Humor and the Presidency

Customer Reviews:

The Serious Side of Laughter.......2007-01-19

I confess to not being too enamored of Gerald Ford while he was president. After the first month of his presidency (the honeymoon period), he pardoned Nixon, & my initial excitement with his self-professed candor was immediately replaced with a lasting cynacism about ALL matters having to do with US politics (I was then 19, and had barely heeded the Watergate hearings, having lived in Britain while they dragged on: today I would be addicted to them). To my teenaged mind, there seemed nothing honest or sincere about the pardon, or the man responsible for it: I only saw the 'same old, same old', in sum, the mediocre. I would not find politics exciting again, until my early twenties, but from then on, would all but ignore the Ford era, even in retrospect. More towering/frighenting/exciting figures would follow (& had preceded)--figures whose impact would seem to be more lasting.

Then Ford died.

The press commentary on Ford's reasons for the pardon (to rebuild the country's confidence in its institutions, & especially the presidency), and the nicer things said about him upon his passing made me at least reconsider my lack of curiosity about Ford, when I came upon a copy of this book, during a New Year's sale. The book had not been marked up after Ford's passing (an oversight for this shop) & was even at 30% off during the sale. I happpend upon a sound & clean hard cover copy, in an untorn dustjacket, that seemed a reasonable buy, at $4. I just can't resist a bargain, especially if I think it might become an investment.

Then I read the book. The first part discusses humor as a part of the First Amendment process, and its value as a check and balance against the High & Mighty & tyrranny in general. It then deals with how certain presidents could or could not craft humor (and could or could not deal with it) and notes how a good sense of humor (& an ablility to be a good sport when one is the butt of it) seems to accompany presidential competence. A president who takes himself too seriously (who cannot see the humor in his foibles) is often poisioned by arrogance (& paranoia), & less likely to be adaptive, in times of crisis. Humor punctures the bubble around the ruler who receives it well. Unfortunately, this was published before we might have seen how Bush I & Clinton took to some of the humor at their expense (1987), but the current Bush (II) certainly takes poorly to any kind of questioning of his authority. There seems to be no way that the bubble that surrounds him might be punctured by humor, or even by an attempt to explain things to him, however simple the terms one might use (see Woodward's State of Denial).

The funny topic matter of this book all but masks the insights one gains through how a president reacts to humor directed at himself and how that reaction might predict/evaluate how well such an idividual might rule. This may even explain how/why some comedians/actors have at least seemed to be good leaders: recognition of good timing, in the pleasing of audiences (especially when such timing is improvised), and the use of it to persuade listeners about more complex ideas, may yet transfer to the kind of talent that enables one to creativly & quickwittedly work through and manage the more cosmic political issues and problems. And ones lack of such talents thereof, may also prove to be a negative harbinger.

My first impression of this book (from its cover and while perusing its pages) was that it, like its author (that is my early impressions of him), might be trite: by the time I finished it (introduction included), I was deeply impressed with its wisdom (& saw that some of those positive things written about Ford, upon his passing, indeed proved true: how he wrote this book & evaluated on his own mistakes & accomplishments showed his mind to be subtle after all). His attitude to the humor directed at him, even at a time when it hurt him more, seemed to mostly be along the lines of, "fair enough" which led me to come away from this book with a sense that Ford was himself an honest person, & more importantly, if not absolutely brilliant, at least a quick study. So, I now regard Ford as having (post humously & post humorously) taught me something insightful about humor, just rule, and its positive effects upon the world. I now regard the writer (Ford) as not trite at all--certainly sincere, and, in light of an eventful life, most admirable.

An Insider Speaks.......2001-07-29

In this book from 1987, President Ford gives examples from his administration and others of the positive effects of humor. Presidents Kennedy and Reagan are given as the two examples of recent Presidents who knew how to use humor to their advantage. Ford cites examples of how Kennedy took tense situations and neutralized them through humor. Nixon and Carter are listed as Presidents who lacked humor and had difficulty with the press.

This book also has several pages of reproduced cartoons. The modern ones focus on Ford and Reagan.

Various members of the Ford Administration give examples of funny incidents that happened during their time in the White House. President Ford describes his anger at how he sometimes was portrayed by comedians. Members of Ford's staff give examples of how Ford used humor to ease tension with audiences, staff and others. There are also worthwhile stories given here about how hard the Ford White House worked to win the GOP nomination in 1976. Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld are two members of the Ford Administration quoted here. It is interesting that they are now both back in Washington as members of the Bush Administration.

