Reviews (33)

Mindless Palaver
I wanted to like Tucker Carlson's book. He has the opportunity to show the interesting side of politics. The truth is, the writing is horrible. I wouldn't waste the money on this book new. I'm sure there will be plenty of used available soon.

Cutie!
I always knew that Tucker Carlson's dad was a major player in the right wing media/think tank world.So it's easy to see how Tucky's connections helped him.He's such a cutie!I'd love to pinch his ice cream cheeks!(I wonder if Arianna did!)And I'll bet he wouldn't have a comeback to *that*!What I *did not* know, is that Tucker comes from authorial royalty, if you will.His parents penned the classic:Don't Sweat the Small Stuff in Love: by Richard Carlson and Kristine Carlson.Obviously, Tucker hasn't fallen too far from the tree, as he doesn't sweat the small stuff in politics!The beauty of Tucky is that he doesn't question the status quo, or any quo at all.He knows that politics is for fun and profit, to be joked about in the DC/media echo chamber.And now we get a front row seat!Luckily, Tucky lets us in on the fun (not the big joke, that we don't get paid for *our* relative nonsense), that policy - or the personalities and sound bites that "front" real policy - shouldn't be taken seriously.Don't sweat the small stuff!In other words, if you've got enough bread, enjoy the circus!"My Adventures" is non-threatening, fluffy, and self-preserving, as cotton candy (light blue or pink, whatever!)!Tucky stays true to the current political era, where the son rides pop's coattails, but isn't so darn serious!Kudos!

Caught in the Crossfire.
In Politicians, Partisans, and Parasites: My Adventures in Cable News the author provides a pleasurable read even if imparting little in the way of political wisdom.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Cable News Network    3. Carlson, Tucker    4. Government - National    5. Government - U.S. Government    6. Humor    7. Journalists    8. Political Doctrines    9. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    10. Political Process - General    11. Politics / Current Events    12. Politics/International Relations    13. Television broadcasting of news    14. Topic - Political    15. U.S. Practical Politics    16. United States    17. Humor / Political   

Editorial Review

HAIL, CITIZEN LAZLO! The history books say that Richard Nixon resigned because of a bungled break-in at the Watergate Hotel, but that isn't so: Tricky Dick had to change addresses to escape the rabid admiration of Lazlo Toth, one of the most authentic lunatics in the history of American letters.That's "letters" as in literature, because Toth is firmly fictional--but also "letters" in the literal sense, too.The flood of correspondence (complete with songs) that drove Nixon from office has been immortalized in Read more

Reviews (6)

Tepid collection of juvenile pranks
Lazlo Toth - Nixon-loving, airline-food-hating, Imelda-lusting, Russian-Federation-anthem-writing local nut and obsessive complainer - is back for another go at the politicians and corporations, Having talked up the first Lazlo book to my sons, I was anxious to share Don Novello's delightful humor with them. So I picked up the Volume 2 and opened it and random and read aloud the first couple of letters I came upon. They landed with a thud. Went over like a lead balloon. Or a fart in a funeral parlor.
Move Over, Father Guido!
Now that we have imitation Lazlo Toth's - even the Jerkey Boys are derivative, aren't they! - let's not forget that the same guy who puts on the big hat and sunglasses can be someone else when he wants to be. LIke most sequels, it's not a potent as the original
As interesting as it is to see Novello expand upon his letter writing, there's something disappointing about this second volume. Perhaps it's the introductio of Lazlo into a world in which he's already known. Theresponses from correspondents who already "get the joke" make onefeel as though they're peeking behind the Wizard's curtain.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1971-    2. 1981-1989    3. 1989-1993    4. American Satire And Humor    5. Form - Parodies    6. General    7. Humor    8. Politics and government    9. Social life and customs    10. United States    11. United States - General    12. Correspondence    13. Humor / Parodies    14. Novello, Don   

Subjects:  1. Comics & Cartoons    2. Editorial And Political Cartoons    3. Form - Cartoons & Comics    4. Graphic Satire And Humor    5. Humor    6. Topic - Political    7. Humor / Political   

Reviews (26)

