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Pennsylvania Avenue: Profiles in Backroom Power | 
| Author: John Harwood
Creator: William Hughes
Publisher: Blackstone Audiobooks, Inc.
Category: Book
List Price: $29.95
Buy New: $17.71
You Save: $12.24 (41%)
New (23) Used (6) from $14.49
Avg. Customer Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 598407
Media: Audio CD
Edition: Unabridged
Number Of Items: 6
Pages: 7
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 5.7 x 5.1 x 0.7
ISBN: 1433213885
Dewey Decimal Number: 320.9730922
EAN: 9781433213885
ASIN: 1433213885
Publication Date: May 13, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new audibook delivered direct from our US warehouse in 3-6 days (Expedited) or 10-14 days (Standard). Expedited shipping recommended for speedy delivery. Over 1 million satisfied customers.
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Product Description
Through stories about Washingtons key players and through inside analysis, Seib and Harwood take us behind the scenes to show what really happens on the first street in America and how that affects politics, players, and the country.
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| Customer Reviews:
 fair July 3, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was looking forward to reading this book but was rather disappointed by the content and found it to be somewhat dull. It covers the likes of Debbie Wasserman Schultz to the founder of the Carlysle Group. It is basically a series of biographical short essays about Washington's power brokers.
 Those other Pennsylvania Avenue addresses May 29, 2008
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
For those of us of a certain age who remember the Everett Dirksens and Mike Mansfields of Washington in years gone by, John Harwood and Gerald Seib have put together a compact and informative work regarding where at least some of the power rests in Washington these days. With an increase of coverage by the networks and cable of the major players, the co-authors have compiled a list of powerbrokers who run more of the show than we know. Our nation's capital is like no place else and Harwood and Seib remind us that history is always being made on that far from lonely stretch of road known as Pennsylvania Avenue.
While the narratives are short, the book succeeds in a comprehensive way. We all know Karl Rove and many more know Charlie Rangel. Indeed, white men are more represented here than others, but people like Hilary Rosen and Lea Berman, not to mention Debbie Wasserman Schultz appear as major players...some in highly competitive political ways and some in more coalition-building endeavors. If one ever had any hopes for Washington, this book might just give you a hint of a glimmer.
It would be great to see Harwood and Seib write a sequel that broadens a look at the next group of insiders to appear, given the nature of a political climate that's bound to see some major changes after November. As for now, this is a good start and I highly recommend "Pennsylvania Avenue" for its introduction to the incumbent powers that be and the rising stars that will surely follow.
 Power 101 May 15, 2008
16 out of 17 found this review helpful
Washington is about power and access to power. We're simultaneously attracted and repulsed by the audacity of those plying their trade in quiet darken anterooms. John Harwood and Gerald Seib, in their book, "Pennsylvania Avenue: Profiles in Backroom Power", shined a spot light on those who work and play in the shadows of Washington politics.
Through great background research and first hand interviews with key players such as Karl Rove, Ed Rogers, Ken Duberstein, this is an excellent book for those wanting to know how deals are made, and how the wheels of power are greased".
"Pulling Back the Curtain" May 14, 2008
19 out of 20 found this review helpful
In an era of 24-hour cable news, endless political blogs and an infinite number of political talk shows, it was refreshing to get beyond the noise and meet the people who really pull the levers. Newscasts are filled with commentary about "Washington gridlock" and "Washington insiders," without ever getting to the root causes of the issues or ever understanding the people beyond the headlines. This book gives texture and shape to these vague labels.
Pennsylvania Avenue, Profiles in Backroom Power offers a series of profiles of people that most Americans probably see quoted in mainstream media everyday, but have no idea why they are opinion leaders.
The book is interesting if just for the profiles, but it also ties together how many of these players on the chessboard interact. These power brokers either succeed or fail in a way that creates the headlines we all read.
I think this book should be mandatory reading for all aspiring political science students or anyone who wants a better understanding of how the most famous Avenue in the United States really works.
I look forward to a sequel in 2009 when a new wave of deal makers ride into town.
Very Disappointing! May 13, 2008
16 out of 37 found this review helpful
The authors assert that the rise of partisan media (eg. Fox, Limbaugh, blogs that go for their partisan side or the most outrageous comments), jet travel (making it easy for Congressmen to travel home on weekends, instead of associating with each other as they formerly did), gerrymandering (Congressmen select those they represent, and needn't be concerned with compromise) have largely eliminated Washington's history of seeking compromise in the middle. Instead, with the help of lobbyists, they rely on their base supporters.
The bulk of "Pennsylvania Avenue" consists of short stories (including where they were born - who cares?) of various high-leverage lobbyists, fund-raisers, and representatives. The predominant theme is nothing new - it's all about who you know (assuming you are competent in other dimensions).
Basic assertions are not tested, supported with data, or explained in terms of causation. Probably the most important one being that parties today are more extreme than before. (If so, I am wondering why the Republicans did so poorly in the last election, and the vast majority of Americans recently polled do not agree with Republican positions.) The book also asserts that conservative Democrats in the South became Republicans, and liberal Republicans in the North became Democrats, but offers no explanation. The book also lacks a summary or integrative chapter.
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