Average customer rating:

Uncle John rocks

Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges into the Presidency (Bathroom Reader)
Bathroom Readers' Hysterical Society
Manufacturer: Portable Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Comic | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
Political | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Satire, General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges into History Again (Bathroom Reader)

Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges into History (Uncle John Presents)

Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges into Great Lives

Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Plunges into Hollywood (Bathroom Readers)

Uncle John's Presents: The Book of the Dumb (Uncle John Presents)

ASIN: 1592232604

Book Description

Modern-day presidential candidates are subjected to unprecedented scrutiny, and Uncle John is right there alongside other zealous investigators digging up the most compelling, confounding, entertaining, and unique information, facts, and figures about our nation's chief executives. This book is full of interesting insights, amazing anecdotes, and trashy tidbits about the lives, times, and issues of each president. Topics include: The Men — Their Personalities, Performance, Virtues, and Vices; Presidential Firsts and Lasts; Sibling Rivalry — Presidential Brothers and Sisters in the News; Health Secrets of the Chief Executives; Close Calls — Assassination Attempts; The Presidency as Depicted in Books, Movies, the Media, and Monuments; and much more. Readers learn about the oldest sitting president (Reagan at 77); the tiniest president (5'4" James Madison, who weighed less than 100 pounds); and the special status of 1841 (the only year when three separate men all served as president).

Customer Reviews:

Uncle John rocks.......2007-07-28

We own this entire series (or at least the ones I can get my hands on) and love them. My son will not enter the bathroom without one in hand. We are a homeschooling family, so I take learning anywhere I can get it.

The American Presidency (Real Story Series)

Average customer rating:

Total waste
Unforgiving, to the point, and funny
Entertaining, but ultimately disappointing
It's that time again
Excellence condensed

The American Presidency (Real Story Series)
Gore Vidal
Manufacturer: Odonian Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Presidents & Heads of State | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Political | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

History & Theory | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1878825151

Book Description

An entertaining, insightful history of the men who've held the office, from the division between Jefferson and Hamilton through Bill Clinton's campaign for national health care.

Customer Reviews:

Total waste.......2003-01-30

This book is comprised of meaningless antecdotes and other useless information. I usually am incredibly impressed by Vidals wit and his ability to expose the "truth," but unfortunately, this time I was very disappointed.

Unforgiving, to the point, and funny.......2002-09-09

The book/pamphlet is unusual. It is quick reading and very amusing and funny. It does not try to be completely historically detailed and is not written in the scholarly style but rather goes through the key American presidents in order and gives a brief description of their character, accomplishments, and the problems they faced/solved/created.

In my opinion, Gore Vidal can be considered an elite insider of the US system. He pretty much writes as one blatantly and I believe he is making a point: here is someone on the inside who knows many of the presidents, politicians, the rich, and the media editors and is presenting history through such a perspective and in such a mode. He is a traditional republican and conservative (in the original sense of these words, hence the lower case use): foreign adventures/interventions, domestic political repression, economic polarization, and increasing corporate control are things he speaks against vehemently. For these reasons, this is a very refreshing book to read.

In addition, the book raises and deals with important questions about the presidency as an institution: what are its limitations and powers? How did this historically lead to its use and abuse for particular ends by various characters? What types of people were the various presidents and how did they change this institution?

Finally, Gore Vidal sees the US in the process of a slow but steady downfall, particularly since the Cold War years (1950s): politically, culturally, and economically (since the 1980s). The costs of being imperial master, with attendant crushing stifling of dissent at home, the huge military spendings and deficits, and foreign interventions and the loss of foreign and US life in the process, etc. are reviewed quite negatively in this book. Whether you believe this or not is something else, and the facts he produces are suggestive only (but then again,
the book is quite short).

In short, I recommend the book. As long as read properly, it provides quite some insight into American history. If you're looking for detailed history, facts and figures, and precise arguments, go elsewhere. If you're looking for a quick overall and consistent viewpoint and history viewed in broad burshstrokes, this book really hits the spot.

Entertaining, but ultimately disappointing.......2000-10-24

I have been a fan of Gore Vidal's for a very long time, so very few of his views on American presidents listed in this book are really new. But it is interesting to see them collected in one single volume and without the subtlety of earlier writings. Thus Vidal says plainly that presidents are either military dictators (Lincoln and FDR) or servants of Big Business. Truman and Eisenhower never considered the Soviet Union any real threat but invented the Cold War to please the military-industrial complex - a game that JFK, a cynical in everything else, believed in and wanted to win, almost causing World War III. And the Clintons are, of course, naïve idealists who never had any idea of how the US works until they tried to defy Corporate America with their health care plan which would have brought happiness to all. And so on and so forth.

