Customer Reviews

All Politics Is Local: and Other Rules of the Game

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I enjoyed reading this book even though I had to do a report on it. The main point of the book was to show that politics is about one's values combined with instincts; it is basically one's common sense. Some implications were: Though many candidates think it is essential to use the new campaigning and advertising strategies and technology to raise money, it is also important to remember that if the candidate and his issues find favor in the people's eyes, then many would gladly provide financial support when they are simply asked to. If one is loving and honest towards his constituents then his constituents will be honest and loving towards him. If you have clout and use it then many times you can even convince your most powerful opponents to take your side.
I believe the author's thesis to be true because politics is all about how well you know how to deal with people and the right thing to say at the right time, and that is basically what common sense is. Of course reputation, clout, and money are very influential, but if you are a good at politics and have good common sense, those will come in due time. I would recommend this book because it offers a different perspective than what government books give you. All Politics is Local and other rules of the game provides common sense that people interested in politics should know.

O'Neill displays his vast wit and wisdom in an entertaining series of stories from his political career and life. Politics may seem complicated and confusing at times but the former Speaker proves that the game is played on a short list of general rules that should always be followed. As one reviewer said, it makes for good bathroom reading with its short, entertaining stories.

I am a conservative Republican who loved this book. Folks of all political persuasions can appreciate the lessons and stories as told by one of the brightest, funniest, and most talented politicians of the century. If you even suspect that you might have an interest political life, by all means read it.

One of the biggest regrets of my life was not taking a day off from work when Tip was signing copies of this book. He died two weeks later. If you love a good story, a tall tale and a bit of blarney this book is for you. Short on story length but long on wisdom. You have to be a real toughie to not enjoy the tales and lessons within. Buy it and read it and see if the pols of today have learned anything.

This slim collection of one-and-two-page anecdotes barely qualifies as a book at all. Nor does it make up in profundity what it lacks in heft--the "lessons" that O'Neill gives to each of his stories seem artificial and forced, something his publishers nagged him into doing. But the stories themselves are great--arrogant politicians (often O'Neill himself) get their comeuppance, feisty constituents show their mettle, stupid election strategies win, smart ones fail. This is a great bathroom book.

Whether knocking on doors or meeting folks at the county fair, the best way to persuade people is the personal way. In this short but sweet book, former Speaker of the House Tip O'Neil shares a lifetime of stories to illustrate this important lesson. Even if you aren't an avid reader, you'll find it difficult to put this book down.

"All Politics Is Local" by Tip O' Neill, with Gary Hymel
Published by Bob Adams Inc. Holbrook, Ma 1994.

This small book has not been given enough respect by my fellow Amazon reviewers. Tip O'Neill, (D, Massachusetts) has compiled a concise compendium of anecdotes dealing with his sixty years experience in politics. The very definition of anecdote requires a short and condensed story making a point. Tip O'Neil, former Speaker of the House, has done just that: provided many miniature stories that succinctly illustrate a point.

As Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tip O'Neill received more popular votes than anybody except the President and the Vice President. The President is elected by popular votes by way of the Electoral College while the House Speaker is elected by popular votes by way of the House of Representatives. This, alone, should be reason enough to study this book on politics.

I was given this book by my son for Father's Day, 1997, and ever since then I have been "sensitive" to the term, "All Politics Is Local". I suggest to my fellow reviewers that they count how many times generals and TV commentators use the term, "All Politics Is Local" when they are describing the nation building efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Further, this book should be read again and again by the 535 members of Congress. Example: On page 162, Mr. O'Neill tells about Fr. Robert Drinan, S. J., being concerned about wearing his Roman collar on the floor of the House. Tip O' Neill recommended to the priest-congressman that he just be himself and walk around with his collar. Don't you think that the current Speaker of the House, R. Dennis Hastert, (R. Illinois) would have profited from reading that anecdote? If he had read this book, Speaker Hastert would have been prepared for the recent election of a Catholic priest as Chaplain of the House, and Hastert would not have been embarrassed by worrying about a person in a Roman collar walking around on the floor of the House. It had already been done! Too bad Speaker Hastert had not given this book more respect.

A light, enjoyable biography about a great politician who knew his trade well.

Tip O'Neill is regarded by some as great man. Of course, there are some in politics who publicly claim every other politician and ordinary citizen is great as well. Insincerity and dishonesty, after all, are the essence of American politics, if not politics anywhere.

Tip O'Neill, a Democrat, was Speaker of the House during Reagan's administration. Among his accomplishments were attacking the attempt by Reagan to overthrow a South American Communist dictatorship while financing illegal covert operations by the CIA. The same Congressman, Charlie Wilson, who was directing the funneling of money to the Afghans by way of Pakistan was also appointed to the House Ethics Committee to ensure that John Murtha, an unindicted co-conspirator in the ABSCAM scandal was not sanctioned. O'Neill talks about the Wilson appointment - but not the mission to save the crooked Murtha.

In other words, this Lion of the Left was like most left-wing politicians - a long way from being morally scrupulous.

O'Neill, on the other hand, was a masterful poltician. He is credited with coining the phrase "all politics is local", although he credits it to his father.

In this relatively slim volume, O'Neill dispenses advice on the practical side of politics, such as be nice to everyone, get a good accountant,stick with the two party system, learn to disagree without being disagreeable and on. Compared to the current crop of Democrats in the House, as disreputable as he was, O'Neill was still a gentleman.

And the advice dispensed in these pages is actually quite good, even if O'Neill often ignored it.

More interesting still are many of the stories O'Neill tells. Some are the best arguments for term limits imaginable. Congress has become a club that answers only to the rich and powerful, not to the ordinary person.

Overall, this is an excellent book. O'Neill was and remains correct: all politics is local. But that doesn't man the politics or the politicians are honest.

Jerry

Tip O'Neill, the legendary speaker of the House of Representatives book on the game of politics is one of the more insightful books I have read about politics and people in general. Its a shame I never have had the opportunity to meet the legend who wrote this book.