The Fresh Politics Reader: Making Current Events and Public Affairs Relevant to Young Americans [Paperback]

Taylor W. Buley (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up–This book comes across more as a simple manifesto of the authors libertarian views than as a look at the important issues facing our country. Topics are divided into two sections related to personal liberty and public policy and include the preservation of life, guns, drugs, marriage and sexuality, education, and the news media in the former, with the environment, energy policy, taxation, health care, foreign policy, social security, and affirmative action in the latter. Buley typically recaps current practice and the views from the left and the right, both of which he categorizes as statism and contrasts them with his own libertarian viewpoint. Accordingly, his opinions sometimes agree with conservative, and sometimes with liberal, positions and are often critical of both, advocating a minimum of governmental intervention. A major flaw is the books utter lack of documentation. The author cites facts and statistics without giving any indication of their origin or reliability. His own advice, take it from a college student, is a poor standard of scholarship to set an example for this audience. Although he claims his book isnt 280 pages of soapboxing, the lack of documentation gives it exactly that effect.–Jeffrey A. French, Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH
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From the Publisher

The author is Penn undergraduate but writes about politics like someone 20 years older. The book shows a definite streak of 'small-l' libertarianism among today’s undergrads. More care about politics than you think...and want to talk about policy details.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 282 pages
• Publisher: Silver Lake Publishing (February 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563437929
• ISBN-13: 978-1563437922
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #950,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Other reviews of this item were not helpful . . ., February 13, 2008

By 

Matthew T. Rice "Matt Rice" (California USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fresh Politics Reader: Making Current Events and Public Affairs Relevant to Young Americans (Paperback)

This is a poorly written, naively conceived work advocating right-wing libertarianism under the guise of "making current events and public affairs relevant to young Americans". If your idea of fun and games is listening to a much less intelligent version of David Horowitz (who gave this a positive review) than buy it. Otherwise, save yourself the time. It's not worth the modest price. It certainly IS NOT the book to purchase if you want to provide a balanced education for young Americans in the area of current events and public affairs (as the title suggests).

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you've made it this far, just buy it!, June 5, 2006

By 

K. Scott Hurff Jr. (Dublin, OH USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Fresh Politics Reader: Making Current Events and Public Affairs Relevant to Young Americans (Paperback)

Clear. Compelling. Concise. Exciting. Energetic.

These are words that I use to describe Mr. Buley's writing style and message. This book aims to uncover complex and sometimes conflicting political messages and problems, and it succeeds in this mission.

If you're a student with any interest in politics -- or want to learn more about it -- buy this book. You owe it to yourself to have some of the largest political problems of our age put into simple and exciting terms.

Liberty is valuable. It should remain that way.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended, May 30, 2006

By 

Peter Ostrovski (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Fresh Politics Reader: Making Current Events and Public Affairs Relevant to Young Americans (Paperback)

This book is a must-read for anyone, from the committed political aficionado to someone wondering why politics gets the attention it does. It tackles all the important issues, from guns and drugs to social security and health care, while digging deep below the surface on each one.

Mr. Buley doesn't waste space on the insignificant quibbles that turn many off from politics, but instead covers the substance of each topic he addresses. He never fails to address how an issue rose to prominence, why it deserves consideration, and most importantly, why the reader should care. While he writes from a libertarian perspective, he by no means forces the reader to adopt his views. He explains why he holds the beliefs he does, but provides the reader plenty of information to form his or her own opinion. The writing itself is clear, intelligent, and very easy to follow.

Anyone unsure of what to make of the current political melee, just starting to develop their views, or simply trying to gain a little more insight into the issues absolutely must read this book.