Politics Books

This book is a thought-provoking and eye-opening exploration of government conspiracy theories. Jesse Ventura, with his bold and no-holds-barred approach, delves into the wide gap between what the American government knows and what it reveals to the people. He questions the official narratives surrounding major historical events like the assassinations of Lincoln, the Kennedys, and Martin Luther King, as well as the 9/11 attacks. Ventura's book is a must-read for those who are curious about the truth behind political cover-ups and the role of the media in perpetuating deception. Be prepared to have your beliefs challenged and your perspective forever altered.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in delving deep into the rich history and heritage of the Tamil community in Singapore. With a perfect blend of historical accounts, personal anecdotes, and captivating descriptions, JOURNEYS: TAMILES IN SINGAPORE takes you on an immersive journey through the arrival, growth, and social and political contributions of the Tamils in Singapore. The inclusion of rare photographs adds a visual delight to the narrative, making it a truly enriching and enlightening read.

If you're someone who is passionate about global politics and the complexities of international aid, "Fixing Failed States" might just provide you with a fresh perspective. Insightful and authoritative, the book draws on real-world experiences, confronting challenging issues with an optimism that's both inspiring and grounded in practical knowledge. It’s a critical read for anyone interested in the intricacies of nation-building and the ways in which we can collectively work towards a more stable worldwide community.

This book is a must-read for anyone seeking timeless wisdom and guidance in navigating the complexities of modern-day life. Confucius' teachings, along with the selected sayings of Mencius and the powerful insights of Laozi, offer invaluable lessons on ethics, relationships, and personal growth. With a compelling blend of practical advice and profound philosophy, this book will inspire you to lead a more meaningful and virtuous life.

This book offers a fascinating and eye-opening journey through the complex and contradicting world of cigarettes. Through a meticulous exploration of the intertwining strands of finance, politics, and public health, Kluger presents the rise of the tobacco industry and the ensuing debates on regulation. The most striking feature of this book is its ability to humanize the key players involved, shedding light on the intricate web of motivations and interests. With its rich detail and dispassionate analysis, "Ashes To Ashes" is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the profound impact of cigarettes on society.

Age of Discovery could be a good read for those who are curious about the challenges and opportunities that come with rapid global change. This book takes a historical perspective, drawing parallels between the first Renaissance and our present era, highlighting the risks and rewards that come with discovery. If you're interested in understanding the interconnectedness of our world and how it shapes our lives, this book will provide valuable insights and inspire you to navigate the uncertainties of the future with wisdom and courage.

This book is a must-read for those seeking a deep understanding of the world's geopolitical challenges. Henry Kissinger, a renowned diplomat, draws on his extensive experience to provide a thorough analysis of the historical roots of global disorder and offers a compelling vision for building a shared international order. Through his insightful examination of key events in recent history, such as the Vietnam War and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, Kissinger sheds light on the complexities of international relations. Provocative and articulate, World Order is a guide that offers invaluable insights into navigating the complexities of our rapidly changing world.

This book is a goldmine for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to understand the secrets behind achieving exceptional success. Through the compelling insights of Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki, you'll learn how to develop strength of character, stay focused, build a powerful brand, nurture valuable relationships, and master the art of paying attention to the little things that truly matter. If you're hungry for entrepreneurial wisdom and ready to take your business to the next level, Midas Touch is an invaluable guide that will transform your mindset and fuel your journey towards becoming a successful entrepreneur.

This book could be a good read for you if you are fascinated by true stories of resilience, activism, and the battle against natural disasters. Through the lens of the 2004 Asian Tsunami and its aftermath, "Tsunami Alert" will take you on a journey where scientists, students, and ordinary citizens come together to save the at-risk city of Padang. As you follow their grassroots activism, you will gain insight into the challenges faced by cities worldwide as they confront their own environmental threats. This thought-provoking account will leave you contemplating the fragile balance between human settlements and the forces of nature.

This book is a powerful call to action, urging the youth of India to come together and take charge of their nation's destiny. Through the eloquent speeches and writings of Sri Aurobindo, readers will be inspired to discover their own potential and work towards a brighter future for India. With its timely message and compelling vision, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to make a meaningful impact in their country.

Recommendation: - If you're interested in understanding the complex relationship between Islam, democracy, and the West, "Reconciliation" is a powerful and insightful book that offers a fresh perspective. Benazir Bhutto, a courageous woman tragically killed, provides a gripping account of her final months in Pakistan and presents a bold agenda for tackling Islamic radicalism. Her message of tolerance, justice, and the need for global unity is both thought-provoking and inspiring. By reading this book, you'll gain a deeper understanding of modern Islam and the urgent need for reconciliation in our world today.

