Whether she's writing about redneck politics in her native Texas or the discreet charms of Bushwazee, Molly Ivins in never less than devast... read full description
reviews
Jun 29, 2011
Chana
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This book is dated in some ways, but in other ways nothing has really changed. Time has changed the characters and the technology but politics and human behavior remain the same.
I enjoyed reading this quite a bit. I loved the colorful characters out of Texas, and it was a pleasure to read these articles in which Molly Ivan's wit, intelligence, eye for seeing through the BS, her sense of humor, and her journalistic integrity are so in evidence. I wish I could hear her opinions on the politi More...
I enjoyed reading this quite a bit. I loved the colorful characters out of Texas, and it was a pleasure to read these articles in which Molly Ivan's wit, intelligence, eye for seeing through the BS, her sense of humor, and her journalistic integrity are so in evidence. I wish I could hear her opinions on the politi More...
Sep 15, 2011
Robert J.
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I had a more extensive review and somehow lost it.
Molly Ivins was a hoot, with a genuine love for Texas, people, politicians, scoundrels, scamps and crooks (some redundancy there), and even Lubbock. Her collection of anecdotes are priceless - I love the apocryphal one about the Texas legislator who took money from the chiropractors' lobbyist, then voted against the bill. When asked why, he explained that 1) the doctors gave him more money and 2) the lobbyist should have known he wa More...
Molly Ivins was a hoot, with a genuine love for Texas, people, politicians, scoundrels, scamps and crooks (some redundancy there), and even Lubbock. Her collection of anecdotes are priceless - I love the apocryphal one about the Texas legislator who took money from the chiropractors' lobbyist, then voted against the bill. When asked why, he explained that 1) the doctors gave him more money and 2) the lobbyist should have known he wa More...
Jan 01, 2012
Gina
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Our corporate-controlled media has lost the ability and desire to self-reflect. Molly Ivins came from west Texas and worked her way up through the journalistic world while never losing her quick wit and astute political observation. This book is a collection of articles she wrote for various magazines and newspapers in the 1980s and early 1990s. She died in 2007, and not one commentator, journalist, or comedian has stepped up. Her final essay, about the rise of Anne Richards, is a classic tale o
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Jan 13, 2011
Joe
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This is a collection of previous writings, organized into sections by category: “Texas Bidness,” “The Reagan Administration Revisited: Under Indictment or Under Average,” “The Discreet Smarm of the Bushwazee: Campaign Notes and the First Year,” “Wimmin, and Ancillary Matters,” “Words and Heroes.” The early sections were entertaining, but it took me forever to get through them and at times I thought about laying the whole thing aside. The last sections, however, really came alive for me; that’s
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Mar 29, 2009
James
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The late Molly Ivins was a unique and irreplaceable asset to American culture, and this is one of her best books. She talks more about her own life here than in other books, at the same time she recounts the situations that led her to tilting at various state and national government windmills and their proprietors. Strongly recommended for anyone who likes their progressive politics seasoned with a mixture of humor and "this has to stop" anger when ordinary people get hurt because of
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Jan 19, 2011
Mary
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First things first, I miss Molly Ivans, she left us way too soon and I would have loved to hear what she had to say about what's been going on since she left us. I read this book knowing that she was no longer here and that this book was dated. However, dated or not, some things in politics amazing (actually very sadly) stay the same. There were a lot of her stories that are relevant in the here and now. So if you like Molly's way of writing, read this book, you won't be disappointed.
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Jan 06, 2008
Samilja
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Rest assured, if someone thinks Molly Ivins 'can't say that'... she will. This book was written in the early 90's and focuses on Texas government shenanigans - a subject Ivins, who at the time was a political reporter and contributor to several nationally reknowned periodicals, is more than qualified to dissect. She's witty and funny in her observations. Sure, she can skewer a politician in one swift stroke, but she does it with humor and without malice which is a nice change from recent writers
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Nov 21, 2011
Margie
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I love Molly Ivins.
