“The trouble with radicals,” goes a quote widely attributed to early 20th century economist Thomas Nixon Carver, “is that they only read radical literature, and the trouble with conservatives is that they don’t read anything.” That both sides of the political spectrum have proven that to be a lie will be apparent tomorrow tonight at the Trover Shop on Capitol Hill, which is hosting The Hill’s Sixth Annual Political Book Fair. Participating authors include current and former members of Congress, former party chairman and journalists.
The pols scheduled to take part include Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) whose memoir And I Haven’t Had a Bad Day Since: From the Streets of Harlem to the Halls of Congress details his rise from poverty to become one of the most powerful men in congress, while Rep. David Obey (D-Wis.) will sign Raising Hell for Justice: The Washington Battles of a Heartland Progressive. Speeches? Only natural for politicians, so you’ll find Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) has culled together a number of memorable military speeches in Charge! History’s Greatest Military Speeches. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) will sign a book he co-authored with Bracken Hendricks, Apollo’s Fire: Igniting America’s Clean Energy Economy.
Just because they’re out of office doesn’t mean they don’t still need attention: ex-pols participating include former House Majority Leader Tom “The Hammer” DeLay, who remains obviously unbowed given the title of his book, No Retreat, No Surrender: One American’s Fight. And former Maryland Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend will sign her book, Failing America’s Faithful: How Today’s Churches Are Mixing God with Politics and Losing Their Way.