Brevity is the soul of wit
Brevity is the soul of wit. Each segment of this TV show was allotted 8 minutes. I think that's what Michael Moore forgot at some point after 1995. When to stop talking.
When Michael Moore was funny...
When this show first aired as a summer replacement many years ago, I could not believe that NBC (and then Fox) would put Michael Moore's commie self on national television, but they did. When I saw this book I wanted to find out how this decision was made.
Compelling and Provocative
Creator Michael Moore's Adventures in a TV Nation chronicles the best episodes of this most radical experiment in mainstream television broadcasting. The Gay Men's Chorus serenades the home of Senator Jesse Helms from his front lawn. Janeane Garafolo and a small army of riffraff storm the public-yet-exclusive beach of Greenwich, Connecticut. A benefit concert is staged to raise funds for corporate welfare. An Emmy-nominated black actor and a convicted white felon see who can catch a cab faster in New York City. A red 18-wheeler emblazoned with the Soviet hammer and sickle freights Communist paraphenalia across the country, stopping at church socials, PTA functions, and Jerry Falwell's church en route. If you're a Michael Moore fan... I highly recommend this one. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Humor    3. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    4. Popular Culture - General    5. TV nation (Television program)    6. Television - History & Criticism    7. Topic - Political    8. Humor / Essays   

Reviews (61)

A very thin volume indeed
This was a disappointment obviously generated to cash in on Franken's previous blockbuster on Fat Idiot and Notorious Bush Water Carrier Limbaugh. I struggled through about thirty pages before I started feeling scammed. Then again, the title hints at why this book is so spare and uninteresting.

Provocative
Al Franken is known to possess an extremely dry sense of humor. Therefore it is not surprising that his book is as parched as the man himself. Each chapter is utterly short and sweet. Every time a reader thinks the writer is supplying a real good advice the next sentence jolts the reader back to reality i.e. Al Franken is a comedian. Namedropping is abundance. Name-calling seems to be a norm. This man really knows how to make full use of the freedom of speech in the USA - nothing's wrong with that. But, chapter after chapter of similar ranting kind of tires one out after a while albeit the laugh-out-loud jokes that can be found in certain parts of the book.

Oh, How This Book Doesn't Work for Its Market
If you can endure Franken's cycle of hilarious writing to crap to writing about how crappy it is before finally getting back to the good stuff, go for it.
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Subjects:  1. Conduct of life    2. Form - Essays    3. Humor    4. Topic - Political    5. Wit and humor    6. Humor / Political   

Subjects:  1. Caricatures and cartoons    2. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    3. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    4. Humor - General    5. Juvenile Nonfiction    6. Political Science (Young Adult)    7. September 11 Terrorist Attacks    8. September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001    9. Social Science - Politics & Government    10. Terrorism    11. United States - 21st Century    12. War on Terrorism, 2001-    13. Humanities    14. Political extremism    15. Social Science / General   

Features

• Abridged
• Audiobook

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Misc. Nonfiction    2. General    3. Humor    4. Popular Culture - General    5. Satire And Humor    6. Topic - Political    7. U.S. - Contemporary Politics    8. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    9. Social Science / Popular Culture   

Reviews (1)

Okay, so I know the editor...
Okay, so I know the editor and all... so I'm biased. I'm a moderate student of the Civil War, but I found this to be a really refreshing way to study the War--through political cartoons. Cartoons of that era seem somuch more complicated and intricate that they do today. I learned a lotthat I didn't already know, and in a very enjoyable way. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1861-1865    2. American wit and humor, Pictorial    3. Caricatures and cartoons    4. Civil War, 1861-1865    5. Form - Cartoons & Comics    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: American    9. Politics and government    10. United States    11. United States - Civil War    12. American history: c 1800 to c 1900    13. Cartoons & comic strips    14. USA    15. c 1800 to c 1900   

Reviews (1)

Actually.... 4 1/2 stars, but I can't choose that....
This is the first Outland collection, and Berkeley Breathed writes in the introduction:Read more

Subjects:  1. Comic books, strips, etc    2. Comic books, strips, etc.    3. General    4. Humor    5. Topic - Political    6. United States    7. Comic book & cartoon art    8. Humour   

Reviews (39)

