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American Coup: How a Terrified Government Is Destroying the Constitution Hardcover – September 10, 2013

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William M. Arkin (Author)
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4.3 out of 5 stars 12 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Little, Brown and Company (September 10, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0316251240
  • ISBN-13: 978-0316251242
  • Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.2 x 9.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #479,221 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsTimely, Provocative, Chilling
By ddfromvt on September 10, 2013
Format: Hardcover
Anyone who wants to know what drives the inexorable march toward more government intrusion needs to read this book. Arkin, in conversational and chilling detail, outlines the secret decisions our government is making as it delves further and further into our lives. More importantly, his dissection of The Program puts today's events -- Syria, Snowden, NSA abuses -- into context.

A breezy read for such a complex topic, "American Coup" represents the type of journalism that the founders certainly had in mind when they wrote the First Amendment. Be forewarned, however: you will become angrier and angrier with each turn of the page.
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4.0 out of 5 starsWe Live in "Forever-War"
By Christopher on September 22, 2013
Format: Hardcover
Essentially: We now live in a time of "forever-war."

The worry about the government instituting martial-law is sooo 1990's because we now truly live a martial life. And we've accepted it. There is no "over there" anymore when it comes to the militarization of our lives. Over there is here. We live to assist the government in everything. See something, say something. And the bottom-line of everything that the government does in the name of national security is not to serve, protect, or assist you but to preserve itself. It's all part of the Continuity of Government (COG) and it's been in place for many years but it spectacularly grew into the multi-headed hydra immediately after 911.

No one and nothing is now immune to the shadow of the umbrella of government entities that "protect us" in the name of national security as fully 10% of the population of the United States (30 million persons) are astoundingly connected in one way or another to the Department of Defense. Arkin describes in specifics (most of it inefficient, bumbling, and embarrassing) the dual system of the government in protecting its continuity: a public system made up of laws and elected officials, and a hidden system made up of plans and appointed experts, unimpeded by Constitutional hampers.

Arkin writes near the end of the book of the expanding effect on all of our lives:

"Suffice it to say that whatever the threats, they are ubiquitous and unrelenting. At home, the enemy is not just Muslim Americans or Arab Americans or Somalis or Palestinians or Middle Easterners or those of the Muslim faith. It is illegal Mexicans. It is drug lords and smugglers and gangs and organized crime and the sex trade. It is foreign visitors and students and overcurious tourists.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsNicely Done!
By Clif Steinberg on September 22, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition
William Arkin is an essential voice for those interested in understanding the complicated landscape of the modern U.S. government. In this important work he illuminates a mostly unknown and unseen driving force in halls of power in the U.S., and describes how we have come to this point. With a great writing style, and the ability to weave together facts and concepts into a meaningful but disturbing tapestry, Mr. Arkin has produced an excellent book. Get it, read it, and pass it on to anyone you know who has an interest in modern civics.
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5.0 out of 5 starsFrightening Expose
By LF on September 10, 2013
Format: Hardcover
This book has really got me thinking about who is behind the drive to war in Syria and why the NSA feels like it needs to collect everything on everyone. If Arkin is right that there is an XYZ operating between the lines of the constitution then we surely need to look much closer at what goes on in Washington regardless of who is president. It's also a pretty good read with entertaining anecdotes.
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5.0 out of 5 starsNot for "Beginners"
By Stephen on January 18, 2014
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
Be warned: this is not a "beginner's level" book. You must understand- at least to an extent- the way the government works. Arkin uses professional language and treats the reader as someone who understands American civics and American government. To clarify, I just graduated with a major in Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, I took multiple classes on the Constitution, and I am now in the Navy, yet I still spent a decent amount of time doing outside research to get clarification on what Arkin was saying. This is not to say I know it all, only to warn you that it can be a difficult book.

That being said, this is a good book and it is well worth the time it takes to read it. If you are interested in the inner workings of the US government and are willing to put in the time to do a little research into certain things on the side, I highly recommend it.

When government officials are sworn in, be it FBI, Department of State, etc., they take an oath to defend and uphold the CONSTITUTION. They do not swear to protect the president, the federal government, or even the people of the United States. They swear to protect the Constitution of the United States. However, as Arkin makes clear throughout the book, the federal government is willing to do anything, including destroying the Constitution, in order to maintain security through an infinite number of "what-ifs". Some seem logical; others not so much. Either way, you decide whether you are fine with the government impeding on your civil liberties in order to maintain the security of the nation (and as Arkin makes clear throughout the book, the continuity of the government and the "XYZ", which are ultimately more important in their eyes).

I do my best to answer questions on these, so feel free to ask.
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