P. J. O'RourkeBesprekingen

In his introduction to P.J. O'Rourke's “The Funny Stuff,” a collection of brief excerpts from O'Rourke's writings, Christopher Buckley describes the selection of these quotations as being like plucking "one low-hanging fruit after another." In other words, what could be easier than finding funny things P.J. O'Rourke wrote?

When I read that, I agreed with it, for I have read a number of O'Rourke books and laughed my way through each of them. Yet after finishing this book, I found that I disagreed. So what went wrong?

The main problem, I think, is that O'Rourke's lines are funnier in context than standing alone. There are exceptions, of course:

"There is only one hard-and-fast rule about the place to have a party: someone else's place."

"If you run more than twenty miles a week, try not to die young, It will make people snigger."

"El Salvador has the scenery of northern California and the climate of southern California plus — and this was a relief — no Californians."

"Freedom of speech is important — if you have anything to say. I've checked the Internet; nobody does."

Yet so many of the lines quoted were, I'm sure, much more amusing in the context of the book or article in which they are found. They are like the punch lines without the jokes.

And many of the excerpts collected by Terry McDonell, the editor, are not really funny at all, but just good examples of clever writing, even witty writing, but not knee-slapping stuff. Here is a sample about Tanzania" "Probably every child whose parents weren't rich enough has been told, 'We're rich in other ways.' Tanzania is fabulously rich in other ways." That's a great line, but I wouldn't call it funny.

I enjoyed “The Funny Stuff” very much, but I think I would have called it “The Good Stuff.”½

The material is great, but huge swaths of the 2005 paperback reprint have been completely re-typeset and just look wrong.

The author has studied Adam Smith's seminal work of the 18th century (1776), and interpreted it in modern terms so that the rest of us are spared that ordeal. The result is a light, quirky, humorous account of the main strands of the treatrise, which as is well known, rests on two principles, the division of labor and specialisation, and the 'hidden hand' of free market exchanges to maximise satisfaction.

Amusing bits, but not one of his best

Most interesting for me were O'Rourks's writings about Adam Smith, about what Smith really said about morality and business. Smith would not have been a neo-liberal.

10/25/21

P. J. O’Rourke had a legendary run as an author and commentator on a vast array of social, economic, and political issues. From his early days with the National Lampoon magazine to the more than twenty books he published over almost forty years, O’Rourke was always known for his irreverent attitude, perceptive observations, and wicked sense of humor. So, when he died in early 2022, his passing was mourned by legions of people who knew him, either personally or through the gift of the prose he left to posterity. It was perhaps natural, then, that people close to him thought to put together a compilation project that would stand as a tribute to his writing.

The result of the effort to honor O’Rourke’s memory is The Funny Stuff, a book that assembles in one place scores and scores of the most memorable quotes and passages from the author’s long and productive writing career. To give the project some structure, the passages—most of which amount to a short paragraph or so—are grouped into six sections by broad theme, such American manners and habits, global conflicts, the Baby Boomer generation, and so on. Within each of these sections, the quotes are then listed in alphabetical order by sub-themes that are somewhat randomly chosen (e.g., ‘Anger’, ‘Civil Rights’, ‘The Death Penalty’, ‘Political Promises’, ‘Rednecks’, ‘Taxes’, and ‘Waste’ in the "America and Americans" section).

This encyclopedic approach to gathering the quotations turns out to be a terrible idea, for at least a couple of reasons. Mainly, there is very little context provided for any of passages; when O’Rourke produces a classic riff on the U.S. Congress—“When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators”—the reader is not sure to whom, what, or when the author is referring. (That quote was actually written more than thirty years ago.) Beyond that, the alphabetical groupings create some jarringly odd combinations, with, for instance, pithy zingers about Ronald Reagan, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Richard Nixon, and Donald Trump being lumped together.

In fact, thinking about the premise for this work begs the question: wouldn’t a better tribute to O’Rourke be to just have people read (or even re-read) his whole books so that they can experience his wit, charm, and snark in the way it was originally intended? That point is underscored by the last section of this volume—“My Generation (Baby Boomers)”—where the vast majority of the listed quotes come from a single source, The Baby Boom, including the only passage that runs in length to multiple pages. Of course, it is doubtful that O’Rourke initially wrote his essays in alphabetical order by topic, so it is quite likely that some of his intended meaning has fallen victim to the stylistic choices made here.

