Good afternoon Bev.

And BRAVA! for all your efforts in bringing us these great books and authors for the salons.

Maybe I missed it but I am would like to see the “Campaign for President, the Managers Look at 2008.”

Also since so many of us are unemployed, maybe FDL could recycle its books to those of us who can’t afford the books that look so scrumptious? I would welcome a chance to read a book that has been discussed here but I can’t get my hands or eyes on.

Thanks again for the great job you are doing here.

Hi, sorry for being late to my salon, must be lots of new toys on the internet today.

Hi Bev, thank you so much for all that you’ve done. The Book Salons have been great, and some fabulous. And to echo dakine, “BRAVA!”

Thanks – do you know who wrote /edited Campaign for President?

That is an amazing list you have there. Helen Thomas was one fave, and Tom Ridge did well, considering.

The Tom Ridge salon was “different” because I had to do all the typing for Mr. Ridge, his staff were not available at the time of the salon. I truly understand what our authors go through now.

Also, the book by Amaly MAm, the Road of Lost Innocence, is a must read for people who care about children being abused and used in sex trafficking. In Cambodia she was sold at age 12 into sexual slavery by her grandfather. Now she works to help other children in Southeast Asia escape this hideous fate. This is her story.

oh right, you know I’d forgotten that. You were quite the trooper especially since you were doing it over the phone

The Institute of Politics is cited as author for the Campaign for President. I believe it is issued after every Presidential election.

Sounds interesting, I’ve seen several books lately on the slavery. Also, Mr. Blackmon’s book was about this too.

Yes, it’s a very impressive list. Good going Bev. And, I too have enjoyed many Sunday afternoons at La Salon. Thank you, Bev.
(PS, Helen Thomas is also on my fav list, Elliot)

Hi Bev and thanks for all your fabulous work.

My recommendation doesn’t fit with the criterion of new books, but it is one of the best books I’ve read of all time, King of the Mountain by Arnold Ludwig, originally published in 2002, but out in paperback last year. Ludwig studied all leaders of all countries in the 20th century. The short version is alpha male, i.e., humans are differenct from chimps with only a thin verneer. Only 2-3/4% were women, and of those 1-3/4 percentage points were wives of or daughters of. Unless we understand such a powerful biological motivation, we’ll forever be deluded by our leaders. Ludwig is emeritus from his long-served academic institution, but is now lecturing at Brown as of my last google. He also resonded to my first (but not followup) email. I’d be happy to host.

As always, I vote for the occasional humor (The Young Dick Cheney) or fiction. Just as a change of pace.

eCAHN,
Thank you, I will look into it, and thank you for the offer to Host.

Thanks.

Humor is good, I find them to be the fast paced salons, like with Charles Pierce.

I just want to thank the lovely Bev for making it all possible and making it all work. Salute!

I’m going to pump for “The Magna Carta Manifesto” by Peter Linebaugh. It is also not a new book but in terms of people’s understanding what liberty actually means, where the concept came from, and why something that is 800 years old is not only necessary but is actually as new and fresh an idea today as it was then.

Oh, and especially kudos on The End of Overeating. As is usual, I hadn’t read the book before the salon, though I owned it, but read it shortly after, and it was one of 2009′s best. I wish I had read it before because my Qs would have been much more interesting.

Thank you very much for hosting several salons this past year.

Aloha Ya’ll…! Some of my faves was John Dean’s… He was great each time by answering all our questions… Even coming back to finish up…! ;-)

Toby, thank you for the recommendation, I agree we need to refresh and renew our understanding of the original documents. I was reading the Constitution the other week, happened by it – and was surprised by how good it was to read.

Perhaps we could channel an original author! *g*

Bev, thanks for the gift of the Salons you’ve brought us over this last year.

John is a fan of FDL and always available when I ask. He mentioned to me he is working on a new book that should be out at the end of the year.

*Heh* Try the “Federalist Papers”… Even more engaging…! ;-)

Thanks, but the salons really are FDL and you interacting with the authors. It shows the quality of the FDL readers. Authors are always amazed by the quality of questions and discussion. Kudos to you.