Of course one should not accept at face value the conventional version of any country's history - not only the United States'. Vidal's historical novels, especially "Burr", are excellent in pointing that out. But although "The American Presidency" is useful as a readable and entertaining summary of American history which does sometimes make you think, it is also extremely simplistic - almost a caricature of Vidal's early writings on that subject. It made me sad, in a way.

It's that time again.......2000-08-23

What better book to get us ready for the onslaught of lies, distortions, and manufactured history, that is sure to flow as this year's presidential election draws near. In this brief introduction (thats why I only gave it 4 stars, it would have been better if it were a little more detailed) to America's number one sacred cow, the presidency, Gore Vidal ( A distant relative to Al Gore)gives us a much needed dose of reality, as unsavory as that may be. This book is based upon a British television documentary that Vidal created, which was sold to The History Channel. What happened next is a sad commentary on the American Media, and its willingness to censor dissenting views. Instaed of cancelling this documentary, they instead decided to have the "hosts" dispute practically every point in an obvious attempt to discredit it. Of course, the corporations that own the History channel, and have benefited most from the corruption that Vidal's book exposes are the real culprits in this case, exposing a problem that goes much deeper than just media bias. As Vidal says, this book is not only about the Presidency, it is about control; not only of what we as citizens are allowed to see and form our own opions of, but also what we can express. Presidents are not gods, even though they tend to act like they are. The important thing that this book tells us is that all people should be held accountible to the same laws, and this does not just start with Clinton. It has dated back to our earliest leaders, men who proudly owned slaves, declared unjust wars, supported terrorism, and ordered bombings of innocent civilians. We must see these men for who they are, not as the god-like figures on Mt. Rushmore, or the granite and marble of Washington, but as the criminals that many of them were.

Excellence condensed.......2000-07-18

Gore Vidal, a boy genius, once again proves himself to be not only a brilliant historian but also an exquisite story teller. Short and to the point, Vidal's AMERICAN PRESIDENCY, sums up the most sought after office in the land (to be head of the White House T.V. studio.) Sharply sardonic and completely unforgiving, Vidal shines in this easy to read/comprehend novel filling the pages with knowledge many refuse to believe. The work should be a must read for any sort of American history student.

Clinton & Me: How Eight Years of a Pants-Free Presidency Changed My Nation, My Family and My Life

Average customer rating:

The hard (but very funny) truth.
Liberal Media Beware
Buy this book!
This is a FUNNY book!

Clinton & Me: How Eight Years of a Pants-Free Presidency Changed My Nation, My Family and My Life
Michael Graham
Manufacturer: Pinpoint Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Political | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

America Alone: The End of the World as We Know It

ASIN: 0964855321

Book Description

Controversial talk host and syndicated columnist Michael Graham presents some of his most-requested works from this eight years under seige in Clinton's America. From the murder trial of Leonardo diCaprio (did you miss that) to intimate notes between Bill and Hil, Michael Graham's happy-go-lucky cynicism is a reader's delight.

Customer Reviews:

The hard (but very funny) truth........2001-03-03

Michael Graham is a bit of an oddity in the world today. First of all, he is unafraid to tell you exactly what is on his mind, no matter the consequences. In addition, what he reports is the truth. This alone makes him nearly unique nowadays. In his book, Clinton & Me, he displays his mastery of the above two virtues as well as his mastery of satirical humor. From the first essay to the last you will be laughing, but more importantly, THINKING. The biggest problem in politics on a grass roots level these days is that so many people don't think anymore. Witness the vast number of ineffectual incumbents that get re-elected in this state alone. Michael Graham, both in his daily radio show and in Clinton and Me, he makes it impossible for you to merely tow the party line. Read this book. Even if you disagree with the politics, it will make you question your stance on each and every issue it addresses, and that is ALWAYS a good thing.

Liberal Media Beware.......2000-12-19

Michael Graham's book takes a look at the Clinton Administration and says what we have all been thinking. Nixon left office for less than has conspired in the Clinton White House. From the hiring the former Govener of SC, which has the worst education system in all 50 states, as Secretary of Education, to the O. J. like impeachment trial of Clinton, Graham pokes fun at this soon to be former administration.

