by Mark Bragg ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 8, 2015
A vibrant attempt to articulate a grand compromise between the American left and right.
A list of political cures for what ails the United States, offered in a spirit of bipartisanship.
In this age of schismatic political arguments, there has been no shortage of attempts at compromise. In his debut book, Bragg tries to harmonize the two warring parties by combining the embrace of free markets and fiscal restraint typical of the right, and a socially liberal tolerance that has become the progressive signature of the left. Bragg lucidly catalogs his policy points in quick succession, hitting all the key issues. The author largely agrees with conservatives that the power of free market economics needs to be harnessed to produce wealth and redress increasing inequality, which would mean that liberals need to repair their toxic relations with the world of commerce. But he castigates conservatives for betraying their own libertarian principles by insisting on intrusions into the public sphere when it comes to issues like religion, homosexuality, and abortion. Often, the position Bragg endorses is a moderate amalgam of both political perspectives. For example, he essentially agrees with Bill Clinton’s triangulation of the welfare issue, and advocates generous subsidies to individuals in genuine need, and none to those unwilling to help themselves. He also takes quite seriously ecological responsibility as a civic obligation, but excoriates environmental extremists for needlessly hobbling the economy. Bragg’s prose is frank and lively, although he tends to reduce monstrously complex problems to matters of simple common sense. For example, it’s not economically obvious that a national trade deficit is catastrophic; in fact, experts are divided on this issue. Also, it’s not clear that his free market version of Smoot-Hawley tariffs is a pro-market solution, or that it wouldn’t court more harm than help. One could also cite the political impracticality of some of his counsel; neither party seems to favor the elimination of the Department of Education, however dysfunctional it may be. The author seems to consider the nation’s circumstances so dire that the hunger for compromise and drastic action has reached a peak. “America is broke, despairing and declining economically at a rate so fast it is almost unimaginable. It is time for Draconian measures.” This book is too short to make all of Bragg’s claims plausible, but it is still a well-crafted reminder that any political progress will require bipartisan unity.
A vibrant attempt to articulate a grand compromise between the American left and right.Pub Date: Dec. 8, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-615-54894-4
Page Count: 114
Publisher: U.S. Investment Company
Review Posted Online: Jan. 15, 2016
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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by E.T.A. Hoffmann ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 28, 1996
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
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by Ludwig Bemelmans ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 23, 1955
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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