What we’re about
Welcome to our Meetup! The book club is structured around reading and discussing one non-fiction book each month, typically on the second Sunday of the month but rescheduled as needed based on holidays or other special events. The meetings are currently hybrid and the percentage of people in person vs. on Zoom varies from month to month. Meetups are facilitated by the organizer to provide structure and direction to the discussion. All members are encouraged to provide their opinions, and all opinions are valued and respected.
Click to see a list of books we have read and the group's rating. Every month we choose the book for two months ahead. Members prioritize their book choices in a Google Form and then we run a ranked choice algorithm on the resulting set of votes. Members can suggest books in their RSVP to a meeting, in the Google Form, or by messaging the organizer directly. It is at the organizer's discretion which books are included in any given vote.
Upcoming events (1)
See all- The Wolves of K Street by Brody Mullins and Luke MullinsScott's House AND Zoom, Berkeley, CA
Our book for May is The Wolves of K Street: The Secret History of How Big Money Took Over Big Government by Brody Mullins and Luke Mullins. Moving to the first Sunday of May due to Mother's Day.
For those who are interested, here is the link to the detailed results from the voting.
Here is a summary of the book from Goodreads:
The book is a compelling exploration of the rise of corporate lobbying in Washington, D.C., spanning over fifty years. The book traces how the center of political power shifted in the 1970s from elected officials to a cadre of unelected, well-paid lobbyists who wielded influence without accountability to any constituency. Through vivid storytelling, the authors introduce a cast of colorful characters—such as a cigar-chomping political fixer, a Watergate-era trickster, and a flamboyant party host—who pioneered sophisticated influence peddling tactics. These "wolves" evolved from backroom dealmakers to architects of "shadow lobbying," orchestrating covert campaigns that manipulated public opinion to serve corporate interests, often at the expense of ordinary Americans.
The narrative weaves a tale of ambition, greed, and eventual downfall, spotlighting three dynasties—one Republican, two Democratic—that shaped the lobbying industry into a powerhouse. While their efforts entrenched a pro-business consensus across both parties, the book also captures the unraveling of their world amid populist backlash and legal scrutiny. Some faced financial ruin or imprisonment, while one lobbyist met a dramatic end—found dead with a bullet in his head beside a $1,500 bottle of wine on a golf course. With meticulous research and a novelistic flair, the Mullins brothers reveal how this unchecked influence has undermined American democracy, offering a timely and dramatic account that resonates with today’s political climate.
This event will be hybrid. I will host the meeting in person at my house in Berkeley which is near the intersection of College Ave and Woolsey St. I will email people the address the Saturday before the meeting. Here are the Zoom details:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9362833518?pwd=ejRtMXJaUmZNOTQ0YUxjK2RtMlJqQT09
Meeting ID: 936 283 3518
Passcode: Books
+16694449171,,9362833518#,,,,*434154# US
Phone passcode: 434154
