Sirotablog

"Every politically engaged citizen should read this book." - Al Gore

"David Sirota is the kind of pundit you'd like to have on your side in a knife fight and wouldn't want to cross in a dark alley." - The American Prospect

Hostile Takeover is the New York Times bestselling book by writer, political strategist and Capitol Hill whistleblower David Sirota. The book, published by Crown, was released in paperback with a special post-election analysis in June of 2007. It is the first and only book being released on political corruption - and both parties' complicity in it - since recent corruption scandals exploded in Washington. You can click the following links to find book ordering info, media resources, the latest media headlines about Hostile Takeover, a biography of the author, a summary of the book, the complete book tour schedule, and reviews of the book.

Hostile Takeover is available at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Powell's Bookstores and the AFL-CIO's Union Shop.

Hostile Takeover has been covered and continues to be covered widely in the media. Here are just a few snippets of the coverage (see the right sidebar for more):

- David Sirota discusses Hostile Takeover with radio host Brian Kahn in Missoula
- David Sirota discusses Hostile Takeover with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on Air America radio
- David Sirota debates Ann Coulter on CNBC
- Philadelphia NPR interviews David Sirota about Hostile Takeover and Joe Lieberman
- NPR's To The Point interviews David Sirota about Hostile Takeover and Joe Lieberman
- PBS Now intervies David Sirota about Hostile Takeover
- Stephen Colbert interviews David Sirota about Hostile Takeover
- David Sirota debates ABC's John Stossel about Hostile Takeover
- St. Louis's KMOX interviews David Sirota about Hostile Takeover
- The Portland Oregonian publishes a review of Hostile Takeover
- Wisconsin Public Radio interviews David Sirota about Hostile Takeover
- The Denver Post reviews Hostile Takeover in its Sunday politics column
- Yellowstone Public Radio interviews David Sirota about Hostile Takeover
- Newsweek Q&A with David Sirota about Hostile Takeover
- XM Radio's Bob Edwards interviews David Sirota about Hostile Takeover
- C-SPAN interviews David Sirota on Washington Journal
- Syndicated columnist Molly Ivins reviews Hostile Takeover
- Cal Leubsdorf of the Dallas Morning News reviews Hostile Takeover
- Chicago's Beyond the Beltway radio show discusses Hostile Takeover

For media requests about Hostile Takeover, contact Melanie DeNardo at Crown Publishers at 212-940-7866 or at mdenardo@randomhouse.com. For all other inquiries about the book, including requests to schedule an event that is not already on the book tour, contact Dave McAlpin at 406-880-7521 or at press@davidsirota.com. Here are other book-related resources:

- Download a printable PDF of the book's official backgrounder
- Download a high-resolution photo of the book's cover
- Download a high-resolution photo of the book's author
- Read a brief summary of the book

For more about David Sirota and the full schedule for the Hostile Takeover book tour, simply scroll down this page. Click for more about what what political leaders and others are saying about the book.

David Sirota was described in a 2003 Newsweek profile as a "young, fierce" voice who "fills the gap left by a timid Democratic establishment." The American Prospect in 2006 called him "the kind of pundit you'd like to have on your side in a knife fight and wouldn't want to cross in a dark alley." He has served as the press secretary for Independent Rep. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and as the spokesman for the U.S. House Appropriations Committee Democrats - the committee at the center of major criminal investigations, including the Jack Abramoff and Tom Delay scandals; and the Rep. Duke Cunningham bribery case. He most recently served as a senior strategist helping Brian Schweitzer become Montana's first Democratic governor in sixteen years. Sirota draws heavily from these inside experiences in Hostile Takeover and in his other writing. He currently is a senior editor at In These Times magazine, and his work appears regularly in the San Francisco Chronicle and The Nation magazine. He is also a twice-weekly guest on Al Franken's nationally syndicated radio show and has been a guest on CNN, MSNBC, CNBC and NPR.

Do you ever wonder if there's a connection between the increasingly frequent corruption scandals in the news and the steady decline in the quality of life for millions of Americans? Do you ever wonder what corporations get for the millions of dollars they pour into the American political system? Do you ever think the government has been hijacked by forces hostile to average Americans? Do you ever want to fight back?

If your answer to any of these questions is "yes," then Hostile Takeover is your guide.

Millions of Americans lack health care, millions more struggle to afford it. Politicians claim they care, and then pass legislation that does nothing more than send more cash to the HMO industry. Wages have been stagnant for thirty years, and the minimum wage isn't enough to live on, even as corporate profits skyrocket. Politicians say they want to fix the problem, and then pass bills written by lobbyists that help drive wages even lower and punish those crushed by debt. Jobs are being shipped overseas, pensions are being cut, politicians feign outrage, and then support policies written by their Big Money donors that ships more jobs overseas and help executives eliminate workers' retirement benefits.