I love that even 20 and 30 years after she wrote these pieces, they're still relevant. The situations may have changed slightly, but her outlook remains worth considering.
I miss her terribly.
I love that even 20 and 30 years after she wrote these pieces, they're still relevant. The situations may have changed slightly, but her outlook remains worth considering.
I miss her terribly.
Apr 28, 2011
Sue
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When Molly Iven's passed away, we lost a reporter who could cut through the political rhetoric and tell the story truthfully. She was gutsy, irreverent, humorous and remarkable! Any book of hers is one well read!
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Jan 24, 2010
Karen
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I gave this one four stars because I am from TX. I can see how it would not be as meaningful to someone from somewhere else. If you are from TX and forties it is great reading. Funny, insightful, informative, profound.
Jan 26, 2010
Denis
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I read this book years ago, enjoyed it immensely and am re-reading it now. Molly Ivins, writing on the Texas "Lege", is one of the great political humorists in our history.
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Feb 11, 2010
Andrew
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Pretty entertaining for a while. Also worthwhile to see how her kind of satire works - but you get the gist after about 50 pages. She was one of a kind, but of a genre.
Jan 26, 2011
She's since passed away, but I loved her intelligence, humor and perspective on the Texas "Legi." You can hear her southern drawl in her writing.
May 22, 2010
Colleen
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Molly Ivins is one of my heros, will always be... she and Ann Richards and Barbara Jordan showed young women what they could be, growing up in Texas.
Mar 08, 2009
Donna
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I deeply regret that we didn't get a chance to hear what Molly would have said about Sarah Palin. The mind reels.
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Dec 20, 2008
LizM
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Man, I miss this woman. It would have been great to have her for this last election...can you imagine the hilarity?
Mar 15, 2009
gabrielle
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Aaaahahahahah! Hilarious. Fave story: A Texas Treasure: the Wit and Wisdom of Ann Richards.
May 26, 2010
Book Concierge
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Oh, I love Molly Ivins's take on Texas politics! I read it first in the late 1980s (I think). I'm a native Texan, although I've lived in Wisconsin since 1968, and I really connected with what she wrote. One of my book clubs chose it in 1998 as a "light read." It was so dated by then, but I still appreciated her biting wit and her writing.
My favorite example of that is when she is describing one Texas state legislator's lack of intelligence: "Having a debate with him More...
My favorite example of that is when she is describing one Texas state legislator's lack of intelligence: "Having a debate with him More...
Jul 10, 2010
Vince
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Biting, hilarious commentaries, about politicians, the news business, and Texas.
Mar 12, 2011
Mike
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Essays from liberal TX journalist re;Texas, Texas Legislature, Reagan, Bush...
Sep 11, 2009
Carol
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This book is a hoot! Molly makes caustic comments on the state of politics in Texas and elsewhere during the 1970's & 80's.
Jan 21, 2011
Leif Erik
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Damn, I miss Ivins. Best political writer I've ever read.
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Apr 29, 2010
Maggie
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Reading Molly Ivins' first compilation of columns into a book has been a complete pleasure. It allowed me the chance to read her oldest stuff, which I'd never done before. From right-on columns about Dallas that are still-pertinent 23 years later to the weeds of life under Reagan and Bush 1, Molly got it right every time.
Aug 07, 2011
Gerry
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Just finished reading "Molly Ivins Can't Say That, Can She?" A book of her columns from the late 1970 and 1980 originally published in newspapers and magazines and each column is still as fresh as the day it was written. I recommend it as a fun reading about everyday U.S. politics, but with a concentration on Texas.
This book illustrates just how much politics remain the same over time, although the characters have different names
A++
This book illustrates just how much politics remain the same over time, although the characters have different names
A++
Dec 31, 2008
Theresa
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You have to enjoy sharp-tongued quick-witted liberal-bent political writing. If so, Molly's the one to read. There were times I almost fell over laughing. For those of us who liked her, she'll be missed.
