Christopher Buckley is not so much a novelist as a free-ranging satirist looking for targets. In Thank You for Smoking it was big tobacco an...
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reviews
Dec 26, 2011
Sidna
rated it: 
What a fun book! It starts out with Buckley's usual humor. When I read in bed at night there were times when I was laughing so hard I thought I would wake up my husband.
The story begins with the President of the U S having sex in the Lincoln Bedroom with a movie star, who is a frequent guest of the Lincoln Bedroom. He returns to the Presidential bedroom only to get into a nasty fight with the First Lady, Beth McMann, who hurls a spitoon made by Paul Revere at him. When the President i More...
The story begins with the President of the U S having sex in the Lincoln Bedroom with a movie star, who is a frequent guest of the Lincoln Bedroom. He returns to the Presidential bedroom only to get into a nasty fight with the First Lady, Beth McMann, who hurls a spitoon made by Paul Revere at him. When the President i More...
Jun 03, 2011
Lauren
rated it:
The last thing I read in this book was the date it was completed - September, 9, 2001. Little did Mr. Buckley know. I start with that because this is a book straight from the three-ring circus that was the pre-9/11, lightweight political years: the First Lady is accused of killing the philandering President with a Paul Revere spittoon. Definitely for those who like their legal fiction with a dose of cynical humor. Mr. Buckley has the rare ability to simultaneously mock and respect lawyers, which
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Dec 17, 2010
Nancy
rated it: 
I feel like I just a 2 lb. box of Godiva chocolates all by myself. Not sated; gluttonous.
I can't blame anyone else; it was my fault. I love something and I just over-indulged.
I read my first Christopher Buckley a few years ago and adored it (THANK YOU FOR SMOKING). Sanely, I didn't rush out and grab four more of his books; I waited. Last month, in a reader's funk, I reached for two Buckley books at the library and adored the first one (SUPREME COURTSHIP), gobbled up the n More...
I can't blame anyone else; it was my fault. I love something and I just over-indulged.
I read my first Christopher Buckley a few years ago and adored it (THANK YOU FOR SMOKING). Sanely, I didn't rush out and grab four more of his books; I waited. Last month, in a reader's funk, I reached for two Buckley books at the library and adored the first one (SUPREME COURTSHIP), gobbled up the n More...
May 02, 2010
Steve
rated it:
My review published in the San Francisco Chronicle in 2002:
First lady might be a murderer
Reviewed by Steve Kettmann
Sunday, October 13, 2002
No Way to Treat
a First Lady
By Christopher Buckley
RANDOM HOUSE; 288 PAGES; $24.95
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skewering Washington political culture with hilarious, over-the-top novels has always been a to More...
First lady might be a murderer
Reviewed by Steve Kettmann
Sunday, October 13, 2002
No Way to Treat
a First Lady
By Christopher Buckley
RANDOM HOUSE; 288 PAGES; $24.95
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Skewering Washington political culture with hilarious, over-the-top novels has always been a to More...
Dec 01, 2009
Kirstin
rated it:
When you’re the First Lady and charged with murder, to whom do you turn? In the case of Beth MacMann, you call up your law school sparring partner, Boyce Baylor, now a sleazy but successful celebrity attorney whom you last saw when you jilted him for the man who’d become your husband. When sparks still fly as you work together to unravel the President’s death, is there any doubt that eventually you’ll find yourself fighting not just for your life but also for a second chance at love?
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Apr 18, 2010
dioscurio
rated it:
Hahahahahaha, saya nggak bisa berhenti tertawa saat membaca buku ini. Sangat lucu, kocak, dan menghibur. Dengan komentar2 sinis dan cerdas dalam menggambarkan skandal gedung putih rekaan ;p
Ibu Negara Beth MacMann mendapati suaminya, Presiden United States, terbujur kaku, mati, di suatu pagi. Padahal baru beberapa jam lalu mereka bertengkar karena presiden (lagi2) tertangkap meniduri salah seorang artis penggalang dana kampanye partai. Dan dimulailah drama pengadilan milenium ini anta More...
Ibu Negara Beth MacMann mendapati suaminya, Presiden United States, terbujur kaku, mati, di suatu pagi. Padahal baru beberapa jam lalu mereka bertengkar karena presiden (lagi2) tertangkap meniduri salah seorang artis penggalang dana kampanye partai. Dan dimulailah drama pengadilan milenium ini anta More...
