What The Hell Is A Liberal?: Essays [Paperback]

David Truskoff (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 31, 2008

These essays are a synopsis of an activist's quest for truth. They have appeared in various Internet and printed publications. Two are partial excepts taken from the author's earlier books THE SECOND CIVIL WAR and REBIRTH OF A REALIST. Truskoff says, "I have always held the belief that Secretary Dag Hammarskjold so beautifully articulated, "In our era the road to holiness necessarily passes through the world of action."" The battle goes on in every one of his twelve books. David Truskoff writes with an articulate reasoning that is as engaging as it is thoughtful and thought provoking, laced with illustrative examples and sage insight. "Rebirth Of A Realist" offers a political discourse that deserves the widest readership possible if our country is to prosper ethically, socially, and politically at home and abroad. The Midwest Book Review Readers will laugh and cry with the characters in this book; they will get lost in a world that is all too real and true. Well done! "Think Back To Tomorrow" Heather Froeschl An interesting and captivating read, "Forgive Me Doctor" is intense and memorable. Well done! www.Quilldipper.com

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David Truskoff is the author of seven acclaimed books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 190 pages
• Publisher: Xlibris (March 31, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1436311772
• ISBN-13: 978-1436311779
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,682,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars What The Hell Is A Liberal, May 11, 2008

By 

Tracy Roberts (Nova Scotia, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What The Hell Is A Liberal?: Essays (Paperback)

In today's world, war, violence, poverty, disease, starvation, and oppression, have become an unspoken accepted reality. These were issues that Liberals once fought to overcome. In his book, What the Hell is a Liberal? author David Truskoff presents a candid look at how liberalism has been successfully minimized by the powerful political "right." The rich are getting richer. The growing gap between the "haves" and "have nots" is increasing, and our natural resources are being rapidly depleted.

The term "Liberalism," is defined as equality for all that includes such aspects as engaging diplomacy instead of choosing war to resolve political turmoil, ending poverty, promoting free governments, advocating education and affordable healthcare...etc. Truskoff has been an active participant and witness to Liberal struggles such as the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King. Truskoff provides an in-depth account of the evolution of the relationship of the US with other foreign powers, particularly the US and Israel partnership. As well, he chronicles the influence of powerful lobby groups such as the American Israel Political Action Committee, one of the most powerful lobby groups in Washington.

Delivered as a well-plotted series of essays, Truskoff is able to chronicle how the evolution of the Right has successfully exploited and depicted Liberalism as a negative philosophy to mainstream society. The book is not presented as completely anti right as he notes a number of high profile figures on the left who have abandoned key principles of Liberalism for their own agenda. Truskoff points to Senator Joe Lieberman as one important example of abandoning one's principles and ethics. He discusses Palestine, without supporting the acts of terrorism, but the apartheid type conditions the citizens of Palestine live in. Fundamental themes that emerge throughout the book are how the greed and indifference of a select elite, with the help of the media, have been able to successfully change the dynamics of the world to everything Dr. Martin Luther King struggled against. That is, there are people in the world that are now considered disposable and military colonization has become an accepted method of resolving conflicts. Survival of the richest is now defined by Military Might.

Truskoff writes with clarity, having witnessed the decline of liberalism and the rise of capitalism without compassion, morality, and ethics. It is a very well researched and well written book that acknowledges this new breed of capitalism that seems unstoppable. Truskoff explains that it is not and writes with hope. He points to our own need to learn from the past so that we can go forward and adopt liberal ideas that seem to have been lost over the years. What The Hell Is A Liberal? is an engaging and compelling read meant to open our eyes to our past, present, and future. Whether you agree or disagree with arguments made in the book, it will definitely make you think and hopefully start a dialogue with others. It is a must read for anyone concerned about the future of humanity.

Tracy Roberts, Write Field Services

5.0 out of 5 stars A political dirty word, May 7, 2008

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What The Hell Is A Liberal?: Essays (Paperback)

Somehow over the past 30 years America's right-wing neo-cons have managed to make 'liberal' a political dirty word. They've somehow made 'liberal' synonymous with notions of being un-American, elitist, and morally unsound. It's a classic example of the Big Lie, of Orwellian-style 'double-speak'. Now finally, in a series of articulate essays, that neo-con Big Lie has been successfully and persuasively debunked by David Truskoff in "What The Hell is A Liberal?". Of special note is Truskoff's cogent essay 'Who Owns the American Congress'. These essays are particularly timely in view of the current presidential campaigns and should be considered a 'must read' for anyone who supports progressive solutions to our chronic problems of involvement in foreign wars, dilapidated infrastructures, faltering economy, failing schools, broken health care systems, the shrinking middle-class, and the growing chasm between the rich and the poor. Now at long last we have a book that we can simply hand out the next time someone asks what a liberal believes in, stands for, represents, or aspires to, thanks to David Truskoff!

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting New Work by David Truskoff, April 28, 2008

By 

Marge Johnson - See all my reviews

This review is from: What The Hell Is A Liberal?: Essays (Paperback)

I am so pleased to be one of the early readers of this book. The publishers blurb says, "lightning bolts of truth." I agree. I have read some of Truskoff's earlier books and I found them to be important works of a fighter for peace and justice.
Marge Johnson