People who are worried about their families feel helpless when confronted with this reality; patriotic individuals who love their country are worried about what these trends mean for the future of America. And our government, more concerned about maintaining its corporate sponsorship than protecting its citizens, does nothing about it. In fact, politicians deliberately work to make these problems worse.

In Hostile Takeover, David Sirota seeks to open the eyes of ordinary Americans and show us exactly how corporate interests have conquered our democracy, aided and abetted by their lackeys in our allegedly representative government. At a time when more and more of America's major political leaders are being indicted or investigated for corruption, Sirota takes readers on a journey that shows how all of this nefarious behavior happens right under our noses, how it is all symptomatic of a diseased political system, and how the high-profile scandals are merely one product of a political system and a political debate wholly owned by Big Money interests.

Sirota considers ten of the most pressing pocketbook issues for ordinary citizens' taxes, wages, jobs, debt, pensions, health care, prescription drugs, energy, worker protections and legal rights. In each case, he shows how workable solutions are buried under the lies of lobbyists, the influence of campaign cash, and the ubiquitous spin machine financed by Big Business.

With fiery passion, pinpoint wit, and lucid analysis, Sirota reveals the true enemies of reform and the increasingly sophisticated tactics being used to wage an economic war on ordinary citizens. Hostile Takeover is, in short, an easy-to-read guidebook not for the elitists, the insiders or the bought off politicians, but for the rest of us who are tired of government selling us out - and who want answers about how we can take our country back.

Austin, TX - Friday, April 21, 6:30pm to 9:00pm (Event photo at right)
Speech, panel discussion, and book signing sponsored by the Texas Observer. Panelists include Sirota, Congressman Lloyd Doggett, syndicated columnist Molly Ivins, author Robert Bryce, and Texans for Public Justice's Craig McDonald. 6:30pm-9:30pm at the Old School, 1604 E. 11th St., Austin, TX (map). For more information on this event, see the official press release, the Austin American-Statesman's blurb, or click here. Event contact: The Texas Observer's Julia Austin by email or by phone at (512) 477-0746. Event is open to the media and the public - and books will be available at the event for sale by the Austin bookstore Book People.

Austin, TX - Saturday, April 22, 5:00pm to 7:00pm (Event photo at right)
Speech & book signing at the annual meeting of the Texas Progressive Populist Caucus. Location: Texas AFL-CIO, 1106 Lavaca, Austin, TX (map). For more information on this event, see the official press release or click here or here. Event contact: The caucus's Sheril Smith by email. Event is open to the media and the public - and books will be available at the event for sale by the Austin bookstore Book People.

Sacramento, CA - Friday, April 28, 4:30pm to 6:30pm
Speech & book signing at the California Democratic Party Convention. Location: California Democratic Party Convention, Sacramento Convention Center Hall D, 1400 J Street, Sacramento, CA (map and directions). For more information on this event, see the official press release or click here. Event is open to the media and the public - and books will be available at the event for sale by Barnes & Noble.

Helena, MT - Tuesday, May 2, 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Helena Q&A and book signing sponsored by The Policy Institute. Location: Lewis & Clark County Public Library, 120 S. Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT (map). Event contact: Terry Kendrick by email or by phone at (406) 442-5506. For more information, see the official press release. Signed books available at the event for every $25 contribution to The Policy Institute.

Missoula, MT - Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Missoula Q&A and book signing sponsored by The Policy Institute. Location: Missoula Children's Theatre, 200 North Adams St., Missoula, MT (map). Event contact: Terry Kendrick by email or by phone at (406) 442-5506. For more information, see the official press release. Signed books available at the event for every $25 contribution to The Policy Institute.

St. Paul, MN - Thursday, May 4, 2:30pm to 5:00pm
Book signing and keynote speech at the JOBS NOW Coalition's annual meeting. Location: Lakes and Plains Regional Council of Carpenters and Joiners, Auditorium Hall, 700 Olive Street, St. Paul, MN 55102 (map). For more information on this event, see the official press release or click here. Event contact: Jobs Now's Kris Jacobs by email or by phone at (651) 290-0240. Event is open to the media and the public - and books will be available at the event for sale.

Edina, MN - May 5, 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Book signing sponsored by Wellstone Action and featuring special guest Al Franken. Location: Barnes & Noble Edina, 3225 West 69th Street, Edina, MN 55435 (map). Event contact: Barnes & Noble Edina at (952) 920-0633. For more information on this event, see the official press release. Event is open to the media and the public - and books will be available at the event for sale.

