Synopses & Reviews
The bestselling author demolishes myths about liberalism in a spirited polemic
Thanks to the machinations of the right, there is no dirtier word in American politics today than aliberalaayet public opinion polls consistently show that the majority of Americans hold liberal views on everything from health care to foreign policy. In this feisty, accessible primer, bestselling author Eric Alterman sets out to restore liberalism to its rightful honored place in our political life as the politics of Americaas everyday citizens.
In Why Weare Liberals Alterman examines liberalismas development and demonstrates how its partisans have come to represent not just the mainstream, but also the majority of Americans today. In a crisply argued though extensively documented counterattack on right-wing spin and misinformation, Alterman briskly disposes of such canards as aLiberals Hate Goda and aLiberals Are Soft on Terrorism, a reclaiming liberalism from the false definitions foisted upon it by the right and repeated everywhere else. Why Weare Liberals brings clarity and perspective to what has often been a one-sided debate for nothing less than the heart and soul of America. Why Weare Liberals is the perfect election-year book for all of those ready to fight back against the conservative mud-slinging machine and claim their voice in the political debate.
Review
"It is difficult to imagine anyone better qualified to update Arthur Schlesinger Jr.'s notion of liberalism as the 'vital center' of American politics."
-The New York Times
"A vigorous defense of liberalism as a credo-a credo, Alterman argues persuasively, that most Americans actually subscribe to."
-The Atlantic
Synopsis
In this feisty, accessible primer, bestselling author Alterman sets out to restore liberalism to its rightful honored place in American political life. "Why We're Liberals" brings clarity and perspective to what has often been a one-sided debate for nothing less than the heart and soul of America.
Synopsis
The bestselling author and Newsweek columnist takes a characteristically irreverent look at the rampant mistreatment of liberals and liberalism The "most honest and incisive media critic writing today"(National Catholic Reporter), Eric Alterman is committed to restoring the liberal tradition to its honored place as the political philosophy of mainstream American citizens. In this bracing and well-documented counterattack on right- wing spin and misinformation, Alterman briskly disposes of the canards and false definitions that have been foisted upon liberals by the right and have been accepted unquestioningly by nearly everyone else. The perfect post-election book for all those who are ready to fight back against the conservative mudslinging machine and reclaim their voices in the political process, Why We're Liberals brings clarity and perspective to the possibility of a new day in America.
About the Author
Eric Alterman, media columnist for the Nation, is professor of English at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, senior fellow of the Center for American Progress, and “Altercation” weblogger for MSNBC.com. He is the author of five previous books, including The Book on Bush (with Mark Green), What Liberal Media? and Sound and Fury.