A sound survey of politics in America since WW II, contrasting the decline of the bosses and party control with the rise of the ``independent voter'' and the self-nomination of the ambitious candidate. Ehrenhalt, executive editor of Governing magazine, describes a typical ``professional'' career politician as an incumbent who never loses an election because he has mastered the art of vote- getting by using the many accouterments of office that Congress (i.e., the taxpayer) offers—free promotional mailings, free trips home and abroad, and large staffs of aides. The ``professional'' is ambitious, wellknown, hard-working, and an expert in fundraising. Ehrenhalt tells of the passing of the part-time politicians of tiny, close-knit power cliques that controlled voting blocs and ran communities before the Supreme Court made malapportionment unconstitutional in 1962. Although he notes the end of deference to authority figures, he sees some dangers in self-nominations of ambitious candidates not having deep political roots, who when elected are unable to govern well (e.g., Jimmy Carter). Gone is the party screening and peer review that once guaranteed that qualities besides ambition, stamina, glibness, and charm would be counted in selecting candidates. Ehrenhalt reasons that few nonprofessionals would sacrifice the time and effort that modern politics demands, and writes that ambition is what matters most today. He also decries the present lack of leadership and discipline and laments the uncompromising rigidity that leads to political stalemates. (He does not, however, address the corrupting influence of PACs.) A persuasive cautionary analysis, reflecting well Ehrenhalt's governmental savvy garnered during his past tenure as political editor of Congressional Quarterly.
Pub Date: May 10, 1991
ISBN: 0-8129-1894-0
Page Count: 320
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1991
BOOK REVIEW
This is not the Nutcracker sweet, as passed on by Tchaikovsky and Marius Petipa. No, this is the original Hoffmann tale of 1816, in which the froth of Christmas revelry occasionally parts to let the dark underside of childhood fantasies and fears peek through. The boundaries between dream and reality fade, just as Godfather Drosselmeier, the Nutcracker's creator, is seen as alternately sinister and jolly. And Italian artist Roberto Innocenti gives an errily realistic air to Marie's dreams, in richly detailed illustrations touched by a mysterious light. A beautiful version of this classic tale, which will captivate adults and children alike. (Nutcracker; $35.00; Oct. 28, 1996; 136 pp.; 0-15-100227-4)
Pub Date: Oct. 28, 1996
ISBN: 0-15-100227-4
Page Count: 136
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 1996
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An extravaganza in Bemelmans' inimitable vein, but written almost dead pan, with sly, amusing, sometimes biting undertones, breaking through. For Bemelmans was "the man who came to cocktails". And his hostess was Lady Mendl (Elsie de Wolfe), arbiter of American decorating taste over a generation. Lady Mendl was an incredible person,- self-made in proper American tradition on the one hand, for she had been haunted by the poverty of her childhood, and the years of struggle up from its ugliness,- until she became synonymous with the exotic, exquisite, worshipper at beauty's whrine. Bemelmans draws a portrait in extremes, through apt descriptions, through hilarious anecdote, through surprisingly sympathetic and understanding bits of appreciation. The scene shifts from Hollywood to the home she loved the best in Versailles. One meets in passing a vast roster of famous figures of the international and artistic set. And always one feels Bemelmans, slightly offstage, observing, recording, commenting, illustrated.
Pub Date: Feb. 23, 1955
ISBN: 0670717797
Page Count: -
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1955
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