The former White House counsel faults Republican mismanagement for the current state of the government
John Dean has become one of ... read full description
John Dean has become one of ... read full description
reviews
Mar 04, 2009
Bruce
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John Dean has written an excellent overview of what the modern GOP has done to America's system of government. It started before the infamous "Contract on (sic) America" and may even precede the Nixon administration of which John Dean was a part. His introduction "Process Manners" explains why the American voter should pay more attention to politics than simply concentrate on one or two wedge issues. The first three of the four chapters each deals with a separate branch of go
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Mar 12, 2010
Nklein98
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John Dean is definitely one of my favorite authors regarding government and specifically the time of the Bush/Cheney administration. Although this book wasn't as good as "Worse than Watergate" in my opinion it was startling to me how it is right on the money even after the 2008 election. He shows how the Republicans thrive on obstructionism when they aren't in control of the three branches of government and when they are, they believe that "government is the problem" so the
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Oct 07, 2008
Will
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Dean writes here about “the often ignored processes of the federal government.” (p xv) This is a book that is rich in analysis, information that was new to me, references to other writers in the covered fields.
It was interesting to learn of Nixon’s involvement with Supreme Court politics. When Earl Warren attempted to step down in the fall before Nixon ascended, he got Congress to foil any attempt by LBJ to make an appointment. LBJ had attempted to make Abe Fortas Chief Justice. Wh More...
It was interesting to learn of Nixon’s involvement with Supreme Court politics. When Earl Warren attempted to step down in the fall before Nixon ascended, he got Congress to foil any attempt by LBJ to make an appointment. LBJ had attempted to make Abe Fortas Chief Justice. Wh More...
Dec 08, 2007
Mattie
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Chilling end to the chilling trilogy of books by John Dean about the effect of the rise of "conservative authoritarian" Republican control of the government. Well researched and articulately argued, Dean manages to avoid sounding either shrill or too academic. Rather, he presents his thesis in a straightforward manner, leaving the facts and conclusions to speak for themselves. This makes for a book which is a good read, while also being quite alarming. Occasional phrases hint at a
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May 20, 2010
Bitterepiphany
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It isn't in my nature to post a written review for a book. It is further out of character for me to post a review before finishing it but after a day and a half of listening, I feel like this book is more a collection of quotes and conclusions made by others and compiled by the author. Could it be that a dozen distractions in any given hour have encouraged me to gloss over the greater point? It is possible, but I doubt it.
Apr 30, 2008
Scott
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The content of the book is pretty much what you would expect from the title. Dean describes the rise of the authoritarian style of Republicanism over the last several decades, which comes with an emphasis on "obedience, inequality, intolerance, and strong intrusive government." Dean's book illustrates how Republicans have consistently acted to "rig the system" so that it benefits their own interests, not the people's, at times in clear violation of the Constitution.
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Nov 04, 2009
Thom
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The only reason I'm not going 4 or 5 stars on this is because the information, the message is upsetting. But this was extremely educational on the processes and their history in our government. How the three branches operate and inter-operate, and how tradition has been up-ended in the last 15+ years, giving us a more authoritarian, less democratic government. This was a civics course in government that was never offered in high school. My thumb goes way up for this book, because of the immediat
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Jan 16, 2010
columbialion
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Personal hero and American patriot Dean chronicles the real damage wracked upon the American government, under the Bush junta
Nov 23, 2008
Mary
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If I read this book before the election I would have quit my job and worked in the Obama campaign. It is that powerful. I have more respect for Nancy Pelosi and less for GW Bush.
Jul 23, 2010
Jose
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very good audio book. good way to understand government process. totally condems republican party.
Oct 16, 2009
Crystal
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As a member of the republican party who served with Nixon, this guy really knows his stuff!
Dec 19, 2011
Lesley
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this book was an eye opener especially the comments at the end from the "anononymous" republican
Oct 14, 2008
Bought this after hearing Dean speak. He touched on the current and fully impeachable executive branch, as well as their secretive & illegal abuses of power. The guy that helped bring down Nixon referred informally to the Watergate hearings as an expensive civics lesson he woulda rather watched on television as well. He's older, and still saying things most Americans never wanted to hear, but are sadly true.
Aug 07, 2008
Jeannine
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Even though I didn't read his first 2 books in this trilogy, this book is an excellent read. The author is on target about what the thugs in the Republican Party (in all branches of government) have done to this country (how corporations have created a train wreck of this country). Since I didn't learn until recently that this book is a part of a trilogy, I must go back & read the other 2 books.
Aug 11, 2008
Lee (Rocky)
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A pretty comprehensive summary of the ways in which our political system has been destroyed by authoritarian conservativism over the last 35 years or so. Explained in ways that non-lawyers can understand. I knew a lot of what was in here from seeing the author on TV but it was enlightening all the same.
Feb 02, 2008
This is amazing. John Dean was legal counsel to Richard Nixon. While he is still a conservative, he argues that the Republican party serves the country better as a minority party. He discusses the process by which the government is supposed to run, and how each party does/does not follow that process.
Feb 01, 2008
The last of his trilogy. A close look at each of the brances of government, where it is and what needs to be done to put them back in balance. A good look at how our government has been changed by the current administration.
Apr 03, 2008
Kirsten
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Oh, man, this makes me hate the Bush Administration more than I already do. A look at the imperialist executive branch, a new development in recent American politics.
Feb 10, 2008
Seth
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The most comprehensive work that disecects the evolution of political policy,process and culture under republican control. (from Nixon to Bush 2)
Feb 22, 2008
Tera
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Does anyone who has read this book feel like going to the Capitol to protest? Love my country but fear my government.
Feb 19, 2009
Wayne
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I enjoyed "Conservatives Without Conscience" by Dean -- looking forward to this new book by him.
Jan 28, 2012
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