Author admits he can't verify quotes
The author admitted on CNN that he can't verify the quotes he used in the book.
Fiction
Even the clown who wrote this book later admitted that much of the info could not be verified. Unlike, say, the Bushism books. (Bush's remarks are on the record, on video, in transcripts, etc.) This book contains nothing as official as verifiable facts.
A Damning Portrait of Hillary
Unlike"Hell to Pay" and "The Truth About Hillary", two BOOKS about the former First Lady and current senator, Tom Kuiper's "I've Always Been a Yankees Fan" is not a book, but merely a collection of quotes.Of course, it is a very amusing, entertaining, and sometimes downright scary, collection.Hillary Clinton has always had a sort of "ice-queen" aura about her, and some(fine, I'll be honest, ALL) of what has been recorded in this book only enforces that same image.What she's said in anger over her husband's affairs, what she's said about anyone who disagrees with her on anything, even what she has said that would classify as Anti-Semitism, has been collected by Kuiper.What really stated the case for this collection of quotes was the cover, emblazoned with the title-"I've Always Been a Yankees Fan"- but just under those words was a photograph of Clinton wearing a Chicago Cubs cap!Flip-flop? Don't think too hard.It is obvious that she said she was a Yankees fan when she thought it would help her public image, and said she was a Cubs fan when she thought that would help her public image.This is clearly the result of political motivation.
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Subjects:  1. 1993-2001    2. Humor    3. Liberalism    4. Political Ideologies - Conservatism & Liberalism    5. Political Science    6. Politics and government    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Presidents' spouses    9. Quotations    10. Quotations, maxims, etc    11. Topic - Political    12. United States    13. Women legislators   

Reviews (2)

Wonderful trip . . .
down a twisted memory lane.Perhaps I'm biased because nine times out of ten I agree with Ehrenreich's politics and attitude, but whatever the reason, I love this book.Each essay is like a little time capsule, though not necessarily one that's good for our egos.As a child of the 80's, it also gives me insight into the cultural forces that shaped my view of the world - and makes me wonder if there should be some form of compensation!A very good read.

Interesting look back at the 1980s
Barbara Ehrenreich is an excellent writer and has great insight on government, capitalism, hype, the news media, politicians, and just about everything she finds to criticize about our culture.She's got a wonderful sense of the ridiculous and a sharp wit, yet her writing appears to have true and great affection for her fellow women and men.This book isn't her best though. It's a collection of previously published essays, some of which have stood the test of time better than others.Still, worth reading, and a great look back at the infamous decade of greed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1981-1989    2. General    3. Humor    4. Politics / Current Events    5. Politics and government    6. Politics/International Relations    7. United States    8. United States - 20th Century    9. Cultural studies    10. USA    11. c 1980 to c 1990   

Reviews (29)

Funny but Unnecessary
This book was rush-released in the wake of the 2004 election.I found a copy at my local bookstore so soon after the election that I can only assume the publisher had already compiled the book on the expectation that Bush would take a second term.It's a mix of actual pointers on getting through the second Bush term and a bunch of jokes designed to take some of the sting out of the fact that your candidate lost.
ok,so what
I was actually surprised to see such high ratings for this book. yeah it's comedic and witty but it's a little bit over the top and after reading it about half the way through the comedy gets old and witt seems more like a person overwhelming disdain for Bush. Even though the book is a more than a bit extreme, I can see the book being useful some weeks and even months after the election, after that i find it useless. Personally the author seems like a an overly bitter democrat who's letting out some aggression that exploded after the 2004 election. I myself sympathize with the author and share some sentiments but some of the stereotypes were just too much and over the top to appreciate. I do admit that the jokes and the Bushisms did serve

A funny & insightful book at a serious time for America.
This book turned out to be better than I anticipated. Bush stories, Bushisms, politics in America, things to tell our children ("We survived Nixon; you can survive the Bush years.") For all of us who felt numb when Kerry lost, who cannot believe what Bush is doing to our economy & country, this book offers humor and hope. Worth reading & sharing with others.Buy it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (George Walker),    2. 1946-    3. 2001-    4. Bush, George W    5. Bush, George W.    6. Government - U.S. Government    7. Humor    8. Life skills    9. Political Ideologies - General    10. Political Process - Elections    11. Political Science    12. Politics / Current Events    13. Politics and government    14. Politics/International Relations    15. United States    16. Political Science / Government / National   

Reviews (3)

Not funny (i.e. - stinky) enough!
I'm a proud neo-feminist woman who takes her fart humor seriously, you ladies know exactly where I'm coming from.Who stinks up your house, you or your husbands?I think we all know the foul answer.Me, I'm quite proudly single, but I love making my home smell like a sewer.I even rip 'em brazenly in public, especially in department stores at holiday times.I love the look on people's face when the catch whiff of what my rear emitted.Am I a sick woman?

