Reason

Why Liberals Will Win the Battle for America

By: Robert B. Reich

Narrated by: Robert B. Reich

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

From Robert B. Reich, passionate believer in American democracy and public servant, Reason is a guide to confronting and derailing what he sees as the mounting threat to American liberty, prosperity, and security posed by the radical conservatives, Radcons as he calls them.

Reich offers a bold plan for defeating this politics of fear and favor. He provides clear answers to the barrage of accusations with which Radcons have been pummeling liberals. He analyzes the efficient Radcon political organization and their propoganda savvy, and lays out what liberals can learn from each.

Reich demonstrates how far the radical conservative agenda is from representing the national will, and explains how American liberalism can, and must, become once again ascendant in American politics.

©2004 Robert B. Reich (P)2004 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"Reich's distinctive perspective provides insights targeted well beyond November's election." (Publishers Weekly)
"His experience as a government appointee gives him credibility; his experience as a TV and radio pundit gives him considerable style as narrator. Blessed with a pleasant voice, he reads expressively." (AudioFile)

I don't know how I missed this one...

Probably his best book so far, Robert Reich gives us some great analysis and solutions for our country's current predicament. Definitely must listen to this one.

Powerful indictment if the far Right

Using a menagerie of powerful quotes, Robert Reich does a fine job of describing what ails the right. he gives a fine description of neoliberal globalization, though it was a little awkward to listen to from somebody who doesn't like neoliberal globalization. There's a large section dedicated to it, and what kind of jobs Americans can expect to train for in the future. Overall a good book, an easy read, and quick to get through. I recommend it to anybody who's trying to understand what's going on in the world.

But you were there...

I'd like to have liked this more, but there's two reasons I couldn't.

He starts strong, giving a litany of what he thinks is wrong with American politics and business life. But the more you listen to his positions on big business activities like Enron and WorldCom, you may find yourself thinking "but it's not like you were an outsider during all of this". Reich was in the Clinton White House. He was Secretary of Labor. He was there. Sure, Clinton didn't control the Congress, but people listen when a Cabinet Secretary talks. He didn't speak then, so he waives a bit of his moral right to speak now.

2. This book isn't actually about Why Liberals Will Win. It's about what Robert Reich thinks is wrong with conservatism. That's fine, but you may find yourself waiting for the conclusion that never comes.

A little less talk, a little more action

A good, compact book chock full o' ideas as to why Liberals SHOULD win (rather than why they necessarily WILL win) the battle for America. Mr. Reich reads well. He offers many cogent observations refuting the "radcon" agenda and promoting good, solid positive-patriotic Liberalism. I subtract a star only because he arouses your appetite for ideas as to HOW Liberals can win the battle for America without abeddin' it back down again.

Right on

This book frames the issues perfectly and accurately. This is the best political book I've "read" in quite some time.

Good Common Sense

Very sensible and well produced examination and evaluation of our current situation in politics. Anyone who wants to learn both sides of the picture should listen to this one.

Clear Thinking Based on Facts Not Ideology

Clear Thinking Based on Facts Not Ideology - What a change from ordinary political discourse! He gives conservatives credit where credit is due and debunks the dogma. He does the same thing in reverse. It's nice to see some hack the Gordian Knot.

Reason

"Reason" by Robert Reich changed my life. I am a Liberal. I was raised Southern Baptist, but, even as a child, conservative views didn't make sense to me. The conservative agenda is now and has always been counterintuitive to everything The United States of America stands for: freedom, justice, democracy, security, a decent quality of life and the rule of law for all. Consequently, I've always been baffled how a few rich, powerful, corporate-backed conservative demagogs can so easily con massive numbers of Americans, whose lives would obviously be better served by Liberal programs, into embracing the virulent Far-Right's radical views and do their bidding. Robert Reich explains how we arrived at this historical low-point with such thoughtfulness and clarity that I am forever altered and eternally grateful to him.

A Draft of a Proposed New Message for the Left

This is a proposed new message for "The Left". It's a fairly systematic broad treatment of the political issues of the day. It's probably best thought of as a good first draft more than as a fully refined message that would win elections. It probably hasn't been tested by polls and the like.

I think that political operatives should take it seriously. It might lead to a winning formula.

It made me wonder if he will run for president in 8 years.

eye opening!

I was beginning to get disinterested with the focus on sex and sexual deviance in the early stages of the book. I decided to stick with is and was pleasantly rewarded with clear definitions and descriptions of classical liberalism and how it was different from the left. I'm more informed now. thank you.