Rating: 
Summary: Just my opinion ...
Review: There were several things i enjoyed about this book.First is Mr. Reich argument that the liberal cause will again become popular. The bases of his argument are that:
1. Radical conservative aims, as he defines them, have occurred many time and in many places in history, and have always been replaced by more progressive ideas, sometimes gradually and sometimes as the result of revolution.
2. Most Americans favor progressive ideas over radical conservative ideas (based on a variety of polls and polling organizations).
He argues that all that is needed is a spark, a leader, or some other stimulus to unite and lead the liberal cause. Second, I liked his discussion of "bubble-up economics" in contrast to the counterproductive "trickle-down thories of Reaganomics. I hope to see more Nationwide debate on this topic. Third, I enjoyed his stories of his younger days, which provide insight about how his ideas developed over time. His references to Robert Bork, one of his conservative mentors, were particularly interesting. They showed the value of listening to opposing viewpoints. His anecdotes about how "Radcoms" are illustrative but not nearly as entertaining as those of Jim Hightower. Overall, the tone of the book is "educated" but not "scholarly." His abundant references include both academic treatises and journalistic pieces meant for the general public. It's not too dense to read on the train but is far from the puff pieces of some political books. It's definately worth the time to read cover-to-cover.
Rating: 
Summary: 100% TRASH
Review: This book is nothing but trashy wishful thinking. So Reich, you think libs will win the war for America? Just like liberals won the 2004 presidential election... and the congressional elections for the past 10 years... and the liberal USSR's cold war against America.
Any rational sane person who looks at the facts will tell you that liberalism is a huge failure that will never again succeed in America. Liberals are finished, and ultra-liberal like Kerry will never be elected president in America. But go ahead libs, read this book if it makes you feel better. If lying to yourself like you lie to America helps you get through the day then go for it.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent - well argued and an enjoyable read
Review: This is a well-written book, and I read it in two sittings. So many recent books now are "screeds," so the calm, reasoned tone was nice. He also avoids personal attacks and restricts his debate to the ideas, rather than ad hominem attacks. The quotations are accurately reproduced, rather than selectively edited. Many of the screeds that decry "The Left"
(or "The Right") do not clearly define who they are talking about and seem to lump everyone together who disagrees with the author. In contrast, he gives a pretty accurate definition of his
opposition, the "radcons." He has a list of what they believe
(without loaded language) and who the more prominet members are. However, I think there is an aspect that he neglects when discussing religious conservatives: they really feel God will punish the country if private morality is on the decline, and sincerely believe that these people are destined for eternal damnation. This gives a passion and urgency to their cause.
He stresses the importance of public morality and "positive patriotism." Importantly, he stresses the need to take a stand. He understands the importance for the Democrats to organize and unite, rather than being a coalition of one-issue groups.
I don't agree with all his positions, but he argues his positions well. The final section in the book gives a good amount of reliable poll data and a reading list. The reading list is especially valuable for gaining insight into the beliefs of and influences on the "radcons."
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!
Review: This is absolutely the best book I've read presenting the liberal viewpoint. It's coherent, precise and makes the best case for the liberal argument without vitriol or name-calling. The name of the book is apt. This is the book you give to your "on-the-fence" brother-in-law.
Rating:
Summary: Reason vs. Ideology, It's a no brainer
Review: Who wouldn't want our national and state political leaders to make decisions based on a carefull analysis of the real facts and not have it based on ideology? I would, and I think everyone else would also. Robert Reich has taken the political arguement to where it should be. About reasonable solutions based on facts and made incrementaly. With the radcons, his word, making large policy leaps of faith based on ideology instead of incremental changes based on the facts its no wonder that we have record deficits, a war against terrorism that does not appear to be going well and was seemingly based on deception versus reality, the middle class losing ground, and bedroom politics. Instead of catchwords and debate by yelling, Reich makes a well reasoned arguement about why the Liberals will ultimately win just as they have over and over again in the past, because we care about our fellow citizens and society as a whole, and not just ourselves. That Liberals want to see society flourish for everyone and not just a few. He argues that instead of focusing on bedroom politics in the so-called "Value Wars" that we should be focusing on the abuse of boardroom values and what corporations are doing to our environment, communities, workers, and customers ... all in the name of profit.
Rating: 
Summary: Political decision maker's required reading . . .
Review: Why Liberals will win the battle for America is the subtitle for Mr. Reich's latest book. A month or so ago, I was privileged to hear him discuss this book and his findings at a very large gathering. The response to his presentation was one of support and encouragement. Yet, while certainly liberals come to hear Mr. Reich, I happen to know that there were many "conservatives" in the audience and they too were applauding. Why is that? What is the appeal to conservatives? I would like to think that the appeal is simply one of, well, REASON! It may also be that the old labels no longer apply to the average American. It may well be that Republicans, Democrats, Green Party, Libertarians, and those who decline to disclose any party affiliation all have come to understand that things are too complex for sound bites and that reason must prevail. They may be finally getting the message that we are all in the same boat together and so we must work together with respect and compassion. For those who embrace reason, compassion, and a sense of connectedness, this book will provide much with which to agree, and will provide provocative ideas with which we might reasonably disagree and debate. Reich certainly doesn't shy away from taking a position, regardless of who's toes he might crunch. For those who believe that globalization is killing jobs he has this message: "Every task that's repetitive-anything that can be done more cheaply by automated machinery or computer software or by a person laboring in a poor country-is no longer going to be done by Americans at American wages. Period." For those who would continue to ignore the growing separation of the haves and the have-nots, he has this message: "In America in the twenty-first century, real prosperity is shared prosperity. That's what we are losing rapidly, and that's why Radcons are wrong and their thinking is dangerously obsolete." Radcons? Yes, Mr. Reich is not above taking his shot at the Radical Conservatives he believes are creating a situation of further economic stratification and therefore internal strife in America. This book is definitely good reading for all of us, regardless of the label put on us and regardless of whether or not we agree with everything Mr. Reich has to say. The book is truly based on reason. I hope all political decision makers find the time to read "Reason, why Liberals will Win the Battle for America." It should be required reading for us all.
| 
