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The Assault on Reason (Audio CD)
by Al Gore
| Category:
Politics, Social sciences, Current affairs, Nonfiction |
| Market price: ¥ 428.00
MSL price:
¥ 368.00
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| Stock:
Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
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MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
An eye-opening account of today's political scene, Al Gore's book is a visionary call to reason on the breakdown of the US political process. |
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AllReviews |
1 Total 1 pages 9 items |
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Publishers Weekly (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-22 00:00>
As scathing as it is meticulous, Gore's treatise on reason juggernauts its way through the Bush administration, never even needing to include the controversial nature of Bush's presidential elections. He identifies the growing concentration of power in the executive branch virtually ignored by mainstream media. Drawing on the great political philosophers of history and his lengthy career in government, Gore contends that the loss of a genuine public forum in the age of radio and television has led to the decay of democracy. He delivers a serious critique of the United States tempered by hope and faith in the restoration of checks and balances. The articulated venom of Gore's words can be heard in Patton's voice as he narrates. He reads with an intensity that makes this already engaging prose compelling. Patton maintains a distinct smooth and edgy voice, but maintains a cadence that reminds listeners of Gore's own speaking mannerisms. In quoting historical figures, Patton's voice is distinct but not haughty or pompous. The combination of Patton's performance and Gore's words make this an impressive audiobook. |
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I. Michael Grossman (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-22 00:00>
Gore points out what we all sense-that something's awry with America. The political machinery has failed us. Health care is an elitist privilege. Lobbyists drive legislation at the expense of the citizenry. The right to an education is now the right to incur student debt. We have exported our manufacturing capability, ignored global warming, alienated former allies and recklessly stretched our military. Twenty-five percent of those Gallop polled answered that America won't be around in another 100 years.
Gore suggests the underlying causes are twofold: an oil-hungry Bush administration intent on consolidating Executive Branch power. And, two, on the impact of television which, as a visual medium, powerfully impacts our emotions, replacing book-based, reasoned decision making with sound-bite-trained responses.
Gore supports his analysis with historical antidotes, quotes, and a Vice President's insider knowledge of beltway goings on.
But The Assault on Reason gives the Bush administration too much credit for bringing us to the current low point - although they deserve a lot. The seeds of what ails us lie deeper, and are rooted in a fear-based loss of our ability to focus introspectively and that phenomenon is more powerful even than a diminished reliance on reason. Fear of introspection has produced a society driven by momentary fashion rather than one that processes its thinking internally and individually. Even more than our diminished reliance on reason, this explains why our politicians decide by focus groups rather than vision - why they reflect instead of leading - and why championing public needs - at the risk of a loss of personal power - is today considered quaint.
While Gore misses the deepest cause for the morass, Gore's book - and his vision for the internet - has the power to inspire and to motivate. It leaves us yearning for the kind of leadership that created the American constitution - with its keen understanding of human nature and its reliance on reason. As Gore no doubt intended, it leaves us hungry for government perfected by reason. Hopefully after The Assault on Reason, such an idea won't also be considered quaint. |
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Bob Magnant (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-22 00:00>
After I first read Al Gore's assessment of the state of this nation [as published in a Time magazine excerpt], I knew that I had to read his book. He immediately whet my interest in his opening discussions about the politics of fear and of the realities that visual communications have been introducing into the marketplace of ideas and the political process for the past 30 years. I soon realized that I badly needed a lesson on our democratic heritage, since as an engineering student of 45 years ago, I had dozed through much of my college course on American government.
Using explanations that are based on the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, his detailed reviews of the Bush administration actions to date are examined in the harsh light of Iraq, against the checks and balances that the founding fathers of our democracy put in place to insure that liberty and justice prevailed. 'Assault' is an in-depth look at our current position in the world, from the perspective of someone who is both seasoned and articulate, detailing how we arrived at this juncture. Although Gore's work is both thoughtful and rich in perspective, it is not a light read. He is not happy with the current state of affairs, along with many of us.
