Obliviously on He Sails: The Bush Administration in Rhyme

by Calvin Trillin

Book Overview

Does the Bush Administration sound any better in rhyme? In this biting array of verse, it at least sounds funnier. Calvin Trillin employs everything from a Gilbert and Sullivan style, for describing... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1400062888
• ISBN13: 9781400062881
• Release Date: June 2004
• Publisher: Random House
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

A breath of fresh air

One would assume that the antics of this administration would have made satirists work overtime. Yet few seem to dare make Cheney, Ashcroft, and the boys targets of their wit. Michael Moore and Al Franken belong to the few. Now, at last New Yorker columnist Calvin Trillin has produced a book full of sharp satire, clever wit, and just buckets of laughs. Good fun for the family. I hope it gets the distribution if merits.

Very Funny and Enjoyable!

I bought this book after I saw the interview of the author with John Stewart on Daily Show, and really enjoyed it. The book is full of very funny poems which (of course!) make fun of Bush's administration. Either because of their gaffes or their extreme believes which they are trying to hide. If you like political satire, this books is a must-have. It's not a boring political book, full of facts and conclusions, just a piece of news and sharp comic poem afterwards, so you can enjoy reading each part separately or read all the book at once. However, if you're a republican, you need a whole lot of sense of humor in order to enjoy some of the poems. The guy went to a lot of trouble for finding words that rhyme with the names of people in administration, but the result is usually great. A side note, some of the poems refer to things that has happened in 2000 presidential campaign and election, but there is a one line note about the event before beginning of the poem.For example check this part of poem about John Ashcroft's quote that in US we have no king but Jesus:The only king we have is Jesus, And I feel blessed to bring the news.The only king we have is Jesus, I can't explain why we got Jews.

Never averse to a verse

Whose words these are I think I know,It's Trillin.... and his pen doth flow!He writes with humor, never mean,His knife sticks in and pulls out clean.We hear of Bush, the younger one,(Who really seems to be dim son.)And Rummy, Ashcroft, Perle and RiceAnd Cheney, who's the nation's vice.The neo-cons do Cal amaze As to abortion, prayer and gays.The author offers in each sectionA true, poetic "right" rejection.I highly recommend this book,(You'll love our writer's jab and hook!)He'll make of you a lifetime pal,This funny, punny, comic-Cal.

Essential Reading for the Blue States

This book is essential for those of us who are kept up at night out of our loathing for the current administration and need to learn how to transform our angst into humor. Trillin, though clearly incensed, focuses on the absurdity of the words and actions of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld et al. You'll be no less angry after reading Trillin's poems but at least you'll have a smile on your face.

In a word, hilarious

I thought I would laugh myself to death like the Weasels in Roger Rabbit after hearing Calvin reading "My Nanny, Dick", on the radio. This is the BEST BOOK yet on the misadventures and malfeasance of he who must not be opposed, IMHO--and makes the essential critical point with a combination of light-heartedness, acute poignancy, and the surprise of recognition. Well done!