Graham also has touches of family humor. His stories of his children are delightful.

In conclusion, Clinton is a must read for conservatives and liberal alike. I wish more people in the United States saw life through Michael Grahams eyes.

Buy this book!.......2000-12-01

More pointed than Dave Barry, more balanced than Rush Limbaugh, and funnier than the late great Lew Grizzard, Michael Graham is the best columnist I've discovered since James Lileks. He hits hard, but he makes you laugh, and he's the only American besides me who will admit wearing those squared-off knit ties in the early 80s. Even lefties will find things to like about this book. And check out that cover!

This is a FUNNY book!.......2000-11-28

I read lots of books that claim to be "humor," but Clinton & Me is the first book in a long time that had me laughing on the first page. And I laughed all the way through.

I was expecting something more political. Michael Graham is a radio talk show host down here in the Carolinas, and he talks alot about current events. But the book is all over the place. About every other piece (it's a collection of humor columns) is related to something in the news: Clinton, Elian, Gingrich, Hillary. But the rest jump from bad movies to being a dad to how Michael dresses when he's a guest on TV shows. That was very funny, by the way.

I have already bought another copy, for my dad, for Christmas. He listens to Rush Limbaugh, and I'm sure he'll like the comedy in the book, even though he won't agree with all of it.

And he will definitely like the Clinton bashing in this book. It isn't the same old stuff. There isn't any whining in this book. When he jumps on Clinton, it sticks! There are several pieces that made me want to show them to my liberal friends and say "See! That's what I've been trying to tell you!"

Oh, and there's one line in the very first piece that sums up Al Gore to a T. You've got to read it for yourself.

Great book, easy to read, and laugh out loud funny.

Average customer rating:

Funny. For Democrats, Republicans, everyone

The best of the best

Ignore the bad reviews and get a copy! This CD is FUNNY!

Franken has a hilarious go at the political process

hysterical!!!

Why Not Me?: The Inside Story Behind the Making and the Unmaking of the Franken Presidency

Manufacturer: Random House Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Parodies | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Political | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Satire, General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Humor | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
General | Books on CD | Audiobooks | Formats | Books
Similar Items:

Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot

Oh, the Things I Know!

Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right

The Truth (with jokes)

The O'Franken Factor' Factor: The Very Best of the O'Franken Factor

Accessories:

GPX C3948BI Ultra-Slim CD Player with 40-Second Anti-Shock Protection and Car Kit

ASIN: 0553456431
Release Date: 1999-01-12

Amazon.com

In this hilarious political satire, Al Franken reveals how, by focusing relentlessly on the issue of ATM fees, he managed to wrest the Democratic presidential nomination away from Vice President Al Gore in the 2000 elections and become the 44th president of the United States. He then wound up running the second-shortest administration in American history, announcing in his resignation speech: "It is my fondest wish that, in the fullness of time, the American people will look back on the Franken presidency as something of a mixed bag and not as a complete disaster."

Why Not Me? is divided into three main sections. The first, "Daring to Lead," is Franken's "authorized campaign autobiography," in which he lays out his life story and his reasons for seeking the nation's highest office. Then, in his campaign diaries, we follow Franken and his team of advisers--including former Clinton pollster Dick Morris and Dan Haggerty, TV's Grizzly Adams--across New Hampshire and Iowa. Finally, there's "The Void," the behind-the-scenes account by Bob Woodward of Franken's first 100 days in the Oval Office. As a writer, Franken takes aim at a lot of targets, with nary a miss; there are enough great jokes in Why Not Me? to make almost anybody break down with a fit of the giggles at some point (especially at pages 132 to 133, but don't peek! It'll spoil the buildup). --Ron Hogan

Book Description

First came Theodore White's The Making of the President, 1960.  Then All the President's Men.  Now the searing chronicle that will forever change the way we view the man and the office .  .  .

The dramatic rise and dizzying fall of Al Franken, who would become the first Jewish president of the United States.

Franken began his unique American journey in the small town of Christhaven, Minnesota, the self-described "son of the son of immigrants and the son of a daughter of a son and daughter of immigrants."

Follow the Franken campaign from its infancy as the candidate pledges "to walk the state of New Hampshire, diagonally and then from side to side." As he candidly admits "causing pain in his marriage," then boldly refuses to dignify any questions from the media regarding past, present, or future sexual behavior.

