Bookshelf: October 19, 2012

Label it Now

By Gary Hirshberg (October 19, 2012) "This book cuts through the complicated scientific debate about genetically modified food to put forth a simple premise: We all have a right to know what’s in our food. Genetically engineered foods have rapidly become a part of our food supply, with little oversight or scrutiny. Without a requirement to label foods containing these ingredients, we are forced to be guinea pigs in a giant experiment involving our health and environment. Co-author Gary Hirshberg, CE-Yo of organic leader Stonyfield  says 'I have witnessed too much carelessness to remain silent. For the sake of our children, our behavior must change.'" (New World City)

Who's Counting?

By John Fund (October 19, 2012) "The 2012 election will be one of the hardest-fought in U.S. history. It is also likely to be one of the closest, a fact that highlights serious concerns about voter fraud and bureaucratic incompetence in the conduct of elections. If we don't take notice, we could see another debacle like the Bush-Gore Florida recount of 2000. Who’s Counting? recounts recent cases like a 2010 state representative race in Kansas City, Mo. that was stolen when one candidate received illegally cast votes by citizens of Somalia who did not speak English and were coached at the polls. The margin of victory? One vote. While Americans frequently demand observers and best practices in the elections of other countries, we are often blind to the need to scrutinize our own elections. We will pay the consequences in 2012 if a close election leads us into partisan battles and court fights that will dwarf the Bush-Gore recount wars." (Encounter Books)

 
Griftopia

By Matt Taibbi (October 19, 2012) "A brilliantly illuminating and darkly comic take of the ongoing financial and political crisis in America. The financial crisis that exploded in 2008 isn't past but prologue. The grifter class--made up of the largest players in the financial industry and the politicians who do their bidding- has been growing in power, and the crisis was only one terrifying manifestation of how they've hijacked America’s political and economic life. Matt Taibbi has combined deep sources, trailblazing reportage, and provocative analysis to create the most lucid, emotionally galvanizing account yet written of the ongoing American crisis. He offers fresh reporting on the backroom deals of the bailout; tells the story of Golman Sachs, the "vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity"; and uncovers the hidden commodities bubble that transferred billions of dollars to Wall Street while creating food shortages around the world. This is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the labyrinthine inner workings of this country, and the profound consequences for us all."(Spiegel & Grau)