks who were on the panel whom I think I’d most like to hear from would be Jim Baker and the former ambassador to Saudi Arabia (can’t remember his name), both of whom are Republicans. They seem to be the closest thing to subject matter experts among the principals on the committee.
Has in invitation to appear here been extended to Carter?
Oklahoma kiddo @ 42
Yes, see one of Jane’s earlier comments UPDATE: it’s (#6) on my version of this page.
Oklahoma kiddo @
43
see #8 above
Cujo, I was a’thinking that there might be some pissed off folks in that group who might be happy to have the opportunity to have a discussion about it, its recommendations, and the potential repercussions of ignoring it.
Just a thought here, but because it really is the central issue/problem/catastrophuck facing America right now maybe we could find a book on Islam that would help us understand what the core beliefs and sectarian differences are? I don’t know who would moderate it, other than the author/s of the book/s chosen… I know I’d be there.
Suzanne @ 45
Yes, although Baker might fit into that category soon ;)
Anyhow, if a staffer or some other researcher with some cred from the committee stopped by, that might be cool.
Marion in Savannah @ 47
I believe this possibility is being looked into.
If Carter or whoever doesn’t feel he or she wants to be here and discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, how about a post from someone(s) on the pros and cons of a settlement to the Palestinian ‘question’.
Happy New Year, all. No power, no wireless, Treo’s not meant for this. Ice storms have encapsulated each blade of grass in its own sleeve if glistening ice. Beauty.
Marcy, both Edwards, Carter, I concur. Dean again? Waas.
Love to you all
How about interviewing Riverbend?
I’ll second (or third) Elizabeth Edwards. Loved her book — and would love to delve into some of the political discussion in it further with her if she were willing to do so.
I’d also enjoy Thomas Ricks for Fiasco. I have picked that book up and put it down in fury so many times which, to me, is the mark of something that bears a lot more discussion. Especially given a lot of his recent reporting which only adds to the level of frustration.
There are a number of great books that are forthcoming, I think. Looks like it will be a busy year of reading…
As to Carter not responding? Try again.
Mommybrain @ 51
My thoughts are with you. After going through the same two years ago in Ohio, I know about the paradox of beauty and no power. Hope you have a gas stove. :)
OK at 54 — We do try a number of different avenues with various authors but, given Carter’s very busy schedule and the demands and requests for his time, I’d say he’s allowed to determine his own schedule. We do what we can but, as with any number of other very busy folks, we work with their needs — not just with our wants.
Mommybrain — stay warm — hope your power is not out too long.
How about trying out the idea of debates between prominent people with opposing views on very important issues. I mean REAL debates, that is.
Amy and David Goodman with their book, Static. Extrememly important subject content to us all.
{{{Mommybrain}}}
OhioTex @
55
and VENTILATION!
Wingnut attacks? Yummm. That just gets my juices flowing.
Kitt @ 59
Yes! On my bedside stand.
OhioTex @ 55
We just went through this out in the NW, minus the beauty. Stay warm, and if it’s cold enough you can refrigerate your food outside.
I second Chris Hedges…
A Moment Of Crisis by Marion Creekmore is the story of Carter’s diplomatic trip to North Korea. I caught this on Cspan Book tv. It was fantastic. Carter, Rosalyn and the former American diplomat explained how they got Kim Senior to agree not to pursue nuclear ambitions through diplomacy. Of course, Bush II threw it all out the window in 2000.
It’s been out a few years, but I would suggest Neil Chenoweth, author of Rupert Murdoch, the world’s greatest media wizard.
Satan is requesting that I suggest Woodward’s State of Denial.
Ed*ard Teller @ 61
Yes. As the self-appointed temporary safety nag, let’s remind everyone not to run these things in an enclosed space:
* charcoal or gas barbecues
* electrical generators
* kerosene or charcoal heaters
Don’t even run the generator in your garage unless it’s ventilated. Someone did that here and died of suffocation while trying to check on the thing.
Audrey @ 68
Made me laugh.
Audrey @ 68
Satan’s been off his game lately. How can you call yourself the Prince of Darkness when Paris Hilton is more widely feared than you are?
hackworth @ 70
My Bwahaha moment of the day. ;)
I just finished reading ‘Fiasco’ by Thomas Ricks. He would be an excellent guest.
Off-topic, but since we’re at the end of the calendar year, my family and I would like to say hello from Canada and a big thank you to FDL’s contributors and commentators for helping us understand some of the real motivations behind your governments actions.
Canada presently has a neocon-wannabe for a prime minister and we’re glad to be able to learn from your experiences with that group.
All the best to all of you for 2007.
Keep asking Carter, it would be swell. Also Gore has a new book coming out, assault on reason, maybe his agent would put you on hte tour.
Cujo359 @ 71
Everytime we laugh in his face, the devil gets smaller. He’s not off his game. He’s shrinking. Like “w”. :)
That said, I’d like to second the De La Vega and Palast requests. Two of the finest, IMO.
John le Carr would be fun.
A lot of folks seem to want Carter to appear. Is it Carter, or his ideas on the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that we thirst for discussion on?
Thanks for warm wishes. Lovely woodstove toasting bagels, teapot on duty. Ventilation - check. No gas but gramma’s hotbtub still warm. Not too shabby for NE. Back to lurk mode. Bon soir.
Alice @ 75
He has another book coming out next year, too, as I recall. Some sort of coffee table thing …
Alice @
75
So many good ideas!!!
