Fear and Courage in the Democratic Party

By Glenn Hurowitz

"Trim your sails," said Barack Obama. "I can't make a mistake," said Hillary Clinton. Uh-oh. The Spineless Dem is rising again. What is it about this Politics of Fear that is so attractive and so... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0944624480
• ISBN13: 9780944624487
• Release Date: December 2007
• Publisher: Maisonneuve Press
• Length: 274 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.0" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Thank you for this timely and accurate book

Glenn has the courage to say what others are only thinking. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is interested in progressive politics.

Tough love for the Dems

Fear and courage provides a whole new lens to view the 2008 election. Who is talking the talk, who is walking the walk, and who is running scared? Hurowitz puts his finger on what we've been missing in Democrats (and politics in general, let's be honest). It's courage. Reminding us who has it, who lacked it, and most importantly, how we get it back will make voters, organizers, bloggers and political watchers of all stripes take note.

A Clarion Call

In his book, "Fear and Courage in the Democratic Party," Glenn Hurowitz provides a clarion call to shake Democrats from their political slumbers. His thesis is simple--progressive politics are winning politics, and win most convincingly when their advocates fight courageously and from conviction rather than from political calculation. While the thesis may be simple, Hurowitz's exhaustively researched case studies--contrasting heroes and dogs--will transform your belief in the need for political courage from a political truism to a Rosetta Stone that reveals the underlying meaning behind nearly every move in the race for 2008. Whether or not you agree with every example that Hurowitz provides, his overarching analysis will provide you with a new lens through which all the candidates--no matter how flashy--are laid bare before a simple test: will they stand up for progressive values and policies when the chips are down? Read this book before you vote in 2008. It is already changing the terms of the national debate, and will inspire you to tap your own reserves of political courage.

not your ordinary political book...

This book really opened my eyes to the different ways politicians can exercise leadership, and provides a new insight on politics that Mr. Hurowitz explains in clear, engaging, and concise writing. The book shows how some politicians are primarily reactive to the media and other politicians, while others take bold steps to use their office to rally support for innovative progressive initiatives. The chapter on Paul Wellstone was probably my favorite - I thought I knew a lot about this progressive hero, but the detailed description of how he was able to maintain and build a strong base of support while also taking daring stands really inspired me. This book is really a must-read for progressives who want to know how politics can actually lead to important and lasting change. These are the kinds of lessons that the ultra-conservatives learned long ago and have used to gain more and more power; this excellent book will help us take that power back.

A must read that may change the way you think about the Democratic Party forever.

Every election cycle a handful of books make a defining impact. "Fear and Courage in the Democratic Party" is poised to be one of those books in 2008. Mr. Hurowitz, a veteran political organizer, makes an impressive book debut. He chronicles several modern Democratic failings and argues that the problem with his beloved party is not a "lack of knowledge or expertise to practice politics effectively" but rather "a deeper problem: a lack of courage." In gripping prose, he presents a disarmingly modest conclusion. But make no mistake: this Big Idea may change the way you think about the Democratic Party forever. The meticulous research and spirited illustrations of progressive heroes as well as so-called "spineless" Dems will leave you convinced that courage should be the paramount value in Democratic politics going forward. I found this book to be equal parts insightful and inspiring and recommend it highly to anyone who cares about the future of the Democratic Party.