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| The Revolution: A Manifesto | 
 enlarge | Author: Ron Paul
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Category: Book
List Price: $21.00
Buy New: $11.25
You Save: $9.75 (46%)
New (42) Used (17) Collectible (7) from $10.59
Avg. Customer Rating:  647 reviews
Sales Rank: 102
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 192
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.2 x 0.9
ISBN: 0446537519
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.931092
EAN: 9780446537513
ASIN: 0446537519
Publication Date: April 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW, IN-HOUSE READY TO SHIP!!! NOT A BARGAIN, REMAINDER OR BOOKCLUB BOOK!!! WE ARE A 5 STAR SELLER.
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| Customer Reviews:
The Single Most Important Work on Politics in the 21st Century April 20, 2008
126 out of 135 found this review helpful
I've been a Small Government Republican all my political life and have actively campaigned for Ronald Reagan and Bob Dole. It seems pretty clear that Ron Paul is the only politician who is willing to stand up for our freedoms and our American Values. The expansion of Federal Power over the past two decades (as accelerated under the current administration) has eroded our basic civil liberties and corrupted our political system. In this book, Ron Paul points to another way that will restore our liberties and make our nation strong again. It is time to recognize that both parties in our "Two Party System," have been bought and paid for by corporate and other nefarious interests who care for nothing but their own enrichment. Read this book and pass it along to others.
On a personal note, if Ron Paul isn't on the ballot in November, I'm writing him in and encourage everyone else who values freedom to do the same. If enough of us "waste our votes," in this manner we will eventually send the message that Washington needs to hear.
Manifesto of the Revolution April 19, 2008
115 out of 121 found this review helpful
This book is a must-read.
I truly believe that historians will one day write of THE REVOLUTION as the book that inspired a national movement to reverse America's decline.
It begins with a reality check. Our entitlement programs are insolvent. The dollar is collapsing yet we continue to borrow billions from China every day. National bankruptcy looms while we play empire games abroad, weakening our national defense and stirring up hostility against us. And the political class offers no alternative. Artificial limitations on free debate ensure that the right questions are never asked, let alone answered.
The book's core message is that our current path is unsustainable. Either we face the facts and revert gracefully from empire to republic, or financial reality will make itself known in increasingly uncomfortable ways until the system degenerates into chaos.
It seems impossible to me that anyone could read this book from cover to cover and come to a different conclusion. In concise and captivating prose, Ron Paul takes a rhetorical wrecking ball to the conventional wisdom about terrorism, foreign policy, the economy, healthcare, taxes, trade, the war on drugs, foreign aid, international institutions, and much more. He lambasts the media and political establishments for sustaining the illusion of a fantasy world while liberty and prosperity are silently strangled.
When the dust clears, all that remains standing is the legacy of our founding fathers. Ron Paul eloquently defends the original intent of the founders and the continued relevance of the Constitution. He draws for us a beautiful picture of America - the way it was meant to be, the way it still can be.
Forget the campaign-season rhetoric about unity and change. Here, finally, is a message - a manifesto - around which Americans can unite. "In the final analysis," Ron Paul writes, "the last line of defense in support of freedom and the Constitution consists of the people themselves."
It is that time. The system is compromised. The government is not coming to the rescue. The media will only distract you. The future of our Republic will be decided by you and me. As a first step, let us rouse our neighbors by spreading this book far and wide.
Ron Paul has written a masterpiece that deserves to be read by every American. It enlightens and inspires from the first page to its final sentence:
"Let the revolution begin."
The Conscience of a Constitutionalist April 20, 2008
114 out of 122 found this review helpful
THE REVOLUTION: A MANIFESTO
by Dr. Ron Paul
If you've been following Ron Paul's candidacy, you probably already own some of his books. You may have donated money or time to his campaigns, or even had a chance to see him speak in person. But since he's not the "presumptive nominee", you may be wondering, "is it necessary to read more of this man's ideas"? The answer is yes.
The reason for this is simple: Ron Paul is the most visible proponent of authentic constitutionalism in the U.S. political arena at this moment. The book contains chapters on the issues that Paul is well known for, including noninterventionist foreign policy, "sound money" and the defense of civil liberties. The core of these positions is a deep understanding of the U.S. Constitution. As Dr. Paul correctly notes, the debate about the role of government has mutated over the years into a squabble between various groups for government favors. This pits all the groups against each other, but what's even worse about it is that it weakens our own sense of individualism and expands the role of government into our lives. The Presidential race doesn't dominate the content, and this book will certainly be read and recommended by pro-freedom Americans long after the November 2008.