Given all that, the challenge for the reader is figuring out how to evaluate a book such as this. On one hand, much of O’Rourke’s writing remains sharp and insightful—and a lot of it really is funny—even if some of that material is decades old by now. Reliving that work merits a four-star rating, possibly even five. On the other hand, despite its good intentions and the considerable effort it represents, this is project that makes little sense beyond the editorial team’s desire to pay tribute to a dearly departed friend and colleague. From that perspective, a one- or two-star rating would be appropriate. I think that splitting the difference seems about right.

While I found O’Rourke’s “wit and humor” to be mostly at a third grade level, I do think (unlike other reviewers) that he manages to give a decent Sparknotes intro to Smith’s Moral Sentiments and Wealth of Nations. I read the former in University but like many others I never got around to the latter.

I give the book four stars because O’Rourke did whet my appetite to read the original. Moreover, Smith is such a brilliant thinker and there are many quotes of his in the text, which are fun, enlightening and interesting to read.

Reread after years. Illuminating in view of current events.

The change from the Trump to Biden presidency was the perfect time to read this book. It was written before the 2020 election and, true to O'Rourke, he points out the ridiculousness in both candidates, parties, and the system. He is fair about what does work (little) and even finds a bright side to the partisan bickering. The discussion of Coastals vs. Heartlanders is spot on and his explanation of the Electoral College is spot on. The discussion of Patriotism vs. Nationalism should be included in civics books. The social media analysis is unapologetically "Ok Boomer" and his analysis of socialism reflects the wisdom of a journalist who has visited the socialist "ideals" in their prime and afterwards. O'Rourke's writing style is witty, insightful, and filled with so many literary and cultural references that provide an extra reward for the reader.

O'Rourke can occasionally be funny, but only rarely here. There are some humorous sections but others that are seemingly included to pad out the page count. As usual, O'Rourke launches into invectives about liberals and communism which are now just tiresome, and reports from the front line of the Gulf War. His invectives on Saddam Hussein are less poisonous than those on liberals, which may tell you what you will get with Give War a Chance

A series of essays by O'Rourke which gets collated into a book to sell more tomes, not that there's anything necessarily wrong with that. It's just that in his old age O'Rourke appears to have mellowed.

The CEO of the Sofa includes O'Rourke attending the UN Millennial Summit, where the existence of the nation of Tuvalu appears to take him by surprise, a visit to India where he is quick to note that the Communist-held region of West Bengal looked very poor but slow to note that so did everywhere else in India and a lambast of the Clintons (could he have imagined that he would go on to endorse Hillary Clinton at the 2016 election?)

There's some funny writing in this but others have done it better.

Only ok, some parts were funny.

Most of it I think I would have appreciated more if I had lived through the events he is thrashing.

Then again some parts were hilarious. At least the last bits about the war were transferable. I guess war doesn't change.

analyzes Wealth of Nations and Moral Sentiments, emphasizes free market and unclear recommendations

Modern Manners: An Etiquette Book for Rude People (O'Rourke, P. J.) by P. J. O'Rourke (1994)

Peace Kills: America's Fun New Imperialism by P. J. O'Rourke (2005)

Republican Party Reptile: The Confessions, Adventures, Essays, and (Other) Outrages of... by P. J. O'Rourke (1995)

essays on foreign policy

One of my all time favorite books. Don't care where Mr. O'Rouke is on the political spectrum, he has always entertained and informed me.

Highlights: the chapter called 'Would You Kill Your Mother to Pave I-95' about the budget. And one low-hanging fruit: on agricultural policy:

"I spent two and a half years examing the American political process. All that time I was looking for a straightforward issue. But everything I investigated--election campaigns, the budget, lawmaking, the court system, bureaucracy, social policy--turned out to be more complicated than I had thought. There were always angles I hadn't considered, aspects I hadn't weighed, complexities I'd never dreamed of. Until I got to agriculture. Here at last is a simple problem with a simple solution. Drag the omnibus farm bill behind the barn, and kill it with an ax."

Another one I'm abandoning due to lack of time. Alas, PJ, I'll have to get my fill of you from Wait, Wait....

PJ in conflict

PJ O'Rourke has a problem. As a self-styled libertarian he can't possibly side with the Democrats on much of anything, but he absolutely despises Mr. Trump. It's hard position to be in and he does not do it very well.

