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NationalJournal.com's Well-Read Wonk is a recurring review of books and other information that can help political professionals do their jobs -- and look smarter in the process.
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Feb. 21, 2008
Wither, Immigration Reform
Former Mexican Foreign Minister Jorge Castaņeda offers a fresh, even-handed approach to the hot-button issue of immigration reform in his book "Ex Mex: From Migrants To Immigrants." |



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The Terror Dream:
In her latest book, "The Terror Dream," Susan Faludi argues that the media has relied on a sexist narrative of valiant men protecting helpless women in its coverage of the Sept. 11 attacks and their aftermath. (Dec. 20, 2007)
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Heroic Conservatism:
In his book "Heroic Conservatism," former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson offers an enthusiastic defense of the president's compassionate conservative agenda, but he fails to address the gap between the lofty rhetoric and the vision's implementation. (Dec. 6, 2007)
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Primary Mistake:
Steve Laffey's "Primary Mistake" is mainly a critical account of how the Republican Party derailed his 2006 Senate primary campaign, but the former Cranston mayor also offers his unique presciption for saving the GOP. (Nov. 8, 2007)
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Ending Poverty in America:
In "Ending Poverty in America," presidential contender John Edwards argues that poverty could be eradicated in 30 years if Americans commit themselves to it -- and elect the right leaders with the will to see it through. (Oct. 25, 2007)
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The Nine:
Jeffrey Toobin's "The Nine" profiles the personalities, behind-the-curtain interactions and politics of the men and women who decide some of the country's weightiest legal issues. (Oct. 18, 2007)
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Turnaround:
In "Turnaround," Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney lays out the four guiding principles he claims helped save the 2002 Olympic Games -- and that he hopes could help land him in the White House. (Oct. 11, 2007)
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Promises to Keep:
As arguably the most experienced contender in the Democratic field, Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden focuses more on his accomplishments than his goals for the future in "Promises to Keep." (Sept. 27, 2007)
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Hard Call:
Voters probably already have a feel for John McCain the man or McCain the candidate. "Hard Call" offers a glimpse into McCain the thinker and addresses the question, "What Would John Do?" (Sept. 13, 2007)
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Managing the President's Message:
Political scientist Martha Joynt Kumar chronicles the evolving relationship between America's presidents and the press corps that covers them in "Managing The President's Message." (Sept. 6, 2007)
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From Power to Purpose:
In his book "From Power to Purpose," Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback lays out a domestic and foreign policy agenda that he hopes will get the attention of conservatives still searching for their candidate. (Aug. 29, 2007)
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Living History:
In "Living History," Hillary Rodham Clinton shares her unique perspective on the inner workings of her husband's White House and offers some clues as to to who the former first lady really is. (Aug. 17, 2007)
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Between Worlds:
In his autobiography, "Between Worlds," Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson describes how his unique personal history and his centrist political philosophy have fueled his success as a legislator, governor and diplomat. (Aug. 2, 2007)
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Leadership:
Rudy Giuliani's autobiography skirts his personal baggage in favor of expounding on his many accomplishments and providing some insight on what made him into the man who is leading the pack for the GOP's presidential nomination. (July 12, 2007)
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From Hope to Higher Ground:
Presidential contender Mike Huckabee's latest book, "From Hope To Higher Ground," reads like a grassroots conservative's guide to achieving the American Dream, which may resonate with GOP voters looking for a return to conservative values. (July 5, 2007)
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The Audacity of Hope & Dreams From My Father:
Barack Obama has been in the spotlight, but what do voters know about him? "The Audacity Of Hope" gives readers a glimpse of Obama's stances on the issues, while "Dreams From My Father" is a more personal look at his life. (June 14, 2007)
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Supreme Conflict & Supreme Discomfort:
Republican presidents tried to reverse the legacy of the Warren Court for years. "Supreme Conflict" traces GOP efforts to appoint conservative jurists to the high court, while "Supreme Discomfort" examines how race has shaped Clarence Thomas. (June 7, 2007)
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The Silence of The Rational Center:
Stefan Halper and Jonathan Clarke call for a more rational foreign policy that eschews the idealistic crusades that often permeate the policy debate in "The Silence of The Rational Center." (May 31, 2007)
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The Cigarette Century:
Medical historian Allan M. Brandt examines America's love affair with cigarettes, tracking what tobacco companies and scientists knew and when they knew it in "The Cigarette Century." (May 16, 2007)
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No Retreat, No Surrender:
In "No Retreat, No Surrender: One American's Fight," former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay revisits his 22 years in Congress with a predictable mix of nostalgia for the good old days and fury aimed at those whom he holds responsible for his downfall. (April 24, 2007)
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Words That Work:
In "Words That Work," political consultant Frank Luntz espouses the power of persuasive language, and illustrates how carefully choosing the right words to frame a debate can make all the difference in swaying public opinion. (April 3, 2007)
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Somebody's Gotta Say It:
Syndicated radio-show host Neal Boortz takes on overly invasive government in defense of Americans' civil liberties in "Somebody's Gotta Say It." (March 15, 2007)
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War by Other Means & Never Again:
In separate books, John Ashcroft and John Yoo slam "civil liberties absolutists" critical of the Bush administration's post-9/11 policies. (Feb. 15, 2007)
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Applebee's America:
Douglas Sosnik, Matthew Dowd and Ron Fournier examine the unlikely parallels between President Bush and Applebee's restaurants, explaining how both have overcome their shortcomings to succeed in "Applebee's America." (Jan. 25, 2007)
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A New Engagement?
A team of political scientists joined forces to determine whether lower levels of political participation among young adults are a function of the generations themselves or merely a function of age in "A New Engagement?" (Jan. 11, 2007)
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