Alexander Cockburn (1941–2012)

One doesn't have to agree with all of Cockburn's opinions to appreciate this book. Throughout, he is consistent in his skewering of politicians of all stripes. There are very few, short of outright communists, that he admires. George W. Bush comes in for some well-deserved criticism, of course, but so does Bill Clinton. Cockburn also gets straight to the heart of Barack Obama's weaknesses. And he has nothing good to say about Hillary Clinton. Despite this curmudgeonly attitude, Cockburn still emerges as a complex, caring individual with interesting character traits, such as his love of old American automobiles. Although this book is long and frequently depressing as it details abuses of power around the world, it is compelling reading from start to finish. Anyone wanting to get up-to-date about the truth of the 20th and early 21st centuries needs to read this. Unfortunately, with Cockburn's death in 2012 there are few journalists with the intelligence and writing skills to continue his battle against hypocrisy.… (mere)