American Political History

I want to do a lot of research on American political history and things that happened to shape the politics of our naton today. I want to start with the FDR presidency and go in depth as to the influences on our political process like Kennedy, Nixon, The mafia, big business, neocons. I want to really understand why and how we are where we are now.

Does anybody have any recomendations for books or even Textbooks that I can read to help me educate myself on this?

My college does not teach even one political class so I have to learn this on my own.

Thanks for any help!

Germany's 9/11.

A case study of what happens when you let Conservatives run the government during a time of national crisis.

http://worldatwar.net/event/reichstagsbrand/

You might actually want to start there. It's not like they haven't tried this before, you see. And it always goes horribly wrong.

that occurred during the FDR administration, you MUST read

"The End of Reform"

The author's name escapes me right now...the basic thesis is that true liberal reform died with FDR, with the advent of consumerism. True liberal, structural reform of capitalism shifted to liberal social reform. Basically, we gave up on challenging capitalism and focused instead on social reform.

An excellent book.

Yes, it's biased, toward the masses not the plutocrats.

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by Shirer

The book recs are great.. but what I am really looking for is books that illustrate with the analysis of certain events why the government runs the way it does now. I need to study history to see why the parties are the way they are now. Historical events of course shape what we are now. I'm watching a movie on Nixon right now and am very interested as to the forces that changed our democracy, things like both Kennedy assasinations, the rise of big business and the depletion of true liberalism as well as the forces behind the rise of neocons.

My Fiancee thinks I am crazy although he humors me, I want to try and make a difference in this country in a more direct way not only as a voter or an activist but as somebody who has direct influence on the Gov't and how it operates. But I do not want to run for public office because honestly I wouldn't win lol. I think I have too many principles and will never have enough money.

The last time the Republicans controlled all branches of government
was most noted for the McCarthy hearings. Sen. Joseph McCarthy
delighted in destroying the lives of all who opposed the adminstration
by accusing them of being Communists. He never had any evidence
(though he always said he had) but everyone believed him anyway.

go to the American history profs at your school and ask them for their ideas. I am out of school too long now for this but I suspect you will end up with about 20+ books easy. A lot of history profs just specialize in political history

But my history Prof. is actually a journalist. Right now I am going to a junior college so the class pickings are very slim. I might see if I can get some recs from the dean of the history dept. at UF. IF he'll take my call.

Thanks for the suggestion!

does he know someone? Sounds odd... I was a history major.

He was a history major but became more interested in Journalism. He was offered the job a few years ago. I probably should ask him and see what he thinks. I could probably just call his office at the local newspaper and see what he says. I take mainly online classes now as I own my own busines and don't have time for real classes.

IMO, a very good book...was assigned reading in my 20th century US history class. I actually read the entire book ;)