Book Reviews

According to Libertarian activist Tracy Ryan, "Grover Norquist's recent book, Leave Us Alone, should be put on your reading list. It is packed with useful information presented with unusual clarity. It is such an easy read I went through it over a weekend. This is a book about politics in America. Norquist—the President of Americans for Tax Reform—argues there are two great coalitions struggling for control of government. They are the 'Takings Coalition' and the 'Leave Us Alone Coalition'. After defining these coalitions, he weaves a lucid outline of the American political scene, including history, policy, tactics, demographic trends, and possible outcomes." Read more here.

Malia Hill writes: "Who Owns the Crown Lands of Hawai’i? by University of Hawaii professor and attorney Jon Van Dyke hearkens back to a simpler time, a time when white guilt combined with an embarrassing over-romanticism of pre-European-contact Polynesia to create a wonderfully slanted perspective on both history and law. In other words, an age stretching back to at least the mid-1990s. It would be inaccurate to call Van Dyke’s take on historical analysis post-modern, as post-modern histories are generally impatient with the kind of meta-narrative embraced by Van Dyke’s work. Rather, the historical sections of the book remind one of nothing so much as early 19th century accounts of noble and untainted natives—though in this case the villains aren’t shifty and murderous local tribes so much as shifty and murderous (and greedy) Europeans. It’s endearingly retro in a way—I had believed that we had gone past the point of people “going native” in the Islands, but Van Dyke has proven me wrong." Read more here.

Paul Dreissen's book "Eco-Imperialism: Green Power, Black Death" documents how enviromental policies imposed by the elite environmentals in the affluent west results in death, disease and permanent injury for many Third World residents. By seeking to deny the poverty stricken portions of the world all manner of modern conveniences, from electicity to pesticides, these self appointed elites sit in relative luxury and attempt to dictate policies that literally result in the death of millions. Don Newman, Senior Policy Analyst for GRIH reviews this important book. Read it here.

Former Hawaii Representative David A. Pendleton reviews Fredric Bastiat's famous treatise, "The Law" and gives readers a hint at what in store for them when they read this seminal work an economic philosophy written over century ago. Read it here.

Laura Brown, Education Analyst for GRIH reviews the book "Voucher Wars" written by Institute for Justice attorney Clint Bolick. Brown outlines how the book walks the reader through the maze of legal rulings that validate the concept of school choice and how educrats and unions work to prevent choice from ever being implemented. A must for those interested in the school issue this review leads one to conclude that reading the book is a necessity. Read it here.

Thomas Sowell has written an outstanding book called "Basic Economics - A Citizen's Guide to the Economy" which simply and clearly explains this much maligned and misunderstood subject in layman terms. Don Newman reviews this book and gives you an feel for what you are missing if you fail to read it. To get overview of this outstanding book just click here.

The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell is a detailed analysis of how changes happen in society. From typical epidemics to raging fads this book reveals how new ideas as well as new diseases difuse throughout society. No matter if you want to understand how ideas spread or figure out how to spread your ideas, this book is indespensible. Read the review here.

Words to the Wise by Thomas Szasz is a medical-philosophical dictionary that is far more than just a dictionary, it is a near revolutionary way of looking at the world. The author is a psychiatrist who has a  unique, and quite critical, view of his own profession. Questioning the psychiatric practice of terming nearly every alleged deviation a mental illness, Szasz challenges the reader to accept a level of personal responsibility not common today. Read the review here.

DVD Reviews

 The Devil's Footpath is a tragic, yet inspiring, look at the conditions on the African continent that keep it in poverty and despair. June Arunga (bio), a 22 year old law student, travels some of the most troubled areas trying to make sense of tragedy and mayhem. She reveals the incredible optimism that the African people maintain in the face of such ugly circumstances. This video exposes the shame of the rest of the world that continues just look the other way rather than face its complicity in this calamity. Read about it here.