Customer Reviews

The War On Success: How the Obama Agenda Is Shattering the American Dream

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The War on Success is an exceptional read for several reasons. First, it is all about the principles that have made America the greatest nation ever. The second chapter outlines America's greatness, including its character, its personality, its free-market, and its generosity. No apologies from Newberry in this chapter. It also lays out ten steps for weakening our nation. While these steps are very funny, they are also very scary because most are already in the process of becoming a reality.

Next, the book is exceptional because Newberry emphasizes the principles that produce individual success and demonstrates how those individual principles fit with the Founder's principles for our country. When you read this book, you recapture the vision the Founders must certainly have had for nurturing a virtuous citizenry. The book is also exceptional because the author does not minimize the role of God and faith in the heritage and culture of our nation. Newberry neither exaggerates this role nor does he down play it. He just bluntly tells it like it is as is his style throughout the book. The chapter entitled "God is Not a Socialist" is the most powerful part of the book because it connects the Biblical principles to free market principles and the development of individual character. It is worth buying the book just for this chapter!

The book is also exceptional because it paints a clear contrast between the collectivist mindset of the Obama administration and the individualist mindset of our Founding Fathers. This is highlighted in a sidebar in the final chapter called "Let's Roll" and is much like an executive summary of the key differences between "social-progressives" and those who believe in the sanctity of individual rights granted by God.

This book is well researched, easy for anyone to read, and the perfect thought stimulator for the economic and cultural mess we find ourselves in today. It will provoke great debate and should be read by all who consider themselves to be "intellectually honest."

Highly Recommended!

Tommy Newberry does an excellent job exposiing the socialist-communist agenda of Obama and his leftist minions. A must read for all freedom-loving Americans!

Newberry does a fabulous job exposing Obama's real agenda. And here's a hint. It is not to advance the US Economic Engine. Read the book!

I expected this book to be a rant about Obama, but it wasn't. (not that he doesnt deserve a rant!) This is a very logical look at present day policies compared to past policies that didnt and still dont work! Too bad most people will only read this but do nothing! I for one, am getting involved!! Thanks for your boldness Tommy! You are a great American, a PATRIOT!

Freedom! Our Generation will have to make some very difficult choices. Will we select freedom or slavery? We will determine the fate of the Nation and ultimatly the free world. Yet most of us are woefully prepared for what can happen. Mr. Newberry makes some very bold statements. His opinions go against those who want to stay in power. Yet if those in power had been right in the 30's social security would not been in the shape it is today. If those in power had been right in the 60's the "War on Poverty" would be over by now and we would not have any povery. If those in power had been right in the 70's we the middle east would be a peaceful happy place. Why do those in power want to expand government? SO THEY CAN TELL YOU WHAT TO DO. That is SLAVERY.
Failure is a wonderful teacher if a person is willing to learn. Mr. Newberry calls for bold steps and actions that can and will make this Country Great again.

I was born and raised in Canada. I am now an American citizen, and I am dismayed by how many people take for granted the privilege of living in the greatest country on earth. "The War on Success" does a great job of reminding all of us why this country is so remarkable. It is the absolute non-compromising attitude of personal responsibility, the steadfast determination, and the spirit of self-reliance that made this country so great. Tommy Newberry calls us to return to the values and ideals of the courageous founders of our country in order to correct the subtle but dangerous move away from the foundation on which the U.S. was built. Having lived in Canada until I was an adult, I can tell you firsthand that what America needs is NOT more government involvement, entitlements, and oversight. When a country begins to rely on the government to take care of them rather than relying on their own ambition and hard work, ambition is sure to be replaced by apathy. I can think of no worse fate for the U.S. Heed the warning of this book - America will remain great as long as its citizens return to the founding principles.

AYN RAND WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK. EXCELLENT AND EASY TO READ!

This is an exceptional book written for an exceptional time. The author clearly understands human nature, business, American history and the principles that have made our nation distinct. Throughout the book, Newberry draws a clear contrast between collectivism and individualism, between government programs and proven principles, between trendy values and timeless virtue. He reveals the consequences of going down either path, both as a nation and as an individual.

America was founded as a place where we could determine our own destiny without government meddling. Consider Ayn Rand's observation: "An individualist is a man who says: I will not run anyone's life--nor let anyone run mine. I will not rule nor be ruled. I will not be a master nor a slave. I will not sacrifice myself to anyone--nor sacrifice anyone to myself." Can we rediscover the rugged individualist? Can we reclaim the right stuff? Can we rescue our distinct character before it's too late?"

Near the end of the book, the author quotes the great philosopher Cicero, whose words are as true today as when they were written in 50 BC.

Newberry is right on target with his analysis. This is a book that every principled adult and teenager should read...and soon.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

This book stands out in a sea of same old, same old political books!

