Nearly a year from now, U.S. citizens will be waking up with their voter’s card and heading down to the polls with a candidate in mind to succeed President Obama. In my opinion, we’ve really struck out with a president who’s a feminist, a great orator, and has allegiance to his country’s forward movement. We could very well be on our way to seeing Donald Trump’s name featured on the ballot or the first female president in history. Even in the run-up, people have been witness to exciting—and at times embarrassing—promises and declarations by presidential hopefuls looking to impact the nation through taking on the title “leader of the free world”.
In addition to the debates, political adverts, and celebrity endorsements, there are a barrage of books rolling out (some that have been staples in homes for the past few years) hoping to shine a brighter spotlight on candidate’s ethics and the role of big government in Washington. This is a list of the non-fiction books ready to physically (some are very effective paperweights) and mentally prepare you for the 2016 election:
“Clinton Cash” by Peter Schweizer
“Clinton Cash” has been extremely popular among conservative voters. Probably because it can easily be used as reference to paint a wholly unethical picture of the entire Clinton legacy in 243 pages. Schweitzer staunchly claims that the Clinton foundation exists primarily as a way for the democratic family to channel funding and political favors through Bill’s appearances around the world as well as from Hillary’s position in the Obama Administration. It all boils down to whether you find the Clinton’s successes a product of their political saavy or questionable in light of their stake both within and outside of the White House.
“Living History” by Hillary Rodham Clinton
“I wasn’t born a first lady or a senator. I wasn’t born a Democrat. I wasn’t born a lawyer or an advocate for women’s rights and human rights. I wasn’t born a wife or mother. I was born an American in the middle of the twentieth century, a fortunate time and place.” Although I am unabashedly a Hillary Clinton supporter, have you ever read a more diplomatic or more human introduction to an autobiography of one of the most inspiring women of the 21st century? What is truly wonderful about “Living History” is how Hillary’s rise to becoming all these things came out of a simple, common upbringing where times were hard and then became harder. Her personal resolve that has served her so well in life and in her work came from the lessons of the people she chose to surround herself with. Those determined to see her prevail and rise to the challenge of taking on some of America’s fiercest policies, legislation, and the inevitable media frenzy that tails her campaign trail. Friends and family who have expected her to succeed in the face of patriarchal adversity. This is her story in her words. I just hope, no matter how the election turns out, that we can expect a third book on her presidential campaign in 2017.
“Objective Troy” by Scott Shane
To be completely upfront and honest, I did not know much about drones or the ramifications of their executed power before (except from their use as a plot device on “Homeland”) picking up this expose. “Objective Troy” traces the chronology, impact, and outcome of President Obama’s order for a drone attack to kill American citizen Anwar al-Awlaki, who was suspected of aiding and abetting terrorist plots from Yemen. The book addresses issues of patriotism, the impact of the Bush administration’s “war on terror” and how the drone is quickly becoming a means to an end; where the government can take deadly action from a safe distance. The drone could very well become America’s weapon of choice depending on whose hands the control button falls into. Could it further the ability of the U.S. to target threats to the nation, or will it’s breadth of destruction lead us into the country’s next unfounded war?
“Bernie Sanders: The Speech” by Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders is gaining a huge amount of popularity in the polls and could very well take the Democratic ticket away from Hillary Clinton. This transcription of his infamous filibuster on the Bush tax cuts demonstrates not only his ability to lead and communicate to the people, but also his ability to stand up in the face of government and let his beliefs be heard. His words are clear and coherent. His demeanor is steadfast and resolved. Much easier to read through than watch the eight-hour event (if you’re passionate and have a day off, knock yourself out), this text marks the moment when Sanders became a true contender for the nomination.
“A More Perfect Union” by Ben Carson
Ugh. I’ve really tried to keep my personal political views out of this rundown, but from the first page I knew Ben and I would never get on. If you are interested in the Constitution and its history, there are thousands of more reliable sources than Carson, who has no experience in historical research, documentation or government prior to deciding he’d make a great Republican nominee in the coming election. It shows through the text clearly that even he is unsure of the points he attempts to make, the dialogue he tries to engage, or what the purpose of this book even was supposed to contribute to discussion of what values America was founded on. If you’re just looking to find out more about Carson, then this is the book for you. At the very least, your eyes will be opened to how truly anyone can be president.
“The Conservative Heart” by Arthur Brooks
It’s no secret there is a divisive line drawn between political parties in the United States. Democrats and Republicans are constantly at each other’s throats. In this book, Brooks states that he believes that conservatives have been held back in communicating their concern for the public’s well being. He calls for a shift in how the people view conservative movements to benefit society for the better through creating opportunity and prompting liberal parties to become “more effective” within their government statuses.
“Dissent and the Supreme Court” by Melvin I. Urofsky
Here in America we are no strangers to dissenting opinions. Whether I’m going up against friends’ opinions on education reform or whether the president is attempting to run a piece of legislation for the approval of Congress, we are a nation of conflicting views. Urofsky’s new book takes a closer look at how the Supreme Court’s clause on dissent in U.S. history has shaped the possibilities and stipulations on constitutional liberties. Perhaps dissent is intended to curtail the law into presiding first and foremost over the people, but it could also be a handy excuse to deny justice out of contempt for a piece of legislation no longer effective by today’s standards.