Nov 17, 2011
Paul
rated it:
What would happen if the first lady of the United States was put on trial for the murder of the President of the United States? That's the question that is posed & answered in this clever satire by Christopher Buckley. It involves the case of Elizabeth MacMann who wakes up next to her husband who is dead & appears to have been murdered due to the impression of a spittoon that was hurled at his head. Buckley takes the court system to a unique level in this story as the "Trial of the Millenni
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May 21, 2010
Emily
rated it:
This book was a great recommendation that I got from a friend. I asked for a fiction novel, preferably a comedy, that required a little bit of thinking to enjoy. And that is exactly what I got. I was a little skeptical about the novel when I was informed that this story along with most books by Christopher Buckley had political tones to it. I decided to give it a try because I had enjoyed the movie Thank You for Smoking, which was based on a book by this same author. I thought this was a gr
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Aug 03, 2009
Sam
rated it:
buku hasil swap dengan Muthe,
setelah baca cerita detektif yang sebelumnya mengecewakan sebenernya agak skeptis untuk mulai lg.. but the cover is kindda tempting as well as the tittle, so i began reading it..
ternyata ceritanya sangat segar,
dimulai dengan adegan ranjang yang justru menjadi pamungkas dari keseluruhan cerita, sedikit mengingatkan pada 'skandal' (para) presiden - karena dari keseluruhan cerita kita dibawa Chirstopher Buckley jalan-jalan keliling Gedung putih t More...
setelah baca cerita detektif yang sebelumnya mengecewakan sebenernya agak skeptis untuk mulai lg.. but the cover is kindda tempting as well as the tittle, so i began reading it..
ternyata ceritanya sangat segar,
dimulai dengan adegan ranjang yang justru menjadi pamungkas dari keseluruhan cerita, sedikit mengingatkan pada 'skandal' (para) presiden - karena dari keseluruhan cerita kita dibawa Chirstopher Buckley jalan-jalan keliling Gedung putih t More...
Jul 05, 2009
Claudia
rated it:
Much like another favorite author, Christopher Moore, Buckley believes in happy, if completely twisted, endings. He's a romantic at heart, and that makes his books fun for me. Did Beth really kill her husband, the President of the United States, by beaning him in the forehead with a Paul Revere spitoon? Why does she turn to the man she jilted to marry the to-be-president when she needs a lawyer to get her off? What about Babette, the bimbo starlet who spent the night...part of it with the Presid
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Mar 08, 2009
DWGibb
rated it:
I'm not one to read and laugh out loud, but this book prompted me to do so more than once. Book opens during a tryst in the Lincoln Bedroom between the President of the United States and a well known actress. The description is both lively and uproarious.
Upon return to his conjugal bedroom, it is apparent that his wife, the First Lady, is well aware of his illicit activities.
The next morning, the President is found dead in bed with the imprint on his forehead of Paul More...
Upon return to his conjugal bedroom, it is apparent that his wife, the First Lady, is well aware of his illicit activities.
The next morning, the President is found dead in bed with the imprint on his forehead of Paul More...
Jul 29, 2011
What a hoot! A war hero president has died and his wife is accused of doing him in by throwing a Paul Revere spitoon at him. Needless to say the man in question has a reputation that would put Bill Clinton to shame so some may say that he got what he deserved. The widow has hired a true shark of a lawyer to defend her. Come to find out they were law school classmates that were engaged and she threw him over for the dead guy. You follow the trial as it proceeds and unfolds exposing all the t
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Mar 17, 2010
JoAnn/QuAppelle
rated it:
I enjoyed this fast-paced send-up of the Washington establishment, the media, and the legal profession. Buckley's satire is sharp and on-target as he follows the "trial of the century" and makes this book somewhat of a legal thriller. It kept me guessing.
The political humor is terrific but I did find that some of it was repetitive. I do not need to be hit over the head repeatedly to "get" something. I also think that the book could have been just as funny had he More...
The political humor is terrific but I did find that some of it was repetitive. I do not need to be hit over the head repeatedly to "get" something. I also think that the book could have been just as funny had he More...
Feb 01, 2010
Truly
rated it:
Urusan meluluhlantahkan kehidupan seseorang memang makanan para agen rahasia. Kehidupan seseorang bisa diputar balikan sedemikian rupa hingga yang pemilik tubuhpun bisa tidak mengenal dirinya sendiri.
Untuk kali ini berbeda. Justru karena kebiasaan para agen rahasia untuk menyelundupkan alat penyadap ke Gedung Putih, maka first lady terbebas dari tuduhan membunuh suaminya, sang presiden!
Tadinya saya pikir buku ini menyuguhkan sesuatu intrik yang menghebohkan setelah naras More...
Untuk kali ini berbeda. Justru karena kebiasaan para agen rahasia untuk menyelundupkan alat penyadap ke Gedung Putih, maka first lady terbebas dari tuduhan membunuh suaminya, sang presiden!
Tadinya saya pikir buku ini menyuguhkan sesuatu intrik yang menghebohkan setelah naras More...
