Richard Shenkman

Read and discuss a variety of books exploring how to create a more civil and engaged community.Join Mary Dumas on the third Wednesday of the month from noon to 1:30. Authors DO NOT attend. Meetings are in the Readings Gallery -- brown bag lunches are encouraged. Anyone interested in exploring their role as an engaged citizen is welcome.

Wed, Jul 17, noon

Just how stupid are we?: Facing the Truth About the American Voter by Rick Shenkman

This book puts our collective wisdom to the test, something to consider as the U.S. continues to assert a sense of supremacy across the world. Seems to some like we're getting dumber, are we? Join us for a discussion on this author's proposals for reforming our institutions—the government, the media, civic organizations, political parties—to make them work better for the American people and his assertion that, first we must reform ourselves.

Location: Street: 1200 11th St City: Bellingham, Province: Washington Postal Code: 98225-7015 Country: United States (added from IndieBound)… (more)

Richard Shenkman discusses Presidential Ambition.

Combining a potent narrative with persuasive and compelling insights, Shenkman reveals that it is not just recent presidents who have been ambitious and at times frighteningly overambitious, willing to sacrifice their health, family, loyalty, and values as they sought to overcome the obstacles to power—but they all have. This volcanic ambition, Shenkman shows, has been essential not only in obtaining power but in facing--and attempting to master—the great historical forces that have continually reshaped the United States, from Manifest Destiny and Emancipation to immigration, the Great Depression, and nuclear weapons. —from the publisher's website (timspalding)… (more)