It's going to be a very special meeting of the IDN Bookclub (Sun. 2/24, 3:30p). Author Christine Pelosi will be phoning in to discuss her book "Campaign Boot Camp: Basic Training for Future Leaders".

So have a look at the book and think about your own experiences working for a campaign. Then join us at the Book Cellar (4736-38 N. Lincoln Ave) on Sunday, Feb. 24!

RSVP: http://illinoisdemnet.com/node/4387

UPDATE: Questions for Christine? Here's a neat idea: If you've got any questions, just ask them here and we'll include them in the talk on 2/24.

P.S. Big day for Christine: She's in the news re: 'Superdelegates'.

There's a great discussion with Paul Krugman on his book, The Conscience of a Liberal over at TAPPED.

Interestingly, Krugman talks about Republican opposition to universal healthcare not because they're afraid it'll fail but because it might succeed. Krugman says:

Bill Kristol had this famous memo during the defeat of the Clinton health care plan saying, we as Republicans must ensure that there is no plan because if there is a plan, if Clinton gets something, it will legitimize, re-legitimize the welfare state, and he's right.

Universal health care is important and worth doing in its own right, but it also clearly would be a demonstration that you can do good things, that government can make society safer and more equitable, which is why conservatives are so hysterical over even S-CHIP. If we can get heath care, and I think we have slightly better than even odds that we can, it does change the whole set of norms. [Ezra Klein, "TAP Talks to Paul Krugman", American Prospect: Oct. 25, 2007]

The review of the book by Michael Tomasky in the New York Review of Books is also very good -- particularly on background and as an introduction to the subject.

Alan Weisman, the author of our IDN Bookclub Selection for November, "The World Without Us" was on Chicago Public Radio discussing "Chicago Without Us". You can hear the segment by going here...

Our IDN Bookclub get-together to discuss "The World Without Us" will be on Sun. 11/25 (3:30p) at the Book Cellar (4736-38 N. Lincoln Ave). For more info and to RSVP, go here...

Something a bit different and yet completely provocative for November: "The World Without Us" by Alan Weisman.

The book is a survey of how the world would evolve -- what would crumble first, what would last forever -- if the human race suddenly exited the scene.

I still don't have a firm date yet but it will be either the last Sunday of November (11/25) or the first Sunday of December.

We'll be meeting at the Book Cellar (4736 N. Lincoln Ave) on Sun. 9/30 to discuss Glenn Greenwald's "A Tragic Legacy".

We don't have a date yet for October, but does anyone have suggestions on what to read?

Glenn Greenwald, author of our August/September Bookclub selection, "A Tragic Legacy", discusses the new book he's writing on his Blog at Salon.com:

TPM reports that the highly talented US Attorney, David Iglesias, who allegedly was shown the door by the Bush Administration for not indicting a Democrat in time for the Nov. 2006 election, is writing a book about his experiences.

Expected date of publication is April 2008.

Get your copy now of "Supreme Conflict: The Inside Story of the Struggle for Control of the United States Supreme Court" by Jan Crawford Greenburg.

We'll be discussing that and other fun things about the Supreme Court at the Book Cellar (4736-38 N. Lincoln Ave.) on Sun. July 29th (3:30p-5:30p).

RSVP here...

Call for Suggestions....

Please continue here...

Discussion was lively at our June IDN Bookclub get-together. The topic naturally centered around our book, "Assault on Reason", which naturally led into other discussions including the current race for the Democratic Presidential Nomination.

As usual, the staff at the Book Cellar were wonderful (the coffee kept on coming).

We had a great group of people and we're looking to set up a date for our next meeting towards the end of July.

July ReadUp: our "ReadUp" for July is Sun. 7/29 (3:30-5:30p) -- more info and rsvp...

This stood out in the Introduction:

An individual who spends four and a half hours a day watching television is likely to have a very different pattern of brain activity from an individual who spends four and a half hours a day reading. Different parts of the brain are stimulated repetitively. [p21.]

Also, Al Gore can be pretty funny -- in a tongue-in-cheek way. He first discusses how easy it is to hypnotize chickens -- something he learned as a boy -- then what you can do with them once they're hypnotized:

.... There's a lot you can do with a hypnotized chicken. You can use it as a paperweight, or your can use it as a doorstop, and either way, the chicken will sit there motionless, staring blankly. (What you can't do is use it as a football. Something about being thrown through the air seemed to wake that chicken right up.) [p35.]

By popular demand both on-list and off, "The Assault on Reason" by Al Gore is our IDN Bookclub selection for June!

We'll be meeting on Sun. June 24th (4:00pm-5:45pm) at the Book Cellar (4736 N. Lincoln Ave). So read up!

