Starred Review: Who are the members of today's Democratic party, and how does the party serve them? What are the differences in funding between Democratic- and Republican-led efforts? How do the parties react to movements within their base-and how does this affect the outcome of elections? Disgruntled Democrat Flanders-author, journalist and Air America radio host-explores the answers to these and other questions on a cross-country tour of the Democratic party and its (nominal) members. Highlighting progressive victories taking place outside the party establishment, Flanders presents the lessons Democrats in power could learn from their constituents "if they were inclined to learn.".. Flanders (Bushwomen) brings to this work enough data, recent history and progressive ideas-as well as wit, style and acerbic charm-to make this required reading..." Publishers Weekly.
"Laura Flanders gets it... Amazing and perceptive. I highly recommend it...extremely well-written and perceptive." Jane Hamsher, Firedoglake.com
"More than just a good news book...Blue Grit presents a smart, provocative argument that rebuts some of the conventional wisdom on the left... This is a meaty, rewarding book."
Matt Rothschild, The Progressive.
"A road map for our journey out of the darkness. Brilliantly researched...Flanders has searched our country for success stories in the people’s movement against madness, brutality, war —and they are everywhere!" Blanche Wiesen Cook, Ms. Magazine.
Advance Praise for Blue Grit:
"Blue Grit is a clarion call to progressive voters looking for a new direction. While many pundits continue to argue that the Democratic Party must race to the center in a desperate attempt to win back the White House, Flanders offers a compelling analysis of the strength of the modern progressive movement in America, showing us that the Democratic Party must not abandon its core progressive values and ideals, but capitalize on them to win." Donna Brazile, campaign manager, Gore-Lieberman 2000
"Steal this book if you're a Republican, but READ IT!" Randi Rhodes, host, Air America Radio:
"Laura Flanders is a doer, and a great person to get focus from. Listen to her and now read these words and keep them close by." Chuck D, Public Enemy:
"Laura Flanders is a star burst of optimism -- people need that -- and Blue Grit is the perfect vehicle for spreading her message. Politics can be fun again AND progressive goals can succeed. There is a new crowd moving in on tired old politicians and they are stirring up a hopeful new politics." William Greider, author, The Soul of Capitalism
"Blue Grit is pure political tonic, a stirring call-to-arms for progressives who feel they've been left out in the cold by their alleged allies. Laura Flanders offers a galvanizing vision of political democracy as it was meant to thrive: in the lives and stories of ordinary Americans." Michael Eric Dyson, author of Debating Race
"With her usual daring, flair and down home investigative style, Laura Flanders travels America and finds the progressive grassroots movement alive and kicking. Her book, Blue Grit, asks who owns the Democratic Party, "the people in the suites or the people in the streets." It is a crucial question, and this book is crucial reading." Eve Ensler, playwright, author, Insecure at Last.
"Laura Flanders' Blue Grit gives hope even to those of us who don't ordinarily go in for that sort of thing," Fran Lebowitz
"In Blue Grit, Laura Flanders throws a verbal hand grenade into the Democratic 2006 election celebration. She makes it clear that Liberals are as unhappy with the Democratic Party as Conservatives are with the GOP. It seems to me that something important, maybe even historic is stirring in the political arena-stay tuned." Richard A. Viguerie, President, Conservative HQ
|