The concepts that Dr. Paul advocates have been called "radical". Certainly they stand in bold contrast to D.C. conventional wisdom of all the administrations during my lifetime. Therefore one would expect a book like 'The Revolution' to be emotionally charged and aggressive or cranky. Fortunately this is not the case. The words in this book are written in a style that is informative but easy to understand. Dr. Paul demonstrates that he is considered an outsider for holding ideas that used to be held as conventional wisdom by freedom-loving Americans. As such, they aren't his own ideas, but those of a great tradition in U.S. political thought. You will read decades-old quotes from economists that seem just as timely today as when they were first spoken. You will also encounter some of Dr. Paul's inspirations, and hear anecdotes about his time in congress and his medical career. Although he isn't afraid to criticize negative tendencies in the political class, the book is refreshing in it's optimism and appeals to human dignity. What has been done with this book is very difficult, especially considering some of the ridiculous accusations leveled at the Paul campaign.
During the course of the presidential race, Dr. Paul has been criticized by some Republicans for "not being conservative enough". In particular, these issues are NAFTA-style trade, the drug war, foreign policy, "pork spending" and his states' rights position on abortion. He addresses these debates in this book, and makes it clear that his positions are more in step with the Founders than any of his critics. But even in these segments, Dr. Paul rarely mentions his opponents by name, and the tone isn't hostile or bitter. I believe that this is because his priority isn't in making people tear each other down, but instead to return our focus back to the values of respect for life, liberty and private property. The reality is that Ron Paul has talked about all these issues for years, and has been principled and consistent in his political career. This book contains the words of a man that we should listen to, partly because he is better informed than most, but especially because he speaks truth to power.
"During my public life, I have earned the nickname Dr. No, a reference to my previous occupation as a physician combined with my willingness to stand against the entire Congress if necessary to vote no on some proposed measure. As a matter of fact, I don't especially care for this nickname, since it may give people the impression that I am a contrarian for its own sake, and for some reason I simply relish saying no. In those no votes, as in all my congressional votes, I have thought of myself as saying yes to the Constitution and to freedom."
-Dr. Ron Paul
The only campaign book with something to say April 21, 2008
98 out of 105 found this review helpful
Every election cycle, most presidential candidates write (or have ghost-written) a book to be released during the primary contest. These cliche texts are almost always the same; heartfelt anecdotes of formative years, hard work done to overcome obstacles and establish themselves in their adult lives, and finally a series of platitudes and vague commitments to right the wrongs, fight the good fights, and to put in the hard work needed to make the world a Better Place(tm). In short, sophomoric emotional crap that doesn't help in any way to clarify the candidates abilities, positions, or principles. Worse yet, you will almost never find a statement indicating the candidates justification for a policy position, references to materials they base their opinion on, or any sort of historic or scientific facts that support their conclusion.
The best you can usually hope for is a vague sense of "liking" or "respecting" the candidate. Of course, since they control the flavor of the story (I.E. the spin), you usually come away with exactly the impression they want you to have. For some people, perhaps most, this is enough to win their vote. Since all candidates are pretty much the same, they figure, the best you can do is vote for the one you see as likeable, with a strong presence, and a real-enough sounding claim to hold office.
This book shows it doesn't have to be that way. In his 20 years in the U.S. Congress, Ron Paul has written hundreds of position papers regarding our nation's policies. These papers were brief, coherent, and comprehensive statements of his decision making process. They provide insight into what he believes and why he believes it. If you disagreed with one of his stances, you could seek out and contest the very materials it is based on and argue against it using principle and reason.
"The Revolution" is as a distillation of those hundreds of brilliant papers, updated with current events, and interspersed with prescient quotes from the founders and other luminaries like Bastiat, Rothbard, and VonMises. This book is not like the vanity pieces produced by most campaigns. It offers real insight into the principles that Ron Paul has built his economic, social, and political world view upon. I would recommend this book to anyone, but especially to those unsatisfied with the quality (and quantity) of political debate in this country and hoping for something more substantial.
 A Revolutionary Manifesto May 1, 2008
96 out of 110 found this review helpful
I was excited to get this book in mail, but a little worried that due to its small size I would not get any new information than what I had gotten listening to Ron Paul debate and give speeches.
I was wrong! The book, though slim, is quite packed with good information. His argument's are more fully developed and criticisms are answered.
Especially worthy of comment are the chapters on economic matters. His fluency in the economic sphere is a breath of fresh air. A politician is finally being candid about government money, and the overarching system that is destroying the dollar.
The chapter on the constitution was also great. There was a small discussion on executive orders that taught me something I did not know before.
The recommended reading section is also welcome for those who want to get into detail.
So, why 4 instead of 5? There was a guy who said that Ron Paul supporters are having all non-5 star reviews deleted, and that we (supporters of Paul) are like cult-members, unquestioning of his policy, etc. So, I decided I could find a fault with the book. I was disappointed there were no endnotes and no index. But sorry, I happen to agree with his policy. It's not blind, cultish, it's simply that I find his arguments compelling.
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