Recommendation: 1. This book provides a captivating insider's view of the U.S. government's strategy in response to the 2007-2009 global financial crisis. Through the perspectives of the key decision-makers involved, it offers an unparalleled understanding of the internal debates, policy solutions, and the evaluation of successes and failures. If you're interested in unraveling the complexities of this critical period in history and gaining valuable insights for navigating future financial calamities, this book is a must-read. 2. The firsthand accounts from policymakers who led the government's response to the crisis make this book an invaluable historical document. It sheds light on the extraordinary measures taken by the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve, and other agencies to stabilize the financial system and the economy during this crucial period. Whether you're a student of history or someone seeking lessons for navigating future crises, this book provides unprecedented insight into the decision-making process and offers a comprehensive understanding of the global financial crisis.

Recommendation: If you're curious about the inner workings of the SEC and want a firsthand account of how it operates, "Going Public" is a must-read. Norm Champ's experiences as a Wall Street lawyer turned SEC Director of Investment Management provide a unique perspective on the agency's role in the financial system. This book not only sheds light on the flaws in the system but also offers insightful recommendations for policy changes that could prevent future crises.

From a bestselling author with unprecedented access to Pope Francis, an investigative look at the recent financial scandals at the highest levels of the VaticanA veritable war is waging in the on one side, there is Pope Francis’s strong message for one church of the poor and all; on the other, there is the old Curia with its endless enemies, and the old and new lobbies struggling to preserve their not-so-Christian privileges.The old guard do not back down, they are ready to use all means necessary to stay in control and continue the immoral way they conduct their business. They resist reforms sought by Pope Francis and seek to delegitimize their opponents, to isolate those who want to eliminate corruption. It’s a war that will determine the future of the church. And if he loses the battle against secular interests and blackmail, Pope Francis could resign, much like his predecessor.Based on confidential information―including top secret documents from inside the Vatican, and actual transcripts of Pope Francis’s admonishments to the papal court about the lack of financial oversight and responsibility― Merchants in the Temple illustrates all the undercover work conducted by the Pope since his election and shows the reader who his real enemies are. It reveals the instruments Francis is using to reform the Vatican and rid it, once and for all, of the overwhelming corruption traditionally encrusted in the Roman Catholic Church.Merchants in the Temple is a startling book that will shock every reader. It’s a story worthy of a Dan Brown novel, with its electrifying details of the trickery and scheming against the papacy―except that it is real.

Gathers Lincoln's speeches, letters, diary entries, and conversations concerning equality, freedom, and self-determination, and includes introductory essays by historians

