Rating:  Summary: A must read book Review: I was glad that I purchased this book. Ralph Nader is a brilliant person. He tells of how the many (but not all) of the Democrats and Republicans have become corrupted. I do wish Nader had told of where he and the Green Party stand on the issues. He expects people to look at internet websites to find out that information but he doesn't realize that many people don't have internet access. He tells of how our government is being taken over and how we the people must take it back.
Rating:  Summary: The Great Liberators Back!!! Review: Surely, John Brown is resting in peace. But his spirit has found itself a party and they call themselves--THE GREENS! Sounds like something we should eat more of, but as it turns out we should be thinking green as well. Ralph Nader and The Green Party-- are out to prove this ain't no one horse country. One horse? That's right. Nader addresses the disappearing line between our two dominatig political parties in "Crashing the Party". Nader's memoir of the campaign trail delivers a blow of honesty to the solarplexus of his readers. "Democrats. Republicants. Who cares? We've got to take the power from corporate America and give it back to the people." writes Wood in his online review of Nader's "Crashing the Party". But how? Nader walks the talk, talks the walk, and puts green boards to chalk as he schools his readers on how to put their thoughts into action in "Crashing the Party". This book offers solutions to problems that everyone can take part in bringing to fruition. No hidden agendas. No spin. No Greengate. No happy dust. Just liberty and justice for all. Amen!
Rating:  Summary: "We, the People?" Review: Nader's Crashing the Party is a very eye opening book in which he describes his journey while running as a presidential candidate in the 2000 election. He describes how corporate greed as well as the media's bias toward the two party system excludes any third party from running or even having a chance to gain their 5% needed in order to get funding for the next presidential election. The mass rallies that he puts on which are attended by thousands of people aren't broadcasted by the media or any newspaper across the country. Presidential debates exclude him from participating and he is also excluded from watching the presidential debates in Boston. This book brings out all the unjust issues that go on during a presidential debate and all the horrific facts that are happening in our nation. The democratic and republican parties continue to lie and cheat us of our power. Their corporate greed has taken over that they forget about the people who put them there. I believe that when we go out and vote people should really think about whom they're voting for and why? Some people may think that voting for a green party is a waste of their vote or that a green party candidate may sometimes cause the democratic candidate to loose. But as Nader put it: "none of the candidates [are] entitled to any votes, [they] all have to earn our votes."
Rating:  Summary: Nader is what America needs Review: Reading Crashing the Party was interesting because it comes from a point of view that is not often publicized or taken seriously. Nader's battle seems to be against the ways of today's government, and corporations in America. The way that the government neglects people is a big issue for Nader, in the past he has led charges against motor vehicle companies to raise the bar for safety. It is obvious that Nader truly cares for the people that he wants to lead. In Crashing the Party, Nader recalls a day when he was young and his father took him around the city, showing him some buildings that were built by people in the community a long time ago. He told him about how much better it made the city, but told Ralph to imagine how nice it would have been if more people would have contributed, this is the mentality that Nader has for the American public. If we want it to be nice, everyone needs to put in their contribution. Another issue for Nader is the influence that corporations have on elections. The Presidential conventions are sponsored by corporations, and this influences people in their vote. Nader believes that elections are for the people, not corporations. And thinks that one day, elections might be voted on solely by corporations. Also, Nader takes a look at the neglect of a city like Camden, New Jersey, the fifth most impoverished state in America. Our Government shouldn't be able to let a city basically kill it self from the inside out. Nader's views are very enlightening, and it's sad that a candidate like him never really stands a chance in a Presidential election, because it seems that Nader is the type of man that America needs.
Rating:  Summary: Great book, but longer than it needs to be Review: i would definitely recommend this book (especially if you are extremely liberal like myself). the only drawback is that ralph nader, like michael moore at times, tends to complain about many many things which prevents him from being concise (an important part of writing). i thought the ideas in this book were great and thought-provoking, just sometimes repetitive. many times i found myself thinking 'wow' during certain passages and other times 'ok, shut up and move on...' basically, i think ralph nader is awesome but some of the book merits skimming :)
Rating:  Summary: Derailing my Interest Review: I should start this review off with a disclaimer, although I would categorize myself as left leaning, I am not as far to the left as the Green party and have not really followed Mr. Nader's career. I only picked this book up because I love reading almost anything on current politics and a friend recommended the book to me. With all this said I can now come clean and tell you that overall I thought the book was dull, rambling and in desperate need of something interesting to be tossed in. Page after page I kept hoping that it would improve, that the author would get past the complaints and details on how he got from one location to another and get into something interesting about the campaign. About the only thing that changed in the text was that after about 50 pages he started to also complain about how he was ignored by the press, other candidates and the public until the election. Maybe that should have been a clue for him.I know that this review is probably not what the general reader of this book is going to want to read, because this person is a Green party member of a fan of the authors and will discount my comments (and probably be right in doing so). If you are not a member of one of these groups and are just interested in the overall 2000 campaign then there are a number of much better books out there. I guess what really pushed me over the edge was having to deal with the authors arrogant attitude, which he has a hard time concealing in the book. I started to think that he possible believes that he is some long forgotten royal who is looking to reclaim the throne.