His treatise examines our democracy in the same way that Lawrence Lessig makes you understand code in Code and Other Laws of Cyberspace. He shows the power shift toward the Executive Branch over the last six years as a deliberate move by the Republicans from the first days of their takeover and that the events of 9-11 have only strengthened convictions that were already in motion. He also notes the repeated overstepping of boundaries that have resulted in apparent mass violations of the law that are described by some as 'calculated efforts to create an atmosphere of legal ambiguity.'
Gore says he's optimistic that the tide is turning, that we are now influenced by new, interactive media, resulting in more popular debate, increased Internet-based movements and the use of powerful blogging. But we shall see. There will have to be a lot more motivated people involved for things to change. 'Assault' is a worthwhile read that helps you understand what has gone wrong but, unfortunately, there won't be enough people that read his work or care to change the status quo. Hopefully, he learned his lesson from the poor acceptance of his early environmental efforts and he will write more and offer us more ways to have impact on the government... and he will make another documentary. |
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Jennifer Terry (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-22 00:00>
The Assault on Reason is divided into three main parts: discussion of citizens' involvement in the political process, the current political landscape, and Gore's hopes for change.
The first part of the book discusses the current relationship in America between citizens and their government. Gore concentrates on the role of the media, and how the primary medium of communication has changed from text to television, including what problems this causes. He also spends a lot of time discussing how television and radio (i.e., non-print mediums) are great vehicles for propaganda.
The best aspect of The Assault on Reason is its unwavering honesty and eye-opening accounts of the current administration. Gore goes into great detail describing how the Bush administration has subtly but pervasively limited Americans' freedoms and corrupted the meaning of the Constitution. This ranges from wire-tapping to torture to general lying to the public. Although I was aware superficially of many of these abuses, I wasn't aware of the extent and the depth of the Bush administration's sins against the public and the history of our nation. I feel I got a lot of value out of this part of the book, just in the fact that I am more informed and aware of these abuses.
The final part of the book discusses the importance of a "well-connected citizenry" in keeping our democracy and liberty alive. The concentration is obviously on the Internet here, and in its role in providing two-way communication between citizens and other citizens and between citizens and their government.
As I said, I got a lot out of the eye-opening aspects of the book, but I was a bit disappointed by a couple things. First, I was disappointed by the very small role of solutions in the book. I felt enraged, disappointed, disturbed, and a multitude of other emotions when reading about the current administration's abused. My next question, therefore, was "What can I do?" After finishing the book, I don't feel that this question was adequately answered, or even that Gore directed readers to think of their own answers. I realize that the Internet is a great medium, and I have used it to research candidates during elections, relying on it instead of on televised propaganda. But what else? It seems that many solutions, such as researching candidates, participating in blogs, e-mailing representatives, may just have small, gradual effects, which are fine, but do not really answer what we can do now. My second criticism, and this is a minor one, is that Gore did spend some time on self-promotion, promoting his solution to citizens' connectivity, Connect TV. As I said, this was relatively minor, but more time than perhaps was necessary was spent on it in the book.
Overall, I think this is an essential read for anyone, if for nothing else than its eye-opening qualities. You will not look at our government the same way again. |
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Albert Preston (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-22 00:00>
Al Gore's book is, on balance, a good step forward. For the most part it is clearly written, and presents the reader with information on a number of very important subjects. His reliance on the negatives of TV as an underpinning of democracy's troubles is not entirely convincing. Granted that much of TV induces more emotional reaction than reasoning. Watching TV is passive, whereas the reader is active and more inclined to be searching and reasoning. But today there are greater opportunities for ordinary Americans to investigate the important issues than in the pre-TV era. The old newspaper chains were largely one-way messages; they weren't exactly public forums. Book reading today is doing well, although books on government and social issues tend to be polemics. Gore points out the potential of the Internet and blogs, many of which are highly partisan, but doesn't investigate the increasing use of reviews such as Amazon provides. Also, many TV programs solicit the viewer to get on the web and investigate matters further. And a book or movie can also be interactive by hosting a web site where people can post comments or provide survey data.
