On Politics and the Art of Acting [Bargain Price] [Hardcover]

Arthur Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2001

Ronald Reagan might have been the first professional actor elected president, but as Arthur Miller reminds us in his delightfully acerbic, On Politics and the Art of Acting, Reagan was by no means the only actor to occupy the White House in modern times.

Beginning with our latest farcical election, Miller considers the twin arts of acting and politics in our brave new Age of Entertainment and contrasts the relatively poor thespian skills of presidential candidates Bush and Gore with the consummate art practiced by some of the great masters of the modern American political stage: Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

At once witty, wise, and deeply provocative, On Politics and the Art of Acting is essential reading for Arthur Miller's fans and anyone seriously interested in the American political scene.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In this very brief book, drawn from an expanded lecture, Miller, arguably America's greatest living playwright, expounds on the similarities between politics and acting. Never dull and often controversial, Miller contends that "the closer one approaches any kind of power the more acting is required." But it was not always so, as Miller notes when he compares the Lincoln-Douglas debates with the presidential debates of 2000. While all the candidates "acted," what's different today is the transmission of the event via the mass-media cameras. The camera's "reality" is different from the reality perceived by the human eye. However, what Miller does not express is an appreciation of how elections and, for that matter, governing itself have evolved with the introduction of mass media. Yes, candidates and politicians "act," feigning sincerity, but this is an adaptation necessary for survival. In his review of the modern presidents, Miller most admired FDR because he didn't see him as acting, while Reagan was the best actor because he lived the Stanislavsky method. Clinton is rated the second-best actor. Ultimately, Miller appears to lament the loss of honest and genuine politicians and the ascendance of politicians who are bad actors. He's rather idealistic when he assesses the political world, but he certainly understands human nature. Recommended for all libraries and audiences. Thomas J. Baldino, Wilkes Univ., Wilkes-Barre, PA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

One of America's greatest playwrights and foremost public intellectuals, Arthur Miller is the author of numerous works, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning Death of a Salesman and The Crucible. His most recent book was Echoes Down the Corridor: Collected Essays 1944-2000. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 87 pages
• Publisher: Viking, 2001; First Edition edition (October 1, 2001)
• ISBN-10: 0670030422
• ASIN: B000C4SUU6
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,169,251 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Arthur Miller (1915-2005) was born in New York City in 1915 and studied at the University of Michigan. He was awarded the Avery Hopwood Award for Playwrighting at University of Michigan in 1936. He twice won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, received two Emmy awards and three Tony Awards for his plays, as well as a Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement. He also won an Obie award, a BBC Best Play Award, the George Foster Peabody Award, a Gold Medal for Drama from the National Institute of Arts and Letters, the Literary Lion Award from the New York Public Library, the John F. Kennedy Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Algur Meadows Award. He received honorary degrees from Oxford University and Harvard University and was awarded the Prix Moliere of the French theatre, the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Lifetime Achievement Award and the Pulitzer Prize, as well as numerous other awards. He was named the Jefferson Lecturer for the National Endowment for the Humanities in 2001. He was awarded the 2002 Prince of Asturias Award for Letters and the 2003 Jerusalem Prize.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Politics as art, February 6, 2008

By 

Reader "cvrcak1" (Boca Raton, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Politics and the Art of Acting (Hardcover)

This short book by Arthur Miller is a delightful read for anyone interested in politics either as a participant or an observer. In short 100 pages, Miller covers the most recent presidents and compares their performance and success to their ability to act. Politics is all about perception and not about reality. And who can better translate the perception of feelings, beliefs and intentions but an artist who is an actor? It is known from the ancient philosophers like Aristotle that human beings are social beings that are ruled by social arts like acting. No human being can handle reality and it is the storytellers (liers/actors) that get our attention or fool us until they can disappear into their rabbit hole. Truly wonderful little book. Quick, entertaining and witty.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Performance of Politics, April 28, 2004

By 

JMack (Chicago) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: On Politics and the Art of Acting (Hardcover)

Arthur Miller has a good reason to write this book. He is an American with an understanding of politics. In addition, he is one of the premier playwright of the 20th century. In this book, Miller explores politics as an art form, the art of acting. In this non-partisan evaluation, Miller makes many intelligent observations.

In terms of acting, Miller observes that Ronald Reagan was the best actor among the Presidents. He is such a quality actor that he had trouble discriminating between his roles and reality. Clinton is listed as the second best performer for his poise which made people empathize with him. It should be no secret why these two are the most successful presidents of the last 30 years. It is not until Miller writes about FDR that Miller shows partisanism. While originally disliking Roosevelt, Miller sympathized with Herbert Hoover and the Republican Party in his youth. FDR is credited with bringing the country out of the depression. This changes Miller's opinion of democrats. My disagreement with Miller is in his statement that Roosevelt was not a great actor. The fact that FDR was able to hide his disability while leading the country through dark times shows strong acting skills.

Miller also was an insightful look at the 2000 election. It terms of substance, election 2000 was in no way like the Lincoln-Douglas deabates. Miller correctly asserts that the 2000 election became a question of who voters disliked the least. On camera, Al Gore looked robotic at times and in one particular incident snobbish. Gore became easier for many to dislike despite better qualifications. Miller evaluates Bush's increasing comfort level in front of the camera noticing that people still do not trust him because of poor acting skills.

I would have like to have seen Miller explore the performances of other recent Presidents. I don't think this would meet the overall point of the book. Miller's point is that politics is not about the most qualified or most intelligent candidate. It comes down to which candidate is looks better on camera or is the better actor. The product is just not as important as the packaging.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Votes aren't the only key to success in politics, May 23, 2002

By 

Matt (Pittsburgh) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Politics and the Art of Acting (Hardcover)

As Miller emphasizes in his essay, some of our best political leaders were excellent actors as well. Although, Reagan was the only actual actor elected as our president, many others have benefited from their skills as a thespian. During the presidential debates, one's countenance can be the deciding factor in the decision. Miller explained that on the outside, Reagan never seemed the least bit unsure of what he was saying. It was this talent that made him the best acting president. Miller also points out what bad acting skills can do for a president. In Einsenhower's case, his impromptu speeches and unprepared speaking style made him seem more like a bumbling comic than the actual intellectual he really was. During the Bush-Gore Debates, Miller commends Bush on his acting talent and criticizes Gore his attempts to try many different roles than the one he was most accustomed to. Miller has also stated that since Bush has been elected to office, his acting skills have improved dramatically. Just as an actor gains more confidence after reading positive reviews and is certain his work will be a success, Bush's confidence has also increased following his victory. Miller shows that politics comes hand-in-hand with acting and this witty work is truly something that should be read by any fan, or critic, of politics.