o Book Details:
Author: Sandra Silberstein
Paperback: 197
Publisher: Routledge, Taylor & Francis group
City of publication: London
Year of publication: 2002
Language: English
ASIN: B000OT8284
Price: USD $22.95
o About the author:
Sandra Silberstein is a professor of English at the University of Washington, Seattle. So far she has concentrated on women and language, choice reading, and technology and resources in teaching reading on the majority of her books.
o Book analysis:
The book “War of Words” is 197 pages long, divided into 8 chapters. The introduction attached to the first section of the book is a comprehensive one also summarizing whole the book in three pages.
This book can be recommended to all whose interests are on linguistics, even to those who are not expert in this matter.
Sandra Silberstein focuses on the creation of the national transformations including changes in American identity and national beliefs in post-9/11 by illustrating some examples which reveal U.S’s situation within the time of crises after 9/11 events.
the author does not go deeply into details regarding the field of linguistics and also she does not explain apparently how linguistics can be applied to the many phrases she has quoted;however those phrases and examples persuade readers to continue his/her reading to the end.
Sandra Silberstein in her book “War of Words: Language , Politics and 9/11″ has cited the speeches of George W. Bush in post-9/11 just for the sake of linguistic analysis ,so it is difficult to determine her political slant. She tries to focus more on the words created national transformations and new American identity in post-9/11 than the events themselves. As a result Silberstein concentrates on rendering the terrorist attacks in presidential speeches , media texts and eyewitness accounts
The most interesting part of the book in my opinion is its cover, carrying many important meanings and messages. For example, a sentence in Persian above the picture of two Afghans implies that Iran is a terrorist advocator.
“It is essential to examine the diction surrounding the particular sentiments of the aftermath , as Sandra Silberstein did in her book War of Words: language , politics and 9/11 ( Routledge , 2002 )
The initial rhetoric surrounding 9/11 was rightfully comforting, allowing Americans to heal. President Bush’s calming speeches were compared by Silberstein to President Roosevelt’s words after attach on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The perception they both try to create is one of necessity and urgency. For instance, Bush said of the war on terrorism: “These measures are essential. But the only way to defeat terrorism as a threat to our way of life is to stop it, eliminate it, and destroy it where it grows. “He was, in effect, holding a war rally, similar to what Roosevelt said in 1941: “… I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. I believe I interpret the … will of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again. “(Dunkin, Journalism after 9/11 Review)
“This is vital reading today. At a time when hysteria is bubbling below the surface, Sandra Silberstein is cool, analytical, highly readable – and sane”
The Guardian, UK
o Summary:
The book’s introduction is an imaginary window drawn by Silberstein, through which she as an applied linguist illustrates that how “words helped many things happen.”(xiii) And also “how language can be employed to render national policy….”(xiii)
From the introduction it can be interpreted that the writer feels a duty on her shoulder, as a person born in New York, to explain about the events happened on September 11, 2001 not only attacked to the twin towers and pentagon but also affected American national identity.
In the first chapter Sandra Silberstein tries to discuss in details that how a nation can be constructed at war. To obtain her goal the writer in chapter second concentrates on all speeches and statements made by President George W Bush at those first moments after terrorist attacks that changed his Presidential position as ” the candidate with the perfect bloodlines [who came] to office amid charges that his was a ******* presidency, sired not by the voters but by the courts”(p.40) to an American hero. Also the writer compares Bush’s speeches to the statements of President Roosevelt in the story of Pearl Harbor.
In chapter 3 which is the most linguistic part of the book Silberstein focuses on the eyewitness accounts, tries to “examine the role of television in creating September 11 narratives and in constructing social identities.” (p.61) by borrowing two linguistic tools: “the methodological analysis of news discourse by Ron Scollon, to question the norms of TV news coverage; and the oral narrative structure by William Labov , to observe the eyewitness narratives as a process of manufacturing the news into entertainment .”(Xuelin he, 2003)
Also she emphasizes on the journalists’ skills on framing the events which had been unfolded around ground zero. For example in one of the interviews, a journalist asked a single eyewitness the following questions:” Was there screaming? Was there violence? Was it eerie? Were you terrified? Did you see people bleeding?”(Pp.79-80).
