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genevievesuzanne's review against another edition
5.0
I think everyone should read this book, especially if they know very little about politics. Bernie explains his frustrations with the two party system, corporate media, campaign finance and negative attacking methods, and especially how scared politicians were and are of progressive change.
He explicitly maps out his plan for changes this country needs to make in order to save ourselves from complete financial ruin and throwing ourselves back into the Stone Age (although he does not use that phrase). At one point, I believe in the afterword, he explains exactly what he means by calling himself a socialist- something I think a lot of people hold onto with negative connotations.
On the contrary, the book does hop back and forth in time which can be confusing and the sentences are a bit choppy in places. In the last chapter while he is explaining what we can do to get ourselves back on track, the facts and numbers are overwhelming and hard to push through.
Overall I highly recommend this book and strongly encourage everyone to open their eyes to what American politicians are actually doing. Change and positive growth will not come without educating and organizing the people. I believe this book can be a first step for many.
He explicitly maps out his plan for changes this country needs to make in order to save ourselves from complete financial ruin and throwing ourselves back into the Stone Age (although he does not use that phrase). At one point, I believe in the afterword, he explains exactly what he means by calling himself a socialist- something I think a lot of people hold onto with negative connotations.
On the contrary, the book does hop back and forth in time which can be confusing and the sentences are a bit choppy in places. In the last chapter while he is explaining what we can do to get ourselves back on track, the facts and numbers are overwhelming and hard to push through.
Overall I highly recommend this book and strongly encourage everyone to open their eyes to what American politicians are actually doing. Change and positive growth will not come without educating and organizing the people. I believe this book can be a first step for many.
kris10reading's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.75
snowlilly's review against another edition
5.0
I'm super biased but this book is really good. I try and step away from nonfiction but it keeps dragging me back. no more nonfiction!
frezeal33's review against another edition
5.0
It's amazing how Bernie Sanders has been saying the same things for decades. 90% of this book was written in the mid-90's, only the afterword written separately, and it sounds like he could have written the whole thing last month. His message hasn't changed. He doesn't flip-flop. When he's passionate about something, he is REALLY passionate. For any political junkie, Bernie supporter, progressive, or person who wants to see positive but radical change, this book is for you. I highly recommend it. I already was a diehard supporter of Bernie prior to reading this, but after, I officially Feel the Bern. There's no doubt about it.
adamkor's review against another edition
5.0
A great look into Bernie's politics back when he was a Representative in the 90s. While the political references are obviously dated, referring mainly to Gingrich and Armey's brand of conservatism, it is still an insight into Bernie's long-standing political ideals and his consistency in defending them.
becksri29's review against another edition
4.0
Of course I read this because of the current (2016) Presidential race. This did a decent job of giving a basic overview of what Bernie Sanders stands for, and how those values have helped shaped his career and record as a politician. But of course, it's still a book by a politician. For all the Bernie-lovin' going on out there right now among our generation (although we Millennials over 30 are often forgotten and left out of polling statistics), this fails to provide more information than the memes floating around Facebook. He stands up for the middle class and understands the important issues affecting those most in need of a representative. Let's face it, he's a good guy and he's voted consistently as a good guy. But I want more details about the bills he's supported and less about the business of politicking. OK, Bernie, you think there's too much pressure to spend more and more time campaigning prior to an election, mainly because it wastes money and takes our representatives away from doing their actual jobs. I agree. But then why does so much of your book talk about campaigning? What about the actual laws you helped pass, and how they affect real people? More importantly, what about the bills you proposed and helped draft - I want more than just "I'm an independent, so it's much more likely that both Republicans and Democrats will give me a chance." What do they say? What exactly were the regulations? I'm willing to believe everything was "good" - but I want to know more details so I can decide if I agree with the deals and compromises that were necessary before a majority approved them. Bernie's whole rhetoric centers on the idea that he calls himself an independent and doesn't kowtow to either party line (but votes Democrat most of the time) so he can better represent his constituents, and that he doesn't make all these compromises that his opponents are willing to make. But the thing is, that's politics. A bill doesn't become a law without some modifications, smoothing of rough corners, and concessions to certain of opponents' concerns. Additionally, Bernie looks at everything through the lens of economics. Now, that's huge - money is needed to fund projects that can help give all Americans equal opportunities. But there has to be more - money can't fix everything. And even if it could, I'm wary of some parts of his planned budget - he's given some details for different programs he supports, but at different times, and (probably as a result) he's promised the same funds to multiple programs. I don't see single-payer healthcare as a reality; I've been saying for 6 years that the ACA would be what it was when it was approved, and then there would be a lot of work to polish it to make sure it actually works for the people - I still think this should be done (even though, anti-Obama Republicans are insistent on wasting time and money trying to repeal it). I'm really rambling now, so I'll stop, but the thing is - this book didn't really sway me to his side. He's a messy-looking, casual "man-of-the-people" kind of guy who talks a good game as a political rogue, but the thing is, he's still pretty slick, and he's still a politician - his image is what he made it. Sure, he gets some points for maintaining the same image over his career, but changing your mind isn't always political flip-flopping. Sometimes it shows an ability to consider other POVs and accept new and changing information as time progresses, and can be a sign of maturity. Someone who never changes their mind bothers me more than the ones that are painted as "liars" for changing theirs and working within the system. I certainly like him as a leader, and of course I'll support him in the general election if he wins the nomination, but I'm still undecided for the primary.