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daeros's review against another edition
5.0
Along with it's even worse than it looks without books like this you will never discover what is actually happening in Washington DC watching the mainstream media. This is an absolute must read for anyone who cares about our country and it's future.
carinthia72's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. No matter how dysfunctional you think this Congress is, you will think it more so after reading this book. My thoughts upon completing it are to wonder how far our country will fall before Democrats and Republicans find a way to govern together. Do Not Ask What Good We Do is not biased in favor of either party, and, if anything, made me see those members whom I previously found odious as more human and, surprisingly, likable. Draper has written a fantastic book, great for gaining a better understanding of how Congress works, but also for understanding the current partisan deadlocks that have ground the U.S. government to a virtual halt.
readhikerepeat's review against another edition
4.0
I first heard about this book after an interview with the author on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. I was intrigued by Stewart's comment about politicians being "real people" and decided that I should read the book. I must admit, it was really good. Given, it was good in a, "now I am frightened about the state of our country" way, but it was still good. The book mostly follows the Republican/Tea Party freshman that were voted into office during the 2010 midterm elections.
I enjoyed it because it offered some insight about a select few individuals that helped me to understand why they do and vote the way that they do. Granted, what they do isn't effective nor efficient (as illustrated by the book), but it offers insight nonetheless. The book has a liberal slant at times, but for the most part it stays pretty middle of the road and keeps the reader interested. This book had the potential of being very dry, but the author and his way of telling the stories keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.
For more of my books and reviews, visit www.thebookwheelblog.com!
I enjoyed it because it offered some insight about a select few individuals that helped me to understand why they do and vote the way that they do. Granted, what they do isn't effective nor efficient (as illustrated by the book), but it offers insight nonetheless. The book has a liberal slant at times, but for the most part it stays pretty middle of the road and keeps the reader interested. This book had the potential of being very dry, but the author and his way of telling the stories keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.
For more of my books and reviews, visit www.thebookwheelblog.com!
heatherbermingham's review against another edition
4.0
I'm always nervous about reading political books, but this one seemed pretty even-handed. Some Democrats looked good, some looked bad. Some Republicans looked good, some looked bad. The book focused on the recent wave of Tea Party freshmen and how the increasing lack of moderates has created a highly partisan Congress. Very interesting reading though it made it seem like a miracle than anything ever gets accomplished.
mjfmjfmjf's review
4.0
I guess I like train wrecks better than I think I do. Or at least I can stand them more than I think I can. Because this book is obviously a train wreck all the way through. And yet it goes out of its way to be balanced and reasonable. It tries to make the reasoning of enough of the players clear and in their own voice. I came out of this with a slightly better understanding of what the House of Representatives was up to at the time and who the players were. I also kind of feel dirty. They could do better. And some of them did and do. And we can also do better. But the idea that to govern is to compromise has to be considered a good thing.
mrswhatsit8's review against another edition
4.0
This in depth study of the 112th Congress - particularly the House of Representatives, and within that the large class of freshmen ushered in by the Tea Party movement during the midterms of President Obama's first term - has its flaws. Because Draper pursued many more Republican sources than Democrat, the story can feel imbalanced. Women are frequently written about dismissively, and there are sometimes matters of fact (how much would a thing cost? what did a person say?) where he chooses to present a "he said, he said" account rather than also offering factual analysis, which can be confusing if you don't remember every policy detail of 2010. Most of all, he is tracking a famously "do nothing" Congress so the narrative arc is a little lacking. In the end, for all the drama, not much ever really occurs.
That said, this is still a worthwhile read for its deep reporting. It's also a particularly interesting read now, as we welcome in a new large midterm freshman class to the House which also shifts the balance of power but can only do so much as "one half of one third" of the government. There are lessons to be learned about how institutions work, how legislation gets made, and why our system is broken. It is fascinating (and sometimes unnerving) to read about many of the characters who continue to be relevant in today's politics, and see one moment in their life frozen in time while having the benefit of eight more years of information. From Kevin McCarthy to Paul Ryan to Nancy Pelosi to Anthony Weiner, seeds of our current chaos can be seen in what they were doing then, and its helpful to reminded of the history as well as to be reminded, in some cases, how quickly things can change. It's a fairly easy read so if you're a watcher of politics - go for it.
That said, this is still a worthwhile read for its deep reporting. It's also a particularly interesting read now, as we welcome in a new large midterm freshman class to the House which also shifts the balance of power but can only do so much as "one half of one third" of the government. There are lessons to be learned about how institutions work, how legislation gets made, and why our system is broken. It is fascinating (and sometimes unnerving) to read about many of the characters who continue to be relevant in today's politics, and see one moment in their life frozen in time while having the benefit of eight more years of information. From Kevin McCarthy to Paul Ryan to Nancy Pelosi to Anthony Weiner, seeds of our current chaos can be seen in what they were doing then, and its helpful to reminded of the history as well as to be reminded, in some cases, how quickly things can change. It's a fairly easy read so if you're a watcher of politics - go for it.
katyjean81's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, although I will say it came as a surprise that 30% of it is notes, afterword and explanations of one kind or another. I suppose this is just a sign of how this book is incredibly well-researched and thoroughly documented. Mostly, it was a really interesting insight into the pysche of the Hosue of Representatives through the lens of a few specific members. Draper does a nice job of making individuals you may not know seem like (mostly) sympathetic complex characters.
spookybeast's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fantastic book that I picked up after seeing the author interviewed on the Daily Show. He does an admirable job hiding his personal political views and plainly presenting these "characters" just as they are: flawed, driven, unique, simultaneously good and bad human beings. Whatever your political attitudes, you should read this book for a good understanding of just what the fuck happened--or didn't happen--on the Hill in 2011.
civreader's review against another edition
4.0
Perhaps leaning more towards 3.5* than the full 4*.
Recommended.
Recommended.