One Nation Under Fear: Scaredy Cats and Fear-Mongers in the Home of the Brave (And What You Can Do About It) [Paperback]

Bob Cesca (Author), Arianna Huffington (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 18, 2008

In post-9/11 America, authoritarians and politicians are happily leaning on the panic button for fun, profit, and the ongoing oppression of a frightened populace. This timely book examines that fear: where it came from, how it's promoted, and what can be done about it. Author Bob Cesca hits a bracingly wide range of targets — the right-wing noise machine, climate change deniers, creeping fascism from the Bush White House — before presenting a sober, sensible plan for fighting and overcoming this potentially irreversible trend.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Bob Cesca is easily one of the most incisive political writers on the scene today. Nobody else can make me think, laugh and cry–all at once–by simply giving his take on the corrupt political establishment that runs things in Washington."
— Cliff Schecter, Author of The Real McCain: Why Conservatives Don't Trust Him and Why Independents Shouldn't

"The great irony of this book is that Bob's writing is totally fearless. That's what I love about it. Are you allowed to write a fearless book about country living under fear? Whether he is allowed or not, Bob has done it."
— Cenk Uygur, "The Young Turks"

"Fearless and funny, Bob Cesca captures the smart brawling style of today's blogosphere, while putting the press and Republicans on notice."
— Eric Boehlert, Media Matters

"As a liberal blogger of profound depth, righteous outrage and sly humor, Cesca's like a combination of Molly Ivins, H.L. Mencken and Wavy Gravy. I'm not sure what that means but it looks nice in a sentence."
— Steven Weber, Actor/Hockey Mom

Product Details

• Paperback: 273 pages
• Publisher: Sterling & Ross Publishers (November 18, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981453503
• ISBN-13: 978-0981453507
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #859,436 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Taking Back Our National Character November 13, 2008

By T. Bond

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

We may not always agree with one another politically, but the central thesis of this book, that our politics are tainted with the stench of fear drummed up for political purpose, is one which will light the revolutionary spark that is the birthright of every American - and it comes not a moment too soon. As our nation gears up for "Change" and "Hope" under the administration of our history-making 44th President, we must stand guard against the impulse in ourselves, and others, to cheat America of its best days because we are cowering in fear.

Those familiar with Bob Cesca's writings both on his own blog (www.bobcesca.com) and on the Huffington Post, will be delighted to discover that Bob does not turn into a "stuffy academic" when setting his pen to the longer form. Those not familiar with Mr. Cesca's writings are in for a treat. (And fair warning - tolerance of "colorful language is a must... but it's worth it!) Forceful, assertive, and honest, I've become a fan of Bob Cesca, largely because of how completely forthright, and upright he is. It isn't just that he expresses his opinions with emotional honesty - its that in his expression, both by word and by tone, he demonstrates a thorough and absolute rejection of the politics of hate, division, and fear.

I'm sure that Mr. Bob Cesca and I disagree on a number of points, not limited to his colorful language. But in the reclamation of our national character, defense of our liberties, and refusal to let fear cause us to sell our heritage away, Mr. Cesca will find common cause with patriots everywhere.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Passionate Analysis December 12, 2008

By A Virginia Citizen

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Though disappointed that the book was not released before the election, when it would have been so timely, Cesca's book cuts to the heart of the tragic misuse of the war on terrorism to justify the administrations suspension of Constitutional rights and its uncanny ability to make us accept it without question. The author's passionate and extremely well-documented presentation of his case against these abuses is gripping. I felt like we were sitting face to face in a personal conversation. Cesca's hard-hitting style is tempered by his subtle wit, and his command of prose makes me anxious to dive into his next political book.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Warrior With Words December 15, 2008

By Ann M.

Format:Paperback

I hate politics, which consists largely of people behaving badly. This is why I love Bob Cesca, the Huffington Post columnist also known for his own political blog. Cesca, unlike many bloggers, knows how to convey his message in more ways than simply screaming it.

Bob Cesca loves politics and delivers his liberal message efficiently and incisively using a variety of media. At Cesca's web site there's well-informed commentary by Cesca and his savvy regulars in addition to a stream of newsbytes, film clips, and music videos.

Cesca's new book "One Nation Under Fear" is the first blog-style book I've encountered. Most of its extensive and well-researched references are electronic. Surprisingly, Cesca was able to maintain his online writing style in print, and his book is as much fun as his HuffPo columns.

Cesca writes like a street-fighter, with an uncanny ability to take whatever's at hand (be it a word, a quote, or a news item) and fashion it into a homemade weapon. His hip, colorful vocabulary usually hits its mark. As a bonus, "One Nation Under Fear" includes a tutorial on the art of name-calling.

Like many of us, Cesca is fed up with politicians using fear to control our nation. His book offers a detailed revelation of the Bush administration's use of terror tactics to consolidate its power. There are alarming descriptions of Orwellian doublespeak and groupthink among the ex-president and his cronies.

Fortunately, these details are punctuated with ribaldry and amusing personal anecdotes. The funniest is Cesca's run-in with G. Gordon Liddy (of Watergate fame). This hilarious formative collision seems to have set Cesca firmly on his career path of snarkery.

Cesca deserves kudos for ending his book with a discussion of global climate change. This, not the current economic crisis, is our biggest challenge. We're lucky to have political street-fighters like Bob Cesca. Our political bloggers are the new generation of the Fourth Estate, the people who hold the true balance of power in this country.