An Objet D'Fart!
It's funny how farts have become almost a literary subgenre lately. This book is one of the better ones (a cut above), and it's certainly a fine adjunct to Jim Dawson's "Who Cut the Cheese?"

Irreverent, vey very funny, a great laugh.
A topic attempted by some, superbly dealt with by these very funny attorney's. The stories are a veritable stream ofgaseous humor.The fact that they took the time to research and write this book speaks volumes...orshould I say gallons of gas about their sense of humor. It is a great gaggift and was well written and easy to read. I would certainly not beembarrassed to hand it out as a present...and am sure that the recipientwould be appreciate the gift. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Humor    3. Topic - Political    4. Essays    5. Flatulence    6. Miscellanea   

Reviews (4)

Political cartooning at its best
This is the latest in a series that is both a long story of a bunch of kids growing up in the tumultuous last quarter of the 20th century(and THEIR kids)... and a politically charged history of that era.
bad bad bad bad bad...
I have not bought the colection but reading the comics I have figured out that while it claims to be so cynical,it's actually more politically correct than funky winkerbean...if that's possible.

Another great year with Doonesbury!
Trudeau continues to entertain us with his exceptional satire and cartooning.I have been a fan of his work for many years.His political observation never leaves a stone unturned;even when it should be.His artwork continues to advance the benchmark of drawing comics.The greatest thing we all lost with Kerry losing the 2004 Presidental Election,was what Trudeau had in mind for his character representation--oh,well.
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Subjects:  1. Comic books, strips, etc    2. Comics & Cartoons    3. General    4. Humor    5. Topic - Political    6. Humor / General    7. Jokes & riddles   

Reviews (19)

I didn't like it.
This book was boring and inane.I expected more from the guy who brought us such a politically sarcastic site.I was hoping to laugh, but all I did was fall asleep.I feel that I wasted my money, but did get a chuckle over some of the graphics.This book falls flat.Sorry!
Bush Book A Knock-Out
Do you find yourself taking President Bush and his administration seriously?You never will again after reading this gem of satire.Informed by extensive research into the backgrounds of these Executive Mansion denizens, the writers of Whitehouse.org have created brilliant caricatures of them.They are careful where they draw the line of exaggeration on which humor depends.They go far enough to be hilarious without going so far as to be just plain silly.At the same time, I can't help but wonder whether the Bush folks really do have some of the opinions that are attributed to them.It's so hideously plausible.

Don't even know what this means but I'll guess - EXCELLENT
I'm sure I'll like it, just haven't had time to go past the first few pages.If bashing the right-wing criminals in the White House is the bottom line, I'm gonna' love it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 2001-    2. American Satire And Humor    3. Bush, George W    4. Employee handbooks    5. Form - Parodies    6. Humor    7. Politics and government    8. Presidents    9. Staff    10. Topic - Political    11. U.S. Federal Government    12. United States    13. Humor / Political   

Reviews (13)