Can we trust France? Apparently not. After more than 200 years of shared history and interests, the U.S.-France marriage looks as if it's ending in an acrimonious divorce. Here is the shocking insider account.In the wake of French behavior at the United Nations, where Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin systematically undermined the efforts of Secretary of State Colin Powell to convince the Security Council to authorize force against Iraq, Americans have at best come to suspect our ally of double dealing, and at worst come to view them as the enemy. Almost daily over the past year, new stories have emerged of how the government of French President Jacques Chirac has sought to undermine the U.S. war on terror, publicly sniping at America and inciting other countries to do the same. What's wrong with France? What's behind their recent perfidy? According to bestselling author Kenneth R. Timmerman, the American public doesn't know half the story. After they read The French Betrayal of America , American anger at France will turn to outrage.Timmerman, who worked as a journalist in France for eighteen years and knows the players on both sides, lifts the veil of Jacques Chirac's scandalous love affair with Saddam Hussein, beginning in 1975, when he took him on a tour of top-secret French nuclear facilities. The French attitude toward the dictator, which seemed to baffle American politicians, was in fact entirely predictable. Put bluntly, it was all about money, oil, and guns. Chirac needed Saddam's oil and Saddam's money, and Saddam needed French weapons and French nuclear technology.Despite this, the relationship between France and America was not only amicable but at times very mutually beneficial. That was until the most recent war on Iraq, where France turned the tables, engaging in dirty diplomacy and helping to sway other European countries to their side. French war coverage was not merely It was viciously inaccurate, skewed, and openly anti-American. Timmerman also presents incredible new evidence of France's duplicity, including the fact that the French stood to gain $100 billion from secret oil contracts they had concluded with Saddam Hussein.The French Betrayal of America raises questions of whether the nuclear cooperation agreements still in force with the French today should be canceled in light of France's behavior. Our security interests no longer converge, and our economic systems increasingly appear to be at loggerheads. The war in Iraq harshly exposed French treachery and their desire to do business with the worst of international tyrants, putting their economy, their international standing, and their relationship with a 200-year-old friend in severe jeopardy.Shocking new revelations in The French Betrayal of AmericaThe French president lied to Bush and to the public about the war in Iraq.President Jacques Chirac had personally told President George W. Bush well ahead of time that France would be at America's side.France urged Saddam to commit genocide.Saddam launched his genocidal campaign against the Marsh Arabs in southern Iraq to make their region "safe" for French oil engineers.France helped build Saddam's long-range missiles and nukes.Based on exclusive access to new documents, provided by Iraq to the United Nations -- that French defense companies were key partners in helping Saddam Hussein perfect the long-range missiles that killed U.S. soldiers in Saudi Arabia in 1991 and rained terror onto Israel.Chirac has blocked cooperation on a high-profile terrorism case.France's top counter-terrorism judge was ordered to stop cooperating with the United States in the prosecution of Zacarias Moussaoui despite mounds of documents that would have helped the United States to convict Moussaoui of conspiracy to commit mass murder.France illegally sold U.S. military secrets to Saddam Hussein.A prominent French defense company shipped U.S.-designed laser designator pods to Iraq in the 1980s that compromised the most high-tech weapons in the U.S. arsenal.President Mitterrand, a Socialist, became Ronald Reagan's best ally in Europe.The French Betrayal of America reveals the extent of French strategic and intelligence cooperation with the United States at the peak of the Cold War, in areas that will surprise readers on both sides of the Atlantic. The French ran a key agent inside the KGB, whose "cosmic" reach -- right up to the general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union -- hastened the collapse of the Soviet Union.President Chirac almost went to jail for corruption.Chirac was on the verge of getting indicted on corruption charges in 1999 until he cooked up an immunity deal with the head of the French Supreme Court, former Socialist foreign minister Roland Dumas. While the French corruption scandals are well known in France, they have rarely been reported in the United States and will alternately shock and amuse American readers.The Bush administration is now offering France the secrets of our national missile defense.The French Betrayal of America reveals the hitherto top secret missile defense cooperation between the United States and France that has taken off at precisely the same time the Chirac government was undermining the United States on Iraq. Meanwhile, United States and French nuclear weapons designers continue to meet to exchange secrets of maintaining our respective nuclear arsenals.

Is mercy more important than justice?Since antiquity, mercy has been regarded as a virtue. The power of monarchs was legitimated by their acts of clemency, their mercy demonstrating their divine nature. Yet by the end of the eighteenth century, mercy had become “an injustice committed against society . . . a manifest vice.” Mercy was exiled from political life. How did this happen?In this book, Malcolm Bull analyses and challenges the Enlightenment’s rejection of mercy. A society operating on principles of rational self-interest had no place for something so arbitrary and contingent, and having been excluded from Hobbes’s theory of the state and Hume’s theory of justice, mercy disappeared from the lexicon of political theory. But, Bull argues, these idealised conceptions have proved too limiting. Political realism demands recognition of the foundational role of mercy in society. If we are vulnerable to harm from others, we are in need of their mercy. By restoring the primacy of mercy over justice, we may constrain the powerful and release the agency of the powerless. And if arguments for capitalism are arguments against mercy, might the case for mercy challenge the very basis of our thinking about society and the state?An important contribution to contemporary political philosophy from an inventive thinker, On Mercy makes a persuasive case for returning this neglected virtue to the heart of political thought.

The measurement of time has always been essential to human civilization, from early Roman sundials to the advent of GPS. But while we have one eye on the time every day, are we aware of the power clocks have given governments, military leaders and business owners, and how they have shaped our lives and our world?In this spectacularly far-reaching book, David Rooney narrates a history of timekeeping and civilization in twelve concise chapters. Over their course, we meet the most epochal inventions in horological history, from medieval water clocks to Renaissance hourglasses, and from stock-exchange timestamps to satellites in Earth's orbit. We discover how clocks have helped people navigate the globe and build empires, but also, on occasion, taken us to the brink of destruction.This is the story of time, and the story of time is the story of us.

This book is a must-read for anyone seeking a comprehensive and insightful understanding of Islam. Reza Aslan takes readers on an enlightening journey through the rich history and evolution of the faith, debunking misconceptions along the way. By effortlessly blending academic research with compelling storytelling, Aslan brings Islam to life, making it accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Whether you are a curious beginner or a seasoned scholar, No god but God will challenge your preconceptions and leave you with a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of Islam.

Recommendation: - If you're curious about the origins and evolution of nationalism and want to understand its impact on the world, "Nations And Nationalism Since 1780 - Programme, Myth, Reality" is a must-read. Hobsbawm brilliantly dissects the intricacies of nationalism, providing insights into its historical context and its influence on modern politics. This book offers a compelling analysis that will broaden your understanding of this complex phenomenon.

