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Reading Liberally Top Picks
The Real McCain by Cliff Schecter
Cliff Schecter tackles the real McCain, examining his political history and revealing his turn to staunch conservatism to be the political pandering of a cold, calculating and aggressive man with power on his mind. Schecter follows McCain through all his inflammatory flip-flopping and fist-throwing as he claws his way toward the White House.
Free Ride by David Brock and Paul Waldman
What role does the media play in shaping politics? Brock and Waldman address this question in Free Ride by charting how the press has uniquely influenced the success of the so-called straight-talking maverick John McCain.
Bottlemania by Elizabeth Royte
An illuminating investigation of the commercialization of bottled water, Bottlemania explores how and why bottled water rose to its status as one of the nation’s most popular beverages—and the potential consequences of marketing an essential resource.
Insult to Injury by Ray Bourhis
Insult to Injury is written by a lawyer who spent much of his career attempting to get insurance companies to pay his clients what they are owed. The book provides a passionate description of how the insurance industry is able to swindle clients out of money they are entitled to—and how peoples’ lives are destroyed by denied insurance claims.
Here Comes Everybody by Clay Shirky
A thorough and well-researched exploration of the modern dissemination of information. Overall, Shirky’s book is an effective guide to understanding the massive societal changes that are occurring due to the technological and communication revolution.
Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex
by Mary Roach
Bonk is a gleeful and hilarious exploration of the past and present of sexual science. Roach discusses a variety of notorious sexual experiments as well as covers such vital topics as the penises being eaten by ducks, bizarre cures for impotence and everything else weird and related to sex that you would, quite frankly, never be able to imagine.
Abortion without Apology: A Radical History for the 1990s by Ninia Baehr
A distressing (and somewhat nauseatingly graphic) history of abortion in the pre Roe v Wade era, and of the initial pro-choice activists who fought for access to safe, medically sanctioned abortions. The book is troubling not only in its depiction of the shudder-inducing lengths women went to in order to terminate their pregnancies, but also in its reminder of how far we still are from realizing those historical women’s goals.
Understanding Affirmative Action by J. Edward Kellough
Kellough's book is a clear, illuminating guide to the legal cases dealing with affirmative action. The book not only provides a comprehensible history of the issue, but also offers illuminating insight into arguments from both sides.
Myth of the Welfare Queen by David Zucchino
Myth of the Welfare Queen works to shatter the myth of privileged welfare mothers by providing detailed glimpses into the anything-but-easy lives of two real-life women who depend on welfare to maintain their daily existence.
Prison Profiteers edited by Tara Herivel and Paul Wright
This book is a shocking anthology of articles that shed light on the terrible, disgust-inducing effects of the privatization of prisons. Because one percent of the adult American population is incarcerated, this book is truly a must-read for progressives.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
A clever parody of science fiction, chronicling the adventures of Arthur Dent after he is forced to evacuate Earth. The perfect gift for you favorite conservative relative/friend, because it suggests the existence of a far-away universe in which they can promote their ideas.
Singularity Sky by Charles Stross
A smart, funny sample of the oft-overlooked progressive science fiction genre.
Full Frontal Feminism by Jessica Valenti
A savvy guide meant to introduce young women to the key issues in modern feminism. The perfect gift for the teenager you want to gently nudge toward progressive thinking.
What’s the Matter with Kansas: How Conservatives Won the Heart of America by Thomas Frank
An illuminating analysis of the political development of Kansas, Frank’s book explores why predominantly middle-class Kansans continue to vote for conservatives at the expense of their own economic welfare.
Never Better: Stories from Lake Wobegon by Garrison Kellior
An audiobook that tells gently progressive tales of hometown life, this collection will inspire your republican relative to listen to something other than conservative talk radio.
Moving a Nation to Care: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and America’s Returning Troops
by Ilona Meagher
This book is a reminder that for all the rhetoric of movement conservatism, responsible government makes more of a difference than an extra three F-22 Raptors in the lives of our military families.
