Winning Back America

Howard Dean's Winning Back America was a pleasure to read, an optimistic balance between autobiography and political philosophy, from a passionate and intelligent medical doctor who served as a five term governor of Vermont, who is currently the frontrunner to be the Democrat nominee to challenge Republican George Bush in 2004. The reader is immediately struck by the sense that this book is one of very few in the political world which is NOT ghost-written. The 15 chapters on topics ranging from Dean's personal background to geopolitical strategy are written in a highly conversational and inimitable style, as if Dean spent a few nights with a tape recorder for later transcription. In the course of 179 pages, Dean traverses miles of relevant issues with characteristic insight and common sense. This reader's only disappointment was that the book lacks some of the depth Dean is capable of, if only due to the book's brevity. The author's passion on civic life and good government is manifestly evident in his evocations of Theodore Roosevelt as his champion of an environmental vision that has withstood the test of time. Dean presents healthcare and balanced budgets with the vision of Kennedy - extolling the nation to do these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard. The book's introduction is a call to civic action, to work together in common cause, to restore America's sense of community, after years of being divided by past and present administrations on matters of race, gender, sexual orientation, and income. The reader learns about Dean's roots as the eldest of four boys in a well-established family with American roots which can be traced back to the 18th century, his youth in East Hampton, his decision to choose medical school over a life in the investment banking business (explaining the one part he did like about investment banking was the money management), his global travels, his days at Yale, and how he met his wife Judith Steinberg.While establishing his medical practice in Burlington, VT, Dean became involved in local politics after successfully campaigning for a bike trail around Lake Champlain. He served as Lt. Governor while maintaining his medical practice, becoming Governor at age 43 in 1991 upon the death of Richard Snelling, whose example Dean admired as a "person of integrity who wanted to run the government properly without regard to party". Dean proceeded to win five two-year terms as Governor, and here tips his cap to 30-40% of the Vermont Republicans who supported him (in addition to his Democrat and independent support), primarily for his fiscal responsibility.Dean makes reference to his legendary "cheapness" in an amusing anecdote about a suit he bought at JCPenney in 1987 for $125, a story of Dean's utility and frugality (he still wears the suit), reminiscent of the charm from Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger at a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder's meeting.The reader also learns about the death of his young

This succinct book covers the highlights of Dean's career and gives details of his personal and professional history. A must read for those working on the campaign. Go Dean!

I get such a kick out of reviewers like the one who calls dean a "rich preppy boy." Please. Like George W. Bush is NOT a rich preppy boy?Let's stick to reviews of the book please. Howard Dean states a case for winning back America that is, in my opinion, articulate and intelligent. In light of Al Gore's recent endorsement of the man, you owe it to yourself (if you want to be an informed voter) to read what the man HIMSELF has to say, and not rely on any "reviews" to decide for you. Including this one, of course.Get it from the source. It's a well-written book, and worth your time.

I just finished reading Howard Dean's, "Winning Back America". It was an inspirational experience that renewed me with confidence that Dean is the "real deal" and has the vision, values, experience, and drive to make an outstanding President. What's packed in these 179 pages are the thoughts of a man who understands what America has historically stood for in the eyes of its founders, citizens, and countless millions around the world. Dean writes with clarity and passion about his intense desire to work to restore America to its traditional role of "leadership in which our power is multiplied by the appeal of democratic ideals and by the knowledge that our country is a force for law around the world, not a law unto itself." Like millions of Democrats, I was flabbergasted by the Supreme Court's "interpretation" of the 2000 election. I figured with our democracy so blatantly compromised, things in America couldn't get any worse... then they did. Lots worse. I felt alternately embarrassed and dumbfounded by the audacity of George W. Bush. The kicker came the morning after 15 million of us marched against his plan for a pre-emptive strike against Iraq. Bush's response to history's largest protest was "I don't care." If 15 million protestors around the world couldn't get this guy to re-think his position, and no one in Congress seemed to be noticing anything was amiss, well, what could I possibly do to make a difference? Nothing. Or so I told myself. I was that discouraged... Totally lacking courage.Then along came Howard Dean and the first thing I noticed was that he was pissed off, not just at the Bushies but also at the Democrats for abandoning their liberal ideals and becoming "Bush lite." Good point. Dean was also saying that he was "tired of being divided by race, gender, sexual orientation." And that touched me too. And then he said that we had "the power to take back our country." And that hit a chord -- in fact, it made me teary eyed from the potency of it. I suddenly found myself feeling encouraged about what could be done to change the direction of our government's policies so that those policies really represent who we are. I wanted to be part of that change.Reading Dean's book I kept thinking that this guy cares so much about people and about moving America forward, it makes you care too.It's time to join together and do the work. Howard Dean has reminded us that we have the power to take back America. So, if you've got some folks on your gift list who are feeling depressed about the way things have been going since Bush took over, buy them a copy of "Winning Back America". It works better than Paxil.