Extremely relevant even today
For example, my favorite Franklin quote about taxes - which is so very true today - is this:
The first "Poor Richard" as printed...
In 1733 Benjamin Franklin released the first Poor Richard's Almanac. He was by no means famous when it appeared. Another twenty years would pass before his electrical experiments brought him worldwide attention. But some Philadelphians knew Franklin as a dedicated printer and public servant. Regardless, Franklin needed amarketing gimmick to gain a percentage of the crowded almanac market. This bold trick involved his main competitor, Titan Leeds. On the inside cover Franklin (writing as "Richard Saunders" or "Poor Richard") predicted Leed's death in October of that same year. It worked. The "scandal" spread throughout Philadelphia and sales of "Poor Richard's Almanack" skyrocketed. Leeds did not die, of course, as predicted but Franklin (Saunders) hilariously stood his ground in future issues.
Choice Morsels Of Wisdom
Franklin's timeless compilation of whit and wisdom is truly a classic.The book contains some of the most interesting and impressive collection of comments that Franklin was able to put in this compendium.While many are ascribed to Franklin, he specifically does not take credit for the adages himself.Rather, he indicates that they are commonly utilized comments and expressions of the vernacular.
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Subjects:  1. American Satire And Humor    2. General    3. Humor    4. Proverbs    5. Topic - Political    6. Essays, journals, letters & other prose works    7. Folklore    8. German    9. Humor / General    10. Humour    11. Literary studies: general    12. USA   

Reviews (7)

Great Read!
I had a blast with this book.It really shows how these Dem's think!I loved the quote by Hillary Clinton "WE are president" if that doesn't say it all.Also, loved "God bless the America we are trying to create." -Hillary Rodham Clinton.Let's all hope she doesn't get the chance.

"I wish I hadn't said that!"

Republicans Rule, Democrats Drool
Carefully go down this list of famous politicians/celebrities and answer truthfully whether you like them or dislike them overall. If you like more of the R's than the D's what does that tell you?
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Subjects:  1. Democratic Party (U.S.)    2. Humor    3. Politics and government    4. Quotations    5. Quotations, maxims, etc    6. Topic - Political    7. United States    8. Humor / Political   

Editorial Review

In this, her third volume, Molly Ivins (columnist, NPR commentator, and three-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize) sheds light on the "great clouds of obsfucation" that stymie attempts to clearly analyze President Clinton's job performance. Ivins stayed a Clinton supporter after most of her fellow liberals bailed--up until 1996, when Clinton signed the welfare "reform" bill. "My expectations of Democratic politicians exceed my expectations of Republicans by only the smallest of margins," Ivins states ruefully, "but real Democrats don't hurt children. Clinton did." Nevertheless, current Clinton bashing defies logic and she provides a levelheaded analysis of the wave of anti-Clinton sentiment by distinguishing between the usual brew of Republican and Democrat animosity and such phenomena as "the well-financed propaganda machine funded largely by Richard Mellon Scaife of Pittsburgh."Read more

Reviews (15)

"Do what?" That says it all in Texas

A Change of Pace
After reading this authors book on George Jr. - Shrub, I was excited to pick this one up. I figured I was going to get non-stop chapters of defense and support of President Clinton.Unfortuantly what I wanted only covered 50% of the book. The other half of the book covered Texas politics and personal columns on people she admired.The book is just a few years of her columns arranged by topic into sections of the book.This did make it easy for me to skip through the areas I was not interested in. Ivins is liberal -- sensible and factual
Molly Ivins is simply a top-notch columnist who documents her opinions with facts that cannot be denied.So, her detractors resort to calling her "liberal" as though that word has the Magical Power to transform sense and reason and humor and documentation into a negative.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1989-    2. 1993-2001    3. American    4. Government - U.S. Government    5. Humor    6. Politics and government    7. Topic - Political    8. United States    9. Political Science / Essays   

Editorial Review

If ever there was book destined to get negative customer reviews, it's Read more

Reviews (83)

Well done (And that's coming from a libertarian)
I really like alan Colmes and think on his radio show and on TV he is a thoughtful and respectful representative of the true liberal ideals. His book doesn't play dirty (as admittedly many books on the right do), and he remains intelluctually honest unlike the moveon/Sheehan/netroots crowd. While I still wholly disagree with him on most issues, I understand the basis of his beliefs and get the feeling that we are on the same team with mostly the same goals for the country and the world even if we support different means towards those ends. Kum Ba Yah, etc, etc.

Perspectives From The Other Side of Hannity and Colmes
Alan Colmes is the man who shares the stage with co- host Sean Hannity on the popular Fox News program "Hannity and Colmes". He is a generally likeable fellow and he comes across as warm and sincere in this, his first published book. Alan wrote this book to offer readers an alternative to the mostly conservative publications, to demonstrate why he is liberal, and to explain why he feels that the so- called "right" is wrong on so many important issues.