Willow Grove, PA - Sunday, May 7, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Speech, Q&A and book signing. Location: Barnes & Noble Willow Grove, 102 Park Avenue, Willow Grove, PA 19090 (map). Event contact: Barnes & Noble Willow Grove at (215) 659-1001. For more information on this event, see the official press release. Event is open to the media and the public - and books will be available on site for sale.

Washington, DC - Monday, May 8, 12:30pm-2:00pm
Center for American Progress hosts panel discussion to launch Hostile Takeover. The discussion will feature, among others, Washington Post lobbying correspondent Jeffrey Birnbaum and American Progress President John Podesta and will focus on how day-to-day corruption on Capitol Hill works, and how it affects ordinary people's lives. Location: Center for American Progress, 1333 H Street, NW, 10th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005 (map). Event contact: Center for American Progress's Anna Soellner by email or by phone at (202) 682-1611. For more information, see the event's official press release. Event is open to the media and the public.

Washington, DC - Tuesday, May 9th, 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Book signing and panel discussion sponsored by the American Prospect, Moveon.org and the AFL-CIO with special guests Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, author Thomas Frank, Washington Post/American Prospect columnist Harold Meyerson and Moveon's Tom Matzzie; Location: AFL-CIO Headquarters, 815 16th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. (map). Event contact: Will Lippincott by email or by phone at (212) 352-2055. For more information on this event, see the official invitation. Event is open to the media and the public - and books will be available on site for sale by Washington, D.C. bookstore Politics & Prose.

New York City, NY - Wednesday, May 10, 2006, 6:30pm to 8:00pm
Book launch and panel discussion entitled "Campaign 2006: The Year of the Hostile Takeover?", sponsored by the Drum Major Institute and the Progressive Legislative Action Network; Panelists include New York Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat; Howard Wolfson, political strategist; Elizabeth Warren, Harvard Law Professor and author of The Two-Income Trap; and Andrea Batista Schlesinger, executive director of the Drum Major Institute. Location: 1199 SEIU Serkasky-Davis Conference Center, 330 W. 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues (map). Event Contact: The Drum Major Institute's Andrea Batista Schlesinger by email or by phone at (212) 909-9663. For more information on this event, see the official press release or the official invitation. Event is open to the media and the public.

Jersey City, NJ - May 11, 2006, 3:00pm to 5:15pm
Speech and book signing at Jersey City State University; Location: Grossnickle 144. Event contact: Jersey City State's David Hallerman by email or by phone at (201) 200-3063. For more information on this event, see the official press release. Event is open to the media and the public - and books will be available on site for sale.

New York City, NY - May 11, 2006, 7:00 to 9:00pm
Book Signing/Q&A sponsored by the New Democratic Majority; Location: Havana Room, 306 East 76th Street (map). For more information on this event, see the official press release or click here. Event contact: NDN's Susan McPherson by email or by phone at (212) 596-1533. Event is open to the media and the public - and books will be available on site for sale.

Concord, NH - Friday, May 12, 10:30am to 2:30pm
Speech to regional legislative conference on lobbying/ethics/campaign finance reform sponsored by the Progressive Legislative Action Network, Center for American Progress, Common Cause and others. For more information about this event, see the click official press release. Event contact: PLAN's Joel Barkin by email.

Chicago, IL - Tuesday, May 16, 2006, 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Chicago book launch and panel discussion entitled "The Rise of the Hostile Takeover" sponsored by Chicago's In These Times magazine. Panelists include David Sirota and local Chicago writers/activists author Rick Perlstein, labor lawyer Tom Geoghegan and journalist Christopher Hayes. Location: 2040 N. Milwaukee, Chicago, IL 60647 (map). Event contact: In These Times' Tracy Van Slyke by email or by phone at (773) 772-0100. For more information, see the official press release. Event is open to the media and the public - and books will be available on site for sale.

Redwood City, CA - Wednesday, May 17, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Speech & book signing sponsored by Skyline Public Works. Location: Savvy Cellar Wine Bar, 2048 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063 (map). Event contact: Skyline Public Works at (650) 364-2700. For more information, see the official press release, or the official invitation. Event is open to the media and the public - and books will be available on site for sale. Please RSVP for this event by emailing rsvp@skylinepublicworks.com or by calling (650) 364-2700.

