The Next Progressive Era: A Blueprint for Broad Prosperity

The Next Progressive Era: A Blueprint for Broad Prosperity
Phillip Longman and Ray Boshara
PoliPointPress, 228 pages, $22.95
Reminiscent of the climate in the early 1900s that fostered America’s progressive era, today’s troubled economy and weakened family unit invite a new progressive era. Authors Phillip Longman and Ray Boshara design a strategy for modern progressivism that is concerned with community over individualism, uses “thrift” as a mindset and champions closing the gap between rich and poor. The book channels the message and energy of Obama’s presidential campaign, which the authors say reignited this movement.Fighting Words: A Tale of How Liberals Created Neo-Conservatism
Ben J. Wattenberg
St. Martin’s Press, 362 pages, $26.95
Liberal Democrat turned neo-conservative Ben Wattenberg says his former party is to blame for the robust brand of neo-conservative now alive and well in American politics. In Fighting Words, Wattenberg blames liberal lions like former presidential nominee George McGovern for moving the party too far to the left. Wattenberg also attempts to re-position the term neo-con, acknowledging that it’s often seen as an insult to those who don’t fully understand its meaning. In this first-person account of his political journey, Wattenberg mixes personal experiences and a conversational tone to make his case for neo-conservatism and give the reader a real understanding of how Washington works.The Years of Talking Dangerously
Geoffrey Nunberg
Perseus Books Group, 242 pages, $18.95
In his new book, Berkeley linguist and NPR commentator Geoffrey Nunberg chronicles the political language that characterized the final years of the Bush era. Using his linguistic analyses as context, Nunberg paints a vivid picture of how American culture has developed at the beginning of the new millennium. Speech is about to undergo some major changes as new Web 2.0 technology becomes increasingly dominant. Nunberg argues the techno-language we see in text messaging isn’t ruining the English language, but rather enabling people to better understand the world around them. Combining humor with instructive examination, Nunberg gives those who plan on speaking to the public an easy-to-grasp blueprint on what grabs listeners’ attention and what doesn’t.Epic Journey: The 2008 Elections and American Politics
James W. Ceaser, Andrew E. Busch and John J. Pitney Jr.
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Inc., 221 pages, $24.95
Regardless of how you voted last year, you would likely agree that ‘epic journey’ is a fitting description of the 2008 presidential campaign. The authors offer a thorough academic and political analysis of both the Democratic and Republican primaries, as well as the significance of 2008’s state and congressional contests. The first chapters offer a detailed look at the scope of the recent Democratic victory, pinpointing six keys to Obama’s victory and examining the shadow cast by former President Bush in the 2008 race. The authors also offer a careful analysis of the institutional issues that surfaced after last year’s campaign. From campaign finance to the Democratic Party’s nominating process, 2008 provided plenty of fodder for reformers. Party Images in the American Electorate
Mark D. Brewer
Routledge, 117 pages, $29.95
Ever wonder why certain images come to mind when you hear “Democrat” or “Republican?” In Party Images, Mark Brewer explores the origins of those mental pictures and delves into the differences in perception of the major political parties. An assistant political science professor at the University of Maine, Brewer examines the messages political parties attempt to convey and highlights differences in how those messages are received by those on opposite ends of the socioeconomic spectrum. From gender to religion to race, Brewer tackles some of the major divides in American politics and contributes to an ever-increasing understanding of how parties are actually evaluated. Political Conventions: The Art of Getting Elected and Governing
Dr. Allan Bonner
Motion Creative Printing Inc., 267 pages, $29.95
Want to run for public office someday? Read Political Conventions. Described as a “pithy lesson for the politician in waiting” by former New Hampshire Gubernatorial Candidate, D. Arnie Arnesen, Political Conventions tells you what works in the political world and what doesn’t. Bonner, who founded a political training and consulting company, uses personal accounts to frame his blueprint for candidates. He also draws on his own experience helping aspiring politicians get to the top. Whether it comes to addressing tough questions from constituents, debating your opponents on key issues or deciding which parties to attend, Bonner’s got you covered in his latest guide to the basics of campaign success.