Customer Reviews
True life politics - By: Patrick Mullane, 03 Jan 2008 
I watched the author getting pilloried on the Daly show by Jon Stewart, so I thought he must be interesting. Picking this book of his at random, I was not disappointed. Mr. Matthews served as an aide to Tip O'Neill, the house speaker, & accumulated a large store of folksy anecdotes on lessons to be gleamed from US politics. He has a classic section on the art of spin, to give the best perspective on bad news, used masterfully by Nixon & Regan. His style is breezy & informal, as if he was sharing tips over a drink. Recommended
Share it with friends, hide it from your enemies - By: , 03 Jul 1999 What a book! I wasn't crazy about Chris Matthews before reading the book, but now who cares? I think it would be hard to find another book so packed with meaningful tips on how to play the political game & excellent examples of people using those strategies in brilliant ways. But this is definitely not a book only for those into politics. Although nearly alll the examples are political in nature, the point is well made that this is information we can alll use in our daily interactions with people. Read this more than once, highlight it, cherish it. Share it with your friends, but keep it from your enemies! What a book!!
Excellent reading - By: , 16 Jun 1999 A friend of mine who is in politics suguested that I read this book. She termed it a primer for anyone who wants to get into the political field. Plus it is a hell of a book. The stories about such figures as LBJ & Nixon only prove that there are rules to the game & that they work time & time again. I enjoyed reading it & recomend it to anyone who enjoys the game of politics.
the only way to really learn politics..... - By: , 17 Feb 1999 For an undergraduate Political Science major, there is no better piece of literature to teach the truth of the political scene in America. Through intriguing & often comedic anecdotes, Matthews lays out how politicians operate, how to get things done & how to make the right friends in any political field. Easy to read & follow, Hardballl evokes an interest in the reader that makes it hard to put down. Matthews opens the introduction with the statement that it is not a civics book; after reading it, it is obvious that Hardballl does something that no civics book can. It creates a genuine interest through honest truth.
Great book with practical advice. - By: , 29 Jan 1999 This is a great book, not just for those interested in politics but for anyone that deals with people on a daily basis.
