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THE LOBBYISTS

Name: THE LOBBYISTS
Author: Jeffrey H. Birnbaum
ISBN: 0-8129-2086-4

HOW BUSINESS GETS ITS WAY IN WASHINGTON

by Jeffrey H. Birnbaum ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 1, 1992

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An attempt to convey how lobbyists really work in Washington, by Wall Street Journal reporter Birnbaum (coauthor, Showdown at Gucci Gulch, 1987). Birnbaum examines the lobbying process by following the actions of a small number of notable lobbyists, including representatives of the real-estate industry, the truckers, and the universities. He focuses on the 101st Congress (1989-90), which endured an eruption of scandals arising from the close ties between members of Congress and business constituents (leading to, among other results, the resignations of House Speaker Jim Wright and House Democratic Whip Tony Coelho). ``Lobbying,'' Birnbaum notes, ``is not a last-minute vocation, but rather relies on an accumulation of actions over time.'' It utilizes economists, lawyers, direct-mail and telephone-sales people, p.r. experts, pollsters, and even accountants. In a notable insight, Birnbaum discerns that ``Washington has become a major marketing center,'' with lobbyists seeing their job as one of persuading ``lawmakers that voters are on the lobbyist's side.'' With budgets as well as deficits so large, small changes on the margins can mean large sums of money to favored groups, and both lawmakers and lobbyists often perpetuate these changes—resulting in campaign contributions for the politicians and fees for the lobbyists. Thus, former Carter official Stu Eizenstat, while trying to make the deduction for research and development a permanent part of the tax code for his university clients, benefits when it is renewed only on a year-to- year basis. Similarly, Senator Howard Metzenbaum continues to make lawyers happy by supporting a law that compels railroad workers injured on the job to sue their employers for damages rather than to apply for worker's compensation. An intricate analysis rather than a denunciation—but in focusing on the day-to-day activities of a handful of highly skilled lobbyists, Birnbaum conveys the ambiguous relationship between Congress and those who solicit its favors.

Pub Date: Dec. 1, 1992

ISBN: 0-8129-2086-4

Page Count: 384

Publisher: Times/Henry Holt

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 1992

Categories:

GENERAL NONFICTION

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NUTCRACKER

by E.T.A. Hoffmann ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 28, 1996

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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

Categories:

GENERAL NONFICTION

- BOOK REVIEW
THE NUTCRACKER AND THE MOUSE KING
by E.T.A. Hoffmann ; adapted by Natalie Andrewson ; illustrated by Natalie Andrewson

- BOOK REVIEW
THE NUTCRACKER
by E.T.A. Hoffmann & illustrated by Julie Paschkis

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TO THE ONE I LOVE THE BEST

EPISODES FROM THE LIFE OF LADY MENDL (ELSIE DE WOLFE)

by Ludwig Bemelmans ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 23, 1955

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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.