Some argue that Gore's worldview is one of chilliness and sterility, and allows almost no role for family and neighborhood. Not so. For example, he refers to the adverse impact of celebrity culture on families. But his focus is appropriately the larger public forum. He is passionate in pointing out that separation church and state is vital to a vigorous public examination of many important issues. He keeps the focus on the issues that are being debated, as per the example of Common Sense and the Federalist Papers.
The primary thrust of the book, and the one on which it should be evaluated, is his plea that we promote a better culture of discourse and vigorous review. He talks of the need for an embrace of open inquiry, for a conversation of democracy; a better marketplace of ideas; and reconnecting the American people to the substance of the deliberative process. In this, he decries partisanship. Of course, many who exalt deliberation are still prone to partisanship: an examination of the reviews posted here shows that reviews marked 4 or 5 star get a high percentage of "review helpful" comments, while those of 3 stars or less uniformly get a low percentage of "helpful" comments.
The book illustrates the difficulty of being balanced, or "objective", but yet reaching a helpful conclusion. At some point, we must do more than deliberate and converse. Gore's firm critical stand on President Bush will strike many as partisan, but it is the product of his thinking and investigation. Although for some this detracts from the plea for good deliberation, it is his necessary contribution to a shared, collective intelligence. He is, as it were, a juror who has taken care to judge the evidence, and has an obligation to reach a verdict. In this regard, he should welcome similarly thoughtful examinations and judgments by others, whatever their conclusions about Bush, in the spirit of a good jury. And in this, Gore has made a fine contribution. |
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Nathaniel T. Parsons (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-22 00:00>
Al Gore is on track to be the next great American president. Not the next president, but the next GREAT president.
This book is almost unarguable. Although his conclusions reach far and his language is overbroad, there is no denying that a great deal of what he says is true. And it's not fun to hear. America has strayed, and strayed far, from the enlightened vision of the Founders that was our nation's deepest engine of growth and power. How did this happen?
The dominance of television, and the evolution of the television business into a few purely profit driven conglomerates, has made the manipulation of the public mind not the exception but the rule. This point is at the heart of Gore's dark warning. The country has had other dark periods of fear driven excess. But we have always managed to right the boat to balance and sail on. This time may be different, for we have never seen the concentration of money and power... and especially the concentration of information power, that we are seeing today.
Gore's tone is serious, his evidence massive, and his warnings bleak. He tears the current president a gaping new one by building an almost airtight case against him, bringing together the familiar litany of Bush administration deceptions, delusions and misjudgments in Iraq with a broad collection of less familiar but equally frightening maneuvering at home. The common patterns of mischief paint a picture of an administration of men so committed to serving the top 2% they must spend tremendous energy to deceive and manipulate the other 98%. They are so committed to the belief that the president is above the law that they are authoritarian. They are traitors to the Founders' vision, to the Constitution, and to our broadly held values.
"This country's founded thick with laws. Man's laws not God's. And if you cut them down, and you're just the man to do it, do you really think you could stand in the winds that would blow then?"
Gore quotes this passage (from the play A Man For All Seasons, by Robert Bolt) and many other great authors along the way. This serves to actually reveal one of Gore's most serious weaknesses. He is an attorney, he is an academic and a wonk. His points are well built. But just because your subject is dark doesn't mean your writing must be unappealing. Gore's language is heavy, the writing itself scrapes at the mind. It does not call forth a vision that inspires your highest self, his language is accusatory, angry, fearful, dire.
As a man who writes for a living myself, I know there are many ways to relate unpleasant material in a compelling and enlivening way. Gore fails to do this.
Truth has a ring to it. It is clear, and people of goodwill instinctively resonate with it. As much truth as there is in Gore's words, they do not ring. When he can shine a brighter light, America will willingly follow it.
