A Real Page Turner! | Fire-Breathing Liberal: How I Learned to Survive (and Thrive) in the Contact Sport of...

Fast-moving and newsy! | Fire-Breathing Liberal: How I Learned to Survive (and Thrive) in the Contact Sport of Congress | Robert Wexler, David Fisher

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	• Fire-Breathing Liberal: How I Learned to Survive (and Thrive) in the Contact Sport of Congress Robert Wexler, David Fisher Thomas Dunne Books, 2008 - 288 pages average customer review:based on 15 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Takes the fire out of anti-Semitism

Jews are often seen as taking over and making it impossible for non-Jews to succeed in "their league". Wexler is understanding of and sympathetic toward Christians, Muslims, and everybody else. And like the rest of us, Wexler has had to fight plenty of losing battles. God help Robert Wexler because Robert Wexler is definitely there to help us! KEEP ON DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING, ROBERT!

A Real Page Turner!

I've read a few political books in my time and a few biographies, but Fire Breathing Liberal was more fun to read than all of those. From the first chapter I found I had a hard time putting Wexler's book down. Page after page, it never dulled. I learned a lot from FBL, but perhaps the most important thing I got out of the book was that (despite never making headlines) our congress men and women really are doing an awful lot on our behalf, which I found both fascinating and reassuring. FBL leaves one with a plethora of entertaining, interesting, and fun information about the inner workings of congress to share with others. Highly recommended for all, even those that are not "Fire Breathing Liberals."

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Fast-moving and newsy!

Congressman Wexler writes fast and in fine strokes, giving one an intimate view of politics on the Hill. His Florida re-hashing of the "re-count" was even more shocking than I had observed, probably because I watched CNN too much and needed to switch channels more. (The author was very disenchanted with CNN at that time.)

On his attitude toward Bill Clinton, I felt he was somewhat Puritan, whereas he talked to the President frequently and gave him vast support. A MAJOR U.S. newspaper had reported that only three presidents (Lincoln, Truman and Carter) most probably did not deviate sexually while in the White House. I say, give Clinton a break! Afterall, Gandi and Jefferson were on the list. But I'll give Wexler credit for being a brave and outspoken fighter against the impeachment.

Incidentally, the author says he's a Liberal, not a "Progressive" like some are using now to "soften" the blow. Don't they know that Liberal is a word from Regency England that started in the early 1800s and included mostly the very wealthy? I'm proud of him for being a Liberal.

If one reads this book, one will probably want to go back to college and study poly sci, after reading Wexler's explanation of Washington politics in laymen's terms. A totally fascinating read!

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Great book. Informative and a fun read.

Great book. Informative and a fun read. Expect to get mad but get up and do something about it!

Entertaining book from an unapologetic liberal

I have only become aware of Robert Wexler in the last 3 or 4 years, but I can't help but like the guy. He's one of the few unapologetic liberals in the House today, and he's one of the few who has signed on to Dennis Kucinich's articles of impeachment against both President Bush and Vice President Cheney.

The book is largely an autobiography, with Wexler describing his political career from the Florida state legislature to the U.S. House of Representatives. He is outspoken in his views, and his passion is evident in the text. Much of the material he presents is well documented in the annals of U.S. politics, including the Clinton impeachment, the 2000 presidential election, and the embarrassing Terri Schiavo grandstanding, but it's interesting to see one legislator's perspective on each of these events. Additionally, Wexler gives his take on the differences between how Republicans lead Congress, and how Democrats do it. Fairly or unfairly, the representative's take is that is that the GOP is focused on winning at all costs, changing the rules to solidify their own position while excluding Democrats whenever possible, and strong-arming their own members to always vote the party line even if it means alienating their own constituents. In contrast, he says Democrats rule with a greater emphasis on fairness and flexibility, often, unfortunately, to their own detriment.

The book is a bit of a lightweight read, without a great deal of Democratic theory or political philosophy. In that regard, it is somewhat topical, and it won't likely influence anyone's political leanings. But Wexler's tone is breezy and conversational, and he injects a surprising amount of humor in each chapter, making for a highly entertaining book.

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There?s a reason The Nation, America?s leading progressive magazine, named Robert Wexler the country?s ?Most Valuable Congressman.? It's the same reason right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh refers to him as ?disgusting.? It's because for the last twelve years Wexler has been Congress?s most outspoken liberal -- taking on George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Condoleezza Rice, Alberto Gonzales, General David Petraeus, and, when necessary, even his own party.

In Fire-Breathing Liberal, Wexler brings readers onto the floor of the House and puts them at the center of some of the last decade?s biggest controversies. He passionately describes how he defended Bill Clinton from impeachment and how he stood up against the Bush brothers when the ?butterfly? ballots in his Florida district wrongly decided the 2000 presidential election. He also offers an honest and brutal assessment of the Iraq war and explains why he has become a leader in the movement to impeach Vice President Cheney. And, with warmth and wit, Wexler shares some of the funniest stories from the corridors of Congress, including how he became The Colbert Report?s most talked-about guest.

This is a remarkably candid first-person account of recent political history that shows government as it has rarely been seen -- by a Democrat in the middle of the storms.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3

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