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Charlie Savage

Takeover: The Return of the Imperial Presidency and the Subversion of American Democracy Paperback – Bargain Price, April 28, 2008

by Charlie Savage (Author)

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Praised everywhere as a stunning work of reportage, TAKEOVER lays bare a hidden agenda, three decades in the making, to allow the White House to wield enormous powers, unchecked by Congres or the courts--an agenda that links warrantless wiretapping and Bush's judicial nominees, torture and Cheney's energy task force, the faith-based initiative and the imprisonment of citizens without trial. TAKEOVER tells the story of how a group of true believers, led by Cheney, set out to establish near-monarchical executive powers that, in the words of one conservative critic, "will lie around like a loaded weapon" for any future president.

Print length

448 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Back Bay Books
Publication date

April 28, 2008
Dimensions

5.5 x 1.25 x 8.25 inches
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Editorial Reviews

Review

One of the key texts of the Bush years...A masterful work of investigative journalism SAN FRANCISCO Chronicle

About the Author

Charlie Savage began his reporting career in 1999, covering local and state government for the Miami Herald. In 2003, he joined the Boston Globe's Washington Bureau. Savage lives in Washington, DC, with his wife and son.

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00375LOLO
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Back Bay Books; First Print edition (April 28, 2008)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.25 x 8.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #7,321,388 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #5,971 in Political Freedom (Books)
- #7,061 in United States Executive Government
- #9,458 in General Constitutional Law

Customer Reviews:
61 ratings

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3 star		9%
2 star		4%
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Gina M. Harris

Still maddening

Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2016

Verified Purchase

Last book read, "Takeover: The Return of the Imperial Presidency and the Subversion of American Democracy" by Charlie Savage.

This is a very angry-making book. It takes all of those news stories that were of concern during the last eight years and sets them into a context. Really, just putting them all together is enough cause for anger, but some of the additional details that did not get much publicity the first time around are also very disturbing. The controversies around torture and wire-tapping were well-known, and the issues in the Justice Department had been getting more publicity recently, but I had not known about the attacks on the JAG corps or Posse Comitatus. Even with torture, I knew the basic controversy, and the common assertion that it doesn't work, but this gives the background on the history of the techniques and how they were developed, as well as some of the fall out from the faulty information that came through enhanced interrogation techniques.

While I feel the information is vital, and accurate, I must warn that it is not as accessible as it could me. The book is long, with dense prose and tons of detail that can be a bit overwhelming. I could have finished it faster than I did, but it still takes serious time regardless. Not a beach read.

I hope to re-read it later, after I have read Schlesinger's original book on the Imperial Presidency, Frank's books on this presidency, and maybe a few others to fill in the gaps, and see if it is an easier read with more background.

One person found this helpful

Helpful

The History of the Unitary Executive Theory.

Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2008

Verified Purchase

"Takeover: The Return of the Imperial Presidency" offers a view of American history and how various presidents have tested the Constitutional boundaries of executive power. Richard Nixon framed it well in these words-"When the president does it, that means it's not illegal."

One of the strengths of this book is the information about Dick Cheney and how integral a part he has played over the course of his career in the White House in his obsession with strengthening the presidency. With George W. Bush he has succeeded in making the presidency virtually free from oversight on the part of the legislative and judicial branches.
A disturbing pattern of behavior appears in the current administration; if the Constitution, a law, or Congress gets in their way, they simply ignore the obstacle and continue on.

Mr. Savage examines another intriguing aspect of the Bush administration that is secretive. That would be the conflicts in the White House involving an inner circle of people around Dick Cheney.

An interesting tidbit that Judicial Watch discovered about Cheney's secret energy task force- as early as March 2001, two years before the invasion of Iraq, the group was studying Iraqi oil fields and who owned the drilling rights.

On page 132 is a relevant quote on the quest for political power. "The rule of law is the enemy of the powerful. The essence of law is that everyone obeys the same rules regardless of weakness or strength, so the law chafes most keenly against those who, in a world without rules, have the power to simply impose their will."

George Sutherland wisely said "An informed public is the most potent of all restraints upon misgovernment."

Mr. Savage covers the president's signing statements as alternatives to vetoes. The use of this tool to more or less serve as a line-item veto is explained. He also does an excellent job on examining the judicial appointments of this regime. The unofficial criteria for a Bush appointee often get's missed amidst the buzz surrounding social issues like abortion.

I can't think of a better-written, more illuminating book about the subject of presidential power expansion, both from a current view as well as a historical standpoint. If you read just one book about the subject, this is the book to read!

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Nick PusloskieTop Contributor: Classic Rock

Politics to the max

Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2013

Verified Purchase

Bought this sometime ago but just getting around to reviewing it. I thought I had done it already.

When people complain about the current President, I just throw this book at them and tell them to read it then get back to me.

The fact that many won't read it tells me more than necessary about them. They think just like the previous administration - nothing was wrong with what they did. And one wonders why there is such a deep divide in this country today.

I could go on, but I won't. This is a slight review of a book and not a political diatribe. But if you have an open mind, then do get this and give it a read.

3 people found this helpful

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John Jones

Shocking Expose

Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2009

Verified Purchase

This book will scare you. If you believe Charlie Savage, during the last 8 years the Bush/Cheney administration, behind the veil of secrecy, intentionally orchestrated a subversion of our political system to turn a democracy into an oligarchy, virtually rewriting Presidential mandates to sidestep congressional oversight and flaunted all attempts to check their ravenous appetite for power.

The result of their hubris came close to ruining America's reputation among nations and jeopardized the freedoms of citizens assured by the constitution and the bill of rights. During those years the stage was set which has brought us to the brink of catastrophe. If there was ever an occasion which would justify prosecution of our chief executives it is revealed in this book. A shocking expose! A very sad must read.

4 people found this helpful

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Brian Koontz

.A truly awful regime and presidency.

Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2015

Verified Purchase

Well, I started out despising GWB and his regime so this wan't anything new to me. The GWB regime cost us the demise of capitalism, the constitution particularly the fourth amendment freedom, economic choices and the good will towards the US are but a few things we have lost to this awful presidency. His presidency as worse than the Viet Nam war, the genocide of the Native American, Slavery and all the other american debacles put together.

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