Hard Left

by Tavis Smiley

Tavis Smiley, the left's hard-hitting answer to talk radio conservatives, takes on the political right and thrashes them at their own game.Picked by Time as one of the fifty young leaders of the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385484046
• Release Date: May 1996
• Publisher: Doubleday
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.0" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Straight talk, still true

I've just had the opportunity to read this book, six years later. Even as some of the specifics, like the "Contract on America" period, have wound up on the dust-bin of history, all the basic themes are all still operative today. "Hard Left" is a concise and accessible overview of a number of issues that still face America, and recommended for anyone who listens to the arguments of the Right and feels that something just isn't, well...right.A number of the 1-star reviewers here complain about "emotional arguments" (since emotion is not a part of humanity to be considered or discussed) or the lack of pages of extensive empirical data are missing the point. It's "Straight Talk" to regular Americans, not a statistical study and presentation. There's no shortage of books you could find in that vein. The form here is conversational, the way people talk to each other one on one. In this form, the book makes its' points well and is worth the read.

Typical responses from critics

This book was written the way Tavis speaks, intelligently. A lot of people close their ears and eyes when it comes to hearing the truth about what they can't experience and understand so they'd rather belittle Smiley's point of view and experiences to "reverse" racism or tiresome rhetoric. But then nothing more is expected from those who walk through life privileged. Even the most liberal white man could never understand the plight of minorities, let alone conservatives, the party of I-have-mine-screw-you.

This book was fantastic. I could not put it down.

I was never very political until I started reading this book and I realized that I if don't vote I can't complain when the person I want does not win. I now understand more about the inner workings of the political arena. I will let my voice be heard and make my views know. I think that Tavis Smiley is an excellent spokes(person) and very in tune to the needs and the thinking of the black community. Thank you and keep up the great work.