Just downloaded them to my iPhone, I’ll probably read them while sitting in a waiting room. *g*

What are you reading now? Any recommendations?

THAT would be a good one.

Thanks, Bev, for all your work on the Salon. To be able to ask Helen Thomas, for example, a question and get a real answer is just fabulous. The Book Salon enhances FDL. We are lucky to be in this wonderful community.

Sometimes I wonder what’s his pen name…! Btw… Mahalo Nui Loa for all your tireless work…! ;-)

Where the hell you been Tuttle; don’t you love us at EW anymore?

Hope the holidays are finding you well over there!

Can we review some classic books The Peloponnesian War reminds us of how war can destroy a proud Democracy. It must be remembered that after the war the rich took over and created the anti intelectual climate that killed Socrates and later caused Aristotle to flee Athens.
And that Athens never recovered its intellectual or military power afterwards.
We might be facing a similar situation soon. Maybe the aftermath of that war should be studied more now.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Peloponnesian_War

Bev I want to thank you for the wonderful work you do and the graceful way you do it. How you keep so many balls up in the air at once, I will never understand. And you do with such calm and serenity.

Also, something by Rashid Khalidi. He looks at the Palestine-Israel conflict from the Palestinian POV, without being doctrinaire and adding a lot of historic context. I’ve read Ressurecting Empire this past year and Iron Cage a year or two ago.

*heh* Since my Donkies have been on the schneid of late i’ve avoided the trash talk over there…! ;-)

I still read ya’ll and comment from time to time…! *g*

Martin Van Crevald is an Israeli war historian who has one of his books as required reading at West Point plus he was against America’s war in Iraq. Any talk with him would give us ammo against Joe when he says we must keep fighting the war to save Israel.
Plus I think he would be great for a talk on the Art of War by Sun Tze and how many mistakes Bush made according to Sun Tze.
I suggest 2 talks with him one on each subject.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_van_Creveld

Thanks, that is how I want the salons to look, it is for the you and FDL, I’m in the background facilitating.

Have you seen, A Wall in Palestine, by Rene Backmann? Interesting book just coming out.

Sounds interesting, I will add it to my spreadsheet and look at it.

Thank you for everything you do, Bev!

So who was the most fun to work with?

Also, Eric Margolis. He’s been in every war zone in central Asia for decades and has a very deep understanding of what goes on in that part of the world, and the interactions of all those countries we can barely find on a map, and how U.S. foreign policy (i.e. wars) roil up that explosive area to an even greater degree. I’ve read American Raj and War at the Top of the World in the past year.

Aw, come on, when the season started, you would have killed for a 9-7 season which is where they stand to finish at; at least I would have anyway.

Not yet. I’ll look for it.

Sun Tzu… Things…! *g*

And Hillary Rettig, I have forgotten her title. Very interesting and worthwhie.

Great work Bev — would like to have more James Galbraith hosting good economics books please. He’s a terrific host — fun, smart, engages the commenters. Or Dean Baker or Yves Smith doing critique of financial regulation books, and there are a lot of those coming out on what happened the last three-four years.

e.g. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/25/business/25norris.html?scp=1&sq=economic,%20finance%20books,%20recession&st=cse

Any good European books on criminal justice in Europe and why they have less crime than we have? I am especially impressed by Finland’s making legal fees proportionate to income.

Jussi Salonoja, the 27-year-old heir to a family-owned sausage empire, was given the £116,000 ticket after being caught driving 80km/h in a 40km/h zone.

Helsinki police came up with the figure after tax office data showed that Mr Salonoja earned close to £7m in 2002.

If his penalty stands it will beat the previous record of almost 80,000 euros.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3477285.stm

Thanks and please give me a heads up I want to be prepared!

Seconded!

Happy New Year BevW!

The author I mentioned whose book is about sex trafficking, is Somaly Mam.

Bev thank you for all the hard work you do!!

Happy New Year to all the FirePups old and of so many new ones!!

From my POV, the best books I read on foreign policy are those that give me background and a framework for slotting in new information.

True… It did look pretty grim prior to the season kickoff…! *g*

Maybe I got too greedy after the 6-0 start…! 8-)

Bill Moyers would be a good guest, I definitely believe.

Thank you!
Most fun – hard to pick just one, Charles Pierce, Bob Harris and John Anderson are funny.

I am always amazed at how easy it is to work directly with major authors, politicians, and journalists. But I find that FDL has preceded me, many Publisher and authors know of us and are excited to be here and to be asked.

Spelling my Bad:) I heard during the start of the Iraq war the Iraqi’s were reading modern Chinese books on Asymmetric Warfare to plan their rebellion I would love to ask Martin about that and how much of the concept of Asymmetric Warfare is based on Sun Tzu.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asymmetric_warfare

Life Long Activist

Yes, excellent.

OT: NPR doing tribute to Chestnut…

[Mod Note: Today, OTs are forgiven, but most Book Salons, they get spammed for being OT. Just so folks know.]

Wow, It’s been too long since I’ve read a thread without a troll in it…!

This is a refreshing dip in the lake…! *g*

Great idea to invite Moyers, and have him host a book (his choice?) a month or so.

would like to have more James Galbraith hosting good economics books please.

as soon as i’m finished it, i’m going to email bev to recommend randall wray’s book, Understanding Modern Money: The Key to Full Employment And Price Stability (oops, i guess i did just recommend it. but will send email also). it’s probably the most important book i’ve read since…. well, since i can’t remember when. (i recommend very highly it to everyone with the slightest bit of interest in progressive macro econ policy).

galbraith is on my list of possible hosts (although i know of at least 2 other economists who know the book and author well and both blog… hmmm, maybe, if bev agrees, i could ask them to participate in the comments).

Thanks – James is great to work with, as is Dean Baker and Nomi Prins. Yves has a salon coming up on Feb 14th, Stiglitz on Jan 24th.

Now that we’re forming alliances, can we ask Sarah Palin to host her favorite books?

Just kidding.

Seconded we can tie it into politics by asking about Jack Abramoff and why he wasn’t prosecuted. We can also ask about Rush’s trip to the Dominican Republic with a bunch of viagra,
Rush has never seemed to like Hispanics or Femi Nazi’s/ Women given that the DR has a real high AIDS rate only fools and people who want something they can’t get on Craigslist would risk going there for sex.

Happy New Year to you, too.

my thanks to bev and all the authors, hosts and participants. even when i’m not around for the discussions, i’ll later read the book salon threads.

When he has a new book, I will try again. Some authors have a short time they are available for salons.

Bev, you have a tremendous gift. You’ve taken the Book Salons to unheard of and unexpected heights, and success after success. Thank you so much for everything you do to make them happen, twice each weekend, while making it look very easy to boot!

I enjoyed hosting David Sirota and Jonathan Tasini, and I can vouch for the authors’ excitement before — and astonishment after! — Book Salon. It’s really become the go-to place among authors, thanks to your hard work and dedication.

One book I’ll recommend is Gore Vidal’s “Snapshots in History’s Glare,” which Patrick gave me for Xmas. It’s a collection of photos taken throughout Mr Vidal’s life by his partner of 54 years (now sadly passed) accompanied by, you’ll be unsurprised to learn, witty and clever essayettes by Mr Vidal.

Thats cause Trolls can’t read. No Child Left behind failed. Teaching for the test does no encourage the curious nature needed to develop a love of reading.

Asymmetric Warfare was Betrayus’s claim to fame… If not his doctoral dissertation even…! ;-)

Maybe something on the topic of animal intelligence pigs are very smart for example and hurting smart animals does seems cruel to me.

Moyers would be awesome…!!!

I’m sure he would greatly enjoy the Lake… Almost as much as the pups would enjoy his prescence… Almost…! ;-)

I have these four copies of James Hoggan’s new book, Climate Cover-Up, he was very generous and sent extras for FDL. If you would like one, let me know.

Then getting Martin here to discuss what went wrong with Betrayus’s plans would be very interesting.
That and lets see Joe contradict Martin who teaches Israeli officers!

Thirded!

Sure! I’m at FaceBook!

BTW Yves Smith is supposed to have a book on the financial crisis coming out some time early next year. On her Naked Capitalism site she also has book reviewing posts by Satyajit Das. I don’t know if he would be interested in working with book salon here.