Santa Monica, CA - Thursday, May 18, 7:00pm to 9:00pm
Speech, Q&A and book signing sponsored by the California Clean Money Campaign, the Courage Campaign and Robert Greenwald's Brave New Films at the William Turner Gallery. Location: William Turner Gallery, 2525 Michigan Ave., E-1, Santa Monica, CA 90404 (map). Event contact: Brave New Films' Lisa Smithline by email or by phone at (310) 204-0448; or California Clean Money Campaign's Moira Brennan by email or by phone at (800) 566-3780. For more information, see the official press release or the official invitation. Event is open to the media and the public - and books will be available on site for sale. Please RSVP for this event here.

Portland, OR - Tuesday, May 23, 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Speech, Q&A and book signing sponsored by the Oregon Bus Project. Location: Powell's Bookstore, 1005 W. Burnside Street, Portland, OR, 97209 (map). Event contact: Powell's Bookstore at (800) 878-7323. For more information, see the official press release. Event is open to the media and the public - and books will be available on site for sale.

Denver, CO - Thursday, May 25, 7:30pm to 9:00pm
Speech, Q&A and book signing sponsored by Colorado's Progress Now; Location: Tattered Cover Bookstore, 1536 Wynkoop Street, Denver, CO, 80202 (map). Event contact: Tattered Cover bookstore at (800) 833-9327. For more information, see the official press release. Event is open to the media and the public - and books will be available on site for sale.

Las Vegas, NV - Friday, June 9th and Saturday, June 10, 2006
YearlyKos Convention panels on "Ethics/Corruption/Movement Politics" and "Building a Progressive Infrastructure." Location: Riviera Hotel, Las Vegas, NV. For more information on the event, click here. Event contact: YearlyKos's Gina Cooper by email. For more information, see the official press release. Event is open to the media and the public.

Washington, D.C. - Tuesday, June 13th, 2:15-3:30pm
Take Back America Conference panel on "Populism, Common Sense, and Hostile Takeover" and book signing "Building a Progressive Infrastructure." Location: Washington Hilton Hotel, 1919 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington D.C. For more information on the event, click here. Event is open to the media and the public.

New York City, NY - Wednesday, June 14th
Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" hosts David Sirota. For ticket information, click here.

Burlington, VT - Saturday, June 17th, 6:00pm
Speech, Q&A and book signing with David Sirota and Vermont Independent Congressman Bernie Sanders. Location: Borders Bookstore, 29 Church St. For more information on the event, see the official press release. Event is open to the media and the public.

Portland, ME - Monday, June 19th, 7:00pm
Speech, Q&A and book signing with David Sirota and Moveon.org's Eli Pariser. Location: Books, Etc. Book Store, 38 Exchange St., Portland, ME. For more information on the event, see the official press release or call the book store at 207-774-0626. Event is open to the media and the public.

Boston, MA - Tuesday, June 20th, 7:00pm
Speech, Q&A and book signing with David Sirota, sponsored by Moveon.org. Location: Porter Square Books, 25 White Street, Cambridge, MA For more information on the event, see the official press release or call the book store at 617-491-2220. Event is open to the media and the public.

New Haven, CT - Wednesday, June 21st, 7:00pm
Speech, Q&A and book signing with David Sirota and Connecticut U.S. Senate candidate Ned Lamont. Location: Atticus Book Store, 1082 Chapel St., New Haven, CT. For more information on the event, see the official press release or call the book store at 203-776-4040. Event is open to the media and the public.

South Hadley, MA - Thursday, June 22nd, 7:00pm
Speech, Q&A and book signing with David Sirota. Location: Odyssey Book Shop, 9 College St., South Hadley, MA. For more information on the event, see the official press release or call the book store at 413-534-7307. Event is open to the media and the public.

Indianapolis, IN - Thursday, July 6, 7:00pm
Speech, Q&A and book signing with David Sirota. Location: Big Hat Books, 922 E. Westfield Blvd., Indianapolis, IN. For more information on the event, see the official press release or call the book store at 317-202-0203. Event is open to the media and the public.

Washington, DC - Wednesday, July 12, 10:30am
National Press Club panel discussion with David Sirota on the implications of "free" trade policy. Event sponsored by Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch and the AFL-CIO Location: National Press Club Building, Washington, D.C.

Lexington, KY - Wednesday, July 12, 7:00pm
David Sirota keynotes Kentucky's Not-So-Fancy Farm 2006 with Kentucky State Treasurer Jonathan Miller. Location: Kentucky Horse Park. Event is sponsored by Change for Kentucky. Books will be on sale by Joseph-Beth Bookstore. For more information on the event, see the official press release or Change for Kentucky's website. Event is open to the media and the public.

