The Assault on Reason

Starred review from July 30, 2007
As scathing as it is meticulous, Gore's treatise on reason juggernauts its way through the Bush administration, never even needing to include the controversial nature of Bush's presidential elections. He identifies the growing concentration of power in the executive branch virtually ignored by mainstream media. Drawing on the great political philosophers of history and his lengthy career in government, Gore contends that the loss of a genuine public forum in the age of radio and television has led to the decay of democracy. He delivers a serious critique of the United States tempered by hope and faith in the restoration of checks and balances. The articulated venom of Gore's words can be heard in Patton's voice as he narrates. He reads with an intensity that makes this already engaging prose compelling. Patton maintains a distinct smooth and edgy voice, but maintains a cadence that reminds listeners of Gore's own speaking mannerisms. In quoting historical figures, Patton's voice is distinct but not haughty or pompous. The combination of Patton's performance and Gore's words make this an impressive audiobook. Simultaneous release with the Penguin Press hardcover.

June 1, 2007
Although published on the heels of many books by 2008 candidates, this latest by former Vice President Gore (An Inconvenient Truth) is distinctly different, and doubtless that's because Gore is not a declared candidate. His candor and focus on details, compared with the mushier messages coming from declared Democrats and Republicans, are emblematic of what our current campaign system has done to meaningful discourse. Gore blames the Bush administration for much that is wrong now in the United States and in the world. He says up front that "a large and growing number of Americans are asking out loud: 'What has happened to our country?'" That's edging a bit toward candidate speak, at least to this confessedly Democratic reviewer, since Bush was elected by millions of people who seemed to think well of his plans for the country, even when they were given a chance to reconsider in 2004. Yet for the most part, Gore speaks his mind with specificity and offers the history lessons, with end notes, of a true believer in research and in the intelligence of voters. His very use of the word reason hearkens to an age of enlightenment, questioning and understanding that he wishes to renew. The book deserves a place in all public libraries. Whether ultimately librarians will need to put it on their display of all declared 2008 candidates' books remains a question. That Gore has expressed himself frankly and without apparent worry about losing voters who are sitting on the fence is entirely to his credit. [See Prepub Alert, LJ 1/07.]Margaret Heilbrun, Library Journal

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