Rating: 
Summary: Of course it's leftist
Review: ...It's moveon.org, what did you expect? Anyway, too many people are rating this book on their personal political convictions rather than the book itself, which leads me to suspect whether some of the reviewers read it at all. Personally, I don't understand how people with right-wing philosophies refuse to accept all the deceipt going on in Washington simply because our great leader holds the same republican principles. But so fuels the bipartisan system that has served our country well, I suppose.But for the concerned citizen... since it's pretty hard to take direct action on the federal government (as some reviewers also are suggesting?), this is an excellent handbook on how to make your disappointment in the current U.S. government heard (or any democracy for that matter, although we seem to be pretty much the only ones with problems right now). So if you're blood-thirsty and/or closed-minded, for god sakes don't buy the book. But if you're frustrated with the state of our nation and wish to be a part of the change that can restore the much of the world's respect and admiration of the U.S.A., then this book is for you. True, at times it does lean a little too far in left field (giving serious forward thinkers a silly hippie label), but for it's compact and concise advice to being a concerned yet active citizen, I give it 4 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: Partisan but Patriotic
Review: As a conservative, I was skeptical -- to say the least -- about a book on "Democracy" from MoveOn.org. While I may not agree with the politics of most of the authors, I have to say that reading the individual stories was eye opening to me in the sense of seeing what a difference one person can make in our gridlocked political arena. I'm so sick of our American government and politics being deadened and directed by extreme, cynical career elites and marketers of both parties. This book offers a rare contemporary glimpse of genuine hope in America for re-establishing our democracy "for the people" -- regardless of what party you belong to. The stories are also very concrete, factual, and short -- so you can learn a lot.
Rating: 
Summary: A good book for the novice
Review: Bought the book in hopes it might have some new information and while it is interesting I went to my home library and picked up my cope of A Citizen's Guide to Grassroots Campaigns by Jan Barry which I first read in 2000, and they both have a lot of the same information.
Both books are good for the novice who is interested in finally getting involved in voting and candidates etc. Like registering, writing letters to the editor, calling talk shows, hosting candidate parties, donating money and even running for local office etc.
And I recommend both books to anyone regardless of political views in hopes that they will help get more people to the polls on election day.
Rating:
Summary: Simple things you can do... nothing radical!
Review: Despite what some of the reactionary right-wing "reviews" indicate, this book is NOT filled with radical and nefarious plans to undermine society. It is filled with simple, honest ways to get involved in the political process, like writing your congressman, talking to your neighbors, volunteering for a candidate, encouraging people to vote -- the stuff that REALLY scares right-wingers. The right-wing hate machine wants to keep citizens OUT of the process so they can be free to further plunder the US treasury, drain YOUR social security funds, and promote worldwide hegemony, all in the name of "fighting terror." This book is about doing your small part to counteract the "dirty tricks" of the RNC with the one thing they can't stand: truthful discussion and honest campaigning. But on the other hand, this book is completely non-partisan, in that every technique and idea could apply to any political party or cause you care to support. It's about restoring democracy in America, period. For the record, I bought this book and have read numerous selections from it, unlike many of the kneejerk negative "reviews" on here posted before the book was even available.
Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile reading for political or social activists
Review: First off, I have to say I really appreciate Moveon's tremendous grassroots efforts to get all American's voices heard. In this book, there is some writing from Al Gore, Nancy Pelosi and other politicians. There are ideas given on how people can be politically active in their community. With the great websites and ideas offered, you can't go wrong! The only thing I would add is more ideas, don't get me wrong, there are plenty of ideas in here, it's just that - with more ideas there will be more of a chance a person will actually do something. Also, people don't get involved in political change (even for their benefit) because our lifestyle is just made like that - just eat, sleep and work, don't worry about where your taxes are being used. So maybe Moveon could instead of started the book with a bang so people come to attention to make a change.
