Current Affairs Audiobooks | Politics

"This is the end of the world as we've known it," Kurt Andersen writes in Reset. "But it isn't the end of the world." In this smart and refreshingly hopeful book, Andersen-a brilliant analyst and synthesizer of historical and cultural trends, as well as a bestselling novelist and host of public radio's Studio 360-shows us why the current economic crisis is actually a moment of great opportunity to get ourselves and our nation back on track. Historically, America has always shifted between wild, exuberant speculation and steady, sober hard work, as well as back and forth between economic booms and busts, and between right and left politically. This is one of the rare moments when all these cycles shift dramatically and simultaneously-a moment when complacency ends, ossified structures loosen up, and enormous positive change is possible. The shock to the system can enable each of us to rethink certain habits and focus more on the things that make us authentically happy. The present flux can enable us as a society to consolidate the enormous gains of the last several decades in areas such as technology, crime prevention, women's and civil rights, and the democratization of the planet. We can reap the fruits of a revival of realism and pragmatism at home and abroad. As we enter a new era of post-party-line common sense, we can start to reinvent hopelessly broken systems-in health care, education, climate change, and more-and rediscover some of the old-fashioned American values of which we've lost sight. In Reset, Andersen explains how we've done it before and why we are about to do it again-and better than ever.

Kurt Andersen (Author), Kurt Andersen (Narrator)

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The Last Best Hope: Restoring Conservatism and America's Promise

In this groundbreaking book, Joe Scarborough tells Republican Party bosses what they don’t want to hear, explains why Democrats are making matters so much worse, and then shows leaders of both parties the way forward. The Last Best Hope draws on the forgotten genius of conservatism to offer a road map for the movement and the country. Delivering a searing indictment of the political leaders who have led us astray, Scarborough inspires conservatives to reclaim their heritage by drawing upon the strength of the movement’s rich history. With independent thinking and straight talk, Scarborough explains: • How Washington and Wall Street conspired to create the housing bubble that caused America’s financial meltdown • How the “candidate of change” has not only maintained but accelerated the reckless spending policies that led us to this historic economic collapse • How Washington’s bailout culture will cripple America’s future if left unchecked • How Barack Obama’s stimulus plan devolved into a socialist spending spree that would make FDR and LBJ shudder • And how conservatives need to take a closer look at Ronald Reagan’s political career before claiming his great legacy A fearlessly argued conservative manifesto that brings American conservatism into the twenty-first century, The Last Best Hope is a must-read for all who care about the direction America is heading.

Joe Scarborough (Author), Joe Scarborough (Narrator)

Audiobook

Inside the Revolution

Excerpts from Inside the Revolution The Followers of Jihad: On April 1, 1979, Iran became the first Islamic republic in history. Three decades later, the shock waves from the Iranian Revolution are still being felt around the globe [and] we are rapidly approaching the most dangerous moment in the history of the Iranian Revolution. Iran's senior leaders have stated publicly that the end of the world is "imminent."... They are feverishly trying to build, buy, or steal nuclear weapons... Iran, however, is not the only threat. Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda terrorist network remain a clear and present danger to U.S. national security... What the Radicals need most is Western ignorance, apathy, and lack of moral clarity. If the West can be lulled to sleep...then the Radicals will soon be able to pull off a series of attacks that make 9/11 pale by comparison and could leave millions dead. The Followers of Jefferson: "Aren't there any Muslims out there who think the Radicals are crazy and are willing to fight back against the jihadists?" Rosenberg is often asked. "Where are the Muslim leaders who are promoting freedom and opportunity and trying to create and expand democracy, as difficult as that may be in the modern Middle East?"... Here are the answers: "Yes, absolutely," and "They're out there, but they don't get nearly enough attention."... While not all Reformers are full-blown Jeffersonian democrats, a growing number of Muslim leaders are, in fact, seeking to follow and emulate Thomas Jefferson's teachings and example... And they are not simply talking about the power of representative government; they are actually gaining real political power and wielding game-changing influence in critical countries in the Middle East. The Followers of Jesus: You rarely hear about it on the news. But the big, untold story is that more Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus Christ today than at any other time in human history... During the course of interviewing more than 150 Christian leaders in the epicenter, Rosenberg has been able to assemble enough data and anecdotal evidence to paint a picture of how powerfully the God of the Bible is moving to draw Muslims into His family... The head of one leading Iranian ministry told Rosenberg: "Based on all the things we are seeing inside Iran today, I personally believe that if every Iranian who secretly believes in Jesus could come forward right now and declare his or her faith publicly, the number would top a million."