San Diego, CA - Saturday, July 15, 3:30pm
Speech, Q&A and book signing with David Sirota at DemocracyFest 2006. Location: San Diego State University. For more information on the event, see DemocracyFest's official website. Event is open to the media and the public.

Las Vegas, NV - Thursday, July 20, 11:30am
Speech to the national convention of the Bakery, Confectionary, Tobbacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union. Location: Bally's Hotel, Las Vegas, NV.

Boston, MA - Friday, July 21, 8:00am
Speech to the national convention of the American Federation of Teachers. Location: Boston Convention Center.

Seattle, WA - Thursday, July 27, 7:00pm
Town Hall Seattle speech, Q&A and book signing with David Sirota, sponsored by Elliott Bay Book Company. Location: Town Hall Seattle, 1119 Eighth Avenue, Seattle, WA. For more information on the event, call Elliott Bay Book Company at 206-624-6600. Event is open to the media and the public.

Atlanta, GA - Wednesday, August 2, 7:30pm
Speech, Q&A and book signing with David Sirota, sponsored by Georgia for Democracy. Location: Manuel's Tavern, 602 North Highland, Atlanta, GA. Contact: Catherine Smith by email. For more information, see the official press release. Event is open to the media and the public.

"This book raises important questions about our country's political system, questions that both parties must confront. Hostile Takeover makes a strong case that American democracy is under attack. Every politically engaged citizen who wants to know what challenges we face and how we can rebuild our country's democracy should read this book." - Al Gore, former Vice President of the United States

"Here are the horrifying facts about how our government works today - and for whom it works - delivered in a tone of outrage that is not only merited but appropriate. Read it and scream." - Thomas Frank, author of What's the Matter with Kansas?

"Hostile Takeover is a blunt, two-fisted attack that pulls back the covers on the cozy canoodling between corporations and our government. Sirota ferociously indicts politicians of both political parties for their shameless peddling of corporate PR and, in doing so, provides an indispensable guide to decoding the lies, red herrings, and propaganda of big business and its bought-and-paid-for mouthpieces on Capitol Hill." - Arianna Huffington, author of Pigs at the Trough

"Here is a precious handbook for citizens living in the country of anger and disgust, written by a very smart, tough-minded young guerrilla who intends to overturn the politics owned by corporate power. Read it and you will no longer feel powerless. You may begin to believe it's possible for the people to reclaim their democracy. You may even decide to join the fight." - William Greider, author of Who Will Tell the People and correspondent for The Nation

"Hostile Takeover is not for the Powers That Be, but for the Powers That Ought to Be - the ordinary grassroots people of our country. Use this book as a lesson plan and action plan for taking our government back." - Jim Hightower, author of Thieves in High Places

"David Sirota is a genuine American hero: he speaks the truth - forcefully, courageously, straightforwardly - with no apologies, and with thorough documentation. Hostile Takeover is about the theft of American democracy, the surreptitious transfer of governing power itself from an accountable, elected government to big corporations accountable only to profits. This book is an invaluable guide to how the hostile takeover of our government affects you, and what you can do about it." - George Lakoff, author of Don't Think of an Elephant!

"Sirota has always had a lot to say about Democratic renewal, but in his first book, he keeps the political advice to a minimum and instead tells the story as he would hope to hear it told. It's a useful discipline and the result is a book that could show any political speaker how to forge a compelling narrative...Sirota's book is a catalogue of stories that show just how to make that connection [with average Americans], so that every discussion of health care can be a discussion of corruption, reform, and better results." - The Washington Monthly, April 2006

"One of the most important books to come along in awhile will soon be hitting the book stores and the Internet: Hostile Takeover. The basic premise of the book is that there is no longer any lines between Big Business and government. They are one and the same -- both looking to fleece the average American as much as possible... This is true in every arena, but certainly true in the environment, where giant corporations, given complete license by the government, are raping and pillaging the country. If [Americans] want a world where the environment is protected and we are saved from global catastrophe, [their] first step will be to read this book and see what [we] are up against." - Alternet, April, 2006

"Sirota writes at the kind of fever pitch that makes no friends and takes no prisoners. I have to admit that I was laughing out loud seconds after opening up this book. The problem is that the laughter is neither with nor at Sirota. Your laughter will be directed at the absurdity of the situations that Sirota describes. This whole pericalypse - it's not as great as it sounds. Sirota's observations are bluntly, painfully honest. Yet there's enough of a veneer of hope embedded within Hostile Takeover that of the two potential reactions - laughter or tears - laughter comes to mind first. Any way you slice it, 'Hostile Takeover' is funny - painfully funny. You have to laugh." - Rick Kleffel, the Agony Column