Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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.

Post 9/11 America is a fear-mongerers playground, pinnacling this year with the 2008 Presidential elections. In One Nation Under Fear, Bob Cesca catalogs some of the nation's most shadowy schemes and sleight-of-hand tricks. Like expanded posts you might find on Cesca's blog (bobcesca.com), each chapter contains the veracity, wit, aggressiveness and blunt points Cesca is known for in the blogosphere. One Nation Under Fear is there as a constant reminder and wake-up call to all Americans with the wherewithal to think. It vows to make us aware and scolds us for allowing things to get so bad, but most importantly it's there to help veer us off the course we've followed for the last 8 years. One Nation Under Fear gets filed with my reference books, and so far is the first that can single-handedly get me fired up, piss me off, and make me laugh out loud -- all on the same page.

A popular post-9/11 slogan is, "We will never forget", in regards to the attacks. After reading this book, you realize that that slogan also fits when looking back at the fear-tactics we've been subjected to in the past decade.

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The tragic events that unfolded on the morning of September 11th, 2001 struck fear, sadness and anger into the hearts of American citizens at home and abroad. In the face of worldwide support and unprecedented approval ratings, Geroge W. Bush and company did their level best to manipulate that fear, sadness and anger for their own political and financial gain.

In "One Nation Under Fear," author Bob Cesca dissects the fear-mongering tactics used by the Bush administration and the right wing media with all the wit and humor he displays on his own blog (www.BobCesca.com) as well as his featured writing on The Huffington Post (www.huffingtonpost.com). The writing style he uses on his blog is expanded to essay form as he tackles issues from the well worn myth that we haven't been attacked since 9/11 to the questionable methods of pundits and politicians attempting to derail a message of Change and Hope from the one John McCain called, "That one."

Be prepared to wrap your house in plastic and duct tape so you can remain uninterrupted as you laugh out loud at the wisecracks and scream out loud at the outrageousness of what this country has endured under the sophomoric leadership of the incurious George W. Bush and his criminal enterprise.

A must read!

"One Nation Under Fear" is a clear and readable explanation of what went wrong under the Bush administration. It offers a plan to how to get back to the American values we hold so dear and have made us the world's model for democracy and decency.

I think most of us would rather just put the last 8 years behind us and move on, but I think this book is an important read because the inherent problems haven't gone away. The notions of fear, how to respond to it and sadly, how to exploit it for nefarious ends are worthy of study and Bob takes us on an entertaining ride showcasing it. Also at the end he addresses instances where the ride hasn't ended, and may continue for some time.

I think a clinical history would be difficult to swallow. What Bob presents is a snarky examination, but yet not lacking at all in credible accounting. Rather than a history lecture from a stuffy old professor, this is like one lead by a friend, a compatriot who shares your outrage and frustration at the use of fear mongering, it's successfulness, and for what passes for being an American these days.

Laugh, cry and shake your fists along with Bob at the engineers of the dark ride. Great read!

Bob Cesca has a conversational writing style and can drive a point across like a sledgehammer on a tack. Hard-hitting, like his Huffington Post writings, this book chronicles the successful use, by the right, of fear as a political strategy. He also offers ideas to help us see through fear mongering manipulation. A must-read for anyone interested in American politics and what has gone wrong over the last 8 years.

Bob Cesca grips his pen as a rapier edged with rye wit and applies it formidably to recent history. (Pen? As you know, it's really his laptop.) As one of our generations premier bloggers in the the political and media analysis arenas, he draws on the ever present instant news databases of all that our main stream media talking heads and politicians state, rant, spew and divulge. He peals the layers of rhetoric to show the underlying motivation of those in power, to cultivate and maintain a fear filled public.

Rather than just ranting against an opinion he opposes, he documents the systemic calculations of planned misinformation, primarily presented subtly as our nation's need to be afraid. Very afraid.

Bob's style is pure blogger. If you have enjoyed his political and all things that are fun blog, bobcesca.com or posts on TheHuffingtonPost.com you'll love the book. It has the same smart, fresh presentation that keeps his readers and posters coming back for more daily, hourly even minutely to catch up on his posts. If you haven't run across him yet, grab the book quick so you'll be armed with fresh jabs for the water cooler spin wars in your workplace. You'll also laugh yourself right off the couch.

Why read yet another author on the recent political horrors and hilarity? Can't you just get this stuff online? You need to find out, like I did, what to do about it. In an age of fear based frontal assaults designed to wear you out and down to a scared frazzle. Bob addresses the next generation of heroes and equips them with real solutions.

After hearing so much about hope these last couple of years, my humble hope added to the pile is that you read Bob's book, nose around his blog and that he keeps on writing. He's got my attention and admiration. Way to go Bob Cesca you broke their panic button!

bjritz

Just finished reading the book and I love reading the blog-like style of writing. Bob uses humor and geeky pop culture references from X-Men to the Lord of the Rings to help lay down the facts. It truly is astounding to have a catalog of the fear mongering tactics used in politics over the past decade or so, including the recent presidential election. When you see it all laid out in front of you you can't help but to get angry. And Bob doesn't just throw punches at the GOP. He attacks the pathetic media and their role and takes a few shots at the disgraceful Clinton campaign as well.

Pick this book up.