I guess that was my point, and that, to some extent, the production of these books amounts to little more than mental masturbating.

I've never found these types of books particularly good for.... Oh, oh, I get your point now.

Seriously, I agree with your initial comments and other folks' observations that most people read stuff that agrees with, reinforces or fortifies previously-held opinions. I use "fortify" intentionally as I often open this type of book with the notion "I believe X. Am I being reasonable to believe X?" then finish some books going "Nope, I'm not nuts. Things are that screwed up!" Jeffrey Toobin's excellent "Too Close to Call" and Richard Clarke's imperfect-but-convincing "Against All Enemies" are examples. Just read a review of former ambassador Joe Wilson's new book and am looking forward to reading it. So as depressing as some of these are, at least they help me think I have not lost my mind. I read Soros' essay that developed into this thread's book of note and hope to read that soon as well.

But your essential point is correct. I am reading stuff that does not seriously contradict my gut. Would I read Karen Hughes' book? I'd sooner take the gas pipe! I have to imagine I'd feel very ill by page 3. I read an editorial by this incredibly resolute guy in the local right-leaning newspapers and almost went into convulsions -- wasted half an hour writing a letter to the editor that they won't publish. I don't feel better. Let me read some Soros-complmentary critique like this dire essay from the Independent. It may not be uplifting, and it does leave me feeling angry, but at least I'm not nauseated.

So, is some sharing of the left/right minds possible? I guess I'd say that maybe your 99.9% figure is maybe 0.5% high. I have passed around books including Toobin's, Clarke's and other to friends who don't share all of my views and who have then shared them with in-laws who erratically listen to all sorts of talk radio -- Rush and local clones -- with the end result being at least some interesting dinner debates. And in one case I may be helping to stem the tide of rampant, nihilistic Libertarianism!

And not *all* political books are reinforcers. Sadly, the most compelling political book I have ever read left me feeling pretty hopeless when it came to the political future of this country (that was Kevin Phillips' "Wealth and Democracy"). It kind of went to a dark place that I really hadn't planned on or wished for.

As long as I'm starting to launch into free association, whaddaya think about that Ariana Huffington? I heard her on the radio last night and I gotta say that there is at least one political actor left who has some spunk and has *some* semblance of an optimistic outlook. Maybe I caught her on a good night, but she has my vote. She recounted calling Shrub a "dry drunk" on a TV panel show. Quite the insight.

Ah, and while I have historically shied away from bumper stickers, I am definitely getting myself one of these.