Category: Book Review

United States of Oligarchy

An excellent read for those of us wanting a better understanding of how our government works or doesn’t work. It is timely and informative.

The book being reviewed is “United States of Oligarchy: How America’s Wealthiest Ally with Dictators, Weaken the U.S., and Destroy Democracy” by Casey Michel.

I could not have summarized the author’s credentials better than his own website. (https://www.caseymichel.com/)

“I’m the Director of the Combating Kleptocracy Program at the Human Rights Foundation, as well as a writer, analyst, and investigative journalist working on topics ranging from kleptocracy, illicit finance, and dark money to foreign lobbying and foreign interference.

I’ve written three books on the intersection of international corruption, foreign influence, and democracy in America and abroad, all published by St. Martin’s Press.“

I thought the discussion of oligarchy in general in the early part of the book was important to clarify what came later. The discussion of the influence of a relatively small number of very wealthy Americans (as opposed to vast majority of Americans) was disturbing. The influence of foreign oligarchs was even more disturbing.

The author gives many carefully researched examples of the super-wealthy controlling or having much influence over the government. Some may find it so disturbing it will be depressing. I found it best to take break from reading at frequent intervals in this section of the book.

I thank Netgalley (https://www.netgalley.com ) for the chance to read this before publication.
The book should be published on August 4 2026.

I think this is an important book and should be read by those on all sides of the political spectrum.

The Promise of America

This collection of essays by various scholars of the founding documents of the United States is highly recommended. It should appeal to a wide audience, including both American citizens and those with an interest in the subject.

The book is “The Promise of America: Reflections On Our Enduring Ideals” and this anthology was assembled by National Constitution Center. But don’t let that mislead since both the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are discussed.

The collection begins with an essay by US Supreme Court Justice (Retired) Stephen Breyer and concludes with one by Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch. It is a collection of diverse views on these documents which added many details I did not know before.

For example, Benjamin Franklin proposed a change in Thomas Jeffersons’s wording at one point in a draft and it was accepted. Another point of enlightenment for me was the long list of grievances against the King. I did not know why the King was blamed for all (and not Parliament) and I did not know the story behind all the grievances. So now I know a bit more.

I thank Netgalley (https://www.netgalley.com ) for the chance to read this before publication. The book will be published on May 12 2026.

I Told You So!

I Told You So!
Scientists Who Were Ridiculed, Exiled, and Imprisoned for Being Right
by Matt Kaplan

“I Told You So!” by Matt Kaplan is a well-written, interesting, and important book about science. Telling the story of scientific discovery in an easily understandable way is not an easy thing but Kaplan does a great job. No doubt his experience as both a scientist and journalist contribute to his success in making these accounts highly readable and understandable.

“I Told You So!” explains how science works, problems in science, and how science should work. Kaplan picks several examples ranging from the middle ages to modern times to illustrate his points.

My favorite example was Katalin Karikò who was working on mRNA and disease. After her Hungarian university could not support her, she moved to Temple University in Philadelphia. After difficulties there, she moved on to the University of Pennsylvania. After failing to raise research funding was demoted and then fired and her things put in trash bags in the hall.

She took a job with a little known German company and a few years later she was awarded a Nobel prize https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2023/kariko/facts/
For “discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19”

Kaplan presents his ideas on better ways support science and improve its quality.

I thank Netgalley (https://www.netgalley.com ) for the chance to read this before publication. The book will be published on Feb 24 2026.