The author, Tommy Newberry, has a background helping small business owners run both their firms and their families based on sound principles. I was a bit surprised, but I found this to be a distinctly different "political book" which clearly reflects the author's experience in the business world and reveals a strong understanding of human nature as well. It is nice to read perspectives that don't come from inside DC!!

The author is respectful to the president but assertive and firm in his convictions which he explains and teaches in a very down to earth style and which line up with millions and millions of Americans who have just started to speak up. Newberry does not attack the president, but he does let loose on the president's philosopy and vision for America. This is good stuff. You'll feel like he has read your mind.

The book also gave me enough history to put our current state of the union into context but not too much to bore me. Most of the chapters also have highlighted sections that draw a contrast between what social-progressives believe and what most Americans prefer and most of these sections are very funny, but really get the point across in a humorous way that make the entire book lighter and more entertaining. This is an interesting combination given what is at stake for all of us.

In the War on Success, Newberry applies timeless principles to the political arena creating a message and book that will certainly outlast the current president. The reason the book will outlast Obama is that it focuses on principles not programs or policies. The author devotes most of his attention to addressing the root causes of our national problems as opposesd to dealing with surface solutions and temporary fixes. The national mindset that has enabled irresponsible politicians to drive us into crazy debt and cultural decline is methodically outed and revealed by the author from every angle and it is hard to debate his reasoning.

Clearly, this book is written to teach and inspire and it does both very well. Newberry doesn't waste any time praising or defending Republicans, but keeps reinforcing the need to get back to the fundamental principles that made America great in the first place. His agenda appears to be fighting back against those who deomize successful individuals and those who ridicule timeless principles.

The threat of expanding government is clearly articulated as is the president's repeated suggestion that "all-gain is ill-gotten gain." Then Newberry motivates the reader with what is great about the USA. He starts with OUR CHARACTER, then OUR PERSONALITY, then OUR FREE MARKET, then OUR GENEROSITY. This is the shortest, but possibly the most inspiring chapter of the book.

Next, the author describes what he calls the five "statitudes" (STATE INDUCED ATTITUDES) including such things as FAIRNESS, VICTIMITIS, ENVY, SOMETHING FOR NOTHING, and POLITICAL CORRECTNESS. Then he launches into a simple, easy to comprehend description of social democracy, progressivism, and the widespread mediocrity of European-ish thinking. The next chapter is a convincing, thorough and biblically-based argument against socialism and all its variations. Newberry righly paints socialism as a worldview and attitude more than just an economic system. Some of the book's best thoughts come out of this chapter.

The next couple of chapters address what individuals can do to contribute to America's success by way of the rebuilding of individual character and the instilling of true virtue as the founding fathers intended.

You will also find Newberry's creation of "the bill of responsibilities" which should make it into every classroom across the nation!!The final chapter will get you off the sofa and into action with a five day plan of action for patriots. This chapter reminded me most of the Tea Party Movement and the push for common sense solutions to our difficulties.

If you are a die-hard liberal you probably won't open your eyes to read this book and that is a shame because it is great material for debate. If you are independent or lean toward the middle, you will either relate to and/or agree with much of what the author observes and writes about. You will at least appreciate where he is coming from.If you are conservative or lean conservative, you will LOVE the way Newberry defends entrepreneurs and the traditional American Dream. But, anybody that reads this book will find much to think about and talk about. (Libs included)

It is worth noting that the author is not a politician or a reporter or a professor living out his life on tenure. He's one of us and when you read this book, you will surely agree with some or all of his message...but you will get involved to save success and save the American dream.

Share this book.

I really enjoyed reading The War on Success, by Tommy Newberry. It made me wake up and realize that people like myself need to do more than just observe what is going on in politics. If I want our country to remain free, I need to pay attention to politics and join in the fight to maintain our freedoms. Not a fight with guns and bullets, but with our voices and votes.

I particularly enjoyed Newberry's explanations of the principles that our founding fathers believed in and how that are being trampled by left wing progressives. It made me realize that our way of life is being jeopardized and that the hour is late. Obama has already made huge progress against businesses and our American free enterprise system and has moved us toward socialism and the removal of our personal liberties. It is time for us to take action or we will lose it all.

I realize now that doing nothing was the wrong decision for me to make. I hope that you will not make that same mistake. It is time to speak up and vote for (and fight for) life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and to make America free once again.

Newberry's book gets 5 stars because it is exactly what we need and it accomplishes its task. Newberry has convinced me to band together with those who oppose politicians like Barack Obama, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and others who continue to lead us further into Socialism.

A WORD OF CAUTION: If you feel the same way and begin speaking out and/or taking action to defend Liberty, there is a very high chance that those who embrace social governmental control (and the removal of our U.S. Constitutional rights) will become offended. And, because they don't have a high regard for following laws (because they equate liberty with the freedom from moral discipline), they might try to accuse you of false wrong doing (i.e. lie about you and perhaps call you a racist) and otherwise try to harm your reputation.

