As 2011 approaches, we’re delighted to announce a new chapter for FDL: the launch of the FDL Writers Foundation, a brand new 501(c)3 non-profit devoted to supporting the groundbreaking work of talented and innovative authors whose clarity of thought and inspiration we desperately need right now. As 2010 ends, this is the perfect time to help the young thinkers and journalists whose energy and imagination will help us overcome the challenges that face us and lead us to a better future with a tax-deductible contribution. Can you please make a tax-deductible contribution of $25 or more to support the FDL Writers Foundation?

There’s as much to like about this book as there is to despise about the drug war, which makes This is Your Country on Drugs a fascinating read for anyone endeavoring to better understand the origins of the drug policy predicament that continues to captivate and confound American culture. Ryan Grim takes the reader on a fast-paced journey through the history of our nation’s love-hate relationship with drugs, exploring the economic, political, and cultural dimensions of both drug use and the enormous war that seeks to shield us from its consequences.

The publication of Barry Eisler’s novel “Inside Out” is a big deal, because until now, no one has taken the headlines surrounding the Bush/Cheney/CIA torture scandal and made them the subject of memorable fiction.

In his new book, Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet, Bill McKibben portrays the dire environmental conditions that a generation ago seemed like abstract predictions of what our grandchildren might endure. In much of his previous work the environmental journalist and activist aimed to wake people up to the existence of climate change before it was too late.

Join us as we chat with Demos fellow and author Rich Benjamin about his book, Searching for Whitopia: An Improbable Journey to the Heart of White America.

We’ve all heard of the ‘American Way’, but is there a ‘European Way’? In Europe’s Promise, Steven Hill explores European approaches to a range of contemporary policy challenges – from economic policy, to social policy, to health care, to climate change, to foreign policy – and shows that there is a distinctive ‘European Way’. He also argues convincingly that Americans have much to learn from it.

Happy Holidays to all.

I want to thank you for your lively discussions and comments on our Book Salons. You are what makes the FDL Book Salon a must for many of authors now. And most of the authors comment on how much they enjoyed the quality of the discussions.

Firedoglake is pleased to welcome Donald F. Kettl and his timely book, “The Next Government of the United States: Why Our Institutions Fail Us and How to Fix Them.”

Welcome to the new Firedoglake. As you can see, we’ve been busy making a few changes.

The biggest change will be in the comment section, where we’re going be implementing registration to keep the load on both our servers and our moderators from getting any heavier. But over the next few days we’re also going to be introducing some surprises each dmorning, so please come back and join us.