Joel C. Rosenberg (Author), Mel Foster (Narrator)

Audiobook

Critical Mass

Whitley Strieber (Author), Paul Boehmer (Narrator)

Audiobook

Guilty

Ann Coulter's many dedicated fans are eagerly anticipating this all new, completely original audiobook, which follows her 6th bestseller, If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd All Be Republicans. Not one to shy away from controversy, Ann Coulter once again brings her no-holds-barred approach to the current state of politics and culture, and in this highly charged election year, her take on issues is certain to attract major attention from across the political spectrum. Always entertaining, Coulter is one of the most talked about figures in America today. Love her or hate her, you can't ignore her. "You know those pundits who bore you to tears trying to balance everyone's point of view? Coulter isn't one."-People #1 New York Times bestselling author Ann Coulter once again brings her no-holds-barred approach to the current state of politics and culture.

Ann Coulter (Author), Margy Moore (Narrator)

Audiobook

Stealth Jihad: How Radical Islam Is Subverting America without Guns or Bombs

Most terrorism experts agree: it is not "if" we are attacked again, but "when." Yet the assault has already happened. A silent battle is being waged on our nation every day. Not with guns and bombs, but via covert sources: Islamic charities, the ACLU, even presidential candidates. They are all pawns in a stealth holy war, unwittingly advancing the jihadist agenda not by violence but through endeavors designed to acclimate and subject us to Islamic law—just the way Osama bin Laden wants it. In Stealth Jihad, bestselling author Robert Spencer exposes how a silent but lethal movement is advancing on the United States and calls upon Americans to resist it—before it's too late.

Robert Spencer (Author), Lloyd James (Narrator)

Audiobook

A Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity

The year was 1957, the month September, and I had just turned eight years old. Dwight Eisenhower was President, but in my life it was the diminutive, intense Sister Mary Lurana who ruled, at least in the third-grade class where I was held captive. For reasons you will soon understand, my parents had remanded me to the penal institution of St. Brigid's School in Westbury, New York, a cruel and unusual punishment if there ever was one. Already, I had barely survived my first two years at St. Brigid's because I was, well, a little nitwit. Not satisfied with memorizing the Baltimore Catechism's fine prose, which featured passages like "God made me to show his goodness and to make me happy with him in heaven," I was constantly annoying my classmates and, of course, the no-nonsense Sister Lurana. With sixty overactive students in her class, she was understandably short on patience. For survival, she had also become quick on the draw. Then it happened. One day I blurted out some dumb remark, and Sister Lurana was on me like a panther. Her black habit blocked out all distractions as she leaned down, looked me in the eye, and uttered words I have never forgotten: "William, you are a bold, fresh piece of humanity." And she was dead-on. One day in 1957, in the third-grade classroom of St. Brigid's parochial school, an exasperated Sister Mary Lurana bent over a restless young William O'Reilly and said, "William, you are a bold, fresh piece of humanity." Little did she know that she was, early in his career as a troublemaker, defining the essence of Bill O'Reilly and providing him with the title of his brash and entertaining issues-based memoir. And this time it's personal. In his most intimate book yet, O'Reilly goes back in time to examine the people, places, and experiences that launched him on his journey from working-class kid to immensely influential television personality and bestselling author. Readers will learn how his traditional outlook was formed in the crucible of his family, his neighborhood, his church, and his schools, and how his views on America's proper role in the world emerged from covering four wars on five continents over three-plus decades as a news correspondent. What will delight his numerous fans and surprise many others is the humor and self-deprecation with which he handles one of his core subjects: himself, and just how O'Reilly became O'Reilly.