The Idea of Justice

Recommendation: - If you're looking to be inspired and motivated, "I Have a Dream: Writings and Speeches That Changed the World" is a must-read. This book captures the powerful words of Martin Luther King Jr., a true visionary and leader in the fight for civil rights. His speeches continue to resonate today, reminding us of the importance of equality and justice. Prepare to be moved by his timeless messages that have shaped history and inspired generations.

Recommendation: - This book is a fascinating journey into the forgotten radicalism of the European Enlightenment. Blom skillfully brings together a group of brilliant minds who challenged the status quo and sparked a revolution of ideas. With atheism, passion, and reason as their driving forces, they forged a new path in philosophy and society. A Wicked Company is a must-read for those curious about the intellectual foundations that shaped our modern world.

Recommendation: - In "Morality: An Introduction to Ethics," Bernard Williams offers a refreshing perspective on moral philosophy. Through thought-provoking analysis, he challenges traditional notions and delves into the complexities of ethics. If you are seeking an intellectual exploration beyond conventional moral frameworks, this book is a fascinating and enlightening read.

Reasons to read: - Skin in the Game challenges conventional beliefs about risk, reward, politics, religion, and finance, offering a fresh perspective on these topics. - Nassim Nicholas Taleb presents a complex worldview that applies to all aspects of our lives, driving history and shaping our decisions. - Through philosophical tales and practical stories, this book provides a unique understanding of the concept of "skin in the game" and its application in daily life. - If you're seeking unconventional wisdom and a thought-provoking read, Skin in the Game is an excellent choice.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the dark underbelly of Singapore's legal system. Through in-depth interviews and meticulously researched accounts, Alan Shadrake exposes the cruelty and imprudence of the death penalty. The author's empathy with the victims and their families adds a poignant touch to this eye-opening critique. Human rights activists, in particular, will find this book to be an invaluable resource in their fight for justice.

Recommendation: - This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex history of Singapore. It goes beyond the usual colonial narratives and dives deep into the concept of Merdeka, exploring its meaning for Singaporeans. Through a collection of essays, it challenges the dominant historical discourse and proposes emancipatory possibilities. Get ready to decolonize your understanding of Singapore's past and gain a new perspective on its journey towards independence.

Recommendation: - This book is a must-read for anyone interested in gaining insights into the 2008 financial crisis and its far-reaching implications. George Soros, a legendary financier, offers a unique perspective rooted in decades of experience in financial markets. He delves into the origins of the crisis and connects the dots between individual and institutional behavior. With a combination of practical insight and philosophical depth, Soros makes a valuable contribution to our understanding of this historic event. Prepare to be enlightened and challenged as you navigate through the complexities of the credit crisis and its aftermath.

Recommendation: - This book provides a captivating and informative account of the founding of GIC, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, and its transformation into a global powerhouse. The book delves into the experiences and motivations of Dr Goh Keng Swee, shedding light on the visionary thinking that shaped Singapore's economic success. With its engaging storytelling, readers will gain invaluable insights into the resilience and ingenuity that have propelled Singapore's growth.

Recommendation: - This highly acclaimed book by Martin Wolf offers a powerful and balanced case for the global market economy. It unravels the complex concept of globalization, debunking common misconceptions and addressing the critiques against it. Wolf's deep understanding of the global economy, coupled with his persuasive defense of international economic integration, makes this book essential reading for anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of our interconnected world. Whether you are a student, a policymaker, or simply curious about the forces shaping our globalized society, "Why Globalization Works" will enlighten and challenge your perspectives, ultimately paving the way for a more inclusive and prosperous global market economy. Note: Since it is a non-fiction book that appeals to a specific topic and audience, the recommendation focuses on the insights and value the book offers, rather than character development or compelling storytelling.

This book is a captivating sequel to the international bestseller, Freakonomics. With their unique style and wit, the authors delve into controversial subjects like terrorism, charity, and prostitution. Prepare to be amazed as Superfreakonomics uncovers hidden truths and transforms the way you see the world. It's a thought-provoking read that will challenge your perspectives and leave you wanting more.

Recommendation: - This book is a captivating exploration of why scandalous behavior and downfall sagas fascinate us. With sharp and insightful analysis, Laura Kipnis delves into the American psyche and examines four notorious cases. Through revenge, betrayal, ambition, and madness, she sheds light on our collective plight of failed self-knowledge and self-deception. If you're intrigued by the complexities of scandal and enjoy a cultural romp, this book is a must-read. Get ready to question societal norms and cheer for the transgressions of others.