The Big Con: The True Story of How Washington Got Hoodwinked and Hijacked by Crackpot Economics

Straying from the actual concept of ""conservative,"" today's Republican Party is heading toward an economic self-destruction that will wreak harsh consequences upon the country, according to the author. With great detail and numerous examples, Chait illustrates how the neoconservatives' mantra of ""no taxes"" as part of the theory of supply-side economics is an unjustified and threatening ideology-so threatening that the Republican leadership must hide its true nature through subterfuge and outright lying to its constituency lest they discover the true ""con"" taking place. While concentrating on the Republicans, Chait doesn't hesitate to reveal the Democrats' complacency and ineptitude in preventing the pending economic crisis. Drummond is at ease with nonfiction books and guides listeners through complicated texts with speed and emphasis, directing them to the key points in every section. Several often repeated words such as ""Reagan"" aren't always pronounced the same and the production includes several vocal shifts. However, from beginning to end, Drummond's consistency of tone and emphasis makes a lasting, positive impression. Simultaneous release with the Houghton Mifflin hardcover (Reviews, July 23).