Customer Reviews

Paranoid Nation: The Real Story of the 2008 Fight for the Presidency

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

 

 

This highly readable new book acknowledges, and should appeal to, the enormous number of Americans who believe in one "conspiracy theory" or another. Matt Towery's own conspiracy theory -- that the 2008 election had far less to do with Barack Obama or John McCain than with behind-the-scenes, dynastic puppet masters vying for power not now but far into the future -- may seem a bit far out, until you start turning the pages. Besides (and I admit some bias here, because I have known the author for many years), Towery has become one of the nation's top pollsters because he has an uncanny knack for being right when just about everyone else is wrong. I know of few other pundits who follow politics so closely (or with such a suspicious eye), and whether you end up agreeing with him or not, he has produced an extremely entertaining and thought provoking analysis of what "really" happened in 2008. In short, Towery makes it fashionable to be at least a little paranoid.

Towery is on the mark. His overview of the 2008 presidential election is a must read. The first book of the political season that looks indepth at the road to the White House with lots of insider information.

What makes Towery's book a genuinely "readable read" is that he doesn't rehash what the pundits and journalists already have said about the 2008 presidential election. Instead, he offers views on how the race developed that show that the pundocracy is often swept along as part of the story, instead of being totally objective storytellers. Paranoid Nation illustrates how the real story often isn't the story told most often. You need to read this.

Author Towery does well to recall several anecdotes about his own political career which serve to enliven this tale of political mischief. His own adventures and misadventures over the years make this read enjoyable as well as credible. Four stars only as the narrative wanders at times, but Towery does indeed have something to say, and overall he says it well.

This dispels alot of myths about the prez election just ended. Those who don't believe in conspiracies should read it. Towery clearly outlines how they DO exist. And for those who already believe in "conspiracy theories", he shows how conspiracies aren't necessarily planned out by the secret cabals of the world rulers, but instead how they grow out of individual, selfish needs by assorted bit players.

A good book that is informative and gives insight to some of the inner workings of a presidential campaign both democrat and republican.

Towery seems to have more insight on Republicans than Democrats - not surprising considering his background, although there is plenty of insight into the Democratic side. He gives us a glimpse into the life of pollsters, the media and professional politicians during a presidential campaign. He avoids controversy by applying a middle of the road approach that informs - albeit in a round about way.

If you're looking for a book about those "dirty good for nothing (insert democrat or republican)" - this isn't a book for you. If you are looking for an insightful, thoughtful book about the 2008 campaign then this is your book.

Paranoid Nation is an enjoyable book which I think all will enjoy. It is sort of like the old Theodore White books about the making of a President but not quite to that same degree. The election is only part of the book. The book reads like People magazine. It generally covers the election with a unique twist. It does have a lot of history to the race. This history gives the reader some good background on events last year. That helps the reader better understand things. It helps a reader understand the forces at work currently.

The author also offers a lot of inside knowledge that did not come out in the election. This information isn't anything earth shattering but very interesting. For example he says that the Kennedy's support of Obama was more about protecting their name by stopping the Clinton's than anything else. Those little inside scoops really make this book more than anything else.

If you are looking for something deep this isn't it. If you want a good entertaining review of the election this book is you thing.

I looked forward to this first-out-of-the-gate book about the 2008 presidential election, but it was disappointing. The overall coverage of the primaries, conventions and election campaign is scattershot and reads like a simple regurgitation of existing media coverage. There are 39 very short chapters crammed into this 240 page book. It reads more like a compilation of the author's columns. In fact, the author can't resist the temptation to start quoting long passages of his published columns verbatim. To make it even more disappointing, the first third of an already short book is dedicated to reviewing presidential elections from 1960-2004.

Worst of all, the author styles himself the "Forrest Gump" of politics and keeps interrupting the narrative with pointless personal anecdotes. You saw a movie in the White House will Bill Clinton... what's the point??

The only notable item in the book is an insider revelation about Zell Miller -- but again, what purpose does it serve in a book about the 2008 election? The author should have ditched the 2008 angle and written a memoir. Actually, he did and called it Paranoid Nation.

Do yourself a favor and wait for other books.