Customer Reviews

The God Strategy: How Religion Became a Political Weapon in America

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you read David Domke's last book, "God Willing", (a must read for every
one) which exposed the myth of a Free and Independent Press during the
current Bush administration following 9/11, and the calculated steps taken
by Bush and his staff to craft a framework to grow support for the president's
policies and his growing reliance on the ideology of Political Fundamentalism, then you will really enjoy this new book. You will also come to understand how politicians, thru a strategic communication approach grounded in a conservative religious worldview, "The "God Strategy" were able to achieve the two tasks listed above.



This new book traces the growth of the God Strategy in American politics
from the days of President Franklin Roosevelt to the current George Bush and
how both the Republicans and the Democrats have embraced the joining of
religion and politics. Domke and co-author, Kevin Coe lay out in great detail how politics
and religion came together and how both sides, to push agendas and win
elections with results that often threaten the very foundations of American
Democracy, have used this wedding



In reading the" God Strategy" I have come to understand some of the how's,
why's, and so what's involved in the rise of religion in American politics. I
am surely more aware of the subtleties used by both sides in their efforts
to shape a new America. I am even more aware of the misguided and often
angry methods used by the followers of the God Strategy in achieving their
end results and of the price America as a nation might be called on to pay
for those methods

Thanks Domke and Coe for this interesting, insightful and well-researched view of religion in America politics.

"The God Strategy" is a well-written, meticulously researched, and eye-opening examination of how U.S. politicians (particularly our four most recent presidents) use religion to win votes. It's also a genuinely interesting read. If you're at all curious about just how influential religion has become in today's political arena, you need to read this book. David Domke and Kevin Coe provide clear and varied examples that show how campaigns have increasingly capitalized on the use of religious messages (the God strategy) to get their candidates elected. Once you have read this book you will view the current presidential campaign in a whole new light; I have been amazed at how many times in the past couple months I've noticed politicians using this strategy in political ads or during debates. It is as if the authors predicted exactly what is now occurring. Clearly, this is a testament to the strength of the research that informs this book. "The God Strategy" should be a part of every thinking person's library.

Absolutely brilliant, absolutely fascinating, absolutely timely,and absolutely of great importance. This is an excellent and extremely informative book for those participating in the upcoming elections. After having read The God Stragegy, the reader will be able to listen to the candidates with a more informed ear and will be able to make more informed choices on their ballots. David Domke and Kevin Coe have done their homework in researching this book. Their ideas aren't just off the tops of their heads; they can back up every statement they make, and do so. The God Strategy is definitely a book for both readers of faith and non-believers alike. For those with religious beliefs who might tend to shy away from the title alone, David Domke is a self-professed Christian. The God Strategy is a must read for those who are concernced about making America a strong and compassionate country.
By Carol White, Tacoma, Washington

This is a statistical analysis of targeted word & reference counting in presidential speeches and proclamations over the last 70 years. As such, it's a useful and enlightening tool for understanding religious trends in American politics. The down side is that it is only part of the puzzle; which is perfectly okay as it doesn't pretend to be anything else. The last chapter is a bit of a rumination on politics and religion (with an avowed bias towards their separation), but the main thrust of the book is academic.

Other books and studies are better at teasing out why and how political positions have become increasingly "biblicized" over the last 30 years; this book simply establishes (quite authoritatively) that they have.

A note on the Kindle edition: The functions that normally allow manipulation of typeface and line spacing do not work. Also, the text is decidedly different (and much more difficult to read) than standard Kindle text. The kerning is too wide and the font is ill-suited for a digital format. Word breaks are not correctly configured and the overall editing job is exceedingly poor. My first instinct was to agitate for a refund, but it's such a short book that I ultimately decided to buckle down and just read the thing. For the price (which is inflated beyond good sense), I would recommend getting a print version.

What this book does provide is some interesting data on word counts of presidential speeches over the years since Roosevelt. There has been a decided shift toward framing with God.

The treatment of religion in politics is much better in American Theocracy by Kevin Phillips. Much more history and more linkages to political parties.

Also, the reviewed book is thin on theology.

For most people, checking the book out of the library is a better option than a purchase because it may not be something that you want to use again.