Satan prompted me to suggest Christopher Hitchens when “God Is Not Great: The Case Against Religion” comes out in 2007. We could turn the salon into a drinking contest - what you have to down based on his predictable set of answers, set out on a grid? Hitchens might lap up the opportunity…
I’d third Chris Hedges War book, have heard not great things about his more recent.
On the Middle East - Great War for Civilization by Robert Fisk - the paperback edition is due out mid-Feb so the timing might be very good.
Books like Rajiv’s Emerald City really are major contributions to our understanding - more please!
Oklahoma kiddo @ 78
In my case Carter, but he is at his best discussing the middle east
Ed*ard Teller @ 81
We could do a shot every time he says someone he doesn’t agree with is a fool or doesn’t know anything. That should get us all plastered by comment #100.
I really enjoyed Amb Joseph Wilson and appreciate the fact that apparently he still stays in touch - I think I have seen comments by him since the interview.One of the Good Guys - let’s have him back, I say.
If you could get Molly Ivins or Katha Pollitt, my two fave journalists, to promote their books and chat, I should kiss the hem of your garment.
It’s 2007 already in SAfrica. Happy New Year to all you great firepups from the Warm South.
oh good, i see that chris hedges’ name has been suggested.
in addition to the quite prescient book ‘war is a force that gives us meaning’, has has written the last couple of years on the religious right in america. and he has a new book soon to be published: american fascists: the christian right and the war on america.
he’s an author of with such an important and informed point of view, but he doesn’t get the exposure he deserves. i think this would be a terrific outlet for him and the fdl crowd.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 78
I want both. I want Carter because he’s Carter but also because of the disputes here and need for real understanding of the dynamics. Maybe assuage some of the difficulties–maybe give us talking points to bring positive discussion to our community. (I agree with the posts you’ve made on this issue, BTW–it was the Palestinian/Israeli conflict that started me researching online. Just never get a chance to answer them with limited time.)
As long as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict rages and festers, there will be no peace in the Middle East.
Alice @
83
Carter is the greatest living U.S. president. He has been a courageous advocate for human rights all through the Reagan-Bush I-Clinton-Bush II atrocities. As far as I care, OK-k, Jimmy can talk about anything he wants if he’s gracious enough to come here.
Ed*ard Teller @ 4
Yes!
I just finished Dave Eggers- What is the What- based on the life of one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. The book is an amazing story of survival, the good and bad intentions of NGO’s, and what is the history behind the crisis in the Horn of Africa today. It is not considered strictly non-fiction but there is much documentation and all the profits of Eggers book go to a Lost Boys Foundation.
Cujo359 @ 84
***hic***
How George W. Bush’s “How to Completely Fuck Up a Country (and win more friends)”
Ed*ard Teller @ 89
I like it! ;)
Christopher Hitchens … We could turn the salon into a drinking contest
Snitchens’ Bitchin’ Lingo Bingo
Oklahoma kiddo @ 58
OOOOHH… That would be fun, but how would the mods handle it? How to have a debate with anxious, interested FDLers sticking their cyberhands up in the air and asking questions… me, me ME, ME…
last daily affirmation of the year:
my contempt for Joe Lieberman endures unabated
I like the Book Salon but do we have to be limited to books? I for one would love to see more interviews (or meet and greets) like with Amb. Wilson.
BWA-HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! [-snort-]
Damn you, punaise (95)!!! You owe me a clean shirt and a new cup of chai!!!
How about Wayne Madsen’s Jaded Tasks?
{ducking}
Oklahoma kiddo @ 58
there are so few lucid, credible interlocutors on the “other side”…perhaps invite former moderate Republican Congressman and generally good guy Pete McCloskey (who played a hand in Pombo’s defeat).
Marion in Savannah @
96
Looks like Edwards is ready to debate Obama RIGHT NOW (via Matt Stoller):
You want to know what a preemptive strike on the Obama candidacy looks like? Here is it is, textbook perfect, from John Edwards himself. Today, standing in front of a sign asserting “Tomorrow Starts Today” he stated:
“Identifying the problem and talking about hope is waiting for tomorrow.”
And in perhaps the most brilliant framing I’ve seen in this campaign so far, he began to weave a theme into the rest of the remarks: There’s hope, and there’s action. I’m action.
That from a campaign event yesterday.
Rayne @ 99
you can forward the dry-cleaning bill, but I can’t be responsible for fluids once they have crossed your lips… :~)
Alice @ 83
Actually, if we can get him here just ask him about the Carter Center. http://www.cartercenter.org/homepage.html From time to time on our local NPR station (I’ll bet TRex knows all about this) they broadcast (forgive me if I get the name wrong) “Conversations From the Carter Center.” They’re doing amazing work, which may be part of the reason he’s too busy to show up here. He’s getting on in years and needs SOME rest!
Cujo359 @ 83
I was gonna suggest a drinking game of some sort w/Hitchens, but ya beat me to it.
Still, wouldn’t that be a hoot?
With the characters around here?
Oh, Jane - please….
suezboo @ 85
YES, YES, YES!!!! PUHLEEEEZE???? I’ll be SO good, I promise…
punaise @ 97
I’ve decided I don’t like him, either.
New year, new attitude.
Oklahoma kiddo @
78
I would like to see, and maybe even participate in, a discussion of US/Israel relations, led by someone really knowledgeable. I think we need a moderating influence to keep us on good behavior, because the issue arouses such strong feelings. And then there are the trolls.
punaise @ 97
We expect to see you at 00:00:01 of 2007 saying the same thing…! (along with the rest of us)
Rayne @
99
Rayne - Would spumante (or should I say spewmante?) be better to drink when punaise is in good form?