Spin

By Tom Lowe

Book Overview

An unforgettable chronicle of political seduction, Spin is a whip-smart look at a world of thrilling excess, raw power, and utter ruthlessness--laying bare the American democratic process in action,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671019236
• ISBN13: 9780671019235
• Release Date: August 1998
• Publisher: Atria
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 2.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.8" x 1.0" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Politics California style.

Spin is a highly entertaining political novel. The narration is provided by the main character Jim Asher. Jim is a California surfer who has a lot going for him. He's young, good looking, charming and of above average intelligence. One day, Jim decides he'd like to get involved in Republican politics. So he presents himself to the campaign headquarters of Edward Winston, a Michael Huffingtonesque candidate for U.S. Senate. Owing to a fair amount of luck and a brashness even he didn't know he had, Jim rapidly becomes a mover and shaker in the rough and tumble world of California state politics. Seduced by the sex, money and power his new found career provides him, Jim does some unethical and completely illegal things to put himself at the top of the political heap. Thereby setting himself and his allies up for a precipitous fall. This book has much to recommend it. It's filled with humor and has a smooth narrative flow. The outrageousness of modern campaign tactics and political maneuvering are captured quite well. Sure, some of the situations described are a bit over the top. But it could also be argued that there are other places where author Tom Lowe did not go far enough in lampooning his subject matter. Spin is an engaging novel that presents a laugh inducing insider's view of what politics and politicians have all too sadly become.

Spin is Smart and Entertaining

Ever heard the phrase "Politics ain't beanbag?" Well politics ain't poetry either. Lowe writes his character's story quick and smooth -- like a press release. I've written a few myself out of the CA Capitol, and was told from the first, "Keep it at an eighth grade level." Reporters and pols don't have time for flowery adjectives. And most young California politicos don't think like Joe Klein writes... or converse like Arthur Miller characters... or ponder humanity like a Bobby Kennedy speech.... They digest and regurgitate 3x5 cards and one page press releases, memos, and talking points. Plato and Jefferson, etc. can provide a decent backdrop (assuming Jim Asher "really" plunged the depths of his political philosophy books), but over 90 percent of the game is basic mechanics.So Lowe's thinly veiled expose bit the hand that fed him? Well, what else is new? Remember Clinton's joke? "Some of my best friends used to be pundits, and some pundits USED TO BE my best friends." Arianna Huffington plays this game better than most. She has used her column to spread rumours that noone else will cover, and "outed" a Gingrich staffer. But she has a nice smile.... Spin stands apart from most political tell alls --what Peggy Noonan likes to call the "if only they'd listened to me" books. Lowe doesn't really use Spin to flatter himself or establish his political marketability. Whatever his motives were for writing Spin, it sure entertains. Political playmaking meets youth and California surface worship. Totally Cool. For a nice companion piece to Spin, you might want to check out Ed Rollins' Bare Knuckles and Back Rooms. He's been there too.

RIGHT ON THE MONEY

I read this book a few weeks ago, and loved it. I smiled throughout most of its 300 pages. I actually exchanged emails with the author (and found him to be very receptive and helpful, as I am a writer myself). I think some of the reviewers are missing the point: They complain about the "prose" - but Lowe wrote this book in a vernacular, like "Jim Asher" would write it. I hardly think someone like the main character (with his carousing and hairbrain philosophies) would write fine, distinguished prose.In any event, I really got into the story. If you sit back and read it, the story will transport you to this strange, fast-paced political world in California, of which I (and probably few others) had any clue existed . To his critics: most of them obviously aren't even smart enough to be "in on the joke," and I suspect many suffer from a sad, secret form of jealousy.I highly recommend Spin, but only to people who are not too lame to figure it out.

Eye-Opening. This story takes you for a serious ride.

This book really pulls you into another world. From the first page of the prologue you are wrapped up in the life of Jim Asher. A life of money, sex, parties, and behind the scenes power. I cought myself actually feeling for the characters in their twists and turns in life. Joy, anger, pride, shame, lust, envy, and sadness. This book covers them all. I believe that Tom Lowe has really made a strike into the literay world with this piece and heads are turning. SPIN really conveys some important messages about life and the importance of deciding what your values truly are. SPIN is a book that just flows from start to finish, taking you with it for one hell of a ride. As for me, I'll be waiting to see the name Tom Lowe hit the shelves again.

Wild! Stunning!

This book reads like watching a movie. Who would have thought California politics was so glamorous -- sex, money, fashion models, limos. After reading SPIN, I'm ready to sign up with the Republicans!