Customer Reviews

Beneath the Axis of Evil: One Man's Journey into the Horrors of War

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

When people look back upon the gonzo literary career of Neal Pollack, it's tough to reckon what they will make of his second book, "Beneath the Axis of Evil: One Man's Journey into the Horrors of War." Much shorter than his first book, "The Neal Pollack Anthology of American Literature", "Beneath the Axis of Evil" primarily serves to whet the appetite of Pollack fans eagerly awaiting the upcoming publication of his first novel. All the same, "Beneath the Axis of Evil" -- despite its brevity -- features a consistency and focus missing in Pollack's first book, a loose collection of humorous essays. Though entertaining, Pollack's essays lacked a common thread. "Beneath the Axis of Evil", however, should excite Pollack fans wondering how Pollack's writing has evolved in the years since his publication of "Anthology." Working with only 62 pages, Pollack doesn't overextend himself. The result is rewarding; Pollack's humor is a narrowly focused laser aimed without mercy at the circus of the absurd that is our global "War on Terror." I highly recommend this funny, subversive offering from Neal Pollack.

In a mere 60-some pages, Neal Pollack single-handedly and effortlessly puts in their place the self-righteous post-9/11 journalists that stink up the nation's newspapers and magazines on a daily basis. Most importantly though, the book is hilarious. Any points or statements that Pollack may have been trying to make with the book are so shrouded in laugh-out-loud humor, that one almost forgets about the nonsensical reality that is being lampooned and that we're presently living in. And these days, what more could we ask for from a book?

Neal Pollack is in danger of fully earning his one-trick-pony reputation. This book has a few great moments (the chapter on The New Poverty chief among them), but otherwise it's rather repetitive. Neal Pollack's a funny man, but if all he can do is parody journalists and make cheap references to people that mean nothing to the average reader, then it's time we find someone else on whom to hoist the mantle of Savior of Literary Humor.

But seriously people, is it 5 stars of literature? Definately not, but perhaps that is the point. Why not give it 5 stars, because hell, he's the most important man writing today and hence everything he writes should be worth 5 stars no matter how good or bad. We should all love him and cherish him and get on our knees to the south and pray to him and Austin will become a euphamism for an epicenter of thought and activity - hey, it worked for Mecca didn't it.

And that is precisely the point that I think Neal drives home in this work and his previous. The self-importance of writers and journalists regarding their place in society and in relation to their subjects. The sheer arrogance of it all. And the sensibility of the supposed infallibility of some authors who I would like to think have Jesse Jackson syndrome. That is, they keep going back to the all-star game year after year because of the public perception that they are stars long after they did anything to warrant that accolade and hence obscure and dimish the contributions of those that actually create something of worth and value.

Is Neal Pollack the man to actually make that object of excellence obscured by the Jesse Jacksons of the literary world. Well no, but he is the one to expose it all so delightfully to us and Beneath the Axis is just another cream pie in the face of this business at the Davos meeting of the World Economic Forum. But the intriguing thing about Neal Pollack is what we sense to be the potential to create something trancedental that we are all waiting for like the messaih. That is what keeps me engaged and waiting until the fall for his next novel.

But if he never does, no one will ever be disappointed because he always kept us entertained and laughing our ... off.

Every sentence is a hilarious surprise. Like all 4 Marx brothers doing a remix of everything all at once. It's short but packed with laffs that will appeal to the high- and low-brow in everyone.

I was breezing around a bookstore the other day and came upon a book with an exciting cover and intricate, detailed, and somewhat strident arguments for war, and for peace. That book was the new Thomas Friedman polemic. I was going to read it but, as I am a student, could not afford to invest my time in its hundreds pages length. So instead I turned to Neal Pollack's Beneath the Axis of Evil. He, Neal Pollack, is surely the only man who can make brutal regimes, war, and other stuff like that funny. And believe me, he makes them very funny, indeed.
And in these trying times of duct tape and gas masks, surely its economical length is a benefit. It is just the thing to fit in my "At Long Last, Dead, So Very!" satchel, snugly between the adrenaline shot and my copy of "Garfield at 50."

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With Beneath the Axis of Evil, Neal Pollack proves that he is one of America's most underappreciated satirists. Pollack deftly leaps across international borders and over scowling bodyguards to record the months following the September 11 attacks and speak to the people who shaped that time.

For people who are new to Pollack's humor, this book provides a great, yet compact, introduction. Readers who enjoyed the author's first book will undoubtedly like this one, as Pollack gives a political spin to his unique (and unfortunately so) brand of humor. Mimicking the self-important news celebrities of the networks and national papers, Pollack spends time in a jail cell with fellow dissidents Bill Maher and Susan Sontag, and secures exclusive, revealing interviews with the likes of Mohammed Omar and Saddam Hussein.

This book, whether because of its brevity or because of Pollack's evolution as a fiction writer, holds together better than his debut Anthology. Although he takes an ill-fitting interlude to poke fun at Jonathan Franzen, the rest of the book is nearly seamless, and the jokes never get stale. Beneath the Axis of Evil is a glimpse of Pollack at his best-full of piercing witticism and far-fetched, yet apt, associations. Any fan of satire-modern or classic-would be well-advised to pick this up, as it is timeless humor on a timely subject.

Jamie Swift's life is full, she is running the only paper in small town Beaumont, South Carolina and is engaged to a handsome young millionaire. Unfortunately, the paper is struggling and her future mother in law can hardly stand her, feeling that her precious son is marrying beneath himself. The answer to her unspoken prayers arrives when Max Holt, sexy billionaire and brother in law to former wrestler turned mayoral candidate Frankie Fontana, comes to town to allegedly help Frankie's campaign. Actually, his sister Deedee wants him to help Jamie.

Matters are complicated by attempts on Jamie's life, her mutual attraction to Max, and Max's computer, Muffin, getting hot flashes. Added to that, Frankie's major domo and Deedee's best "girlfriend", Beenie, another former, and gay, wrestler, gets amnesia and forgets he is gay. You can also add a stripper and some poachers to the muddle, and you get a delightful mix.

***** With spark, passion, mystery and more than one chuckle, this book tickles and delights you from beginning to end. Fans of both of these authors will not be disappointed, everything that makes Stephanie loveable and all the wit of Charlotte Hughes other novels is there. Max is someone you definitely hope is going to be back, and Muffin alone is worth a continuing series. *****

I haven't read Mr Pollack's book but his twisted website appeal for reviews was so amusing - and yes, monkey-with-a-pencil-cup pathetic - I'm forced to indulge him. The thought of Neil exhuming the Queen Mum's grave one more time is too much to bear. I pass the alphabet city pothole he calls home every day and even his pet cockroaches have fled. Nuclear winter won't look this grim. So please, buy and read his book now!

As America's foremost man of letters, Neal Pollack finds himself uniquely positioned to illuminate for the common reader the challenges and dangers confronting the post-9/11 world community.

Though "just" a pamphlet, Beneath the Axis of Evil is a brilliant precis of how one man -- admittedly, a super-man among men -- reacted (and acted) in the face of the 21st century's first real challenge.

For anyone familiar with Neal Pollack's brilliant writings, Beneath the Axis of Evil will not disappoint.

By one copy for yourself, and as many more as you can get for your friends, family and acquaintances. Believe me, this is the best investment you will ever make.