A Tale of Two Christies

"A Tale of Two Christies" is a collection of essays about Gov. Chris Christie and New Jersey politics, the national political scene, unnecessary wars and wrongheaded government, rare displays of political courage, not-so-rare displays of political cowardice, public employee unions, and other public policy issues that challenge state and federal government. No politician, regardless of political party, or government policy is safe from the author's scrutiny, but those mired in the usual hypocrisy of the public arena are particular targets: Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, the National Rifle Association and the Tea Party get special attention, but so do liberals beholden to special interest groups on the Left.

"A Tale of Two Christies" is a collection of essays about Gov. Chris Christie and New Jersey politics, the national political scene, unnecessary wars and wrongheaded government, rare displays of political courage, not-so-rare displays of political cowardice, public employee unions, and other public policy issues that challenge state and federal government. No politician, regardless of political party, or government policy is safe from the author's scrutiny, but those mired in the usual hypocrisy of the public arena are particular targets: Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh, the National Rifle Association and the Tea Party get special attention, but so do liberals beholden to special interest groups on the Left. Gov. Christie, whom the author has dubbed "The New Colossus of Trenton," not for his physical size but for the way he has dominated national as well as Jersey politics, has a whole section devoted to him and his in-your-face style of government. As this book is published, Christie enjoys a 72% approval rating among voters, the highest level attained by any governor in the state's history. Yet, the man still evokes passionate feelings from supporters and foes, alike. In the end, the author comes down on the side of a "yes" vote for Christie, but only after pointing out the serious flaws the governor has exhibited in his Cinderella-like rise to national prominence.

Richard Muti has more than 100 publishing credits, mostly having to do with public policy, law, politics, and government. He spent 19 years as a successful trial prosecutor and has also taught writing, American government and politics, criminal justice, and history at three New Jersey universities. "A Tale of Two Christies" is Muti's fifth book. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Harvard Business School, and Rutgers Law School, as well as a former Navy pilot and former mayor of Ramsey, New Jersey, his hometown.