The book in chapter 4 also reveals that how New York transformed to be America(n) and Rudy Giuliani to be an “America’s mayor” by exploring the rhetorical reconstruction within American culture in post-9/11.
Through chapter 5 “Selling America” and chapter 6 “The New McCarthyism”, patriotism turns to be a matter. In the former chapter Silberstein analyzes advertisements in relation with the current terrorist attacks, revealing that American people in post-9/11 supported the government and showed their patriotism by shopping as the way to mourn for their lost countrymen.
In the latter one, the writer criticizes the emergence of new McCarthyism which let to overdoing patriotism in post-9/11. According to her opinion, the ACTA took the “cultural wars” to a new level transformed a “war of words” to the “war on words” by publishing 100 examples of disagreeable voices of the American campuses.
The next chapter is a comparative study on ABC documentary, ” Minefield: The United States and the Muslim Word,”by Peter Jennings and CNN documentary on Islam by Christiane Amanpour. Although in a former documentary Islam is a worldwide problem, the latter one tries to avoid the clashes between two kinds of civilizations. “For the vast majority of Muslims, the terrorist attacks against the United States were an offence against the teachings of Islam.”(p.155)
“Despite the militants’ claims, nothing in the Koran, the Islamic holy book, justifies this kind of crime against humanity. … In fact, the Koran forbids *******.”(p.155)
And the last chapter, chapter 8, deals with the new set of rhetorical transformations from the second anniversary and beyond follows the march of civic discourse from New York to Baghdad. In this part of the book the writer also covers the war in Iraq and accusations against the US president and the former heroes for their mendacity.
By: Hedyeh Nasseri
About the Author:
Read more on Book Review on War of Words – Language, Politics and 9-11…
Filed under Book Reviews by on Sep 9th, 2010. 
In his two most recent books, American Dynasty and Wealth and Democracy, Kevin Phillips has perhaps rightly earned the prestigious moniker of America’s premier analyst and critic. Now, in his new release, a doom and gloom tome some 480 pages long, Kevin Phillips assails three overlapping, growing, forces that threaten to rain on the parade of the American way of life. Actually, American Theocracy : The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century, at $26.95 retail is still a great value because it is really three books in one, with just enough threads woven between the very different but often interrelated fabrics to help illustrate the upcoming perfect storm.
Kevin Phillips, as a former Republican strategist and observer for over 30 years, has a keen sense of the current political and economic landscape. When contrasted against his commanding historical perspectives, the author is aptly able in his book to show how past world powers, from the Roman to the British empires, have faced and failed the same critical circumstances the United States currently faces at the beginning of the 21st century. American Theocracy demonstrates that essentially every world dominating power is lured by the sirens of global over-reach and ultimately falls into the traps of resource depletion, runaway debt and the wars of militant religion.
In Part I of American Theocracy, Kevin Phillips looks at the ramifications of our preocupation of oil, past and present. The book maintains that American supremacy was derived by our exploitation and effective use of a newly useable form of energy on the world stage. While other nations were trapped in their inertias of coal, wind and water infrastructures, America quickly realized the versatility of this black gold and leveraged a nation around it. In fact, with only roughly five percent of the world’s population, Americans still consume over 25 percent of the world’s oil. But supply of this precious resource has always been a concern. American Theocracy points to World War II especially, which was waged by Japan and Germany to secure their hold on this vital fossil fuel for modern economies. The book takes care to explain that America itself has been heavily involved in its own petro-imperialism over the last century. Moreover, the life blood of our economy is becoming more difficult to find and extract even as the world economies are demanding more. One little know fact in all of this, as other Middle East supplies are being exhausted, is that Iraq is the last large pool of oil on the planet. And all of this still virtually untapped, near the surface. American Theocracy describes how Iraq has never been able to pump much of its oil, with U.N. sanctions in the 90’s, war with Iran in the 80’s and so forth. With the thinly disguised cloak of spreading democracy and fighting terror, it is of little surprise, given our history of petro-imperialism in the Middle East, and the fact that there is an estimated one trillion dollars in estimated profits for the (American) companies who will pump it, that we found ourselves with troops in Iraq.
