Howard Fineman, one of our most trusted political journalists, shows that every debate, from our nation’s founding to the pres... read full description
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Oct 23, 2009
Yamilet
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Howard Fineman's The Thirteen American Arguments is a very accurate portrayal of modern day American politics. Through his 13 arguments, he is able to pinpoint many of the issues present in our society and our government today. While he does a good job at attempting to epitomize the "essence" of the United States of America, my personal opinion is that his nationalism is a bit much. He hardly ever disagrees with any of the executive decisions the government makes. I believe it is a goo
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Mar 18, 2010
William
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I have enjoyed reading and seeing Howard Fineman for many years in Newsweek and on MSNBC and others. So, I was pleased to check out his first book: The Thirteen American Arguments: Enduring debates that define and inspire our country. I was not disappointed. The basic premise of the book, as I see it, is that the whole American experience is based on a series of arguments, with much participation and involvement in the debates, with different sides of the essential arguments, through the years a
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Oct 21, 2011
Andrew
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An excellent premise; faulty execution... My major beef is that the dude never seems to get around to saying anything! In discussing "Who is a person?", for example, we get a paragraph on Ann Richards introducing Ferraro in '84, the standard tip of the hat to Abigail Adams, and then a paragraph on Roe v. Wade followed by some references to Nancy Pelosi. What is your point, holmes? "Like the universe, the meaning of personhood is expanding." Oh. Thanks.
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Aug 07, 2009
Brian
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I always get a kick out of TV commentators who report on an issue in American life and claim that this is "unprecedented." Next time it happens, someone should send that talking head a copy of Fineman's 13 Arguments. In much of the 240 or so pages, Fineman produces nothing more than a rehash of current events throughout his 20-plus years of reporting. But a deeper read shows Fineman's keen understanding and interpretation of American politics on many issues, including judges and law, n
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Jul 25, 2009
Peter
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An interesting way to look at America. It was given to me by members of a my Debate and Speech team. The author, Howard Fineman, writes about politics for the MSNBC. When examining the "thirteen" arguments which shape America Fineman tries to write a neutral book. Neutral, in terms of politics. I can't help but feel that he is biased towards liberal sides of arguments. Obama is presented as brilliant, the epitome of American ideals and the legacy of Lincoln. However, in the chapt
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Jul 31, 2011
Robert
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2 stars is generous. The book lacks substance and fails to make a contribution to political, philosophical, or social discourse. Fineman points to 13 arguments that Americans debate (some longer than others), calls them uniquely American, and leaves it at that. No assertions, no positions, no arguments of his own. The title of the book and the overarching theme intrigued me enough to purchase it hardcover and I was excited to read it. Then I read it. I was disappointed. There was so much
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Sep 09, 2011
Darrell
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This is a book everyone should read. It doesn't have a ideological bent to it. Just simply explains the motivations of this country. You know we all watch TV and we see the Tea Baggers and other groups that seem original but they aren't. Our issues with our country have never change. They are only more prevalent because of the social media that allows all opinions to be expressed ans expressed loudly.
In some ways we are no different from the founders of this country. The fact is we More...
In some ways we are no different from the founders of this country. The fact is we More...
Jul 22, 2008
Tom
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As much as I like Fineman on MSNBC shows like Countdown and Hardball, I just couldn't get into this book. He presents both sides of the arguments well, and I agree with his book's premise that our country's founding talent of civil political discourse is long gone. Now all we do is shout at each other instead of debate in the classic Lincoln/Douglas way.
However, this book needed a better editor. Fineman could have cut about 50-100 pages out of this book by sticking to the purpose of More...
However, this book needed a better editor. Fineman could have cut about 50-100 pages out of this book by sticking to the purpose of More...
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Jul 26, 2011
Doug
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if you're looking for a book that attempts to resolve the thirteen American arguments, this isn't it. but I think fineman does a good job of laying out the basics and the history of thirteen issues that have historically been and will continue to be big influences in the way that American public policy is made. relatively quick read, as well.
Mar 17, 2011
David
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Perfect read for those trying to navigate through the confusing world of politics. We are informed in an environment where the line between commentary and reporting is blurred. To those who are in need of an analytical breakdown, this book is perfect. Attempting to answer one simple question will help define your stances on other topics. Most importantly, it teaches you to become aware of other people's thinking behaviors making it easier to understand them. I would recommend this book to anyone
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May 09, 2009
Chuck
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The author writes essays about (what he feels) are the central questions about American democracy -- "What is a person?," "Who Judges the Law?," etc. Good, but it would have been more fun to read this book with someone else in order to discuss the various conclusions.
