Announcing the Autumn 2004 Book Sense Top Ten Political Picks

Nationally televised debates; overnight polls; dueling talking heads; partisan Web logs -- the Election Season is in full bloom, and consumers' interest in titles concerned with current politics is rapt. With that in mind, Book Sense and The History Channel present the Autumn 2004 Book Sense Top Ten Political Picks, which focuses on all things presidential and the contemporary political scene.

This list is based on the nominations of independent booksellers nationwide and is the fourth time Book Sense has compiled a list in association with The History Channel. The ongoing initiatives with The History Channel provide booksellers another opportunity to offer a range of intriguing titles to customers during a period of especially keen interest for titles related to politics and the presidential race.

Stores with Book Sense will be receiving the Political Picks pad in the October Red Box. For a downloadable PDF of the list, click here.

1. THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULERS: Exposing Oily Politicians, War Profiteers, and the Media That Love Them, by Amy Goodman, with David Goodman (Hyperion, $21.95, 1401301312) "Amy Goodman is the radio host of Democracy Now! and has made a career of asking hard and unpopular questions of the powers that be. She has spoken when others have been silent, and this book shines light where there is darkness in our government in much the same way." --Jarek Steele, Left Bank Books, St. Louis, MO

2. AGAINST ALL ENEMIES: Inside America's War on Terror, by Richard A. Clarke (Free Press, $27, 0743260244) "As an insider who has worked in four presidential administrations, Clarke provides a unique view of the fight against terrorism. This is a must for history buffs." --Robin O'Hara, The Last Chapter, Overland Park, KS

3. THE IMPOSSIBLE WILL TAKE A LITTLE WHILE: A Citizen's Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear, by Paul Rogat Loeb (Basic, $15.95,paper, 0465041663) "I think this might possibly be the most important collection of stories and essays you will ever read. The 50 selections in this book are truly an en-noble-ing experience, reminding us, in the words of Howard Zinn, author of A People's History of the United States, that 'to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is in itself a marvelous victory.'" --Megan Wolfer, Table Mesa Gifts & Books, Boulder, CO

4. WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH KANSAS? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America, by Thomas Frank (Metropolitan, $24, 0805073396) "For progressives, one of the most misunderstood and confusing aspects of the conservative movement is why many of its adherents willfully choose to vote against their own economic self-interest. In a well-written and insightful work, Thomas Frank traces the development of, and reasons for, this phenomenon. This is one of the best political books of the year." --Scott Hoofman, Schuler Books & Music, Grand Rapids, MI

5. CLINTON & ME: A Real Life Political Comedy, by Mark Katz (Miramax, $22, 0786869496) "Mark Katz -- an admitted wiseacre, who as a boy had spent much of his time in the principal's office -- tells the story of how he went from being an advertising copywriter to being a freelance joke writer for Bill Clinton's annual speeches to the Washington press corps. It's a delightful tale, guaranteed to be the perfect antidote for other books that are raising our blood pressure and causing us to gnash our teeth." --Ann Combs, Eagle Harbor Book Company, Bainbridge Island, WA

6. FEAR AND LOATHING: On the Campaign Trail '72, by Hunter S. Thompson (Warner, $7.99, paper 0446313645) "This is one of my all-time favorite political books. Thompson took to the campaign trail to follow the 1972 presidential race and writes of it from a very funny -- and very weird -- perspective. It's fun to see in print some of the things one thinks privately about some politicians, and no one escapes his barbs from the far edges of society." --Doug Wolfe, Dee Gee's Gifts & Books, Morehead City, NC

7. HAIL TO THE CHIEFS: Presidential Mischief, Morals & Malarkey From George W. to George W., by Barbara Holland (Berkley, $14, paper, 0425194965) "Not even the most revered of our presidents and their families are spared by Holland as she skips through American history, revealing the foibles and failures of the people who ran the show. Remarkably evenhanded and funny." --Margaret Maupin, Tattered Cover Bookstore, Denver, CO

8. HIS EXCELLENCY: George Washington, by Joseph J. Ellis (Knopf, $26.95, 1400040310) "Ellis has written a stunning biography of George Washington. His leadership in the American Revolution is well known, but he also presided over the Constitutional Convention, led the fight to have the U.S. Constitution adopted by the states, and then accepted the unanimous request to serve as this country's first president. Ellis ably explores the man, his history, and what drove him to be instrumental in forming the country as we know it." --Barbara Hoagland, The King's English, Salt Lake City, UT

9. LIGHT AND LIBERTY: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness, by Thomas Jefferson, edited by Eric S. Petersen (Modern Library, $17.95, 0679643117) "Eric Petersen, a New York attorney, has edited a most illuminating volume of essays from Thomas Jefferson's published works. Arranged under 34 topics (such as Faith, Aspiration, Gratitude, Simplicity, and Patriotism), this is not only a historical collection but an inspiring one! A book to have handy for any occasion." --Akankha Perkins, The Sun of the Heart Bookstore, Bridgewater, VT

10. PAT THE POLITICIAN: A Political Pull and Poke Parody, by The Imagineering Company, Melissa Hutton (Illus.) (Imagineering Company, $9.95, 0974889105) "Time out for some levity! This little book should get a laugh out of everyone, no matter their political stripes. Good, almost-clean fun that's a nice relief as the political race continues to heat up." --Anna Cloninger, The Fountain Bookstore, Richmond, VA