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The largely blue collar citizens of Kansas can be counted upon to be a "red" state in any election, voting solidly Republican and possessing a deep animosity toward the left. This, according to author Thomas Frank, is a pretty self-defeating phenomenon, given that the policies of the Republican Party benefit the wealthy and powerful at the great expense of the average worker. According to Frank, the conservative establishment has tricked Kansans, playing up the emotional touchstones of conservatism and perpetuating a sense of a vast liberal empire out to crush traditional values while barely ever discussing the Republicans' actual economic policies and what they mean to the working class. Thus the pro-life Kansas factory worker who listens to Rush Limbaugh will repeatedly vote for the party that is less likely to protect his safety, less likely to protect his job, and less likely to benefit him economically. To much of America, Kansas is an abstract, "where Dorothy wants to return. Where Superman grew up." But Frank, a native Kansan, separates reality from myth in What's the Matter with Kansas and tells the state's socio-political history from its early days as a hotbed of leftist activism to a state so entrenched in conservatism that the only political division remaining is between the moderate and more-extreme right wings of the same party. Frank, the founding editor of The Baffler and a contributor to Harper's and The Nation, knows the state and its people. He even includes his own history as a young conservative idealist turned disenchanted college Republican, and his first-hand experience, combined with a sharp wit and thorough reasoning, makes his book more credible than the elites of either the left and right who claim to understand Kansas. --John Moe
Book Description
With a New Afterword by the Author
The New York Times bestseller, praised as "hilariously funny . . . the only way to understand why so many Americans have decided to vote against their own economic and political interests" (Molly Ivins)
Hailed as "dazzlingly insightful and wonderfully sardonic" (Chicago Tribune), "very funny and very painful" (San Francisco Chronicle), and "in a different league from most political books" (The New York Observer), What's the Matter with Kansas? unravels the great political mystery of our day: Why do so many Americans vote against their economic and social interests? With his acclaimed wit and acuity, Thomas Frank answers the riddle by examining his home state, Kansas-a place once famous for its radicalism that now ranks among the nation's most eager participants in the culture wars. Charting what he calls the "thirty-year backlash"-the popular revolt against a supposedly liberal establishment-Frank reveals how conservatism, once a marker of class privilege, became the creed of millions of ordinary Americans.
A brilliant analysis-and funny to boot-What's the Matter with Kansas? is a vivid portrait of an upside-down world where blue-collar patriots recite the Pledge while they strangle their life chances; where small farmers cast their votes for a Wall Street order that will eventually push them off their land; and where a group of frat boys, lawyers, and CEOs has managed to convince the country that it speaks on behalf of the People.
Customer Reviews:
don't have to read the book.......2007-10-09
I don't care what state you live in, a democratic agenda (modern) is the most economically disadvantaged direction you can choose anywhere in the USA. Therefore I do not need to read the book to know that even with the sad state of the republican party today, it is preferable to the democratic party. However i plan on reading this book to understand what can possibly make the author write such a book directed at a state. (know your enemy)
don't waste your money.......2007-09-20
Do not buy this book. I came prepared to love it, I was really looking forward to an insightful, informed, inside view of this remarkable political 180 of our times. That is simply not this book. It may be well researched, but it is so poorly written that it is nearly impossible to find out. Negative, back-biting, harsh, judgemental, bad-mouthing, blame-the-other-guy psuedo "politics" IF you can call it "policits". Politically themed finger pointing is more like it.
The Land of Oz.......2007-09-15
The author writes a somewhat satirical look at middle America 's political affliations. He has two major thesis. The first being that by the Democrats trying to copy Republicans-and money interests have turned their backs on blue collar workers. These workers have only the social issues to make their political choices. The second part of the thesis ,is that the money interests of the backlash movement (as he calls conservative Republicans) have just payed lip service to ending abortion and gay marriage etc.
So the effect of this is to have a reverse French Revolution in which the common man votes Republican and against his/her economic interests. So farming communities shrivel up,unions die,people go without health care.
Frank a native Kansan explores with humor and interviews peeople of the backlash movement.He bemoans the fact that populism -a left wing philospohy born in the mid west is dead. William Jennings Bryan a fundamentalist Christion was a liberal Democratic Senator from Nebraska.He explores this transformation and his diagnosis would make Clinton supportors and free market libertarians both angry. Since he offend both ends of the sprecta his observations should be taken seriously.
Certainly their are flaws in his thesis. if the Republican party is only paying lip service to social issues ,why are Democrats so afraid of their Supreme Court picks. If Clinton was in the pay of moneyied interests why was the right so moblized against Hillary's health care plan ?
This is a provacative book that explains Red and White state differences and the psycholgy of political self delusion (Blue collar people voting for big moneu interests)
thought-provoking, albeit hackneyed, look at America's Third Estate.......2007-08-02
Looking at Kansas today, it seems hard to believe that the archetypal American Heartland was once a hotbed of left-wing populism. "What's the Matter With Kansas?" shows us a bizarre socio-political landscape where a rural-suburban proletariat ardently defends corporate privilege in hopes that there will be an abortion ban or flag-burning amendment in it for them somewhere down the line.
Given Thomas Frank is a native Kansan, the detached tone he takes in his survey is disappointing. At many points, he comes across as preachy and high-minded to the point that you almost understand why the people of Kansas are so wary of "liberal elites". Rather than focusing on the lack of corporate accountability and excess that bring about the layoffs and cutbacks that hurt working class Americans, Frank takes swings at NAFTA and the many other trade policies that helped make the economic salad years of the 1990s possible.
While it becomes clear that in many cases the white Protestant gun-owning Average Joe is making a mistake when he votes Republican, Frank makes a grave mistake when he turns his nose up at the social and religious values this stratum of society holds so dear. He overlooks the fact that liberals are guilty of this same indulgence of principles. If it's so irrational for a churchgoing factory worker in Kansas to vote for a Republican corporate shill in order to protect his Second Amendment rights, why does it make any more sense for a Harvard-educated six-figure-earning professional to vote Democratic and have his taxes hiked up for the sake of protecting the Roe v. Wade decision?
Frank also overlooks the fact that Kansas was reliably Republican for years before the conservative backlash of the 1980s. Kansas was a Red State back when the GOP was still the party of Dwight Eisenhower, Nelson Rockefeller and Gerald Ford (and the people who would eventually make up the neo-conservative Republican coalition were still Conservative Democrats).
As a moderate Republican who happens to support affordable higher education, I was particularly offended by Frank's portrayal of Kansas' "Mod Squad" as arrogant corporatists. All in all, Thomas Frank has raised a lot of important questions, but his survey of the state he grew up in seems sadly detached and out-of-touch.
Well-written, entertaining but fails to live up to the title.......2007-07-08
Thomas Frank stated purpose is to tell how Conservative won the hearts of the working class, the middle class and the rich all at the same time. His answer is that rich, Republican elites throw up red herring issues (abortion and gay marriage are two that he mentions frequently) that bamboozle the working poor and the middle class into supporting them and their greater cause of Free Market Capitalism and International Free Trade even though Capitalism and treaties such as NAFTA inevitably beat the little guy into a pulp (his thought, not mine).
Yep. That's about it, although Mr. Frank says it much better than I just did. He also never goes into detail about why Capitalism and Free Trade are both evil (he just assumes you agree, I suppose), although he is very critical of Bill Clinton for supporting NAFTA throughout the book. Big business, especially Wal-Mart, are also to blame for de-populating the Kansas countryside. Apparantly, Wal-Mart has some larger agenda in which they plan to drive their customers away from the stores they build in the country...
Seriously, the book would have been helped by further explanation as to why Mr. Frank is such an opponent of Capitalism. He has another book on just that subject, according to a tiny bit of research on my part. It might be a help if readers read that book first, especially in light of Mr. Frank's view that all politics is based in economics: "Most of us think of politics as a Machiavellian drama in which actors make alliances and take practical steps to advance their material interests." (p. 121)
Mr. Frank's fails to properly tell us "How conservatives wone the heart of America" because he does not really believe, deep down, that people will vote in ways that he sees that are economically disadvantageous (Free Trade, etc.) unless they are tricked into doing so. People really believing in other issues and voting for them are foreign to his way of thinking.
This teacher gives it a C-. Thomas Frank really fails to adaquately address the thesis of the book, as expressed by the title. Interesting readiing, nonetheless.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Cross Currents, published by Thomson Gale on June 22, 2005. The length of the article is 1907 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: American Christianity and the re-election of George W. Bush.(What's the Matter with Kansas: How Conservatives Won the Heart of America)(Don't Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate)(Book Review)
Author: Marian Ronan
Publication:
Cross Currents (Newsletter)
Date: June 22, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 55
Issue: 2
Page: 276(5)
Article Type: Book Review
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This digital document is an article from Commonweal, published by Commonweal Foundation on October 22, 2004. The length of the article is 1331 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
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Title: Culture is politics: two views of America.(Of Several Minds)(two books What's the Matter with Kansas? and On Paradise Drive explore American's political activity)(Book Review)
Author: John Garvey
Publication:
Commonweal (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 22, 2004
Publisher: Commonweal Foundation
Volume: 131
Issue: 18
Page: 7(2)
Article Type: Book Review
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The fever swamps of Kansas: a leftist tries to make sense of grassroots conservatism.(What's the Matter with Kansas?: How Conservatives Won the Heart of America)(Book Review): An article from: Reason
Jesse Walker
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ASIN: B00096TKE2
Release Date: 2006-07-14 |
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This digital document is an article from Reason, published by Reason Foundation on March 1, 2005. The length of the article is 2539 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: The fever swamps of Kansas: a leftist tries to make sense of grassroots conservatism.(What's the Matter with Kansas?: How Conservatives Won the Heart of America)(Book Review)
Author: Jesse Walker
Publication:
Reason (Magazine/Journal)
Date: March 1, 2005
Publisher: Reason Foundation
Volume: 36
Issue: 10
Page: 59(5)
Article Type: Book Review
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Kansas politics in the bigger picture: a review essay of what's the matter with Kansas?: An article from: The Forum
Brian J. Glenn
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ASIN: B000APDY4E
Release Date: 2006-08-22 |
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This digital document is an article from The Forum, published by Thomson Gale on November 15, 2004. The length of the article is 8463 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Kansas politics in the bigger picture: a review essay of what's the matter with Kansas?
Author: Brian J. Glenn
Publication:
The Forum (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 15, 2004
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 2
Issue: 4
Page: NA
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Book Description
This digital document is an article from Campaigns & Elections, published by Campaigns & Elections, Inc. on September 1, 2004. The length of the article is 444 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: A son of Kansas calls home state politically misguided.(Books)(What's the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America)(Book Review)
Author: David Mark
Publication:
Campaigns & Elections (Refereed)
Date: September 1, 2004
Publisher: Campaigns & Elections, Inc.
Volume: 25
Issue: 8
Page: 45(1)
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Book Description
This digital document is an article from The Weekly Standard, published by Thomson Gale on November 20, 2006. The length of the article is 1673 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
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Title: What Is the Matter with Kansas? Economic populism makes a comeback.
Author: Ross Douthat
Publication:
The Weekly Standard (Magazine/Journal)
Date: November 20, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 12
Issue: 10
Page: NA
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Book Description
This digital document is an article from First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life, published by Institute on Religion and Public Life on March 1, 2005. The length of the article is 5568 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: What's right with Kansas.(What's the Matter with Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America)(Book Review)
Author: James Nuechterlein
Publication:
First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion and Public Life (Refereed)
Date: March 1, 2005
Publisher: Institute on Religion and Public Life
Issue: 151
Page: 10(7)
Article Type: Book Review
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If I Knew Then What I Know Now: Library Edition
Richard Edler
Manufacturer: Blackstone Audiobooks
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Binding: Audio Cassette
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ASIN: 0786112298 |
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Globalisation, Regionalism and Economic Activity
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ASIN: 1843761033 |
Book Description
The processes of globalization and increased economic regionalism have had profound, often destabilizing, effects on modern economic and financial systems. In recognition of this fact, the editors of this fine book have collected together a diverse range of heterodox ideas surrounding the complex relationships and interactions between globalization, regionalism and economic activity.
The book promotes real-world economic issues and explores them without adopting any particular methodological, ideological or theoretical agenda. A number of influential economists explore the inter-relationships between globalization, regionalism, finance, economic growth and development from a global perspective. Among other topics, the book includes comprehensive discussions on: fixed versus flexible exchange rates; international liquidity; the WTO dispute settlement system; the eastward expansion of the European Union; crowding-out in export led growth; demand and supply in the New Economy; the national origin of financial liberalization in the US; and the relationship between savings and investment.
The range and depth of analysis makes this book a timely and useful contribution to current policy debates. Academics, students and scholars with an interest in globalization, international economics and macroeconomics will do well to read this eclectic and stimulating volume.
Average customer rating:
- Light Comedy at its best
- great stuff
- Hopefully It's Not the Last Time
- Great Tape, very funny
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I'm Telling You for the Last Time
Jerry Seinfeld
Manufacturer: Penguin Audio
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Binding: Audio Cassette
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ASIN: 0140869336 |
Customer Reviews:
Light Comedy at its best.......2005-05-07
I am not a huge fan of the Seinfeld shows, but I have seen quite a few. This tape does the trick of bringing his light-hearted comedy to a whole new segment. There will still be people who would not give this 5 stars because they dont take light comedy to be what it is..."light comedy". This one is short enough to keep you asking for more and not extremely hilarious to get you off your seat with a belly pain. I think we got quite a few chuckles out of all the tracks on this one. It will probably be a classic as Seinfeld stopped doing shows around the same time. Its a best buy.
great stuff.......2000-07-26
this is the funniest thing i have ever heard. seinfeld is hilarious. he speaks the truth, and he still makes everything sound so funny. if the cd, of the same name, is anything like this then it should sell real well. this is great. and only $9.58. you should definitly check this one out.
Hopefully It's Not the Last Time.......2000-03-03
Here is a terrific book. Jerry touches subjects that we all think about, like why we took a car to the moon. Or why men do stupid things to impress women. Better yet how they made the connection between horses and glue.
It's possibly they funniest book you can ever buy.
Great Tape, very funny.......1999-04-24
This is a very funny tape. Jerry(seinfeld) is great! almost as good as the show.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Printed Circuit Design & Manufacture, published by Thomson Gale on August 1, 2005. The length of the article is 735 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: I'm telling you for the last time! It's been fun, but it's time to move on.(POWER SELLING)
Author: Dan Beaulieu
Publication:
Printed Circuit Design & Manufacture (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 22
Issue: 8
Page: 12(1)
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- Why Is The Foul Pole Fair?: Answers to 101 of the Most Perplexing Baseball Questions
- Why Things Break: Understanding the World By the Way It Comes Apart
- Williams & Taber's Package: Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 19e (Indexed Version), Williams & Hopper: Understanding Medical Surgical Nursing, and Hopper & Williams: Study Guide
- Winter of the Ice Wizard (Magic Tree House 32)
- Wolverine/Punisher: Revelation
- Working Alone: Tips & Techniques for Solo Building
- Wright, Evan. Generation Kill: Devil Dogs, Iceman, Captain America, and the New Face of American War.(Book Review) : An article from: Naval War College Review
- 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace
- 123 PIC Microcontroller Experiments for the Evil Genius
- A History of God: The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Armstrong, Karen)
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