Complicating matters further, Part II of this book explores the unprecedented rise in evangelical religion and its surging influence in American politics, especially under the presidency of George W. Bush. Kevin Phillips believes Republicans view the world in apocalyptic terms and endeavor to shape domestic and foreign policy around fundamentalist religion. This undue influence of faith over fact, and religion over (prudent) reason has resulted in inept policies, which only serve to weaken our respect, prestige and effectiveness in the world. This zealous underpinning has put us on a collision course with much of Islam, swelling the ranks, ironically, of terrorists, not to mention many other miscalculations, putting us in peril of a self-fulfilling prophecy. American Theocracy describes how we are endangering our future, as virtually every war is fought over resources or religious ideology. We seem to be running out of the former and have an over abundance of the latter.
In Part III, American Theocracy contends what is the traditional hallmark of an overextended world power: over consumption and massive public and private debt. Huge trade deficits, trillions of dollars in national debt and financial speculation, made worse by the influence of big business and Wall Street on Washington only serve to exacerbate the problem. The Republican Party, once the icon of sound fiscal policy, has discarded its ideals by mortgaging our country’s financial health and future to the whim of other countries in order to fund and maintain our status quo around the world.
American Theocracy : The Peril and Politics of Radical Religion, Oil, and Borrowed Money in the 21st Century is not without its critics. Many feel Kevin Phillips is biased and bigoted in his view as he tackles the concerns he has for the Christian right and their influence in America today. Others may feel he is not always accurate in his facts. But this is to be expected by stirring the pot and necessarily not always being politically correct. Having said that in view of the import of the thesis presented in no way detracts nor dismisses these vital problems all Americans face.
By: John Woolf
About the Author:
Filed under Book Reviews by on Sep 7th, 2010.
They say you should not talk about religion or politics in mixed company, and yet, that’s exactly what people want to talk about. Especially politics, and everyone has an opinion, and they are dying to tell you, and explain why. And if you disagree, well God help you, because they are going to convince you otherwise if it takes them all night. It seems that Americans have a love-hate relationship with politics, on one hand they just can’t get enough of it, on another hand they feel repulsed by it.
If you’d like to talk more about this philosophical debate, then I have a very good book for you to read. Not only is it interesting, but it will very much make you think. I keep a copy in my personal library; the name of the book is;
“Why Americans **** Politics” by EJ Dionne Junior, 1991
Divide and conquer is the name of the game, but this author explains how political parties hurt Americans, and he gives an interpretive history of 30 years of politics from 1960 to 1990, it’s quite good indeed. He explains all the differences between; neo conservatism, liberals, socialists, reformers, libertarians, leftists, and even communists. He explains McGovern and the modern Republicans.
This book is broken into parts and in Part One; “the failures of liberalism” and the new left he goes into great detail. He explains Reagan’s issues and concerns about over regulation and he goes into great details about the divides that we have placed in our society and civilization such as; blacks and whites, family politics, and feminism.
If you are a liberal he won’t let you off the hook, neither will he back off from the conservatism contradictions or the religious right and how Christianity was hijacked by the Republicans. He also explains how politics and economics go hand-in-hand, and there is a chapter on supply-side economics.
The chapter I enjoyed the most was the one about “the logic of false choices and the lesser of two evils.” He explains how all these factors led to voter revolts and lower turnouts, as he shows us that people are tired of politics, and they no longer trust the system, which is a scary thought in and of itself. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this.
By: Lance Winslow
About the Author:
Read more on The Love – **** Relationship in American Politics – A Book Review…
Filed under Book Reviews by on Sep 6th, 2010.
