Confessions of a Political Hitman: My Secret Life of Scandal, Corruption, Hypocrisy and Dirty Att...
The most influential people in a political race aren't the campaign managers, the strategists or even the candidates themselves. In fact, you won't...
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reviews
Jun 29, 2009
Ceci
rated it: 
This book was fun sometimes but got very tiresome. Marks details his journey from being a republican believer (i.e. democrat hater) in the 1990s all the way to his "awakening" that the republican party is full of hypocrites. The only problem is that he never reaches the understanding that his view of liberals mirrors that of what he discovers of republicans. You're left with him hating republicans AND hating democrats. What he fails to understand is that perhaps - just perhaps - hi
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Apr 28, 2009
Dietrich
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Like hot dogs, political campaigns can contain a lot of icky things that most of the populace would rather not know about. Enter Stephen Marks and his book detailing his career as an opposition research man, and you get a glimpse of some of the nasty ingredients sprinkled into the hot dog of politics.
The book contained nothing too earth shattering or ground breaking, but nonetheless it was very interesting to see how research is done, and how a calculated ad can turn the tide in t More...
The book contained nothing too earth shattering or ground breaking, but nonetheless it was very interesting to see how research is done, and how a calculated ad can turn the tide in t More...
Jul 08, 2008
Owen
rated it:
I picked this up while browsing that bookstore on Grand Ave. in Oakland. I was curious about what experiences a veteran opposition researcher had. This book is written extremely poorly. There are many typos, awkward sentences, badly made arguments, and few insights. The structure of book also leaves a lot to be desired. This guy would've benefited a little from a ghost writer, although his work in general wasn't all that interesting and he just doesn't have all that much to say.
On th More...
On th More...
Apr 27, 2008
Karen
rated it:
This should be three stars, just for the inside view of political hits perpetrated by this once GOP opposition guru. It's particularly gratifying that he admits that although he still leans right in his politics, the hypocrisy of the GOP is so revolting, it was part of his decision to retire. I should give him five stars just for admitting that although he got into opposition research due to his intense and irrational hatred of Bill Clinton, he now realizes what an excellent president BC was a
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Feb 18, 2008
C
rated it:
Fascinating and disturbing look at those who perform "opposition research" (political hits) for political candidates, and the impact negative campaigning has on our electoral system. This should be required reading for all Americans. If you are a Democrat, you may not agree with the politics of the writer, and sometimes it can be hard to overlook his bias. But it's worth it for the dish, and especially for his other moments of candor. For example, you may be interested to read that
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Dec 29, 2008
Evan
rated it:
This book is not particularly well-written, and is definitely not well-edited. But, while I find the author's political views hard to agree with, many of the book's anecdotes are interesting - like the time the author lied about hid identity to a guy in a veterans' center so he could gain access to and photocopy a picture of a political candidate with Ted Kennedy that was hanging on the wall.
Feb 17, 2009
Andrew
rated it: 
Interesting read. Never knew all that went into opposition research. This guy needs a better editor though! TONS of typos/screwed up sentences/mistakes. oh well
Jun 04, 2009
Davehk
rated it: 
An excellent treatise built on proof by example. Little risk in drowning in this author's depths.
Oct 06, 2008
Liddy
rated it:
well, given the title, it could and should have been better. but it wasn't exactly groundbreaking news that politicians hire people to investigate, smear and discredit their opponents. if you've heard of karl rove, this won't shock you. It is worth reading though. know thine enemy, as i say, and this man and others like him are an enemy to our fragile democracy
Apr 04, 2008
Mike
rated it:
I thought this book would be much better than it was. I can't remember one memorable anecdote, and I finished the book just a month and a half ago. It doesn't help that this political "insider" doesn't know how to spell "Monica Lewinski" or "Anne Richards."
Oct 20, 2010
Jeff
rated it:
The memoir of an opposition researcher. He expresses some remorse for his life - I found myself wanting to be him by the end. Go figure.
Aug 30, 2008
Marc
rated it:
Not a great read, but if you're a political junkie, there are some great stories and insights. Yeah, go ahead and read it.
Aug 11, 2008
Monte
rated it:
A very entertaining and revealing book about political "opposition research." (2/24/08)
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