When I joined Phillips Philes in August 2004 I told Bill that I will post a list of books that I read and submitted to Amazon. Well, five and a half years later that day has finally come and not too soon with the interest rising in conservative written books these days and the approaching 2010 elections this Fall.
The books go from an introduction of American politics through humor and the founders to a section on the Contract With America to the policy of Presidents Reagan (1981-1989), Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909), George W. Bush (2001-2009), and Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929). Also certain topics like the border, the Monroe Doctrine, thriftness, assimilation, President Eisenhower’s speeches, and early America.
It took me years to compile these lists for you. Every American and non-American should get this whole list and read everything on it from cover to cover. This is my pleasure reading and I hope it will be yours too.
Here are the direct links to my lists. Please check them out and have many hours of good reading:
The fictitious Kavitsky College of Political Science by Joyce Kavitsky
The list author says: "The 'syllabus' following is of my personal recommendations of must-have books to read on American politics from a Bicentennial baby (me) who read all of this list from cover to cover in the order listed. This is the best list at Amazon on American politics you will find. The philosophy of my list is best described by Robert Charles in his commentary 'Reagan, Reaganomics and the future' published February 6, 2006 in the Washington Times.
The books go from an introduction of American politics through humor and the founders to a section on the Contract With America to the policy of Presidents Reagan (1981-1989), Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909), George W. Bush (2001-2009), and Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929). Also certain topics like the border, the Monroe Doctrine, thriftness, assimilation, President Eisenhower’s speeches, and early America.
All of these books should be read cover to cover. I personally recommend original hardcovers for all, unless a book on the list only comes out in paperback or a worthwhile updated and expanded version is released in paperback. Buy whichever you prefer. Some selections of the older books and the out-of-print books are not available through Amazon Marketplace–where it says “# used and new available from $”-- and I recommend that you get them elsewhere through AAABookSearch.com; AbeBooks.com; Alibris.com; and or Powells.com or any other vendor out there you come across with the book desired. Amazon Marketplace is my first choice for getting the super majority of books on this list in very good condition for a good price.
It took me years to compile these lists for you. Every American and non-American should get this whole list and read everything on it from cover to cover. This is my pleasure reading and I hope it will be yours too."
"A book about the important, but little known, first ten presidents of the United States under the Articles of Confederation prior to George Washington."
"How the contemporary political scene is at Washington, D.C. through the eyes of a very interesting newspaper columnist. Lots of trivial political tidbits are in this book."
"Dr. Bennett assembles letters and more written by George Washington, John and Abigail Adams, Benjamin Rush, among others. Very very interesting book and a great way to get into what makes America tick."
"Good follow-up to Bennett’s book. Includes Roosevelt talking about his time as a New York Police Commissioner and in the Assembly; book reviews by Roosevelt, a rebuttal to William Jennings Bryan in a magazine; and more."
"Another political gem by Theodore Roosevelt. Includes his essays and speeches on the ideals for American boys and is another peek into American values. Nice follow-up to his American Ideals book. Very worthwhile to track down."
"Reagan’s skill at telling stories to get the point across he is making. At the end, three of Reagan’s favorite (clean) jokes are included as well of a few of his newspaper columns that he wrote while an actor."
"Reagan criticizes Presidents Ford and CarterÂ’s policies, as well as lays out his own. Reagan is proven to be the one-man conservative think tank he was never portrayed as by the liberal press."
"Shows how the Contract came to be from ideas to the famous press conference on the Capital Steps to how it has impacted contemporary policy in politics."
"This is former President Eisenhower’s book about his life. It is very very interesting and well written. He talks about his military career before World War II when he was a frequent coach for Army games, and more."
"This book is a really great read to understand the formation of Reagan’s and modern day Republican policy ideas. On nuclear weapons, Reagan’s policy resembles that of Eugene V. Rostow on S.A.L.T. II."
"This book covers Theordore Roosevelt rhetorically pushing for federal regulation of interstate commerce through a proposed Department of Commerce and Labor."
"Harbaugh’s book is one of the best on Theodore Roosevelt. It covers all the major public service jobs he held from New York Assembly man to post presidency in some detail Roosevelt’s environmental policy with Gifford Pinchot as his chief forester basing his book on lots of research. Very well written and informative book on the former president."
