A Nation Seized: How Karl Rove and the Political Right Stole Reality, Beginning with the News.
"The evidence is overwhelming that Karl Rove figured out how to game the American democratic process and artificially affect results with distortions and outright deceit. Less understood is how his tactics and nearly amoral approach to politics have had an impact on our media and the institutions that form the architecture of our government and culture. Fortunately, a fine writer and scholar, Bill Israel, has applied perspective and data to show how Rove's approach is distorting our fundamental beliefs in everything from journalism to government, and the credibility of the electoral process. A former colleague of Rove's, a reporter, and a university professor, Israel's narrative on the rise of Rove and the demise of fact is elemental to understanding the problems confronting our country and what is necessary to save history's greatest democracy from destruction by distortion and anger. This is a downright great American story that is well-told by a writer with the intellect and command of his material and he helps us all grasp what is at grave risk for our nation."
Praise for A Nation Seized
"Bill Israel's take on Karl Rove is a hard-eyed look at one of the most powerful political figures of the 21st century. Israel has put clothes on the stick figure of Rove, the man behind the political career of George W. Bush. He has written an intimate, important and highly personal story of Rove's early days in Texas when the ideas he later took to the White House were first auditioned, as well as his later success in neutralizing the Washington press corps in the run-up to the war in Iraq. An important work of both history and journalism."
"Politics, Prof. Israel tells us, is the art of war in the United States. If so, then Karl Rove is its consummate field general, and his story is one that everyone in the reality-based community needs to learn from. Israel is ideally situated to tell a compelling version of that story as someone who has seen Rove operate in multiple roles and has known him at his best -- and worst.
"For those who wish to understand Karl Rove in historical and social context, here is an indispensable account. Professor Israel, who once taught with Rove and observed his modus operandi at first hand - has researched his subject in depth. The result is both an analysis and a liberal polemic that should stimulate debate on the present state of political communication in America.
"Bill Israel's brave, important book explains exactly how Karl Rove and the political right falsely 'framed' information for the news media and the American people, effectively distorting and re-defining reality in order to manufacture consent. It should be a wake-up call to every American, especially to journalists."
"An impressive and indispensable book. Bill Israel tracks how Karl Rove hijacked our politics, updated the art of propaganda and set out to emasculate mainstream American journalism. Be forewarned: you'll never view news again in quite the same way."
"Israel links what Rove told him to how the Right has won, and shows the impact on news and politics has been devastating. Rove and the Right still are undercutting news to achieve long-term political control. This book tells how."
Bill Israel
