Lib Dem Voice has an advance copy of a new book, Hijacking America, to give away to one lucky reader (courtesy of its publishers, Polity Press).
Written by Susan George, a well-known political scientist who used to work for Greenpeace, Hijacking America is billed as “fascinating, thorough and often chilling account of the decades-long transformation of American society and political culture.”
It’s available to buy from this Friday – but you can be sent one before then by entering our competition.
But, hurry, you have just one day – entries must be received by 1pm tomorrow, Tuesday, 13th May.
To win a copy, we want you to come up with a one-line epitaph for George W. Bush’s presidency. It can be funny, it can be sage, it can be harsh – entirely up to you. The Lib Dem Voice collective will choose their favourite: it’s entirely subjective, I’m afraid, and our decision is of course final.
Please do ensure you leave a correct contact email in the thread with your entry, otherwise we have no way of contacting you to ask for your address so you can receive your victor’s spoils.
Here’s the full book blurb for you to find out more.
George Bush leaves the White House in January 2009 and the United States goes back to “normal”, right? Wrong, argues Susan George in this fascinating, thorough and often chilling account of the decades-long transformation of American society and political culture.
Hijacking America is that rarity of a book, a thoroughly researched page-turner. Clearly and gracefully written, it will enthral the general reader while providing plenty of factual nourishment for the student of politics, culture, religion or international relations. And for all those who hope for a different America in the future, the first step is to hold the present one up to the light and understand how it got that way
Susan George (born 1934) is a well-known political scientist and writer on Third World poverty, underdevelopment and debt. She is a fellow of the Transnational Institute. She is a fierce critic of the present policies of the IMF, World Bank (IBRD) and what she calls their ‘maldevelopment model’. She similarly criticizes the neoliberal policies of the Washington Consensus on Third World development. In January 2007 she received an honorary doctorate from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne and in early March at its Congress in Chicago, the International Studies Association will present her with its first award to an Outstanding Public Scholar. From 1990 to 1995 she served on the board of Greenpeace International. She has acted as a consultant to various United Nations specialised agencies and is a frequent public speaker, particularly for ATTAC groups, trade unions, and environment/development non-governmental organisations in many countries.
‘The forces that have been “hijacking America,” lucidly exposed in this well-informed and searching study, are doubtless powerful as well as ominous. Their influence is not confined to the United States. Unless they are contained and reversed, prospects are not bright for a decent and civilized world.’
– Noam Chomsky‘This is a powerful, shocking and extremely important book. In a gripping investigation, Susan George uncovers the central problem with the US state and shows us how to confront it.’
– George Monbiot



18 Comments
George W Bush – A comedy of errors
Jorge W. Boosh – D’hoh!
I came, I read a kid’s book, I took away liberties, started illegal wars and increased the sense of panic. And they all lived happily ever….they’ll all live happily…they’ll all appreciate us when they’re gone….if they haven’t already.
Daddy made me do it
2001-2009: (interregnum)
“Can I go back on the booze now, Dick?”
Not dead, just wristing
Here lies George W. Bush, never knowingly misunderestimated
Monument to the memory of the unknown pretzel
GWB, we are forever in his national debt
“Mission misled.”
Hmm, maybe stealing the 2000 election wasn’t a good idea after all pops”
Let feardom rain.
We apologise for the late recount
John McCain, Al Gore, he conquered,
In Iraq, Afghanistan, he floundered.
Accomplished Missionary (for extremism)
Here lies the architect of compassionate conservatism, we pray this edifice last a little longer.
We got him!
“From the sub-prime to the ridiculous. No other man has ever been an economic and humanitarian disaster of such epic proportions”
‘Dimpled chads can seriously damage your health, wealth and democracy.’
George W Bush
Often overestimated and seldom right
Always had his family behind him
I told him to send his troops to Iraq and he still believes in me – God
“There’s an old saying in Tennessee — I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — shame on you. Fool me — you can’t get fooled again.”
Mission accomplished
He tried his best but we’re all still here.