"Nice collection of pictures and more in the book. Together with the Morris’s book next it looks like a set with this book as the workbook to it, except it is full of pictures."
"This is a great book about Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency with very good leadership pointers sprinkled throughout. Strock’s book is a great review of some of Roosevelt’s presidency."
"This is one of the greatest books in detail about how President Reagan generally operated the White House behind the scenes. I am recommending the updated and expanded paperback version from 1990."
"This book follows The case against SALT II: A Commentary report by Eugene V Rostow (PDF) To supplement this book by Paul Lettow, at http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/nsdd/ read declassified National Security Decision Directives (NSDD) #32, 75, 153, 165, 195, 210, 214, 232, 233 and 311. Also President Reagan’s own January 16, 1984 address to the nation."
"This is a College level book. It is very informative and sometimes technical chartwise. A good thorough overview of the Reagan economic policy and good forward thinking ideas."
2 list items are no longer in our catalog.
Kavitsky College of Political Science II by Joyce Kavitsky
The list author says: "This list is continued from 'The fictitious Kavitsky College of Political Science'. The philosophy of my lists is best described below by Robert Charles in his commentary 'Reagan, Reaganomics and the future' that was published February 6, 2006 in the Washington Times:
Ronald Reagan, it has been said, was elected on six words: Strong defense, smaller government, less regulation. With that, came a moral compass, happy nature, septuagenarian's sure stride and an unwavering will to make the world safer for freedom and America's destiny. The hopes and worries of America cluster in constellations. Here are six: (1) National security -- including a "strong defense" in the context of stable international relations, integrity at our borders, and post-September 11, 2001, protection. (2) Role of government -- including a return to "smaller government" and "less regulation." (3) A sound economy -- including a healthy trajectory for job growth, trade relations and reduced taxes. (4) The family -- including respect for the institution, a return to parental and individual responsibility, and healthy, well-educated, drug-free children. (5) A sustainable environment -- including methodical, nonhysterical measures to protect what we value for those who will follow. (6) Being American -- including greater effort at teaching civic duty, appreciating America's noble past, celebrating true sacrifice, harmonizing race relations and reaffirming our core identity as idealists -- all of us. We must see world leadership options between isolationism and democracy-promoting intervention. Strength without idealism is weakness."
"Excellent and very engaging book about the economic sanctions against Russia in the 1980s as well as assistance from the Mujahedin in Afghanistan and Solidarity in Poland."
"This book is followed by 'Calvin Coolidge Says: Dispatches Written by Former-President Coolidge and Syndicated to Newspapers in 1930-1931' (Paperback) http://www.amazon.com/Calvin-Coolidge-Says-Dispatches-Former-President/dp/B000I2A24O/ref=sr_1_2/102-0423128-3856157?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1189288875&sr=1-2"
"A pictorial book showing the attractions in our capital as well as life living there with the Doles while Bob Dole was the Senate Majority Leader and was running for President."
"A must-read policy book. Excellent ideas. Every incumbent or person running for office at the state, federal and local levels should read this book and implement the proposals in it."
"Good book for all ages. Shows traditional America at its most innocent. SlobodnikÂ’s paintings capture the way of life in the United States before the technology age saturated society."
"A very researched book that, besides informative, is angering and frightening about how bureaucrats want to completely merge the United States in with Canada and Mexico to form a North America Union to rival the European Union."
"Great book by an immigrant turned citizen from India on the unique characteristics found in the United States. Explains Islamic countries hate us because we are able to live our own lives without being dictated too."
Kavitsky College of Political Science III by Joyce Kavitsky
The list author says: "This list continues after 'Kavitsky College of Political Science II' and concludes my reading list. To get a PDF of Eugene V. Rostow's 'The Case Against SALT II' contact me at Kavitsky1@verizon.net
See also:
The fictitious Kavitsky College of Political Science by Joyce Kavitsky http://amzn.com/l/R3LANXCHGQVNI0 Kavitsky College of Political Science II by Joyce Kavitsky http://amzn.com/l/R2VFBU4SN9FYP4"
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