The Rationing by Charles Wheelan

THE RATIONING by Charles Wheelan is a fabulous work of political satire set in the near future. The narrator is a scientist who specializes in lurking viruses – generally benign organisms which suddenly become virulent. Some basic science is certainly important to this tale, but there is much more about corporate greed, media manipulation and politics – both domestic and international. The politicians and bureaucrats are referred to only by their titles which, for me, added authenticity to this speculative work. Wheelan’s wry tone and style of writing caused me to almost immediately think of Aaron Sorkin’s West Wing and even more of Allen Drury and his best-sellers, beginning with Advise and Consent. As one quick example, the scientist narrator, preparing to be interviewed on a news show, is told by the Communications Director: “Don’t even listen to the question. When her lips stop moving, you give the answer you want to give.” THE RATIONING is one of those stories about complex real world events where every time the situation seems evenly remotely under control, yet another aspect has the potential to become a crisis or another unintended consequence becomes apparent. Wheelan alluded to numerous “what ifs” as he related this detailed, entertaining account of “utter craziness” as America faced The Outbreak.

If Charles Wheelan’s name seems familiar, it should; he is the author of several non-fiction titles, including Naked Economics which, though published several years ago, is still required summer reading for our AP Economics classes. I can’t wait to see what Wheelan writes next and appreciated his mention in the Acknowledgments of a local independent bookstore, The Book Bin in Northbrook. THE RATIONING received a starred review from Kirkus.

Fault Lines by Kevin M. Kruse and Julian E. Zelizer

 

FAULT LINES by Kevin M. Kruse and Julian E. Zelizer chronicles “A History of the United States Since 1974.”  The authors, two Princeton professors, have written extensively about trends and movements in America (see One Nation Under God or Rightward Bound, for example).  They contend that since Watergate, the United States has actually faced increased divisiveness, especially politically, due in large measure to "multiple forces" such as changes in media, economic uncertainty, the actions (or inaction) of national leadership, and even to Supreme Court decisions. FAULT LINES could clearly be an undergraduate text since it provides an overview of over four decades of American history.  It’s lengthy – but at 428 pages, that’s barely 10 pages for major events of each year – and history students will need to turn to other resources for a more nuanced and detailed look at these historic events. 

In any case, this is a work that is guaranteed to spark debate and discussion – as evidenced by Barton Swaim’s rather negative review in The Wall Street Journal and the starred review from Library Journal. You can decide for yourself and explore its take on critical issues associated with politics, the economy, race, and gender/sexuality since FAULT LINES will be on our shelves soon. 

We Were Eight Years in Power

WE WERE EIGHT YEARS IN POWER by Ta-Nehisi Coates received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly and it has been getting quite a bit of attention at our school, too. In support of his local talk at Evanston Public High School (see FAN web site for details and video, when available), we set up a display which included his new Black Panther graphic novels.  There was definite interest in this new book of essays, one for each year of the Obama Presidency and others (like “The Black Family in the Age of Mass Incarceration”) previously published in The Atlantic magazine. Another recent article is here. Coates appeared Oct. 12 on PBS NewHour to discuss his many projects (see video below):

I also wanted to mention a couple of other new titles which deal with race and politics.   

One, written by the former conservative talk-radio show host, Charles J. Sykes, is titled HOW THE RIGHT LOST ITS MIND and focuses on the “painful … dissolution of the conservative coalition, but also the betrayal of conservative principles …” Beginning by contrasting some illuminating quotes from William Buckley, Tomi Lahren and Sarah Palin, Sykes then explores ideas about the impact of success and power, about the growth of bigotry and xenophobia, about the hypocrisy of talking (while not modelling) character and virtue. He includes chapters or sections on the alt reality media (“Many journalists do not recognize their bias any more than a fish recognizes that it is wet.”), alternative facts, post-truth politics, and the Trumpian takeover. Labelling himself a “contrarian conservative,” Sykes offers “some modest advice for fellow conservatives” on the final pages of a thought-provoking book. Kirkus called this text “a courageous book” and Library Journal gave HOW THE RIGHT LOST ITS MIND a starred review.

Oxford University Press’s ON RACE by George Yancy is subtitled 34 Conversations in a Time of Crisis. Yancy interviews other philosophers and writers such as Cornel West, bell hooks, and Noam Chomsky in order to push the national conversation about race relations and prejudice. The interview transcripts examine racial divides and attitudes in other countries, the impact of capitalism, the relationship to organized religion, to feminism and much more.  Each can be read as a stand-alone piece. Although fairly intellectual, some could perhaps be used to prompt discussion in an AP Psych or AP Poli Sci class.   

Another book related to race which is being published this month is THE SECOND COMING OF THE KKK by prize-winning historian Linda Gordon.  This book deals with “The Ku Klux Klan of the 1920s and the American Political Tradition.” Supported by extensive notes, this is a fascinating piece of scholarship which Gordon explains began as a chapter for another work on 20^th century American social movements. Instead, she expanded it into a book and says, “Readers may find here similarities with some contemporary political movements, and may note the continuing influence of Klannish impulses and ideology.”  No doubt students are aware of the role of the Klan in the 1870’s and even in the 1960’s, but may be surprised to read about it in the 1920’s, with emphasis on isolationism, anti-Semite and anti-Catholic views, as well as the millions of members across the northern half of the United States.