Books matching: freedom of information
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- #1
Bitter Fruit: The Story of the American Coup in Guatemala by Stephen C. Schlesinger and Stephen Kinzer is a well-written and engaging account of the American intervention in Guatemala. The book delves into the historical context surrounding the revolution and coup, providing background information on the parties involved and the aftermath of the events. Through meticulous research and use of various sources, including Freedom of Information Act documents and interviews, the authors present a compelling narrative that reads like a thriller while staying true to historical accuracy. The story unfolds like a Hollywood conspiracy theory movie, shedding light on the darker aspects of US foreign policy during the Cold War era.
"The Influencing Machine: Brooke Gladstone On The Media" by Brooke Gladstone delves into the history and impact of media on human culture. It explores how media shapes society and how society, in turn, shapes the media. Through well-written and easy-to-read narratives, readers are taken on a journey through the evolution of media, from the development of mass communication technologies to the present day debates on government suppression and freedom of information. presents a deep and insightful analysis of the media landscape, shedding light on biases, complexities, and the role of media in holding governments accountable.
- #3
Readers describe "Blind Man's Bluff: The Untold Story of American Submarine Espionage" as a gripping account of submarine espionage during the Cold War, shedding light on secret military operations that were previously unknown to many. The book delves into the missions, technology, and tensions faced by submarine sailors, providing a detailed and well-researched narrative that captures the spirit and soul of these submariners. It offers insights into covert sea stories, the differences in experiences between submariners and other navy personnel, and the challenges and dangers encountered under the sea during espionage missions.
There was something about Commander Charles R. MacVean that had a way of inspiring legend. It wasn’t the way he looked: tall, a little chunky, and in his late thirties already crowned by a thatch of t... - #4
Starting with the fall of the Shah, Crist narrates and analyses the growing conflict between the Ayatollahs and the United States. Iran played a huge role in the Lebanese violence of the 1980s which consumed a lot of the United States time whilst in the country. Soon prominent Americans in the region were being taken as hostages, later to be ransomed for weapons to be used against the Iraqi invasion. The Iranian authorities were making it clear that they had no time for America. Above all though, the author analyses just how short sighted both the US and Iran have been over the past three decades in making headway towards a form of peace. Suspicion, animosity, fear, anger, pride, ignorance... you name it, they have all clouded the judgments of successive Presidents in both governments.
Crist documents the events which were to lead to the instability in Iraq and also where the US military directly engaged the Iranian Revolutionary Guards along the border regions. The reality is again significantly different. Ignored, but in the back up documentation for the DOD investigation and readily obtained by this writer in several requests under the Freedom Of Information Act, is a memorandum citing a conversation aboard the US flagship in Bahrain. Participating were the admiral commanding forces in the Persian Gulf, his chief of staff, the SIGINT officer and the senior staff intelligence officer. The subject was the SIGINT officer's report that he lacked any indicators that this bogie was anything other than what it was: a commercial airliner.
Every day one fifth of the world’s oil exports flow through the twenty-mile-wide Strait of Hormuz that links the Persian Gulf with the outside world. Since 1949 the U.S. Navy has patrolled this waterw... 'The History Thieves: Secrets, Lies and the Shaping of a Modern Nation' by Ian Cobain delves into the deep-rooted culture of secrecy within the British establishment, highlighting how the government and intelligence agencies have systematically hidden and distorted historical events to shape a positive narrative of the nation's past. Cobain's investigative journalism uncovers dark secrets from the colonial era, the civil war in Northern Ireland, and the modern-day surveillance activities of intelligence agencies, shedding light on the ongoing threat to democratic processes posed by secrecy at the highest levels of government.
Through meticulously researched chapters, Cobain exposes the British state's history of concealing sensitive operations both domestically and internationally, from covert wars in Oman and Vietnam to collusion with Loyalist death squads in Northern Ireland. challenges the reader to question the selective disclosure of information by those in power, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability in governance for the protection of citizens' rights and liberties.
At the start of the nineteenth century, the British people felt quietly confident that they enjoyed the most open system of government of any of the great European powers. Although the state was growi...'Propaganda and the Public Mind' by Noam Chomsky and David Barsamian delves into a critical analysis of propaganda, media manipulation, and the power dynamics at play in shaping public opinion. Chomsky's thought-provoking insights challenge readers to question the information they are fed and to consider the underlying motives behind the dissemination of certain narratives. The writing style is described as engaging, accessible, and conversational, making complex topics easier to understand for a wider audience.
Your busy speaking schedule has taken you recently to Toronto, Winona State University in Winona, Minnesota; Fort Wayne, Indiana; London, England; and today Boulder, Colorado. What’s going on at these...- #7
Once, at the dawn of a very dark time, an American father and his daughter found themselves suddenly transported from their snug home in Chicago to the heart of Hitler's Berlin. In 1933, William E. Dodd became America's ambassador to Germany amidst Hitler's rise to power. Dodd and Martha, his daughter, initially sympathized with the Nazi's, downplaying the violence against Jews. Throughout most of the book, readers are shown a detailed look at Germany in 1933-1934 through the experience of Ambassador Dodd, a university professor from Chicago. Larson weaves together a very particular kind of story about the Dodd family and 1930s Hitler in Germany, showing the chilling story of William Dodd, Ambassador to Germany from 1933 to 1937.
Now chairman of the history department, Dodd had been a professor at the university since 1909, recognized nationally for his work on the American South and for a biography of Woodrow Wilson. He was s... - #8
'The Sane Society' by Erich Fromm delves into the analysis of modern society, pointing out its flaws and proposing solutions. Fromm's writing style engages the reader with challenging concepts and ideas, treating them as thoughtful and curious individuals. The book discusses the insanity of society, the alienation of modern man, and the underlying messages of religious and philosophical figures like Moses, Christ, and Buddha.
There is a striking paradox about the appearance of a new edition of The Sane Society today, thirty-five years after its original publication. On the one hand, the subject of the book—the psychologica... - #9
'The Racketeer' by John Grisham follows the story of Malcolm Bannister, a small-town lawyer falsely imprisoned for money laundering. In prison, he hatches a deal with the Feds to identify the murderer of a federal judge in exchange for an early release. The plot is convoluted and clever, with many twists and turns that keep the readers engaged and guessing. Grisham's writing style is described as fast-paced and satisfying, with some readers finding it challenging to follow in the audiobook format but ultimately enjoyable till the end.
Malcolm's journey involves intricate schemes, revenge, and a fine moral line that keeps the readers on edge. is praised for its thought-provoking nature, morally ambiguous characters, and intriguing plot twists. While some readers found the story to be unrealistic and criticized the excessive twists, many appreciated the engaging narrative and the way Grisham delves into the flaws of the penal system through a thrilling and entertaining storyline.
I’m forty-three years old and halfway through a ten-year sentence handed down by a weak and sanctimonious federal judge in Washington, D.C. All of my appeals have run their course, and there is no pro... In the civil rights movement, 1964 was the year of Freedom Summer. On June 21, Mississippi, one of the last bastions of segregation in America and a bloody battleground in the fight for civil rights, reached the low point in its history. On that stea
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