Inside The Beltway: Offbeat Stories, Scoops, and Shenanigans from around the Nation's Capital (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

For more than a decade, John McCaslin has covered the Beltway beat for the Washington Times, in his extremely popular, widely quoted, award-winning column.  Now, in his new book, McCaslin explores a vast array of little-known political tidbits, using humor, touching stories, and exclusive inside details to show readers exactly how the political game is played, revealing the humanity (for better or worse) of today's biggest politicos.  With his characteristic blend of humor and warmth, McCaslin relates exclusive stories that will make readers laugh, leave them outraged, and touch their hearts about politicians on both sides of party lines and both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785261915
• ISBN-13: 978-0785261919
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,355,705 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cry, Laugh, and be enraged all in one book!, August 12, 2004

By	JOSHUA W. DELANO "Delano" (Baton Rouge Louisiana) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

http://www.townhall.com/bookclub/mccaslin.html



Inside The Beltway
Offbeat Stories, Scoops, and Shenanigans from around the Nation's Capital

By John McCaslin

Review by Joshua W. Delano

Paul Begala says that he "reads two things every day: the Bible and John McCaslin's column in the Washington Times. That way I know what both sides are up to." In his new book Inside the Beltway, John McCaslin takes readers on a tour of Americana and American politics, from the Grizzly country of Montana to the grisly deeds of the "Beltway Animals" in Washington, D.C.

In his Times column, which bears the same title as the book, McCaslin unearths demagoguery on a daily basis. Through his storytelling format, he reveals the humanity and compassion, as well as the deceptiveness and hypocrisy, of those who run in D.C.'s power circles.

Some of the narratives in McCaslin's book will make readers laugh, such as an account of a practical joke played on Oregon Rep. Mark O. Hatfield by former Louisiana Rep. Bob Livingston. Hatfield, a history buff who reveres Abraham Lincoln, was presented at a dinner with what he thought to be a priceless Lincoln document. While making a toast, Livingston spilled his drink all over the document and cried out, "What have I done?" Shortly after rushing over nearly in tears, Hatfield was let in on the prank. The whole presentation had been only a setup.

Other McCaslin accounts will cause readers' blood to boil. McCaslin digs up a 1974 Bill Clinton quote about then-President Richard Nixon:

I think it's plain that the president should resign and spare the country the agony of this impeachment and removal proceeding. I think the country could be spared a lot of agony, and the government could worry about inflation and a lot of other problems if he'd go on and resign.

McCaslin's focus is broader than politics, however, and he often reaches deep into the American heartland with interesting and ironic anecdotes. During the "Year of the Grizzlies," Texan Laurence Gordon clicked several photos as he approached his campsite at Glacier National Park. Gordon's camera was later found near a pile of his bones. The last photo on the camera revealed the outline of a Grizzly in the background with Gordon as the apple of its eye.

Readers of McCaslin's Times columns will not be surprised to find heartwarming reflections also included in his book. For instance, McCaslin includes a prayer delivered in the Kansas legislature by Joe Wright of Central Christian Church, repenting of many things, including the following:

We have ridiculed the absolute truth of God's word and called it pluralism.
We have worshipped false gods and called it multiculturalism.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
We have censored God from our public life and called it religious freedom.
We have killed the pre-born and called it choice.

Inside the Beltway reads like a collection of tales told around a campfire. McCaslin compiles both the madness of American politicians and the chronicles of everyday Americans in a volume that will keep readers wanting more. Thankfully, we can always turn to the Washington Times to satiate our appetites.

Joshua W. Delano is a senior at Louisiana State University, where he is majoring in political science and journalism and minoring in Cajun-French Studies. He hopes to someday practice law and become Governor of Louisiana.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inside the Beltway, September 8, 2004

By	Polina Liflyandsky - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Inside the Beltway is extremely informative and greatly entertaining. John McCalsin writes eloquently and with great humor. Anyone who keeps up with the media or is interested in politics must read this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing!, March 28, 2005

By	Robert Wills (Charleston SC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Completely genuine and fully humorous storytelling- A refreshing change from other DC writers who rant and smear. A delightful read from one of the DC areas favorite columnist.