What Happened

What Happened - Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception by Scott McClellan read by Scott McClellan

Description

Scott McClellan belonged to Bush’s select inner circle of trusted advisers during one of the most challenging and contentious periods of recent history. Over a period of more than seven years, he witnessed day-to-day exactly how the Presidency veered off course: not only by its decision to topple Saddam Hussein, but by an embrace of confrontational politics in the face of an increasingly partisan Washington and hostile media.

In this refreshingly clear-eyed book, McClellan provides unique perspective on what happened and why it happened the way it did, including the Iraq war, Hurricane Katrina, and two hotly-contested presidential campaigns. He gives readers a candid look into who George W. Bush is and what he believes, and explores the lessons this presidency offers the American people as we prepare to elect a new leader.

Stupid Black Men

Stupid Black Men: How to Play the Race Card - And Lose by Larry Elder read by Larry Elder

Description

Is life unfair for Black Americans?

Is racial equality the answer to every question of public policy?

Is a huge group of citizens kept down by “the man”?

Radio host and bestselling author Larry Elder has made a career out of being a thorn in the side of the conventional-wisdom crowd. He deflates the pompous and points out the completely logical truths hidden behind the nutty rhetoric and out-of-control pandering of politicians and the so-called leaders of a variety of special-interest groups. In Stupid Black Men, he takes on the mind- set of those people who always capture the most media attention-as well as masses of public money-people who say that racism in the root of all problems and who end up hurting precisely those they claim to be helping. Whether they are demagogues like Al Sharpton, established politicians like Hilary Clinton, or entertainers like Danny Glover, no one escapes Elder’s cogent arguments and rapier wit. His sometimes hilarious and always infuriating examples of wrong-headedness skewer not just politicians for their smugness and hypocrisy but also actors, educators religious leaders, and the “main-scream media” for keeping the story in the headlines. But Elder has a positive message; too: though they are fewer-and generally not as loudmouthed-there are leaders and role models today who want to sweep away race-based whining and urge everyone in America to share in the hard work, smart thinking, and optimism that make this country great.

Avoiding Compunction

Cheap advice: Author of "Rancho Costa Nada" on how to not spend money:

'I'm as unambitious as a Buddhist,' Garlington said by way of explanation. 'I'd rather have leisure than income. I want plenty of time to ramble or lounge around with a book, and so don't wish the constraint of a schedule or an overseer.'

"My strategic goal is not to better the planet through reducing my share of smudge, although it's true my thumbprint is small," he said. "My goal is to avoid compunction by not working very much for others."

The Bush Tragedy

The Bush Tragedy by Jacob Weisberg read by Robertson Dean

Description

In this first important consideration of the George W. Bush presidency and its profound impact on the state of the world, Jacob Weisberg crafts a wide-ranging portrait that is both balanced and insightful. Weisberg traces the evolution of Bush's political philosophy from its roots in his early life and his years as governor of Texas through the events of 9/11 and his turbulent two terms in office. With careful analyses, Weisberg offers an eye-opening assessment of Bush's deeply conflicted relationship with his father, former President George H. W. Bush, and with major figures in the administration, including Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. This groundbreaking book of reportage, synthesis, and analysis will stand as the indispensable account of a presidency of enormous consequence.

Life, the Universe and Everything

Life, the Universe and Everything - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Series, Book 3 by Douglas Adams read by Martin Freeman

Description

The third installment in the hysterical Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series. The unhappy inhabitants of the planet Krikkit are sick of looking at the night sky above their heads - so they plan to destroy it. The universe, that is. Now only five individuals stand between the killer robots of Krikkit and their goals of annihilation...

Blackwater

Blackwater - The Rise Of The World’s Most Powerful Mercenary Army by Jeremy Scahill read by Tom Weiner

Description

A largely untold facet of the war on terror is the widespread outsourcing of military tasks to private mercenary companies. Accountable neither to the citizenry nor to standard military legal codes, these largely unregulated corporate armies are being entrusted with ever-greater responsibilities on behalf of the nation.

Meet Blackwater USA, the world’s most secretive, powerful, and fastest growing private army on the planet. Founded by fundamentalist Christian megamillionaire Erik Prince, the scion of a conservative dynasty that bankrolls extreme-right-wing causes, this company of soldiers is now being sent “to the front lines of a global battle, waged largely on Muslim lands, that an evangelical President whom Prince helped put in the White House has boldly defined as a ‘crusade’.”

Ranging from the blood-soaked streets of Fallujah to Washington, D.C., where they are hailed as heroes, this is the dark story of Blackwater’s rise to power.

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe - The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Series, Book 2 by Douglas Adams read by Martin Freeman

Description

This sequel to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy finds Arthur Dent, reluctant space adventurer, joining Zaphod Beeblebrox—two-headed former president of the galaxy—Zaphod's dead great-grandfather, sexy cadet Trillian, and paranoid Marvin in the search for the ruler of the Universe.

Banana Guard

19 Clever Inventions That Make Life Easier... or Not | DailyCognition.com:

"BANANA GUARD - Protect Your Banana!

Are you fed up with bringing bananas to work or school only to find them bruised and squashed? Banana Guard allows you to safely transport and storage individual bananas letting you enjoy perfect bananas anytime, anywhere.

Synthetic Happiness

Book Fetish

Johnny Depp: Manuscripts Librarian? | LibGig:

"a belief that books will gain increasingly fetishistic status in the digital age"