Rating:
Summary: Great Inspiration for Participatory Demoncracy
Review: For those depressed by the fact that the 'ordinary' person has little influence in today's government, this book will dispell that notion and outline what every person can do to see that our country benefits all Americans. Should be required reading for every high school and college student - and for anyone who feels their voice is never heard. To those who denigrate this book, consider the source - these persons do not really feel America should be a democratically run society. They are truly the unpatriotic Americans.
Rating:
Summary: Michael Loughlin, read the book before you review!!!!
Review: Hate-mongers like Michael Loughlin, below, disgust me. He hasn't read this book; he objects to the politics of the author(s), and uses it as an excuse to bash.
Well, I HAVE read the book, and I think it's an excellent guide to political activism. More, perhaps to the chagrin of the Michael Loughlins of the world, it ISN'T POLITICALLY BIASED. While many of the authors tell personal stories that involve political slant, the advice the book delivers--50 ways to be more politically active--can be used by anyone of any political persuasion.
But you have to read the book first, people!!
Yeesh.
Rating:
Summary: as American as it gets
Review: How can getting involved in a movement to empower the people be un-American? Apparently to many reviewers, the sign of a good patriot is to remain ignorant and accept everything the government tells you. That works if you are under age 15 maybe. Common sense tells us that everyone has a personal agenda, even our beloved goverment officials. And lastly...everything you hear or see is biased in some shape or form. Having the intelligence to see through the bias to the real message is where having half a brain comes in handy. Labeling an idea as liberal and dismissing it on these grounds is a good way to never learn anything new. Let's try to consider ideas based on merit. Check out this book if you think progressive change is a good think.
Rating:
Summary: Inspiration for change
Review: I enjoyed this book and I would also recommend "The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen's Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear". It is important that we keep working for positive change. It is because of progressive changes that people of different ethnicities, sex, age, class, and abilities are being treated more equally than ever before. Our work is not yet done. There are many angry, fearful, greedy, and ignorant people who do not want us to move forward as a society, in fact they are trying to push us backwards. We must not respond by reflecting their anger and hate back to them. We are better than that. Instead we must each listen to our heart and our conscience and fight for the changes we know are needed. If we don't who will?
Rating:
Summary: An decent outline of ways for grassroot involvement
Review: I gave this book an average rating, not because I'm a conservative and have issues with the extreme left wing views of MoveOn and its membership, but because, simply, it's an average book, if that. The outline form and ideas for getting involved in this book, however, are all 4 and 5 star ideas so I do recommend this title, to conservatives and liberals alike, if they are looking for ways that they can get involved on a personal level in the political arena because each idea, although lightly covered here in a page or two, can and should spurn thinking and further investigation.
I would like to point out, and take issue with, the fact that all the stories and all the viewpoints in this title are anti-conservative, and in some cases, extremely anti-Bush. That's fine, I'm not complaining that people feel that way nor that they write about it, but what I am taking issue with is that the book should be more forthright on its cover and in its title.
The title "50 Ways to Love Your Country" is fine, and conservatives can use every idea in this book (albeit for the opposite side of most of the arguments). But the books title should have said something to the effect that all the 50 ways will be presented from people that think Bush is ruining American and if we reelect him we are converging into the fast lane to hell.
I'm going to assume that the people that made this book realized that all these effective and useful tools for change, something that average people can do, would also be effective if used by the right, so obviously, although I doubt they'd say it out loud, those involved in this project probably don't want conservatives to read it. I say, if you're a conservative that wants to get involved and have a say on a personal level in politics and how our country is run then reading this book would be helpful.
Every time you read in the book something like "Bush will destroy the country and ruin the environment and blah, blah, blah" just mentally substitute "Kerry" for Bush and the ideas on how to get involved won't change, the advice won't change, just the side your fighting for will.
Again, to reiterate, I am recommending this book, I think MoveOn has every right to a voice in American politics, I think they can spend all the money they want and say whatever they want. I wish they'd grant the same feeling to my side, but of course, if liberals can't be hypocrites, what would they do?
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