American Politics Journal -- Holiday Gift Guide

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Political Junkie Procrastinator's
Holiday Gift Guide
compiled and edited by JJ Balzer

Dec. 12, 2006 -- We know you've been naughty.

You haven't even come close to completing your holiday gift shopping.

So have we.

And so, in what we hope will become an annual act of penance, we are introducing our annual list of gift recommendations. The focus is on media -- print and digital -- with a few other treats thrown in for good measure.

BOOKS

This has been a bumper year for political books -- particularly if your views have a progressive/Democratic/liberal bent. There are simply too many great new tomes to recommend, so we have narrowed it to four selections:

Jeff Koopersmith recommends Fritz Stern's "Five Germanys I Have Known": "Stern made me realize that there is much more to observe about this era between the Weimar Republican and National Socialism than simply the atrocities perpetrated by Hitler."

We will be posting a full review of the book later today.

Gene Gaudette recommends Alan Bisbort's "When You Read This They Will Have Killed Me: The Life and Redemption of Caryl Chessman, Whose Execution Shook America": "I couldn't put it down. Alan Bisbort's compelling page-turner gives us the most comprehensive portrait yet of Caryl Chessman–the flawed and fascinating man, the literary and cultural phenomenon, the eloquent foe of a corrupt system who made an enormous impact on Americans' perception of justice."

Don't Forget Steve Young!

For the kids: 15 Minutes
"Written in breezy first-person style with lots of side comments to readers, this lighthearted story combines science fiction, sports action, and raucous humor with a strong underlying message about personal responsibility and honesty."–Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL

For the grownups: Great Failures of the Extremely Successful
"If any book about failure can succeed, it's this one. I've seen Steve work, and believe me, he knows what he's talking about."–Paul Reiser

JJ Balzer recommends Richard Dawkins's "The God Delusion": "Evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins delivers a rational, reasoned and rigorous smackdown to fundamentalist Christianism and Islamism, and an eloquent plea for the ascent of reason and ethics."

Jane Grice recommends R.D. Rosen's "Bad President": "Side-splittingly funny recaptioning of actual photos of our beloved popular wartime preznit in action. A great, inexpensive stocking-stuffer."

MOVIES

Gene Gaudette recommends "Hands Over the City": "Francesco Rosi's 1963 film about real estate speculation and greed in Napoli captures the local microcosm of the culture of corruption in all of its seamy infamy. 'Hands' is one of the best bare-knuckles critiques of government corruption ever put to celluloid, one of the most underrated Italian films of all time, and a surprise showcase for the inimitable Rod Steiger. Criterion's new transfer and bonus features make the release self-recommending."

JJ Balzer recommends "Reds": "It has always astonished me that David Lean's leaden 'Doctor Zhivago' is regarded as a landmark of epic filmmaking, and Warren Beatty's 'Reds' -- a film that is superior in practically every aspect -- gets the Rodney Dangerfield treatment in cine-crit circles. It's particular maddening because 'Reds' is one of the best American films ever made. ... MGM's new transfer [and bonus features are] the best value for the money in a new DVD release I've seen this year."

Jane Grice recommends "An Inconvenient Truth": "And to think this started as a PowerPoint presentation. Every person concerned about the future of the species owes it to her- or himself to watch this film."

MUSIC

Gene Gaudette recommends:

-- "The Essential Sibelius" -- Bis: "Fifteen CDs of some of the best Sibelius committed to disc for under 70 bucks, including an incredible complete symphony cycle conducted by the incomparable Osmo Vänskä. Best bargain release of the year."

-- "Tchaikovsky: Symphonies Nos.4-6 -- Evgeny Mravinsky / Leningrad Philharmonic" -- Deutsche Grammophon: "New digital transfers of Mravinsky's landmark, high-octane Tchaikovsky. Essential recordings of three of the most popular works in the Classical repertoire."

-- "Dmitri Shostakovich : Symphony No. 11 -- Semyon Bychkov/WDR Symphony Orchestra Cologne" -- Avie: "Full disclosure: Avie's US distributor is a marketing client of mine -- but Bychkov's uncompromising interpretation of Shostakovich's explicit indictment of the 1956 Soviet invasion of Hungary (disguised as the 1905 Czarist massacre of Russian protesters), released to commemorate the composer's centenary, is one of the most spectacular symphonic recordings ever issued -- and the ideal gift for SACD player owners looking for the ultimate demonstration disc."

Jane Grice recommends:

-- CD -- Dixie Chicks: "Taking the Long Way" -- "Great pop/country/bluegrass, great hooks, and every time someone buys a copy, a FOX News addict gets a migraine!"

-- Vinyl -- Neil Young: "Living With War" -- "No turntable in the Age of Junior should be without a copy."

-- Spoken Word CD -- Jello Biafra: "In the Grip of Official Treason" -- "The pride of San Francisco-via-Boulder tips the cow, sets the barn on fire, and gives Dick Cheney an atomic wedgie. Two years of Jello's finest speaking appearances, from 2004 to 2006 -- solid gold rants at a fire-sale price."