Paranoid Nation: The Real Story of the 2008 Fight for the Presidency

Author Towery does well to recall several anecdotes about his own political career which serve to enliven this tale of political mischief. His own adventures and misadventures over the years make this read enjoyable as well as credible. Four stars only as the narrative wanders at times, but Towery does indeed have something to say, and overall he says it well.

This dispels alot of myths about the prez election just ended. Those who don't believe in conspiracies should read it. Towery clearly outlines how they DO exist. And for those who already believe in "conspiracy theories", he shows how conspiracies aren't necessarily planned out by the secret cabals of the world rulers, but instead how they grow out of individual, selfish needs by assorted bit players.

What makes Towery's book a genuinely "readable read" is that he doesn't rehash what the pundits and journalists already have said about the 2008 presidential election. Instead, he offers views on how the race developed that show that the pundocracy is often swept along as part of the story, instead of being totally objective storytellers. Paranoid Nation illustrates how the real story often isn't the story told most often. You need to read this.

This highly readable new book acknowledges, and should appeal to, the enormous number of Americans who believe in one "conspiracy theory" or another. Matt Towery's own conspiracy theory -- that the 2008 election had far less to do with Barack Obama or John McCain than with behind-the-scenes, dynastic puppet masters vying for power not now but far into the future -- may seem a bit far out, until you start turning the pages. Besides (and I admit some bias here, because I have known the author for many years), Towery has become one of the nation's top pollsters because he has an uncanny knack for being right when just about everyone else is wrong. I know of few other pundits who follow politics so closely (or with such a suspicious eye), and whether you end up agreeing with him or not, he has produced an extremely entertaining and thought provoking analysis of what "really" happened in 2008. In short, Towery makes it fashionable to be at least a little paranoid.

Towery is on the mark. His overview of the 2008 presidential election is a must read. The first book of the political season that looks indepth at the road to the White House with lots of insider information.