In 2008 there will be another round of presidential primaries, but with the primaries over a year away there is an almost unknown candidate John Cox of Illinois. John Cox is a businessman, tax attorney, and author. Who at 50, has had two failed attempts at office in Congress in 2000 and in the 2002 Senate, believes that this is the right time for him to make an attempt to take control of the Executive branch. Cox at this time has been gathering support in political circles in New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Iowa.
In his book Politic$, Inc., Principle, Not Profit, Why We Need Statesmen, and Not Career Politicians, he makes his views clear about career politicians who have taken up residence for life in Congress. In his book In Politic$, Inc. he draws on the point, that politicians are more concerned about their personal wealth and power than the well being of the people, or the state of the Nation. He reflects on his past involvement with tax officials, who don’t seem to know that they are public servants.
Cox offers solutions to many of the governments problems such as, the out of control spending, the runaway train syndrome that we have with regards to the Social security administration, medical care, and the crumbling education system. This he blames on politicians who would rather take the path of least resistance instead of the sometimes more difficult solutions, and all this for political gain. Therefore abandoning a chance to correct some of our most pressing problems .
This book may be the driving force for an electorate searching for a real Conservative leader. In his missive Cox states that he believes that term limits should be implemented. This would resolve issues of Legislators who are unable to show political restraint .
Cox, whose mother was abandoned by his father when John Cox was an infant, is opposed to abortion on demand, and he has strong feelings against amnesty for illegal aliens. This businessman is a strong supporter of a high tech missile defense system to deter other nations from pursuing a nuclear weapons program. He is strongly committed to pursuing a plan for improvements to education, health care costs, and environmental improvements that would be acceptable and fair with minimal interference from bureaucrats.
By: Eddie Hunter
About the Author:
Filed under Book Reviews by on Sep 1st, 2010.
Politics is like a drug for society as it is the catalyst, as well as the sound and fury of mankind and his slow progression. Some say that politics is no way to run the human race or our civilization, yet others swear by their leaders, who often enough turn out to be complete hypocrites. Just when you think you have found an honest politician, low and behold we learn that they are not what they purport or the media allows us to believe.
Still, whether you like the idea of the political process or not, and yes, admittedly it has a lot to be desired; it is how we do things here. And so, it makes sense to be informed about our leaders and know what’s really going on behind the publicity stunts, political strategists and barrage of mass media advertising. It is for this very reason that I feel compelled to offer you a recommendation for a very good book to help you sort things out and not be fooled by the fa
Read more on Politics As Usual and the Move Towards Socialism…
Filed under Book Reviews by on Jul 28th, 2010.
The amount of political banter in this nation is quite humorous at times, and yet, so much of the reality we use in comedy is muffled due to the politically correct nonsense. After all, in America there are still things you just cannot say, even though we are afforded “free speech” in our founding documents.
Perhaps, this is why I enjoy reading a book that is not politically correct, that goes after both sides and their ridiculous shenanigans. One author I love to read, because he is hilarious and for the most part he is right on target in Bernard Goldberg the once famous news commentary guy from CBS. In fact, his latest book is great. You should indeed read;
“Crazies to the Left of Me, Wimps to the Right; How One Side Lost its Mind and the Other Side Lost its Nerve,” by Bernard Goldberg (also author of “BIAS; 100 People Who Are Screwing Up America”); HarperCollins Publishers; New York, NY; 2007, (271 pages). ISBN: 978-0-06-12527-0 and/or ISBN-10: 0-06-12527-3
He holds nothing back when it comes to religion, terrorists, or the world media that works so hard to shape our minds and alter our political views and opinions. Goldberg explains the absurdity of it all and the underlining problems that all this sound and fury is causing. This book is not for the angry limousine liberal or the staunch Obama-Rama in my estimation.