Bill O'Reilly (Author), Bill O'Reilly (Narrator)

Audiobook

They Must Be Stopped: Why We Must Defeat Radical Islam and How We Can Do It

They Must Be Stopped is New York Times bestselling author Brigitte Gabriel's warning to the world: We can no longer ignore the growth of radical Islam--we must act soon, and powerfully. Gabriel challenges our western and politically-correct notions about Islam, demonstrating why radical Islam is so deadly and how we can halt its progress. Brigitte Gabriel speaks her mind: *Fundamentalist Islam is a religion rooted in 7th century teachings that are fundamentally opposed to democracy and equality. *Radical Islamists are utterly contemptuous of all "infidels" (non-Muslims) and regard them as enemies worthy of death. *Madrassas in America are increasing in number, and they are just one part of a growing radical Islamic army on US soil. *Radical Islam exploits the US legal system and America's protection of religion to spread its hatred for western values. *America must organize a unified voice that says "enough" to political correctness, and demands that government officials and elected representatives do whatever is necessary to protect us. Brigitte Gabriel has fearlessly faced down critics, death threats, and political correctness, and is one of the most sought after terrorism experts in the world. They Must Be Stopped is her clarion call to action. Gabriel thoroughly addresses the historical and religious basis of radical Islam, its frightening encroachment into societies around the world, and its abuses of democracy in the name of religion.

Brigitte Gabriel (Author), Brigitte Gabriel (Narrator)

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The Dark Side

In the days following September 11, the most powerful people in the country were panic-stricken. The decisions about how to combat terrorists and strengthen national security were made in a state of utter chaos and fear, but the key players, Vice President Dick Cheney and his powerful, secretive adviser David Addington, used the crisis to further a long-held agenda to enhance presidential powers to a degree never known in U.S. history. The Dark Side is a riveting narrative account of how the U.S. made terrible decisions in the pursuit of terrorists-decisions that not only violated the Constitution, but also hampered the pursuit of Al Qaeda. In gripping detail, acclaimed New Yorker writer and bestselling author Jane Mayer relates specific cases, shown in real time against the larger tableau of Washington, looking at the intelligence gained-or not-and the price paid. In all cases, whatever the short-term gains, there were incalculable losses in terms of moral standing, our country's place in the world, and its sense of itself. The Dark Side chronicles one of the mostdisturbing chapters in American history, one that will serve as the lasting legacy of the George W. Bush presidency.

Jane Mayer (Author), Richard McGonagle (Narrator)

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Spies for Hire: The Secret WORLD of Intelligence Outsourcing

Running spy networks overseas. Tracking down terrorists in the Middle East. Interrogating enemy prisoners. Analyzing data from spy satellites and intercepted phone calls. All of these are vital intelligence tasks that have traditionally been performed by government officials accountable to Congress and the American people. But that is no longer the case. Starting during the Clinton administration, when intelligence budgets were cut drastically and privatization of government services became national policy, and expanding dramatically in the wake of 9/11, when the CIA and other agencies were frantically looking to hire analysts and linguists, the intelligence community has been relying more and more on corporations to perform sensitive tasks heretofore considered to be exclusively the work of federal employees. This outsourcing of intelligence activities is now a $50 billion-a-year business that consumes up to 70 percent of the U.S. intelligence budget. And it's a business that the government has tried hard to keep under wraps. Drawing on interviews with key players in the intelligence-industrial complex, contractors' annual reports and public filings with the government, and on-the-spot reporting from intelligence industry conferences and investor briefings, Spies for Hire provides the first behind-the-scenes look at this new way of spying. Shorrock shows how corporations such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, SAIC, CACI International, and IBM have become full partners with the CIA, the National Security Agency (NSA), and the Pentagon in their most sensitive foreign and domestic operations. He explores how this partnership has led to wasteful spending and how it threatens to erode the privacy protections and congressional oversight that is so important to American democracy. Shorrock exposes the kinds of spy work the private sector is doing, such as interrogating prisoners in Iraq, managing covert operations, and collaborating with the NSA to eavesdrop on Americans' overseas phone calls and e-mails. And he casts light on a "shadow intelligence community" made up of former top intelligence officials who are now employed by companies that do this spy work, such as former CIA directors George Tenet and James Woolsey. Shorrock also traces the rise of Michael McConnell from his days as head of the NSA, to being a top executive at Booz Allen Hamilton, to returning to government as the nation's chief spymaster. From CIA covert actions to NSA eavesdropping, from Abu Ghraib to Guantanamo, from the Pentagon's techno-driven war in Iraq to the coming global battles over information dominance and control of cyberspace, contractors are doing it all. Spies for Hire goes behind today's headlines to highlight how private corporations are aiding the growth of a new and frightening national surveillance state.

