Inequality in America: Race, Poverty, and Fulfilling Democracy's Promise

Stephen Maynard Caliendo (Get this book)
Despite our nation's founding on the ideals of equality, the wealth gap in the U.S. is widening at an alarming rate. Political science scholar Caliendo takes a historical and contemporary look at race and economic inequality in the U.S., drawing on research in a wide range of areas, including economics, education, sociology, psychology, criminal justice, and medicine. He explores the assumptions that are widely held about poverty in the U.S.that it is primarily due to character flaws, that government assistance mostly goes to minorities, and that poverty is urban-centered. Caliendo focuses on the politics behind poverty, the notions that separate liberals and conservatives on issues of privilege, meritocracy, individualism, and economic redistribution. This is a well-researched and insightful perspective on economic inequality and its conflict with American ideals.--Booklist

No Place to Hide: Edward Snowden, the NSA, and the U.S. Surveillance State

Glenn Greenwald (Get this book)
National Security Agency's vast warrantless surveillance operations last year after receiving top-secret documents from NSA contractor Snowden, who is briefly profiled here. Greenwald's breathless narrative is itself a spy story, complete with encrypted messages, cloak-and-dagger in Hong Kong, a possible CIA break-in at his house, the detainment of his partner on trumped-up terrorism suspicions, and furious wrangles with the mainstream press, which he denounces for its chumminess with officialdom. Greenwald's great reporting highlights the collusion of government, corporations, and media to undermine notions of privacy and democratic participation. --Publisher's Weekly

Where Does It Hurt?: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Fixing Health Care

Bush, Jonathan (Author), Baker, Stephen (With) (Get this book)
With the assistance of former BusinessWeek senior writer Baker, Bush, nephew of George H.W., offers an alternative to Obamacare based on his own experiences as CEO of athenahealth, Inc. Despite the author's family connections, this is by no means a vitriolic attack on the Affordable Care Act but rather an appraisal of why, in his opinion, it is not up to the necessary task of reforming the American health care system, since escalating costs (whether borne by individuals or government) are not sufficiently addressed. Likely to find its way onto the Republican platform but worthy of serious consideration on its own merits.--Kirkus

A Time to Attack: The Looming Iranian Nuclear Threat

Matthew Kroenig (Get this book)
Kroenig explains why we need to prepare to bomb Iran.This is no neoconservative cheerleading for another Middle East war; Kroenig knows that nobody has the stomach for that. As a former special adviser for Iranian affairs to the secretary of defense, however, he also fully understands the challenge that a militant Iran presents to American foreign policy goals worldwide, particularly the enforcement of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and, thus, the prevention of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. If one accepts his premises-and not all analysts do-the logic of Kroenig's position is inexorable and the conclusion, as unavoidable as it is unwelcome.Aggressive title aside, this is a carefully argued call for action on a problem that is only going to get worse.--Kirkus

Border Insecurity: Why Big Money, Fences, and Drones Aren't Making Us Safer

Sylvia Longmire (Get this book)
Throwing big money at the border with Mexico to build fences and buy high-tech gizmos isn't the way to achieve security, argues the author of Cartel. Drawing on her extensive Air Force training in criminal investigations, counterintelligence and counterespionage, Longmire provides an insightful tour of both southern and northern borders and neighbors as she demolishes the case that illegal immigration is the United States' biggest security problem. A compelling narrative that brings clarity to a subject shrouded in prejudice and obfuscation.--Kirkus

Social Insecurity: 401(k)s and the Retirement Crisis

James W. Russell (Get this book)
This is the story of how one individual fought bureaucracy and won. Along the way, Russell educates us about the fallacies inherent in our three-legged retirement system of Social Security, personal savings, and the employer pension 401(k) system. Although most of his battle is with the pension (defined benefit or DB) plan in the state of Connecticut, he manages to give readers an eyeful about Social Security and the issues with personal investing not only in the U.S. but also in Chile, the UK, and other countries. His homework is impressive. His campaign is truly a case history to be emulated, one that requires much patience and time.--Booklist

Six Amendments: How and Why We Should Change the Constitution

John Paul Stevens (Get this book)
The former Supreme Court justice proposes constitutional changes to restore the old republic. Provocative only begins to describe Stevens' program. Perhaps the most controversial is the constitutional amendment that, after surveying the history of amendments generally, he saves for last--namely, to rewrite the Second Amendment so that it indisputably speaks to the intention of the Founders. That plain talk extends to his arguments for limiting money given to those in power--overturning Citizens United in the bargain--and controlling states-rightist impulses to nullify federal authority and declare sovereign immunity. A refreshing set of opinions. One wishes that other retired justices would speak their minds so clearly, providing well-crafted arguments for others to take up.--Kirkus