Re Khalidi, I have enjoyed his perspectives on the Israel-Palestine issue although I think his more recent efforts to see this conflict through the prism of the Cold War are misplaced. Curiously, I think his views are somewhat more conservative than those of many here.

Edit: I see Yves is already on the schedule per BevW at #67.

Thank you for Hosting this year. It really is fun to hear the excitement from the authors, in a lot of cases are tired of the book tour at this point.

The book sounds good, I’ll look into it.

Stop by on Feb 14th for Naked Capitalism and say hi to Yves.

I was looking around for the email address…! 8-)

seconded

firedoglakebooksalon@gmail.com

Now that we’re forming alliances, can we ask Sarah Palin to host her favorite books?

My Pet Goat
Python Spirits in Economics
Russia, a personal history as seen from my house
Why Katie Couric hates me

Published by Abrams Books in NYC

Mike Royko The Boss

http://www.amazon.com/Boss-Richard-J-Daley-Chicago/dp/0452261678

Lots of folks seem interested in Chicago Politics with Rahm And Obama in charge this book gives a very easy to read understanding of it.

Python Spirits in Economics

Best Joke I’ve heard all day tell ET when you get the chance Vodoo Economics just got very strange.

That looks like a good subject, I’ll look into it.

Has anyone read, The Imperial Cruise, by James Bradley, about Teddy Roosevelt and the Philippines? It is about the politics of the war.

That would be a tough Book Salon though. Very quiet on the author end.

Bev – thank you so much for all the hard work you do in preparation for the salons – much appreciated. They are an essential part of FDL.

No, but reminds me that Douglas Brinkley would be an interesting guest.

I think we could find a newer study of Chicago politics and Blago.

Your public library should be able to get those books for your. Especially the older ones that don’t have a long wait list.
I also trade books in at the used book store and use the credit to get some of the older political books, 1-2 years old.

We could title it “Mayor Daley and Mike Royko in Agreement From the Grave: Chicago Politicians Ain’t What They Used to Be”

My Pet Goat

Bwhahaha…! I’ve already got my copy ready for Shrub’s Library…! ;-)

He just came out with a new book several months ago – will have to look it up.

I’m sure we can get a Chicago politics expert to walk us through it maybe someone who worked for Mayor Harold Washington the cities first African American mayor?

Maybe Fast Eddie Vrdolyak if we want someone evil.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Vrdolyak

Maybe a college professor.

Bev, I think this kind of exchange was a great idea….has it been done before? Thanks.

Sounds interesting

Yes Rahm is a lousy Fixer and Obama is not in charge like Daley was, all this talk of them being Chicago Pols is wrong they are the guys the real Chicago pol’s feed to the D.A.

Webster Tarply, or David Ray Griffen

Not a better written one or one that explains the basics or as easy to read Mike was a genius.

Has Rod Blagojevich done a book salon here?

According to Lynne Sweet, Blago’s book,”The Governor” lowers the boom on Rahmbo-among others.

Blagojevich book takes aim Rahm Emanuel, Valerie Jarrett – Lynn SweetAug 31, 2009 … Q The AP is reporting that Governor Blagojevich’s new book says that Rahm Emanuel asked him to see if they could have a placeholder …
blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/…/blagojevich_book_takes_aim_rah.html – Similar

Also academic books don’t explain words like Clout, Fixer and Bagman as well as Mike did although those explanations might be in his later books.

…they are the guys the real Chicago pol’s feed to the D.A…

Why do think they moved to DC…? D’uh…! ;-)

I enjoy the opportunity to chat with you and the firepups each year, it let’s me know if I’m finding the right books to keep you interested.

It was a pleasure to finally meet you at Netroots this past year.

I’ll look them up.

He has not responded to my emails.

Blaggo could discuss Mike Royko and his own book. He is a machine poll but not a Daley machine pol his wife’s Dad has a rival machine. The ethics of having Blaggo here that I’ll leave to the front pagers I have not been following his case.
I do wonder if Blaggo’s sister in law the one who knocked down a Chicago Cop at a Gay Protest is thinking of running for anything?

