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Few people understand the concept of political manipulation better than former White House counsel John Dean, a major player in the Watergate scandal that brought down his former boss, Richard Nixon. An early and vociferous critic of the Bush administration (Worse than Watergate), Dean now further distances himself from his Republican roots with this scathing indictment of the current GOP leadership, claiming it has sullied the principles of conservatism with radical right-wing policies and Machiavellian tactics. Whether or not you agree with Dean, we think you'll find plenty to think (and talk!) about in his provocative manifesto.
John Dean's stunning critique of the Bush administration begins with an epigraph by "Mr. Republican," Senator Robert A. Taft: "If we extend Federal power indefinitely, if we concentrate power over the courts and congress in the executive, it will not be long before we have an American Fascism." Dean, an important member of the Nixon White House and a central figure in the Watergate investigation, contends that the steady rise of right-wing extremism threatens us with just that eventuality. Conservatives Without Conscience alleges betrayal of traditional conservative values in foreign policy, covert warfare, court appointments, litigation reform, and the failed war against terrorism.
Publishers Weekly
In his seventh book, Dean, the former Nixon legal counsel whom the FBI has called the "master manipulator" of the Watergate coverup, weighs in with a rebuke to Christian fundamentalists and other right-wing hard-liners. A self-described Goldwater conservative (indeed, Goldwater had planned to collaborate on this book before his death), he rails against the influence of social conservatives and neoconservatives within his party. Suffused with bitterness stemming from the controversies in which he has been embroiled, Dean's book paints a thin social science veneer over a litany of mostly ad hominem complaints. Purporting to show that social conservatives and neoconservatives are, on the whole, demonstrably authoritarian, bigoted, irrational and amoral, Conservatives Without Conscience offers helpful hints such as "Conservatives without conscience do not have horns and tails," and evinces a telling fascination with politicians' shady book deals. Though there is clearly much to condemn in the policies and tactics Dean deplores, assailing everyone from French political theorist Joseph de Maistre to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist to the chairman of Yale University's conservative association as "Double High" social- dominance-oriented authoritarians undermines his journalistic credibility. Dean's lurid accusations may be entertaining, but they add little to the reasoned debate that Washington so sorely lacks today. (July 11) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Library Journal
Dean, infamous for his involvement in Watergate and later as an author (Worse Than Watergate) and political talking head, provides the listener with a close look at the highly organized and influential conservative movement, which has changed the political landscape of U.S. politics for the better part of the past two decades. While Dean makes a strong argument for the many flaws in the Republican Party and especially modern conservatism, he never makes any apologies for his blatant bias and hatred for the GOP and right-leaning politics in all forms. His argument is persuasive and organized in an academic fashion, yet it is hard to get past Dean's lack of balance. Robertson Dean's performance is solid; recommended for all libraries with extensive collections in politics.-Scott R. DiMarco, Mansfield Univ. of Pennsylvania Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
From the Publisher
"A penetrating and highly disturbing portrait of many of the major players in Republican politics and power ... riveting."
-Booklist, starred review
"A fierce indictment of Republican politicians ... the sheer outrage in Dean's book has power of its own."
-Chicago Tribune
