• Reason

  • Why Liberals Will Win the Battle for America
  • By: Robert B. Reich
  • Narrated by: Robert B. Reich
  • Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (169 ratings)

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Reason  By  cover art

Reason

By: Robert B. Reich
Narrated by: Robert B. Reich
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Publisher's summary

From Robert B. Reich, passionate believer in American democracy and public servant, Reason is a guide to confronting and derailing what he sees as the mounting threat to American liberty, prosperity, and security posed by the radical conservatives, Radcons as he calls them.

Reich offers a bold plan for defeating this politics of fear and favor. He provides clear answers to the barrage of accusations with which Radcons have been pummeling liberals. He analyzes the efficient Radcon political organization and their propoganda savvy, and lays out what liberals can learn from each.

Reich demonstrates how far the radical conservative agenda is from representing the national will, and explains how American liberalism can, and must, become once again ascendant in American politics.

©2004 Robert B. Reich (P)2004 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"Reich's distinctive perspective provides insights targeted well beyond November's election." (Publishers Weekly)
"His experience as a government appointee gives him credibility; his experience as a TV and radio pundit gives him considerable style as narrator. Blessed with a pleasant voice, he reads expressively." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about Reason

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Reason

"Reason" by Robert Reich changed my life. I am a Liberal. I was raised Southern Baptist, but, even as a child, conservative views didn't make sense to me. The conservative agenda is now and has always been counterintuitive to everything The United States of America stands for: freedom, justice, democracy, security, a decent quality of life and the rule of law for all. Consequently, I've always been baffled how a few rich, powerful, corporate-backed conservative demagogs can so easily con massive numbers of Americans, whose lives would obviously be better served by Liberal programs, into embracing the virulent Far-Right's radical views and do their bidding. Robert Reich explains how we arrived at this historical low-point with such thoughtfulness and clarity that I am forever altered and eternally grateful to him.

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57 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

But you were there...

I'd like to have liked this more, but there's two reasons I couldn't.

He starts strong, giving a litany of what he thinks is wrong with American politics and business life. But the more you listen to his positions on big business activities like Enron and WorldCom, you may find yourself thinking "but it's not like you were an outsider during all of this". Reich was in the Clinton White House. He was Secretary of Labor. He was there. Sure, Clinton didn't control the Congress, but people listen when a Cabinet Secretary talks. He didn't speak then, so he waives a bit of his moral right to speak now.

2. This book isn't actually about Why Liberals Will Win. It's about what Robert Reich thinks is wrong with conservatism. That's fine, but you may find yourself waiting for the conclusion that never comes.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent!

This a book both liberals and conservatives should read. It explores the significance of liberalism though historical context and its relevance to present day. It also provides examples of issues through personal stories and insight. I recommend it to anyone curious to learn more about the "left", and perhaps discover a few things about their own views.

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13 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    out of 5 stars

non reason

Not good!

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Reason?

?Reason? is a dangerous book. Liberals risk whiplash by constantly nodding their collective heads in agreement as Robert Reich exposes how the ?top 2 percent??you know, the mean-spirited neo-cons?attempt to control the world by putting down the poor and the working class. Conservatives, wishing Reich were there in person so they could grab and twist his scrawny neck, risk stroking out every time he spews forth with yet another exaggeration, half-truth or outright lie.

If you?re a lib, buy it, invite your friends over to listen, and wind up the evening holding hands and singing a rousing chorus of Kumbaya. If you?re a mean-spirited neo-con like me, you?re better off making a donation to the NRA, or using your funds to help pillage a small, Third World village.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A little less talk, a little more action

A good, compact book chock full o' ideas as to why Liberals SHOULD win (rather than why they necessarily WILL win) the battle for America. Mr. Reich reads well. He offers many cogent observations refuting the "radcon" agenda and promoting good, solid positive-patriotic Liberalism. I subtract a star only because he arouses your appetite for ideas as to HOW Liberals can win the battle for America without abeddin' it back down again.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An Excellent Book!

The author does a fine job in presenting his arguments. Informative and humorous, well written and well read by the author.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Unbalanced

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A more balanced view of the conservative and liberal differences and what could be done to bridge the divide. Attempt to find the common ground.

What could Robert B. Reich have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Include the good and the bad from both conservative and liberal view points. Tone down the use of RAD CON, an offensive term. Include both republican and democrat errors and foibles and strong points.

Which scene was your favorite?

The exaggeration of conservative whining over poor people's sexual behavior while ignoring corporate malfeasance. This is totally one-sided and not true of most conservatives. I'm sure there are radicals on both sides of the spectrum that are blind to the realities, but this is just too far out to believe even the writer believes this of all conservatives.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Anger and disappointment. I'm a conservative looking for a balanced view so I can engage and understand the liberal view point. Jonathan Haidt is one of my favorites in this space. Robert did a poor job of engaging me.

Any additional comments?

Although Robert's passion comes through, I truly believe he wrote and said things that even he does not believe. I continue to search for the peacemakers; how can we get America moving again. We need liberals and conservatives; that is what America and democracy is. We need to avoid going so far left or right that we fail to be able to communicate.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A Draft of a Proposed New Message for the Left

This is a proposed new message for "The Left". It's a fairly systematic broad treatment of the political issues of the day. It's probably best thought of as a good first draft more than as a fully refined message that would win elections. It probably hasn't been tested by polls and the like.

I think that political operatives should take it seriously. It might lead to a winning formula.

It made me wonder if he will run for president in 8 years.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Good Common Sense

Very sensible and well produced examination and evaluation of our current situation in politics. Anyone who wants to learn both sides of the picture should listen to this one.

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2 people found this helpful