- Hardcover: 288 pages
- Publisher: Viking USA (Aug 19 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0670031410
- ISBN-13: 978-0670031412
- Product Dimensions: 23.1 x 15.2 x 2.3 cm
- Shipping Weight: 544 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #1,760,171 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
Author, populist, and radio commentator Jim Hightower is nothing if not direct. In Thieves in High Places, Hightower lambastes the current American power structure and exhorts his readers to fight against it. Hightower's indignation runs deep in this "us versus them" exposé of corporate malfeasance, governmental abuse, the militarization of American society, and the Bush administration's empire building. In the first part of the book, Hightower illustrates how the Bush administration and Congress work with major corporations (including our nation's vast media conglomerates) to add to their obscene wealth at the expense of America's working class, our environment, and (most lamentably) our rights and liberties. "The elites have pulled off a slow-motion coup, radically wrenching America's power balance from a people's democracy to Kleptocrat Nation." Hightower defines "Kleptocrat Nation" as "a body of people ruled by thieves...a government characterized by the practice of transferring money and power from the many to the few...[and] a ruling class of moneyed elites that usurps liberty, justice, sovereignty, and other, democratic rights from the people." His catalogue of corporate greed and governmental complicity is breathtaking in scope, and though he admits that the fusion of business and government is not new, he persuasively states that "never have so few done so much for so few." Unfortunately, Hightower's serious message is delivered in such a "down home" style, it may lose its impact on the more brainy among us. Also, one wishes there were more documentation for the copious examples and facts in the book. Still, Hightower's call to action is sincere, and his descriptions of the triumphs of average people over corporate power might give some fledgling activists some hope. Thieves in High Places urges Americans to reclaim control of our government--Hightower thinks we can with community organization and grass-roots movements. However, judging from his description of the current power structure, we are going to need all the help we can get. -- Silvana Tropea
From Publishers Weekly
Populist radio commentator, columnist and author Hightower (If the Gods Had Meant Us to Vote They Would Have Given Us Candidates) delivers a timely manifesto for progressives living in what he calls a nation ruled by "a confederacy of kleptocrats." In Hightower's view of the current political situation, "King George the W" reigns atop a greedy hierarchy of corporate-politico corruption in which many politicians have become no more than handmaidens of corporations and the super-rich. Devotees of Hightower's populist politics and his sardonic style will find much to admire, but the average reader will consider the book a jumble of loosely connected treatises laced with distracting sidebars and peppered with hyperbolic forebodings of government evil. Hightower warns the reader, "Big Brother is no longer a paranoid's nightmare, but is alive and very much on the prowl." Hightower's prose at times bears an uncomfortable resemblance to the propaganda he condemns. While he does offer inspirational stories of community action and even practical information (e.g., how to contact a long list of public interest groups), the book's disorganization is baffling: he careens in one chapter from professional sports through the fate of public libraries to the history of Santa Claus. In addition, Hightower's quasi-comical, off-the-wall pronouncements (suggesting, for instance, that CEOs of companies with tax-free Bermuda bank accounts be required to wear Bermuda shorts at all times) tend to stifle his worthy, impassioned calls for action. Progressives will need a more comprehensible spokesperson if they hope, as Hightower envisions, to "take [America] back."
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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First Sentence
The Kleptocrats have taken over. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
The Kleptocrats have taken over. Read the first page
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Concordance
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
All Americans take note..,
By Sirde "artist761" (Sautee Nacoochee,GA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Theyve Stolen Our Country And Its Time To Take It Back (Hardcover)
After reading prior reviews, I purchased this eye-opener book.It isn't just for democrats and while hitting the current administration as it deserves, it more importantly takes on and makes us aware of the "Kenny-Boy" corporations. Hooray for the towns that defied Wallyworld and refused to let them desecrate their environment and destroy the local businesses. I wish all Americans would read this and wake up!
5.0 out of 5 stars
the next question is what can we do about?,
By justareader (yorba linda, ca United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Theyve Stolen Our Country And Its Time To Take It Back (Hardcover)
actually and sadly, none. there's no way to take it back. no way, jose. republican or democratic, they are on the different side of the same token. now, 99% of the americans are fooled by both parties. not just president or vp, the whole congress, the senate, every governmental body that come up to your mind, even local small towns and cities, media, every political being is trying to rip you off. those buggers on the hill, you think they are representing you? wise up, man, once they are elected, they are only interested in representing themselves. ever attending small town meetings? see those people sitting high over there? hey, they are just like you and me, common people, neighbors, but once they are elected, they immediately think they are one step higher on the social ladder, their facial expressions will totally change into official and serious. they'd immediately consider themselves a different species. jim hightower's books only made me sadder and hopeless. there's no way to change it. november election is coming up, i really don't know what to do except in the least hope that kick the shrub gangster out is the only way to slow down another new political gangster's stealing speed. at least these newly elected guys will slow down america's deterioration speed, 'cause every new government at least need one or one and half years to set up the paces of gnawing or gobbling. but, the shocking reality is still only one: we are totally screwed, one way or another.
4.0 out of 5 stars
A delightful rant!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Theyve Stolen Our Country And Its Time To Take It Back (Hardcover)
"Thieves in High Places" is a good old fashioned rant. I loved it. If you're an unrepentant, thus-far non-deprogrammed Bush-lover, this probably isn't for you. It'll just raise your blood pressure (so sorry!). But for those living through this time with open eyes, at least you'll get some laughs from Hightower's humor, some more info about what's going on in the world (the chapter on Wal*mart is particularly shocking), and some ideas about what to do about it. The thing I liked best about this book is that it is fundamentally optimistic in tone, and not whiney. Yes, things are screwed up, but as this author and, for another good example, Amy Goodman in "The Exception to the Rulers" lays out, grassroots organization does have the power to effect real change in the world. You didn't expect it to be easy, did you?
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