Reason

March 29, 2004
Today's conservatives ("Radcons") are reckless, vituperative extremists, deeply at odds with the caution and civility of traditional conservatives like Edmund Burke, argues Reich (Locked in the Cabinet
), Clinton's first secretary of labor. Liberals, he asserts, remain squarely in the tradition of Jefferson and FDR, not (as Radcons allege) the late '60s New Left. Yet liberals have ceded certain issues and qualities to Radcons that they should take back. Moral outrage is one: "There is moral rot in America, but it's not found in the private behavior of ordinary people. It's located in the public behavior of people at or near the top." Quoting liberally from conservatives like Robert Bork (who was Reich's law school professor and gave him his first job), Reich wholeheartedly approves of their moral indignation but disagrees with their targets. Referring to John Q. Wilson's "broken windows" argument for zero tolerance of petty vandalism, he writes, "The corporate fraud, conflicts of interest, exorbitant pay of top executives, and surge of money into politics are like hundreds of broken windows." Despite such well-made points, the good-natured Reich can't sustain outrage for more than a few sentences. His second main topic—reclaiming economic growth as a liberal banner—is more seriously compromised by his underdeveloped mix of neoliberalism and social democracy (despite his lucid critique of the Radcons' economic ideas and record). But he roars home with his last main subject, "Positive Patriotism," rejecting "chest-thumping pride" in favor of defining America by its ideals. Although his book is uneven, Reich's distinctive perspective provides insights targeted well beyond November's election. Agent, Rafe Sagalyn. 60,000 first printing.

January 1, 2004
Liberals should win, argues Brandeis professor Reich, but can they? Only when they act on the courage of their convictions. With an 11-city author tour.

Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

April 15, 2004
Playing his title off Ann Coulter's vituperative best-seller " Treason "[BKL Ag 03]" ," Reich, best known as secretary of labor in the Clinton administration, defends liberal principles and suggests ways that liberals can help bring about a revival of support for their beliefs, which have become, in the eyes of many, a political liability over the past 20 years. Beginning with a defense of liberalism and a review of the successes its application has brought to the U.S. in both foreign and domestic affairs, Reich then proceeds to dissect the policies of those he refers to as "radcons" (radical conservatives), including tax breaks for the wealthy, preemptive wars, and the rolling back of civil liberties. Reich puts together a strong argument, but perhaps in an effort to show that political discourse can be civil, his exhortations come across as a bit tepid--despite encouraging liberals to be proud and passionate. Still, with all the strident political commentary currently being published and broadcast (Bush-bashing books lately, Clinton attacks before that), a quieter tone is certainly not unwelcome. In the final chapter, after admitting that it will take more than reason for liberals to "win the battle for America," Reich supplies some thoughtful ideas on regrouping strategy. Expect this mild-mannered tome to engender plenty of shouting on the talk shows.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)