hello peeps nice to meet you i am about to embark on a politics a-level. i have no political education but yarns and yarns of enthusiasm and interest and nail bitting eagerness. i was wonderin if any of you clever lovely people could recomend any tried and tested books on politics (obviously) that i could find at the my local library as a starter to my political exploration. i'd be mOsssssst greatful for any help. in gladness, alys xxxxxx
Politics is a little general, could you be more specific as to what areas of political discourse you would like to participate in? Is their a Politics for Dummies book in that series?
hmmmmmm i'm starting a government and politics a level....sounds pretty open. what would you recomend bacchus my dear? i'm not too biased yet.
Read all sorts of stuff. I like The Great Shark Hunt, but Hunter S. Thompson. Even though the man was crazy I just read this again for like the 5th time and damn he was ahead of his time. Either that or it was all of the drugs and alcohol he was on. Either way, he does make some very interesting, valid points. My only advice is to take every single thing you read with a grain of salt, and draw your own conclusions. There is nothing worse than someone saying "well I believe this because so and so said it". Test some theories out, see what you agree with. Best of luck!
The Federalist Papers by Hamilton, Madison, Jay. Written in serial form as letters to the editor in New York City newspapers, they explain the merits of the new constitution. The book is a little difficult to read. It was written in the stilted/elegant style of the late 18th century.
Okay, many would consider these bias...but here goes... Lies My Teacher Told Me. - James W. Loewen A Peoples History of the United States - Howard Zinn Dude, Where's my Country - Michael Moore It's something to get started, these are left based books. Also start reading Mother Jones, Utne and maybe Clamor.. Again, these are left... We'll have to have someone speak for the right, if there's anyone here who does....speak for the right that is...they'll have to fill you in for lit in that direction. Namaste,
wow thank you very very much guyes. just a little inspiration is what i needed. xxxxxx if anybody has got anymore suggestions i'd be super greatful. what books politically inspired you???
Begin with political thought so you know the context, try - Plato to Nato, Brian Redhead BBC books It is in most libraries in Britain and will give you a basic idea of the people and ideas involved (it is also short). After that try- http://elt.britcoun.org.pl/g_bib.htm http://www.philipallan.co.uk/system/index.html (put in politics) http://www.manchesteruniversitypress.co.uk/information_areas/subjects/politics/understanding_politics.htm http://www.politicos.co.uk/item.jsp?ID=3258
For inspiration try The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, by Robert Tressell Originally published in 1914, The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists is a timeless story of Socialism, political awakenings and class struggle, told with a volatile mix of heartfelt rage and sly humour. The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists tells the story of a group of working men who are joined one day by Owen, a journeyman-prophet with a vision of a just society. Owen's spirited attacks on the greed and dishonesty of the capitalist system rouse his fellow men from their political quietism. It is both a masterpiece of wit and political passion and one of the most authentic novels of English working class life ever written. This enduring favourite is now reinvigorated by a smart new jacket and exclusive extra material as part of Perennial's Modern Classics line of reissues. Now its timeless message of justice, equality and reason will be introduced to a whole new generation of discerning readers. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0586090363/026-6631566-8448466 And for an alternate view of the world - Demanding the Impossible: A History of Anarchism by Peter Marshall Anarchism is a philosophical and political creed which many individuals have subscribed to over the centuries, and for which many have been persecuted by other more authoritive ideologies like fascism and state socialism. There have been anarchist-inspired revolutions - in Spain, in the Ukraine, in Mexico - which have in turn led to (however short-lived) anarchist administrations. But anarchism's power has, first and foremost, been the power of the lone protestor, the dissenter who is unafraid to expose himself to reprisal for the sake of preaching the real gospel of liberty, equality and fraternity which so many so-called revolutionaries usually leave in tatters once they graduate from barricades to corridors of power. The author argues that the spirit of anarchism is in the voice of Tolstoy, of Gandhi, of Bakunin and of Godwin, of Camus and of Chomsky. http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos...50707/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_2_1/026-6631566-8448466
For the Americans that may not know, an A-Level is an academic grade that you usually take in the UK between 16 and 18 years old, although you can take them all your life the last one I took was when I was over 30.
I didn't know the post was coming from England. In that case I'll add to my previous suggestion. The Portable Edmund Burke. Edited by Isaac Kramnick
thank you to you all my little pupmkins especially to you balbus. my reading list is about a mile long now. thank you thank you in deep sincerity. xxxxxx
Read "Crossing The Rubicon" By Michael C. Ruppert, it will give you a more REALISTIC version of American Politics, and what REALLY goes on, as opposed to what the US media tells you. Peace and Love, Dan