For Arkansas politics, we have a good Book Salon coming up on January 31st, Dotty Oliver of the Arkansas Free Press. This will be a good salon.

Considering the recent buzz about Rahmbo , just PERHAPS Mr. Blagojevich might NOW a bit more amenable to an appearance?

True in Chicago they are Idiot Children but in Washington they are regarded as Geniuses Genies!

My what a lovely family.

Does he have an agent Blaggo probably never heard of the Lake.

It would make for a very interesting book salon but the Rahm trolls would be all over it the Mods would need combat pay:)

Wait… Isn’t that all those UC Econ majors…? ;-)

Before we end, I’d like to give a big Thanks to the Editors, Moderators, and Techs, behind the scenes, who make this salon happen without any surprises. There have been salons where they have done the impossible. Thank you all.

I have written his publicists and can try again.

Thank you, Bev, for so many great book salons. Thanks to the various hosts,too.
One of my favorites was Ryan Grim, “This is Your Country on Drugs”. I bought 2 books so I could pass one around to the youngbloods.
Another was the incredible Jurgen Todenhofer,”Why Do You Kill”. Again, I bought 2, one to pass around.
When I think of all the book and author discussions on current issues, the legislative discussions,the legal discussions and political action FDL has achieved this calender year, it’s awe inspiring.
I’m proud to know ya!!

I have no idea if he has an agent.

He DID do an appearance on Oprah,however.

(Incidentally, that Lynne Sweet link I pasted upthread has some pretty interesting info on what Blago alleges Emmanuel wanted from him.)

Thank you. Ryan was great and thank you for mentioning Todenhofer, he spent a long career in the German Legislature and his humanitarian work. He did the salon from Germany.

Thank you all for a great chat. I look forward to another fun year here at the FDL Book Salon.

Again, if you want to send me a note of recommendations or comments, sent it to: firedoglakebooksalon@gmail.com

Happy New Year!!

Gordon Ginsberg’s diary is front-paged!
Why The President’s Inability to Lead Highlights the Value of FDL’s Reachout to “Strange Bedfellows”

Mahalo Nui Loa, Bev (and the FDL crew)…! *g*

…And I’d like to echo what openhope just said…!!! *g*

*smooches*
Looking forward to the new year you have planned for us.

Muchas gracias!

The Young Dick Cheney was epic *g*

The book salons are such a gift to us, the readers, it’s like free money only better. It’s free association with people whose ideas we read and like to discuss. It’s like chocolate.
Thanks Bev, you really do a great job.

Hey, Bev, just dropped by to commend you on your great work and thank you for all you do here to bring us the so many great books.

Excellent suggestion.

Bev, you are greatly appreciated. I’m not always present live for the salons, but greatly enjoy catching up after the fact. My questions, along with many I’d never think of, are invariably asked.

I bet his lawyer has him under lock and key.

The temptation to talk out of school on a liberal blog would prove too great, I fear.

But it would be some kinda fun, that’s fer sure!

Thanks, Bev, it was great to visit with you here today.

Happy Boxing Day, all.

My recommendation for the next year:

The Big Burn
by Timothy Egan

This book reads so contemporary as Teddy Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot collaborate on saving the natural resources of the West for Americans, and the fire that made the difference.

It is set in 1910 exactly 100 years earlier, and if you substitute Health Care for National Resources, the story is exactly the same except for one thing: TR and Pinchot are fighters. (I can’t help making a comparison between Pinchot and Jane Hamsher.)

TR is no risk adverse manager for sure!

Best to all at FDL!

I have to share a memory with you all that was made vibrant when I noted that John Dean returned recently although I could not *attend* unfortunately.

I came to fdl mostly *because* of the Book Salon with John Dean must have been three years ago. The first one. Where he stayed for two hours and came back to answer questions later. I could not believe that I was on a thread *live* with someone I so admired. It was magical and that is the magic of the Book Salons. I am so happy to hear that this venue is getting a rep with authors and publishers. It is good for everyone!

My admiration has only grown for Mr. Dean. We sure need more like him.

I have bookmarked the recent salon with Helen Thomas: more magic!

And I think having Bill Moyers here for *any* book he wants would be amazing!