Therefore, I would highly recommend getting another book called, Wild West 2.0: How to Protect and Restore Your Reputation on the Untamed Social Frontier. As a Patriot, it is inevitable that you will run across people who will try to ruin your online reputation (like they do to Sarah Palin). This book tells you exactly where to look for the problems that Liberals might cause and then how to repair them.

Tommy Newberry has spent his life helping people become more successful entrepreneurs and how to best use the success their hard work has brought them. This book is his clarion call warning Americans what is put at risk by the agenda put forward by the Obama administration and the Congress led by Pelosi and Reid.

This is a positive book that focuses on the qualities that bring success and is clear about why the statist/collectivist/liberal/whateveryouwanttocallit is the enemy of your success. Newberry also discusses why it isn't just your material well being that is being put in jeopardy. He shows you how the ObamaPelosiReid agenda actually kills off the spirit and character traits that lead to the kind of prosperity and greatness America has enjoyed for more than two centuries. Let me take you on a brief tour of the book. You will find a lot more when you read it, and I hope you do. But I also hope you think of others, especially young people who might be receptive to this book's message even though they don't often hear this positive and optimistic message at school or among their peers.

The book has ten chapters with a four page introduction. The intro is an open letter to President Obama asking him to stop waging war on success.

Chapter one begins by showing you the virtues and qualities that made America prosperous, free, and so worthwhile that tens of millions of people risked their lives to become Americans and millions more want to come here each year. On pages 10 and 11 he provides a useful glossary of common words that liberals and conservatives use differently. Newberry puts you on warning, for example, that when you hear Obama or Pelosi use the word fair or fairness you have to understand they mean something very different than a conservative would understand as being fair. Conservatives consider it fair to play be the same rules while liberals need to adjust things so the outcomes are equivalent.

Chapter two begins with the John Updike quote that "America is a vast conspiracy to make you happy." And discusses American character, personality, free market, and generosity and what can be done to destroy these blessings. You will recognize these destructive actions because they are being used today.

Chapter three focuses on the fairness idea I mentioned above. If everyone gets a trophy, the trophies are meaningless. Taking away real achievement and success because it would damage the self-esteem of others destroys self esteem for everyone. I love Newberry's list of how we can "unleash the victim within" on page 49.

Newberry uses the fourth chapter to show how envy is used by the Left as a means of stoking destructive class warfare and fostering misery everywhere. He quotes class warfare statements from Hillary Clinton, Robert Reich, Joe Biden, and Richard Gephardt as just a few of the more egregious examples from recent times. Newberry also provides a useful table on page 59 that shows how the share of taxes really breaks down in our society and that the bottom 50% now only pay just under 3% of all the income taxes. Of course this is very dangerous, because of Obama et al can get 51% of all the people very dependent on government largesse paid for by the 49%, they believe they can have a permanent majority for the kind of all pervasive central government they have been working towards for more than a century.

Chapter five shows you how the statists exploit the human need to want to get something for nothing. Whether it's the pill to melt fat away without exercise or retiring from your lottery winnings (that will never come), the real world exists despite the promises made by your favorite statist.

Chapter six shows you the kinder gentler Marxism of the progressives and why they have to destroy the natural rights discussed in the Declaration of Independence and firmly believed in by our founders and all Americans until, say, John Dewey and Woodrow Wilson. The Progressive MUST have created rights that are controlled and created by the state in order to control you enough to work their agenda. This is why you can never let any progressives anywhere near the lever of power or teach in your classrooms. You pay for the classrooms so they are yours, not the property of the teachers, their unions, or the politicians.

Chapter seven spends time with the open Christianity of the author mentioned elsewhere in the book. Newberry provides a very helpful comparison of Socialism versus the Bible on page 118 and page 129 provides you with 8 parenting principles that will help you raise a socialist. While socialism sounds nice, it is really a tool for control and not the kind of choice, free will, and excellence God wants us to learn and exhibit.

Newberry also believes in virtues. Nowadays we talk about values because, after all, not everyone agrees what virtue is, right? Well, the reality is we know good from bad. We know what virtue is, but too many people want permission to do the wrong thing and still let themselves off the hook. Chapter eight focuses on reclaiming our character by restoring virtue to a place of honor and admiration in our society. Know you don't get to claim virtue by talking about it. You have to live it. On page 152, the author provides you with 10 steps to mediocrity. I think you will shudder when you read it.

Chapter nine focuses on the principles you need to live responsibly and take charge of your own life. Then he offers a bill of 13 responsibilities we can takes together as the citizens of the United Sates (page 190 and 191).

The last chapter is a plan for action. On page 196 he lists 15 steps entitled "Let's Roll!".

Appendix 1 includes some letters from Newberry's American Dream Letter Writing Campaign and Appendix 2 provides some additional sources on TV, radio, the web, books, magazines, and organizations you can use to further your personal resistance movement against the "War on Success".

Enjoy the book, but also share it with those whom you think might need the information and will be receptive to what the author can teach them.

Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI