Hardball : How Politics Is Played Told By One Who Knows The Game | Chris Matthews

Hardball : How Politics Is Played Told By One Who Knows The Game | Chris Matthews | Insiders guide to politics

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Hardball : How Pol...

	Hardball : How Politics Is Played Told By One Who Knows The Game Chris Matthews Free Press, 1999 - 240 pages average customer review:based on 73 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

One of the TOP 10 Books I have Ever Read

This is an EXCELLENT book! If you are looking for a good primer on the art of politics, look no further. I have read a lot of books on politics and this and Bare Knuckles and Back Rooms and Hill Rat are the two best by far.

Mr. Mathews is an excellent writer and he spent years working on Capitol Hill. Mr. Mathews uses good examples of polititians winning (or losing) at different aspects of politics and campaigning. The best chapters IMHO include: Spin, Hang a Lantern on Your Problem, and Leave No Shot Unanswered. Mr. Mathews uses a lot of humor in his book and he does a great job introducing the novice to politics.

If you read and study this book you can't go wrong. This book is perfect for any Political Science/Government student or to a person considering and run for office. Nearly every staffer and volunteer I have ever known has it in their library.

If you don't read this book, you are at quite a disadvantage in politics (IMHO).

Heck, I'm a Republican and I still loved it.

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Insiders guide to politics

Hardball is fascinating comprehensive novel on how power is gained and kept Chris Matthews leaves the political garble so often used in politics, and gets down to the simple truths. His book is not only easy to comprehend but entertaining to read. He gives one a true insight into politics as only an insider can experience and witness.
Much like the great Machiavelli his guide to politics is timeless and explains a politician's rise in power or loss of it. Chris Matthews gives the reader-fascinating stories of, assent to power, rivalry, ambition, manipulation, and the loss of power. There is no better way to see how his rules apply to politics than learning about the success stories using his rules and the failures when contenders failed to abide by them. This is the perfect book for both the politically savvy and the normal person interested in politics.

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Great book

I can't stand Chris Matthews' TV show, but this book is an
absolute must read for all political junkies. He's a great
story teller and he doesn't allow his left wing views to
corrupt the writing.

Brilliance--in about 210 pages

Chris Matthews, his television show and media success aside, has risen from the frey to be one of the most respected political insiders in the beltway. Directly out of Holy Cross college he jumped into the political ring, taking some of the pitfalls along the way that serve to education and entertain. His very readable prose doesn't bombard you with political jargan that I have seen from other books, but rather divvies up his political know-how to your face for consideration. From the end of the first chapter I knew this book, indeed, was going to be worth my few hour investment.
For those involved in all aspects of life, Chris adumbrates some of the most important Machievellian techniques that inspire loyality in employees, political constituents, and relationships alike. From working with real examples--such as Ross Perot from the Reform Party position in 1992--abstract examples of how asking for help inspires loyality begins to permiate into my feeble mind. By asking for votes, rather than simply wishing support to be applied, Chris opens up the daunting task for political fundraising into not only a means to bolster your visibility among the 4th Estate, but also a way to gain votes. Learning from the top of his political power positions with former House Speaker Tip O'Neil, the author takes command of the axioms directed toward eloquence and polite pursuasion.
Clearly, you don't have to be seeking our nation's highest office to enjoy this book. The tenets of "keep[ing] your enemies close" and not getting even with your enemies carries a degree of sophistication we call can learn from. Moreover, you'll find each chapter choc full of stories which provide valuable insight which can be directly applicable to debate and discussion. As a supplement to Joseph Liebierman's "in praise of public life" this novel proves to have been an enjoyable read and I'm confident you'll enjoy just the same.

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Hardball

Even though Chris Matthews can be too high energy and over the top, his obvious love for politics is something to be admired. In an age where most pundits act as jaded as the most pretentious music critic, it is good to see someone who embraces the old fashioned type of politician, and all of the foibles they engender. His book, Hardball, is like an extended episode of his show of the same name. He talks about himself, and his experiences in politics, and sprinkles his book with some of his favorite stories about politicians and other historical figures. It is a low maintenance read, none to sophisticated, but it contains plenty of inside information about how things operate in Washington. Like him or not, Chris Matthews certainly knows the game.

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reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, page 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

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