My opinion is that he should not run in '08. If he keeps doing what he's doing, eventually America will come to him. |
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W. Koenigsmann (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-22 00:00>
Al Gore is a good man, that is why people either hate him or love him. That is how humanity is my friends, you've got your good, honest, decent folks, some of whom may still dislike Gore a bit because they don't know the whole truth, or else are a bit ignorant; then you've got those other dead souls who are totally for Capitalism and greed, and the way of the Ego. It's not too hard to tell which side most people fall on, just listen to what they value most in life and you'll see. Anyone who can read through this and ignore what Gore has written HAS to suffer from a lack of conscience or reason. I know those types of people exist though, although not everyone knows this. Sadly enough, these dead souls are the very ones who often rule us, because as a famous psychologist once said, "Those who cannot love want power." Take this to heart. Is your life worth more than being a cog in the machine to someone heartless who just wants power? Think about it. Isn't your life, and the lives of your family and friends, and the lives of thousands upon thousands of innocent victims all around the world worth more to you than giving someone evil a bit of power? We are only pieces on the chessboard to these people. As for the quality of Gore's research and writing, I can only say that it is IMPECCABLE. He is not overly eloquent and writes in a lucid and logical way that is easy to comprehend, even for those with little education. There is no excuse for not reading this book. |
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Christopher G. Kamine (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-22 00:00>
This is a very well researched, well written book on the decline of our democracy. The book is loaded with many historical facts from the time of our founding fathers through present. Gore assigns the decline of our democracy to mostly recent erosions of our constitutional rights by the current administration. To date, this book is the most scathing assault on the Bush administration. And I should add - I agree 100% of Gore assessment of what this administration has done, to name a few, illegal wire tapping, patriot act, utilization of torture... Civil liberties have suffered tremendously by the current administration and the author does a fair job at curtailing these failures. The book is not 100% an assault on Bush, there's much more context and focus than that, but Gore does point out Bush's responsibility in that. Gore contends the country has switched is medium for obtaining information from reading (newspapers) to television which induce different responses from thought provoking and rational to simple emotion responses. At times the book was very dry and Gore went into the psychology aspect of how we process information. He is very good on describing what big media has done to providing us with facts. He is also very good on describing what big business has done to distort global warming. I personally feel the citizens in this country have grown more and more fed up with our governments take over of elite and special interests, we feel powerless and turn away from the entire process. This isn't addressed by Gore. He does feel the internet is the next biggest hope. I believe we need another great leader like TR Roosevelt who genuinely loved the office and ran his post for the people. We now see nothing but self serving, flagrant abuses of office from many of our elected representatives. All in all, the book was a good read and very informative albeit sometimes dry. I can only think it beneficial for people to read more and more about the current state of politics to open their eyes. |
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Ollokot (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-22 00:00>
Actually, Al Gore's book gets 5 stars for its overall content, the timeliness and appropriateness of the subject matter, and for more than occasionally delivering masterful, eloquent, and persuasive arguments to support its thesis. But unfortunately, at the same time, it was impossible to overlook the flaw that other reviewers have also noted: the organization of the material is somewhat disjointed and unnecessarily repetitive.
Imperfections aside, this is a book that is well worth reading. Over the past several years, our nation has become seriously and dangerously divided. To a large degree ideology, propaganda, fear-mongering, and demagoguery have replaced reasoned discussion, education, and debate. The devastating results of this downward spiral are evident everywhere, yet the spin-meisters continue to persuade their loyal followers to simply blame all their problems on those who disagree with their ideology. And yes, Al Gore is critical of our current president. Leaders, he explains, inspire us to manage through our fears; demagogues, on the other hand, exploit our fears for political gain as they continually promise security in return for the surrender of freedom.
Al Gore's plea for America to embrace reason is extremely persuasive and well-researched. I fear, however, that a scarce trifle of the people who really should read this book actually will - the term "preaching to the choir" comes to mind. The sad fact is (as this book clearly documents) that most of America will be too set in their ideologies or too involved with the latest reality TV shows, celebrity gossip, or other mindless entertainment and propaganda to ever decide to read such a book as this.
Throughout the book the author manages to project a sense of optimism that a substantial return to reasoned dialogue and debate can be achieved. To a small degree, reading this book increased my hope that this is possible. |
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1 Total 1 pages 9 items |
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