Go behind the scenes and meet Team Franken, the candidate's brain trust.  Including brother and deputy campaign manager Otto, a recovering sex addict and alcoholic.  Campaign manager Norm Ornstein, the think-tank policy wonk who masterminds the single-issue (ATM fees) campaign.  Media consultant Dick Morris, who exploits the shocking millennium bug-induced "ATM meltdown" by building an ad campaign around a diabetic woman who loses her right foot after computers erase all her ATM deposits.  And former Grizzly Adams star Dan Haggerty.

Cheer as Franken stuns the pundits by defeating Al Gore for the Democratic nomination, then is swept into office with a landslide victory over Newt Gingrich.  As he chooses an all-Jewish Cabinet because "America doesn't want a Cabinet that looks like America, it wants a Cabinet the President is comfortable with."

Then, through excerpts from Bob Woodward's detailed account of the first hundred days, The Void, go inside the Franken White House.  Gripped by crisis from day one, the president develops a severe case of chronic fatigue syndrome.  After the highly medicated chief executive exhibits a roller coaster of bipolar behavior, including the "slugging Nelson Mandela" incident and an attempt to clone himself, Franken is forced to cooperate with the Joint Congressional Committee on the President's Mood Swings.  And when the committee releases Franken's personal diaries to the public, his presidency faces its ultimate crisis.

Customer Reviews:

Funny. For Democrats, Republicans, everyone.......2007-03-02

I listened to this on cassette, somewhat abridged, read by the author,
with some other voices and some sound effects. The Gore imitation is pretty good.

Good satire. Franken's other political books struck me as more hate than humor.
This one can even be enjoyed by Republicans. Political junkies will probably
like it more than most others, but anyone that has been bothered by the behavior
of politicians can get some laughs.

The best of the best.......2006-01-15

This is the greatest book of political satire I have ever read. If you can think, read and laugh at the same time buy this book. It will have you rolling.

Ignore the bad reviews and get a copy! This CD is FUNNY!.......2005-08-10

This books is FUNNY.

If you HATE Al Franken you'll love this book. No other character in the book is as despicable as Al. He runs a prostitution ring, cheats on his wife, is insanely stupid, condones violence against political opponents, takes insane amounts of drugs, turns psychotic and is probably the least moral character in modern fiction.

And it's FUNNY.

If you love AL you will hopefully get that it's all a joke. If not, you may not actually AL, you might just think you do.

The book on tape (or CD) will make you laugh often and heartilty.

-Tom

Franken has a hilarious go at the political process.......2005-01-17

In this book, we see Franken not as his usual politically-outspoken self but rather as another persona - a ridiculous candidate running for president, and winning in what turns out to be one of the most disasterous 100 first (and only) days of any presidency. Those who disagree with Franken's politics will appreciate the book for making fun of all ends of the spectrum in a way that generally sends up the ridiculous nature of a presidential election. Those who agree with Franken may be disappointed that he mocked everyone. However, reading the book with an open mind will probably cause a great deal of mirth and enjoyment.

The book contains a bunch of sources of Franken's fictional presidency (including fictional press clippings and doctored photos). Even though the second half of the book is not nearly as funny as the first, overall, still a great read.

hysterical!!!.......2004-11-25

I honestly cannot remember how many times i laughed out loud while reading this book. A must-read!

The American Presidency in Political Cartoons, 1776-1976

Average customer rating:

The American Presidency in Political Cartoons, 1776-1976
Thomas C. Blaisdell Jr. , and Peter Selz
Manufacturer: Gibbs Smith Publisher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0879050276

Between Bushes: The Bill Clinton Presidency in Editorial

Average customer rating:

Between Bushes: The Bill Clinton Presidency in Editorial
Jack Lefcourt
Manufacturer: Volumes Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Political | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Comics & Graphic Novels | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0968800343

Feiffer on Nixon: The cartoon presidency

Average customer rating:

Feiffer on Nixon: The cartoon presidency

Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

The Presidency (American Heritage Library)

Average customer rating:

The Presidency (American Heritage Library)
Marcus Cunliffe
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin (P)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Political | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

State & Local Government | Government | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

U.S. | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Federal Jurisdiction | Administrative Law | Law | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0828112029

Why Not Me?: The Inside Story of the Making and Unmaking of the Franken Presidency

Average customer rating:

Why Not Me?: The Inside Story of the Making and Unmaking of the Franken Presidency
Al Franken
Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Parodies | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Political | Humor | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0385330146

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books