Customer Reviews

Clinton & Me

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

If only this book had been around when I was an undergraduate majoring in political science. It is as revealing and incisive as anything I've read on contemporary American politics, and a helluva lot funnier. As history, it's the story of the Clinton administration as retold by Groucho Marx. For students of politics, it shows how politicians use humor to achieve important political objectives, and also to deflect gaffes and static that keeps them from achieving these objectives -- humor as politics by other means. It leaves the reader both wiser and happier. Teachers of American politics should assign this book to their students, and "real people" should recommend it to friends who need a lift from the humorless political scene.

Mark Katz has arrived. While previously known only to Washington insiders as the premier source to turn to lighten up any important speech with brilliant humor, the entire world
is now blessed to know his rare talent. Clinton and Me is a "laugh-a-minute" read that will have you wondering how it is possible for one young person to be so consistantly witty and downright funny. So engaging is Katz that it is literally impossible not to finish this hysterical book in a single sitting.
Without question we are witnessing the coming of age of the next Jerry Seinfeld and it will not be long before a smart major network gobbles up Katz with a long term deal for a comedy talk show or political sitcom that will catapult Mark Katz into primetime.
READ THIS BOOK NOW AND REMEMBER, YOU HEARD IT HERE...FIRST!!!!!!!!!

CLINTON & ME is that rare look at the White House and American politics from an outsider on the inside. The chapters on the Dukakis-Bush '88 campaign alone are worth the price of admission -- the jokes the candidate *never* said are hilarious ("I'm Mike Dukakis and these are my eyebrows"), and the lessons from that campaign are urgent for anyone paying attention to 2004. I enjoyed jumping from episode after episode, with Katz providing the funny retorts and comic riffs to everything that happened in the Clinton years (from cheeseburgers to Newt to Monica). Clinton's own comic turnaround provides the main drama in the book. And Gore comes through at times as a fearlessly funny man who was willing to have himself delivered at the start of one speech as a mannequin in a handtruck by a UPS man -- to make fun of his own stiffness. Unlike most political books today, this one is not mean spirited. It's simply very well-written, and it provides a unique and much-needed perspective on the great decade of the 90s, years which now seem so long gone.

As a Republican, I probably shouldn't admit it, but I bought the book Friday afternoon was up until 3:30 Saturday morning reading it. Being consistently funny over the course of 300+ pages ain't easy, but Mark Katz has done it. Great stories; great jokes; a great read.

From the dusty backroads of the campaign trail to the innermost reaches of the White House, Mark Katz takes us on a wide-eyed and wacky trip peopled with the powerful and the people who keep them that way. Part "Inside Baseball", part West Wing and part Huckleberry Finn, Katz shows how Presidents, hangers-on, pundits and their writers vie for laughs, media attention, and influence. As a seasoned political writer, Katz also introduces us to celebrities, character assassins, TV cameras, and the occasional impressionable date. For those of you always curious as to "what goes on back there, anyway?", Katz tells all with a clever eye and a sharp tongue. A sourcebook for political writers, wags and wannabees.

If you're not a clinton fan, this is probably not the book for you. But I am so I loved it. I enjoyed reading about the process by which speeches get written and the little insights into the world that is the white house. I truly laughed out loud every time I picked up the book. Katz has a great "touch" for writing about some sensitive subjects and his humor, political and otherwise, was dead on. Great read!!!!!

Mark Katz's story, from the class clown to comedy speechwriter for President Clinton, is a great read. The book is full of funny one-liners and stories, excerpts from what made it into the President's speeches, and what didn't. And I laughed. But that's not what makes the book great. What makes the book great is that the reader feels what it's like to step into Mark Katz's shoes, and see this world of power and privilege though the eyes of someone who feels humbled and privileged to be there. He gives these people he comes into contact with depth and dimension and makes them real.... I couldn't put it down. And it was funny. Buy the book.

If you stop to think about it, most people have ho hum jobs. Mark Katz is not one of those people.

I thoroughly enjoyed his story. It's an interesting perspective on those people whom we see on tv every day: real everyday working Americans. Add to that a compelling narrative surrounding "life choices" and you end up with a regular guy, complete with insecurities, writing jokes for the President. How cool is that?

What I really appreciated about this book is that it avoided dialogue about the vexing issues surrounding Clinton and his attendant controversies. You get access to Clinton's Oval Office and you didn't have to wash your hands afterwards.

For those who haven't seen Mark's video of Clinton's "Final Days", it's one of the more remarkable film clips I've ever seen. Find it on the net and "see" Mark's humor in action.

Well done Mark. Thank you for sharing.

I picked this book up based on a brief review that said it was funny, and was a little hesitant to do so as neither politics nor Clinton interest me. But no matter, this book proved to be very funny despite my anticipated lack of interest. Mark Katz's stories of making it to the white house evoke Peter Sellers in 'Being There', albeit with much more intelligence than Peter Sellers. What makes this book even more interesting is how the author's family and friends (Fisher!) make repeat appearances, reminding you that he's just another person doing his job, and is as amazed at his good fortune as the reader is. I found myself laughing out loud while reading this book, as have others I've recommended it to. It's also piqued my interest in some of the other books concerning Clinton's presidency, so I guess that's saying quite a bit as well. Consider me a fan.

Not only did I laugh out loud repeatedly while reading this book, but I was intrigued by the backstage White House that you really never get to see. Mark Katz does a great job painting a true picture of life in the White House from a rarely seen angle. In addition, his honesty about how he felt during the scandalous times was refreshing. It gave me inspiration to pursue things I believe in, but try to have fun in the process.