Bushwhacked

Life in George W. Bush's America

By: Molly Ivins, Lou Dubose

Narrated by: Anna Fields

Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

A simultaneously rollicking and sobering indictment of the policies of President George W. Bush, Bushwhacked chronicles the destructive impact of the Bush administration on the very people who put him in the White House in the first place.

Here are the ties that connected Bush to Enron, yes, but here, too, is the story of the woman who walks six miles to the unemployment office daily, wondering what happened to the economic security Bush promised. Here are reports on failed nation-building missions in Kabul and Baghdad. Here, too, the story of a rancher who has fallen prey to a Bush-Cheney interior department that is perhaps a wee bit too cozy with the oil industry.

Bushwhacked is highly original and entirely thought-provoking - essential listening for anyone living in George W. Bush's America.

©2003 Molly Ivins and Lou Dubose (P)2003 Books on Tape, Published By Arrangement With Random House Audio Publishing Group, A Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Ivins's mordant wit, political passion, and uninhibited energy are unique among political writers." (Publishers Weekly)
"[Ivin's] reporting is so detailed and writing so witty that even those who come to the book undecided about Bush will likely be outraged by the time they finish it." (Amazon.com)
"Frank and funny and eminently readable." (Booklist)

Molly Knows Best

Nobody would know more about G.W's failure as a leader than a Texan. Molly delivers the goods on the debacle of G.W Bush's term as governor of Texas.
From his financial bungles to complete gutting of social and educational programs, she's covers every misstep by GW on his stumble to the oval office.

Good Stuff

I learned a lot of information. I like her humor.

This is a book that will make you angry.

If you are a thoughtful progressive, this excellent litany of the sins of Bush will make you mad (and hopefully spur you to action). If you are a conservative, you will probably be mad about heairng the truth.

I didn't think it was THIS bad...

As a physician who dabbles in health care policy, I was familiar with Bush's appalling record on health, but I didn't realize (until this book) that these failings--crony appointments, backwards policies that do not help the vast majority of the country, misplaced priorities--were so pervasive. Since this book, as we have watched blatant lies on Medicare prescription drug, the gutting of clean air (new source review), the systematic fleecing of America's middle class for the benefit of the wealthy few, and the failure of our foreign policy in Iraq, Ivins's insightful wit becomes almost prophetic.

Incredible!

A brilliant book read by an eqully brilliant reader. Anna Fields captured the spirit, voice, sentiment, and intellectual power of Molly Ivins writing.

Insightful, resourceful and witty.

I found that her explicit resources backed her facts quite well. Given in her own voice adds to the feeling of sincerity that is also enjoyable to listen to. Her wit and fervor are a fresh aside from the usual "name-calling" and ideological, faith based reasonings that you may find prevalent in some other titles that seem to step away from the harsh realities that we, living in a polyarchy should discuss with proper analysis.

Shedding Light

This book shed light on a variety of subjects. I hope you give it a chance before passing judgement no matter what your opinions are.

Compelling analysis of the Bush Presidency

The Audible.com version of 'Bushwacked' benefits greatly from its reading by Molly Ivins. Her Texan drawl perfectly captures all the sarcasm and irony contained in 'Bushwacked'. At points, Ivins herself seems amazed by some of the things are are happening in America under Bush. These are unbelievable times.

The main thrust of the book is the evolution of Bush from Governor to President. The book's sub-title might have been, "Texas told you so", as everything Bush has signed and vetoed during his Presidency has been fairly predictable based on his previous behavior mismanaging Texas.

Ivins never lets pessimissm get the best of her - which isn't easy given the subject matter. She and co-author Lou DuBose find plenty of regular people unafraid of taking on the powers that Be in every arena they discuss: food safety, environmental protection, worker protection.

It should be unsurprising to a potential reader that Ivins finds Bush has sided with monied interests in EVERY SINGLE fight against the interests of regular taxpayers. In her final analysis, Bush is a product of people like Ken Lay and the crony capitalism of Enron that catapaulted him onto the national stage. Thanks to Kenny Boy et al, the nation now has to contend and defeat the same forces that harmed Texas under Bush before ordinary Americans see all their protections gone and are returned to the age of McKinley, circa 1900.

Anna Fields is outstanding

The book it great and Molly Ivins knows and understands Bush but Anna Fields narration raises this book above even its content with her delivery. Ms Fields sounds more like Molly Ivins than Molly Ivins. I loved listening to her for every minute.

Well researched

Although a little "whining" at times, this book is well researched and logical in thought. Presents historical and factual examples of how we all have been "wacked" by the "W" and his buddies