Rating:  Summary: Ralph Nader's inscrutable tale of Campaign Insanity Review: Boring and slow at certain points, the story reaches out and pulls you into the vortex of Ralph Nader's 2000 presidential campaign experience. The problem with Ralph Nader is, he can write, he can rant & rave, he can convince you to jump off a cliff with him, and he can most likely sing and dance within some Broadway musical. Albert Gore and current President George Bush both have different degrees from Ivy League institutions because their family name purchased both of them these degrees... can anyone take an Ivy League school as a serious institution of education anymore, or has contemporary capitalism and monarchy ruined everything good and true about the educational experience? Ralph Nader not only holds a degree from Harvard, but also graduated with high accolades and can actually write a book on his own; thus, "Crashing the Party." "Crashing the Party" is not a personal diatribe, nor is it "Unsafe at any Speed." Ralph Nader presents his own perspective of his journey and interactions on the campaign trail. Running partner Winona LaDuke receives hardly any mention, and the celebrity contingent that followed him all across the land on his barnstorming campaign in packed arenas, needed more quotation. Nader tells of the political tale where the shift from "left to right" during the Reagan Administration sealed the deal for the current comprehensive way of "American Life." He notes Reagan's influence in our currently elected officials, or the ex-regent's ideas still currently reigning in the political system; and, thoroughly explains the movement of the corporate take-over of America combined with political malfeasance. These ideas, along with other presented ideas, are all laced into the story of how Nader was kicked out of a PUBLIC arena for PUBLIC debates between presidential candidates. If you have not heard enough gruesome tales of injustice, Ralph Nader explains in good spirit how his expulsion from presidential debates due to not reaching a certain percentage of the popular vote. Television appearances seem limited for Ralph Nader during the campaign, and general discussion or debate on the topics seem limited to abortion and social security. With the 2004 presidential elections approaching fast, "Crashing the Party" is a necessity for anyone who wants more information on the Green Party, Ralph Nader, or any of the ideas and beliefs associated with the two. If you are not sure on where to stand with the major third-party candidate, Ralph Nader's decades of consumer activism and civil service only prove to the public that he is a worthy candidate for president. Nader provides some personal information in the book, and discusses his visits to different American urban blocks and rural countryside. The book is great for Nader fans and most of all, more importantly, for those looking for answers and information.
Rating:  Summary: CRASHING THE PARTY: HOW TO TELL THE TRUTH & STILL RUN FOR PR Review: Great account of the struggles as a independant running for the Presidency. Ralph Nader is a true American. A individual that cant be bought. In these trying times of gread and corruption we need this man in Goverment. This book should be required reading for high school goverment classes.
Rating:  Summary: This Book Can Save America Review: You simply must purchase and read this book! As a former practicing attorney for 20 years, I know that lawyers like "a Ralph Nader" are beyond-rare. Because while we all graduated from our respective law schools, and swore an oath to uphold the Constitution of these United States, Ralph Nader seems to be among the very few dedicated to upholding this sacred oath for truth, honor, and impossible courage against mega powers that be. Indeed, no other Presidential candidate in history has has ever displayed such integrity and leadership in refusing to give in, give up or sell out. Accordingly, it is not only vital for America's survival that this book be read, but that it ultimately receive THE MEDIA ATTENTION it deserves. All of our lives...may depend upon it. And for some, by following this braveheart's lead, WE CAN NEVER SURRENDER - EVER.
Rating:  Summary: A real progressive strikes back Review: During the 2000 election, I was among the demographic the 'oh so hip 'Nader campaign claimed to speak for---left leanning college students. Thankfully, I also saw through the hypocritical ineptitude that is Mr. Nader. Once a widely-respected consumer advocate who was hailed by Gloria Steinem 'because he seemed interested in people regardless of their sex' Nader himself proved he had been taking lessons at the 'New left' school of gender relations because he seemed oblivious that feminism and GLBT equality were active social movements in later 20th Century America. The left was curriously limited to straight men who theoretically had the least to loose irrespective of who became president. Chiding the 'conservative' Gore campaign for their social issues stance, Nader then claimed he did not want to talk about reproductive rights and GLBT equality because they were only 'gonadal' politics and therefore were somehow not as serious as real 'diversity' measures he would undertake if only given a chance. Thus, it is little wonder that despite Gore's own mixed voting reccord as a House of Representatives member and Senator, people concerned about Bush's inevitable attack on these very issues would continue to vote for the Democratic party. We knew the 2000 elections were a very dangerous time to suddenly become naive about the essential nature of Washington DC power politics, and our own vunerability. Condescending to potential constituent groups is the worst way to get them to change their voting patterns, because any lefty worth their cause also now expects the 'traditional' white male candidates to be well-versed in their community issues. Claiming batchlerhood negates discussion time (as Nader actually did on the campaign trail) is just as innappropriate as a white candidate attempting to distance themselves from African American rights by virtue of ethnic/racial differences...and just as reactionary as they come. I do not believe Nader cost Gore the election, or the country it's freedom. That doozy comes courtesy of the United States Supreme Court. What Nader did was cost himself and the American Green Party valuable public credbility when the European Greens understood sexism and homophobia were serious forms of oppression and not something to take lightly. Ironically (for better or worse) it also reinforced pre-established voting patterns favoring the democrats because at least they understood we had a vote and would give it to any candidate who recognized our issues. My 1980's admiration of Nader has long evaporated the way of Mall Bangs and New Kids on the Block.
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