The Pre-Emptive Empire: A Guide to Bush's Kingdom - Hardcover

Landau, Saul

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0745321402 ISBN 13: 9780745321400

Publisher: Pluto Press, 2003

Synopsis

Saul Landau is an internationally known scholar, author, journalist, poet and activist. An Emmy-award-winning film maker, he does frequent radio and TV shows, and his work on human rights and Latin America have won him acclaim the world over.

This, his latest book, is a scathing account of George W. Bush's world before and after the 9/11 terrorist attacks that will appeal to anyone who is disenchanted with the cynicism of Bush's government, and the blatant imperialism U.S. international policy -- or those who just want to learn about what's happening in US politics.

Landau covers the topical and controversial issues -- from terrorism and US foreign policy to Bush's wondrous election victory; from Enron, Chile and Pinochet to Cuba, the Middle East, the IMF, the environment and sexual and cultural politics.

He delves into the erosion of civil liberties and the proliferation of empire under the guise of pre-empting the scourge of terrorism. Landau reveals how Bush protects "his" terrorists -- those who perpetrate violence against Castro’s Cuba, and to whom he owes his presidency. He also examines how Bush has appointed former officials to high level posts in his cabinet despite their membership in a conspiracy to sell weapons of mass destruction to Iran in the 1980s.

In "declassifying" Bush’s Empire, Landau dissects a post-9/11 world where deference to patriotism obliterates debate in Congress and the media. How can the notion of empire happily co-exist with the notion of a republic? In times like these, as dissenting voices are stifled and the public are denied access to the facts about their own security, Landau shows how democracy itself is under threat. He asks whether the already fragile world economy can survive in the new "security" culture of the post-9/11 world.

This is an entertaining read from one of America's foremost cultural and political commentators. Above all, Landau makes a convincing case for the necessity of activism -- the book is not only funny but is also a ringing call for citizens to participate in making their own history.

About this title

About the Author:

Saul Landau has produced and directed forty films on social, political and historical issues. For his work on worldwide human rights he won the Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Award. His articles columns have appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, The Nation, the International Herald Tribune, and many other papers. He has written over ten books and received the Edgar Allen Poe Award. Since 1997, Saul has hosted a TV-radio show called Hot Talk from Cal Poly on controversial issues, which is broadcast on WORLDLINK TV in the US. He is a fellow of the TNI in Amsterdam.

Review:

"This is the best and funniest book on American Politics yet." -- James Abourezk, former Democrat Senator for South Dakota

"To guide us through the three-star disasters of the Bush years I can think of no better pilot." -- Alexander Cockburn, "CounterPunch"

"You'll believe him, laugh with him, weep and get off your ass." -- John Berger

Landau perfectly describes the thugs responsible and our blinded populace with this calm, objective, wonderful book. -- Edward Asner

Saul Landau's reflections stimulate us to vindicate civilization's most positive values. -- Dr. Juan E. Garcés

About this edition

• Publisher: Pluto Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0745321402
• ISBN 13: 9780745321400
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208