– ** The amount of research, the footnotes, the range of people interviewed, and the epic scope of the narrative are impressive. Yet it reads almost like a thriller.

– ** Unger’s explanation of: (a) Israeli PM Rabin’s background as one of Israel’s premier military heros, (b) the maturation of his political views, (c) Rabin’s assassination, and (d) how that event relate(d) to US politics was extremely enlightening. In addition, Unger’s explanation about how the Lewinsky scandal sabotaged Clinton’s ability to work for peace in the Middle East — at a critical moment in history — was absolutely chilling. The timing of the Lewinsky charges against Clinton certainly look sinister in retrospect; the ramifications have been far beyond what Monica’s blue dress suggested. That chapter alone was worth the price of the book.

–** Unger’s ability to help the reader grasp the implications of hundreds — thousands — of federal government jobs shifting in 2000 from Ivy Leaguers over to Heritage University (and Bible College grads) was an epiphany. And not a good one. I knew things had shifted radically; I didn’t realize the scope and speed of the impact on federal government. This is one to flag in badgering the press to do a MUCH better job in 2008 of getting candidates to explain WHO they plan to hire in their administrations (!).

– ** Scowcroft came across as an honorable, principled man, which surprised me. The toxic mix of: (1) the craven conduct of Condaleeza Rice (Scowcroft’s one-time protege), (2) the ruthless machinations of Cheney and the neocons, and (3) GWBush’s psychological issues (reviling any friend of his father’s), underscore how utterly doomed Scowcroft’s efforts were – yet he still acted on principle. Wrenching to read.
– ** Cheney: ruthless, secretive. And then, along came lil’ ol’ GWBush… I don’t want to say anything that would spoil the book for other readers. But it’s riveting.

I hope that there will be some discussion of what I see as a key theme in the book: extremeists everywhere making life hell for more balanced, sane folk who are able to ‘live and let live’. The willingness to ‘live and let live’ is clearly not good enough for the Osama bin Ladens, and the neocons and other extremists of the planet. In a globalized world, everyone is impacted by extremism. The thesis certainly holds up in this book. (A thesis also developed by John Dean’s splendidi books, and Sidney Blumethal’s, and others…)

In case my power goes out, I want to thank FDL for recommending this excellent book.

I have a feeling that it is bigger than just poppy bush pushing these goons on us. Sometimes seems there is a invisible evil hand in guiding things.

The person to whom that invisible hand belongs: does his name start with D and end with ick, or does it start with K and end in arl? Or are there several invisible hands making things happen behind the scenes?

Also anybody out there know about someting in DC MArch 14 08? someone posted that here lat week or so ago and i can’t find it. A March?