RSVP: http://illinoisdemnet.com/node/3628

So we're got a date at the Book Cellar (4736 N. Lincoln Ave.) for Sun. June 24th. (RSVP here...)

The next arduous task is picking a book!

Tereasa suggested:

• "Peace Be Upon You: The Story of Muslim, Christian and Jewish Coexistence" by Zachary Karabell
• "The Last Campaign: How Harry Truman Won the 1948 Election" by Zachary Karabell.

It's a good idea to keep to books published in the past 12 months (just to stay 'newsy').

That said, please suggest a book!

UPDATE: Okay, by popular demand -- both here and offlist -- "The Assault on Reason" by Al Gore is our Bookclub selection for June!

We had a great discussion about media at our IDN Bookclub get-together on Sunday, April 29 at the Book Cellar in Lincoln Square.

I'd like to thank everyone not only for coming but for paticipating in such an energetic and thoughtful way.

Address:
Book Cellar, 4736-38 N. Lincoln Ave (Near Lincoln Sq.), Chicago

Group:
IllinoisDemNet

Cost:
free

Description:

I'm pleased to announce that our IDN Bookclub of Chicago Selection for March/April is "Fighting for Air: The Battle to Control America's Media" by Eric Klinenberg.

Here's the author discussing the book on NPR:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7381388

We'll be meeting on Sunday, 4/29 (3:30p-5:30p) at the Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave. in Lincoln Sq.

I'm pleased to announce that our IDN Bookclub of Chicago Selection for March/April is "Fighting for Air: The Battle to Control America's Media" by Eric Klinenberg.

I'm still trying to work out dates to get together and discuss the book.  I hope to make it towards the end of April.

Sorry for the delay.

Update: "We'll be meeting on Sunday, 4/29 (3:30p-5:30p) at the Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave.

For more info and to RSVP, go to:
http://illinoisdemnet.com/node/3461

Our next IDN Book Club get-together will be in late February-early March somewhere near Lincoln Square in Chicago.

So the question is, what book to read? This is where you come in.

Is there some book that's come up recently (say, in the last six months) that sounded interesting -- interesting enough for you to suggest?

If so, leave a comment here. Give us a couple of ideas and we'll see what we can come up with as a selection for our next meeting!

We had a great post-election end-of-year IDN Bookclub session covering the book, Tragedy and Farce: How the American Media Sell Wars, Spin Elections, and Destroy Democracy" by John Nichols, et al. Hopitality at the Red Eye Cafe (Lincoln & Berteau) was great.

Everything worked out but the picture: Alas, Odefa was cut off!

Address:
Red Eye Café, 4164 N. Lincoln Ave (just south of Montrose), Chicago

Group:
IllinoisDemNet

Cost:
free

Description:

Okay, we're got a great book for our post-Election 'ReadUp': "Tragedy and Farce: How the American Media Sell Wars, Spin Elections, and Destroy Democracy" by John Nichols, Robert W. McChesney, Tim Robbins, and Tom Tomorrow. (Sign up below...)

Being recently on the receiving end of one particularly prominent member of the "American Media", this book and topic couldn't come at a better time.

Help us choose the next book for Bookclub Democrats of Chicago!

Paul Banks was kind enough to suggest the following list of recently published books. See if there's anything you particularly like. If you've got a recommendation that you don't see, feel free to add it. In any case, leave a comment and tell us what you think!

(We'll be having our next IDN Bookclub get-together in late November or early December.)

Selections after the jump...

Our IDN Bookclub of Chicago will resume operation after the election!

To continue to get information, please subscribe to the group!

Reading Liberally Chicago has chosen 'How Would A Patriot Act?' by noted blogger Glenn Greenwald as its next selection (tentatively set for July 16)

Update: If you've been following Glenn's blog, you'll know what a brilliant writer he is.  DailyKos reports today that the book is already on the New York Times Best Seller List (h/t joe).

More info and sign up at:
http://illinoisdemnet.com/node/1801

Address:
Red Lion Pub, 2446 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago

Group:
IllinoisDemNet

Cost:
free

Description:

Our book this month is, "Uninsured in America : Life and Death in the Land of Opportunity" by Susan Sered and Rushika Fernandopulle.

Address:
The Red Lion, 2446 N. Lincoln

Group:
IllinoisDemNet / 2020 Dems

Cost:
free

Description:

Come and Join the Discussion! This month's book is Dreams from my Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barack Obama. Co-sponsored by 2020 Dems and IllinoisDemNet. Contact us:
Chicago@drinkingliberally.org

Reading Liberally - 7/10/05