Some of the essays are funny enough, but they do not make the libertarian argument very strongly because backing away from "liberal" stuff like public schools, bumps you right into the odious Mrs. DeVos. Defending firm immigration rules brings you to babies ripped from their mothers' arms and children in cages.

Mr. O'Rourke will do better writing against Mr. Biden.

I received a review copy of "A Cry from the Far Middle: Dispatches from a Divided Land" by P.J. O'Rourke from Grove Atlantic through NetGalley.com.

For more reviews and bookish posts please visit: https://www.ManOfLaBook.com

A Cry from the Far Middle: Dispatches from a Divided Land by P.J. O’Rourke is a humorous look at today’s charged political climate. Mr. O’Rourke is a political pundit, author, reporter, and frequent guest on political shows.

This my first foray into downloaded Netgalley audio books, and after a bit of a learning curve, I have to say that I’ll happily continue to listen to books this way. As a political junky I was happy to listen to this book, since I’m familiar with the author’s views, read articles by him and listen to him on TV and other media I’m following.

A Cry from the Far Middle: Dispatches from a Divided Land by P.J. O’Rourke is as funny as one can get in the current US political climate. As hard as he tries, and he tries hard, the author managed to put a smile on my face, and get a few laughs as well. As many of us realized, the country is fractured and Mr. O’Rourke begins with a fun history lesson about the Roanoke colony to make a point about polarization, along with a silly quiz to figure out on which side you’re on.

One could tell that he is not happy with any side of the political isle. Mr. O’Rourke identifies as a Libertarian, but it’s clear he looks down more on the bleeding hearts on the left, than the hypocrites on the right. He takes shots at everyone, but his observations on left seem acute, some just lazy, while the observations on the right seem to be forced in order to be perceived even handed.

I appreciate the effort the author puts in, there isn’t much one could say at this point that hasn’t been said. We’re a few week away from the general election and it seems everyone has already made up their minds. Mr. O’Rourke knows this and isn’t trying to change anyone’s mind. In fairness, in all the years of reading his work and listening to him, he has only tried to bring forth observations, never to convince someone.

The essays in this book or intelligent, charming, and often cranky. I know Mr. O’Rourke sees himself as a Libertarian, and probably a classical conservative, so I was interested to hear what he has to say on the current administration.
He’s not too happy, to say the least.

Mr. O’Rourke puts together the wide range of topics he ranted about: Founding Fathers to technology, sympathy vs. empathy, nationalism vs. patriotism, and even why the government can’t be run like a business, and more. At the end of the book, the author makes his case for the country to come together in the middle, if I was talking to him, I would say that we have no idea where the middle is, even the title of this book can’t agree on it (what is the “far middle”?)

3.5 Amusing, this political pundit can make even the current and past turmoil in our country, funny. This is hard to do, now I think near impossible. I tend not to identify with any particular party, vote more for the person and their stand on the issues. Not even quite sure why one is considered a moderate, conservative, or progressive. Right? left? Currently I'm just trying to stand upright.

We get funny, albeit occasionally grumpy, anecdotes on our country from the beginning of the Roanoke colony to our near present. This might be the only item politically that has made me smile. Anyway, however I would be classified politically, I agreed with much he said. Much needed and glad I read.

Narrator was L. J. Gander and his narration gets 4 stars.

ARC from Netgalley.½

After moving from Houston to Tyler, I finally got a new public library card. While I was browsing around, I came across this book in a small display the library had on books about current affairs. I have read O'Rourke's books in the past; I enjoyed his Parliament of Whores very much, so I figured this might be a good bet. If nothing else, it would be a nice way to get exposure to Adam Smith's big book with some sense of humor thrown in. We'll see how it goes.
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Well, now that I finished reading it, I was not too impressed. On the one hand, it does give a decent overview of Smith's work. On the other hand, the book is mostly a way for O'Rourke to expose his conservative and capitalist views. Smith was by no means perfect, so to speak, so in a way, O'Rourke is doing a bit of a PR job. There is some humor throughout the book, but if you want to get an example of O'Rourke's humor, this book is really not it. Having said that, if you have not read Smith's work, and you likely won't, this is a pretty easy way to get an idea of the book's content and significance. The last chapter has a nice biographical note of Smith that puts the book in context.