Hardball: How Politics Is Played, Told by One Who Knows the Game Paperback – November 2, 1999

This book was pretty good and was greatly instrumental to the learning in my AP Governmental Class. We discussed short narratives found in the book regarding "popular" well known politicians and they wheel and deal. Wheel and deal a term for lobbying and influencing other politicians and other members that are directly and indirectly involved in the US Political System. It has stories of how people came to be rising stars in D.C. and their methods, tactics of politiking. It is a good book but it makes alot of assumptions and may not be relevant in today's age as much. This I believe because the modernization has brought along new methods that were not available before of campaigning and publicizes a candidate. Society as a whole is also changing, thus the old methods of wheeling and dealing may not be as effective.

This is a great book that was intended for social tips for political government life. However, by the conclusion of the book you realize Chris Matthews' tips can be applied anywhere in your life, from your home to your workplace. This book teaches you a bit about politics and bit about everyday social life. Fantastic book, I highly recommend it. This book in a great reference book for anyone's at home library. I keep it close by and refer back to it often.Conclusion: Get this book to learn about the social structure of politics and well as you everyday life!

Though the book has 1 1988 copyright date, the information is essentially timeless. It could have been written as a weekend conference hosting Prince Machiavelli, King Solomon, Sun Tzu and Dale Carnegie as its collective writing staff. The only facet that establishes a time frame is its real-life cast of characters, from Wendell Wilke and LBJ to Edmund Muskie and Ronald Reagan. Chris Matthews picks no favorites as he shows the merits and faults of many players quite candidly. His endless series of anecdotes are divided into chapters with unique central points which are wisely matched with exponents who mastered those techniques. Matthews takes many of the stories from firsthand experience as an operative with the respective master as he was employed in a variety of ways with many of the highlighted pols over a lengthy career in Washington.As the author points out, virtually all of the techniques, systems and characteristics are universal and could be used in sports, business, for-profit and non-profit environments as well as high-level politics. It is a book that is fun to read and does not bogged down with details or tedious issues of the day, choosing to focus more on the actions and reactions of the proponents and antagonists as they fought for their cause de jour. It's a primer for PoliSci 101, not too heavy but not kindergarten either. Neither a Pulitzer candidate or a coffee table tome, it will keep your interest especially as you relate the chapter's characters with the chapter's title.

I'm 14, and I already love the game of politics - but I don't always love reading. When my dad got me this book, I left it on the bookshelf as a kind gesture. Recently, I decided to open it up, and I sped through it in 3 days. It was incredible, engaging, and, most importantly, extremely important and helpful for anyone who will enter the game of politics.Matthews may be annoying on TV, but he is an absolute political genius who outlines exactly how to confront ever situation you'll come across in politics.I highly recommend this book.

Running for an office? This is a must read on what politics is behind the scenes and how to win.

Some interesting stories and incites but nothing that jumps out at you as being an outstanding revelation. Was written in the 90's so it doesn't cover today's governmental issues.

I got wind of this book from the book, "Why I left Goldman Sachs."I always thought Matthews was a weirdo from TV. I was shocked to find his book was more bi-partisan and articulate. This books gives me more respect for the person in politics.To me, I'm a beginning in politics. I can tell some of his topics are too complex for me, so I have to slow down or re read the chapter. But I think this is a must book to have in the library.

I hate politics but my kid needed this for AP Gov. it arrived quickly and was in new condition.