The Progressives' Handbook: Get the Facts and Make a Difference Now, Vol. 2: Elections & Voting, Environment and Foreign Policy (Volume 2) [Paperback]

Heather Wokusch (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"What sets the books above the heap of other politically-inspired manuals is Wokusch's writing style. She is punchy but not preachy and her ability to synthesize information, giving readers everything they need to know and leaving out the rest, is invaluable." -- Tara Lohan, AlterNet.org

"Heather Wokusch stands in a fine - though scarcely flourishing - tradition of American journalism: she's committed to serving the people for whom she writes, to giving a voice to the voiceless and not taking buzzwords for an answer. If you want to know what's at stake in today's politics, don't rely on the corporate-controlled media: read The Progressives' Handbook." -- Steven P. McGiffen, Editor of Spectrezine.org and author of Biotechnology: Corporate Power Versus The Public Interest

"Heather Wokusch's political essays stand prominently among a noble American tradition of dissent and free thought, and provide vital ammunition for all who seek to realize a world where peace and social justice may prevail. Wokusch's exceptionally intelligent, witty, and passionate work beckons us to action." -- Sunil K. Sharma, DissidentVoice.org Editor and Publisher

About the Author

Heather Wokusch is a blogger and the author of The Progressives' Handbook: Get the Facts and Make a Difference Now series. Her political awakening came in 1986 when she spent a year doing development work in the Philippines and witnessed the People Power Revolution firsthand. Her commentary is regularly featured on major progressive sites and her articles have appeared in publications such as The Baltimore Sun, In These Times, Foreign Policy in Focus and Germany's Süddeutsche Zeitung.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Heather Sutherland Wokusch (September 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0978784219
• ISBN-13: 978-0978784218
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,718,766 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book, September 17, 2006

By 

Leigh Hall "Leigh Hall" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Progressives' Handbook: Get the Facts and Make a Difference Now, Vol. 2: Elections & Voting, Environment and Foreign Policy (Volume 2) (Paperback)

Wokusch convincingly lays out the Bush administration's misdeeds and then explains what WE CAN DO to fight back.

The first chapter details corruption in the US election system. It's all there - Florida in 2000, Ohio in 2004 and challenges to a fair vote in future elections. The writing is fun and witty (subheadings like "Hari-Kerry" and "The joys of gerrymandering") but the information provided is devastating and important.

In the Environment chapter, Wokusch shows how Bush and his cronies have sold out America's natural resources to their corporate benefactors. She covers the administration's Clear Skies program ("Pass the Inhaler"), threats to endangered species ("Bulldozing Bambi"), assaults on water, forests and even regulatory rollbacks designed to keep the public in the dark.

The chapter on Foreign Policy is great too. Wokusch moves seamlessly from the neo-cons' influence on the Bush White House, to the preemptive attack doctrine and other steps along the way to the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It's gloves-off. She goes into war crimes charges against administration members and "loyal henchmen" put in place to carry out the administration's misdeeds (including "Bonkers Bolton" and "Condi, At His Majesty's Service").

The great thing about these books is that Wokusch always brings it back to how these changes affect each of us personally, like decreased national security and increased environmental health risks. And after breaking the bad news about what's really going on, she offers pages and pages of "Easy Ways to Make a Difference Now." It makes the book motivating and fun.

I read Volume 1 of The Progressives' Handbook first and now this one. They both are highly recommended.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mandatory reading, December 2, 2007

By 

Sutter - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Progressives' Handbook: Get the Facts and Make a Difference Now, Vol. 2: Elections & Voting, Environment and Foreign Policy (Volume 2) (Paperback)

Just like The Progressives' Handbook (Volume 1), this book lays out the truth in a clear and entertaining way, with hard facts and great action tips. The chapter on Elections & Voting is critical in light of the 2008 presidential race and the chapters on Environment and Foreign Policy spell out the Bush administration's rollbacks, no holds barred. But Wokusch doesn't leave you wondering how to counteract the Bush administration's evil deeds. Instead, she gives pages and pages of tips on effective armchair activism so we can start taking back the country. It's a great book - uplifting and enlightening.