Jul 16, 2008
See, I read serious books too. I picked this up after hearig Mr. Fineman on NPR. I am a mild political junkie, although more of a political theory person versus strategy, so I thought this would be right up my alley. I am only a few chapters in, but the book is not exactly what I thought it would be. I think it does a good job of giving a basic overview of the "13 Arguments" as well as proving some interesting anecdotes I had never tripped over before; but on the whole, I have found th
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May 30, 2010
Cheryl
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Wonderful,thought provoking book for anyone who loves politics! Howard Fineman does an outstanding job of looking at the decisions made by our founding fathers. He maintains that the ideas and "arguments" or debates that shaped our country are still relevant today. These debates were conducted with mutual respect and civility. This book provides a unique perspective on the issues which concerned our country's founders and which still are affecting our country today. It's an optimisti
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Jun 07, 2008
Donna
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This is a great book for an election year as well as any time for those interested in politics and political philosophy. Fineman deals with the great "arguments" which this country has engaged in since its start: Who is a person? (slaves, women, the unborn?) Who is an American? (immigration concerns go back to 1776) Debt and the Dollar? (free trade or protectionist tariffs are being argued by Alexander Hamilton and in every generation going forard). What is important IS the argument.
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Aug 07, 2011
Joe
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An interesting book that provides a very good summary of the key arguments surrounding issues that America continues to struggle with. A very middle of the road discussion - in my view.
Mar 23, 2009
Adrienne
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I picked this book up because I got to meet him. And I really enjoyed it. It is an exercise in the questions that cannot be settled in a clear way. A great read.
Nov 05, 2010
AJ
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Fine writing on why deep and reasoned arguments keep us free, keep us moving forward, keep us American-qua-American. 13 Arguments = 13 Articles of Confederation.
Apr 06, 2011
Rachel
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Very interesting analysis of the history of American rhetoric. I'll update this review later once I've graduated (May 7)
Apr 29, 2009
Karen
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What I already thought: arguing is good for democracy. A history of and reasons for debate.
May 05, 2008
Colin
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A fascinating book focusing on the "Arguments" that define the USA as a nation. Some are obvious ("Who Is A Person" has moved from a racial argument to one about fetuses, stem cells, corporations, and such; "Who Is An American?" is timely), but more interesting are the less obvious (e.g. "Who Judges The Law" is an eye-opening account of the role of the Constitution and Judiciary). Well worth the read for all Americans.
I had this book on loan from Bo More...
I had this book on loan from Bo More...
Jan 28, 2010
B
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If you watch enough political oriented programming to know who Howard Fineman is, then this book probably will not tell you anything you do not already know about the major arguments that define American politics. (About the only thing in here that I hadn't read or heard elsewhere was that Nanci Griffith performed "Across the Great Divide" at former Texas Governor Ann Richards' memorial service.) I suspect that I am not really the target audience for this book, but I could see myself u
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Dec 12, 2008
Jeff
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So far its okay, and I think if you're new to the issues this would be a good overview source, but in my case I feel like I'm not gaining too much.
In short, so far its a nice overview of American issues.
In short, so far its a nice overview of American issues.
Jun 25, 2008
TJ
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This book is nothing crazy over the top, but Fineman does a nice job of defining and laying out the arguments and counterarguments to thirteen key topics we face as a country. On some of these topics there might be an answer, but the answer is the need for debate versus actually finding any defined "answer"; to Fineman's point of "if we cease to argue, we cease to be". He does a nice job of giving the reader a topical history, as well as current concerns. Great refresher in
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Apr 07, 2011
Joe
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A book that scurries along the fence tops of our country's most polarized arguments, never falling to one side or the other.
Oct 21, 2008
carol
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Excellent read! Especially in an election year when we are apt to think that government is right or wrong, black or white, this points out the many areas of enduring debate that will never be clear-cut.Like environmental issues(drill,baby,drill-or try to save something for our children),is the military for agression or defense,and the enduring debates over the limits of presidential power and national vs. states rights. Fascinating book and very well written.
Jun 13, 2008
Brandon
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A book that's rich with detail. If you know something of American history, there won't be a lot of surprises....but I was surprised by how consistent the voice and detail were. Probably the most interesting is to see how someone else looks at history and tries to draw those connections to the America of today. The anecdotes about George W. Bush were especially good. The end was perhaps a bit flat.
Aug 13, 2009
Karl
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An interesting take on politics in America. Fineman views politics as discussions about continuing issues and not just Republicans v. Democrats or liberals v. conservatives. Fineman provides a different lens for viewing today's political fights in which the parties may have switched sides on basic issues (sometimes more than once) but where the basic issues remain. A good book!
Oct 01, 2008
Sandy
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This book is interesting, although I felt it leaned a bit to the left. I was hoping to get a better understanding of the right. The author tends to jump from one decade to another or even one century to another quite abrubtly. I found it annoying and eventually as I started a new paragraph/sentence I wondered if it would relate at all to the one I had just finished.
Jun 15, 2008
I'm not giving this a rating because I was only about 80 pages into it when I had to return it to the library, and it just didn't seem worth the $0.25/day in fines to finish reading it. Kinda of a mile wide and an inch deep, but having just come off reading the Political Brain, perhaps I wasn't in the right frame of mind for this book.
