Customer Reviews

Mark Steyn's Passing Parade

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Mark Steyn's political and current affairs work is often brilliant, usually witty and sometimes off beam - but always worth reading. This book a collection of short obituaries of famous people and is pure gold Steyn. It shows an affection for people, and gives insights and background that even if it weren't so well written would still be a gem. As it is, I think it is hugely enjoyable and I recommend it if you like great prose and sharp wit, combined with an understanding of popular culture, social comment and the world of famous people. Just enjoy it.

Mark Steyn's compendium of obituaries is great reading. Far from the dry birth-curriculum vitae-death pattern of most obituaries, Steyn's articles note the subject's importance in relation to larger social or political events. The writing is pure Steyn: clever, inventive, interesting and wry. Among the riotously funny remembrances are his column on the Rev. Canaan Banana. Among the pointed and poignant are his farewells to Pres. Reagan and Pope John Paul II. But Steyn spans the globe and the spectrum -- his farewells include royalty, artists, musicians, traitors, politicians and filmmakers.

This a fine anthology -- one that is worth reading and re-reading.

Mark Steyn is one if not the only writer today who combines insight with solid knowledge. His essays on the passing of the famous people of our age is a jewel of literature and history. He demonstrates a complete knowledge of the people and their times. His essays on the late Queen Mother and English cabinet minister John Profumo capture the basic decent characters of these two English figures of public life. His ecletic sweep includes some of the very best Pope John Paul II to the very worst Idi Amin. As always Steyn is a pleasure to read and his erudition shines forth.

Full of surprises and delights by the most clever and prolific author on the scene today. Not to be missed.

Mark Steyn is one of the most clever, witty writers around. How he knows so much about so many things is impressive. This is a fun, insightful book.

Mark Steyn is a gift to fans of political humor. I've listened to him for a couple of years now. When I was younger, I was a reporter for the San Angelo Standard Times in West Texas where I started by writing obituaries. When I discovered this book, I had to have it. I wasn't disappointed. Even though Mr. Steyn's humor is sometimes a little high-brow or, in other words, "above my pay level", I really enjoyed this book and learned a great deal in the process. I look forward to more of his works.

A light read, very tongue-in-cheek. A good objective overview of the ridiculous culture of celebrity.