Tim Shorrock (Author), Dick Hill (Narrator)

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A Time to Fight

I'm the only person in the history of Virginia elected to statewide office with a Union card, two Purple Hearts, and three tattoos.' Jim Webb the bestselling author and now the celebrated, outspoken U.S. Senator from Virginia presents a clear-eyed, hard-hitting plan of attack for putting government to work for the people, rather than special interests, and for restoring the country's standing around the world. Infused with the intelligence, force, and firebrand style that has earned Senator Jim Webb enormous national attention from his earlest days in office, A Time to Fight offers a thorough and provocative assessment of the thorniest issues Americans face today, along with cogent solutions drawn from Webb's lifetime of experience as a much-decorated Marine, a widely traveled, award-winning journalist and novelist, a highly placed member of the Reagan administration, a Senator with a son who fought as a Marine in Iraq and, perhaps most important, a proud scion of America's vast but frequently ignored working class. Webb exposes how America has entered a dangerous, unprecedented cycle of seemingly unsolvable unknowns. Our economic policies, particularly in this age of globalization, have produced widely divergent results leading to a country calcifying along class lines. Our demographic makeup has been altered dramatically and is set to keep on changing, through both legal and illegal immigration. Our editorialists and politicians talk about the American dream, and some urge us to bring democracy to the rest of the world. But more than two million Americans are now in prison, by far the highest incarceration rate in the so-called advanced world. Our foreign policy is confused, without clear direction; increasingly vulnerable to such largely unexamined long-term threats as China's emerging power while it has become bogged down in the never-ending struggles of the Middle East. As this drift toward societal regression has taken place, America's leadership has largely been paralyzed, unable or unwilling to stop the slide. 'Where are the leaders?' Webb asks. 'Has our political process become so compromised by powerful interest groups and the threat of character assassination that even the best among us will not dare to speak honestly about the solutions that might bring us back to common sense and fundamental fairness?' Through vivid personal narratives of the struggles members of his family faced, and citing the courageous actions of presidents ranging from Andrew Jackson to Teddy Roosevelt to Dwight Eisenhower, A Time to Fight provides specific, viable ideas for restoring fairness to our economic system, correcting the direction of national security efforts, ending America's military occupation of Iraq, and developing greater government accountability. Webb brings a fresh perspective to political dynamics that have shaped our country. His stirring, populist manifesto calls upon voters to make the choices that will change America for the better in this election season.

Jim Webb (Author), Nicholas Hormann (Narrator)

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The Great Derangement

Rolling Stone's Matt Taibbi set out to describe the nature of George Bush's America in the post-9/11 era and ended up vomiting demons in an evangelical church in Texas, riding the streets of Baghdad in an American convoy to nowhere, searching for phantom fighter jets in Congress, and falling into the rabbit hole of the 9/11 Truth Movement. Matt discovered in his travels across the country that the resilient blue state/red state narrative of American politics had become irrelevant. A large and growing chunk of the American population was so turned off-or radicalized-by electoral chicanery, a spineless news media, and the increasingly blatant lies from our leaders ("they hate us for our freedom") that they abandoned the political mainstream altogether. They joined what he calls The Great Derangement. Taibbi tells the story of this new American madness by inserting himself into four defining American subcultures: The Military, where he finds himself mired in the grotesque black comedy of the American occupation of Iraq; The System, where he follows the money-slicked path of legislation in Congress; The Resistance, where he doubles as chief public antagonist and undercover member of the passionately bonkers 9/11 Truth Movement; and The Church, where he infiltrates a politically influential apocalyptic mega-ministry in Texas and enters the lives of its desperate congregants. Together these four interwoven adventures paint a portrait of a nation dangerously out of touch with reality and desperately searching for answers in all the wrong places. Funny, smart, and a little bit heartbreaking, The Great Derangement is an audaciously reported, sobering, and illuminating portrait of America at the end of the Bush era.

Matt Taibbi (Author), David Slavin (Narrator)

Audiobook

Current Affairs Audiobooks in Politics