Nor is this book for the steadfast Republican that will go along with the flow of spending from their ranks. If you cannot laugh at yourself or this crazy thing we call politics, this is not the book for you. But if you can a 1,000 laughs await you, so I highly recommend it. Please consider it, and this book will indeed be a good gift for the right leaning libertarian or true conservative in your family.
By: Lance Winslow
About the Author:
Filed under Book Reviews by on Jul 7th, 2010.
How much do you know about world politics? Geopolitics can be one of the most interesting subjects, and if you’d like to learn more, perhaps you need to dive into the challenges of our time, and understand all sides of the debate. I believe that’s the best way to approach it, and if you agree, there’s a very good book I’d like to recommend to you, the name of the book is;
“Taking Sides – Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in World Politics” by John T. Rourke.
In this book the author asks some pretty tough questions, about some of the most challenging and problematic issues of our time. Each chapter adds to the chaos and controversy of world events in our present period. And there are many questions, which perhaps have no answer, however are debated by scholars and academics alike. In fact, one of the tough questions is frequented by those that write articles in foreign affairs, the economist, and in letters to the Washington Post and New York Times.
“Is the Capitalist model for Third World development destructive?”
This is a very tough question, and one that is always discussed at the Davos World Economic Conference. But there are more comments, questions, and concerns in this book for instance;
“Is economic globalism a positive trend?”
The international monetary fund or IMF suggests that globalism should serve all, but countries and corporations often exploit the labor. Everyone benefits if we are all on the same page, even if it undermines their national sovereignty temporarily. The debaters also discuss international cooperation and choice in trade. And they discuss issues of global governance, and if it is right if it is forced? One debater suggests that the European Union is in danger of a revolution of culture and economics, however the academics of Europe have an answer for that as well.
If you want to get at the heart of the debate of the new world order, how to run the United Nations, a global currency, or a global trade free market place, there is probably no better book to start out with to hear all the different sides of the chaos and controversy surrounding these topics. Indeed, I hope you will please consider all this.
By: Lance Winslow
About the Author:
Read more on It is Politics As Usual – A Book Review on Taking Sides…
Filed under Book Reviews by on Jul 7th, 2010.
Often politicians running for office will write books, and many of them will use these books to rally their base of supporters. It’s always been an excellent tool for high-power politicians in the House and Senate or perhaps even running for president. Often governors of states will also write books and they use these books to propel their notoriety, and help establish themselves as experts of integrity and credibility.
Not long ago, I pulled an old book off my bookshelf by a politician that later became president. You will know his name he was once governor of Arkansas and his running mate at the time was a Senator from Tennessee just like his father, a man who would later also run for president and lose. Of course, you already know who I’m talking about, but the book that I like to recommend is;
“Putting People First; How We Can Change America,” by Gov. Bill Clinton and Senator Al Gore, 1992
Now before I explain this book, I’d like you know that I am conservative, and I doubt I would have ever voted for the gentleman. Although history has done Bill Clinton well except for his little escapade with that intern. In this book he talks about agriculture, arms control, the degradation of our cities, civil rights, the ADA, healthcare, immigration and all the problems and challenges in the Middle East. Yes, they’re still going on.
In hindsight, much of what he wrote in the book didn’t turn out all that well with him as president. His Agriculture initiatives turned into corporate welfare. His arms control ideas only caused North Korea to lie about its missiles and when it was his turn to catch Osama bin Laden; he missed. His civil rights initiatives turned into just more political correctness. And his healthcare concepts merely subsidized HMOs and created many billionaires.
As far as the American disabilities act, it’s been used all over the country by lawyers to sue small businesses. When it came to immigration he didn’t do anything, not that any other president did either, but it is interesting. He also was unable to solve the problem between Israel and Palestin, as if that was ever solvable or if there will ever be peace there.
He did indicate in the book that we need a civilian advanced technology agency, and I believe he was right about that. Anyway, it’s fun to read these old political books, because you can look at the history behind the words and see if they mean anything. Please consider all this.
By: Lance Winslow
About the Author:
Filed under Book Reviews by on Jun 16th, 2010.