Aug 05, 2009
Swanbender2001
rated it: 
Slightly humorous story concerning the death of a philandeering president and the subsequent trial of the First Lady for his supposed murder. Her attorney is an old flame and, of course, the flame was never extinguished. She becomes during the trial; her attorney taints the jury in a move for a mistrail and is caught; she finishes her trial as her own attorney and wins; the CIA is discovered to have been involved in tainting the jury (unbeknownest to Boyce-the attorney). Her old flame, Boyce's c
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Jul 21, 2011
Beau
rated it:
I really started this book to get away from all the legal reading in law school. I ended up with a book that completely took place in a court room. It really was an enjoyable read though, and I would recommend this book. The entire premise and outcome was actually somewhat "silly" for by Buckley's standards (which is saying something) but I kind of figured I would be getting into that. For all the silliness, the court scenes are pretty accurately portrayed, and it keeps you involved in
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Dec 05, 2011
Nicole
rated it:
When I first learned this was our book club pick for November, I was worried. I mean my book club doesn't have the best track record (The Three Weissmanns of Westport: A Novel, The Magicians, The Red Leather Diary: Reclaiming a Life Through the Pages of a Lost Journal, and The Alchemist are some past book club picks, so that should give you an idea of what I'm dealing with). I was absolutely dreading reading this book, I mean, it's a political mystery and if you happen to know me, I am not muc
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Jul 16, 2011
Anne
rated it:
A New York Times Editor's Choice The attorney general has charged the First Lady of the United States with killing her philandering husband. In the midst of a bedroom spat, Beth MacMann (dubbed "Lady Bethmac" by the media) allegedly hurled a historic Paul Revere spittoon at the President, with tragic results.
Will I remember this book in a few years? Probably not. But this makes for a thoroughly enjoyable summer read with its quick wit and deft skewering of the political a More...
Will I remember this book in a few years? Probably not. But this makes for a thoroughly enjoyable summer read with its quick wit and deft skewering of the political a More...
Apr 20, 2011
Josie
rated it:
Picked this up at a book store that was going out of business (quel dommage!). Improbable plot? Indeed. Was it over-the-top? Definitely! Laugh out loud funny? You bet! Once again, Buckley does not disappoint in the humor department. But, he is also a keen observer and has a great ear for how media and politics spin. If you are looking for book of substance, then forget it. But, it you are looking for a book that not only pokes fun at Washington, but also at our rubber-necking society wh
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Jul 26, 2011
Jay
rated it:
Christopher Buckley writes another nice read about politics and the judiciary in his satiric fashion. Following the trial of First Lady Elizabeth Tyler MacMann and witty lawyer (and former fiance) Boyce Baylor, who is charged to lead her defense, provides a great story. Clever satire drives the entire book and it's hard to find a stopping point as the court case of the Millennium twists and turns. Buckley's characters are varied and interesting, working with and against one another in hilari
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May 20, 2010
Hester
rated it:
What a page-turner. I stayed up until 2:30 reading this book. Imagine if Bill had been even more of a skirt chaser, and that Hillary had been more ambitious and politically active. Then imagine that Hillary looked like Sela Ward or Lynda Carter and that Bill died under suspicious circumstances after doing Barbara Streisand in the Lincoln bedroom. Did I mention that Babs is married to Victor Booth? Buckley uses this fantastic alternate reality to poke fun at the legal system and my home town
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Aug 03, 2011
Lee
rated it:
The first lady is suspected of murdering her philandering husband, The President of the United States. Published in 2002 . . . No mention of a navy blue dress though so it must be based on fictional characters ;-) This is one of those situations that is funny from a distance. The story takes us through the legal proceedings with the appropriately nicknamed defense attorney Boyce "Shameless" Baylor. Sort of a fictional court tv trial of the century scenario. Listened to the audio. Good
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Oct 05, 2010
Stephanie
rated it: 
I already knew I loved Christopher Buckley. Ever since I saw Thank You For Smoking and laughed out loud over the quirky dialogue and story, I knew I would have to one day make my way through all of his novels. Though I have not quite accomplished that feat yet, I am slowly reading the books one by one. I'm already a huge fan of [book:Boomsday|213387 and No Way to Treat a First Lady did not disappoint.
In this novel, the First Lady of the United States is charged with killing the Pres More...
In this novel, the First Lady of the United States is charged with killing the Pres More...
May 15, 2010
MacK
rated it:
After years of reading reviews and synopses of Christopher Buckley's writing I finally delved into the books themselves, and while much of it seems to be "ripped from (or at least "amusingly inspired by") the headlines," it is also extremely independent and inventive.
No Way to Treat a First Lady seems like a thinly veiled allusion to what Hillary Clinton probably would do if she behaved less like a responsible adult and more like a thrillingly maniacal soap oper More...
No Way to Treat a First Lady seems like a thinly veiled allusion to what Hillary Clinton probably would do if she behaved less like a responsible adult and more like a thrillingly maniacal soap oper More...
Aug 11, 2010
Trena
rated it:
What a fun beach read! I put this on my to-read list a while ago, but have been avoiding it because the cover art makes it look like a mystery novel. I don't particularly care for mysteries and wasn't sure why I'd put it on my list until I looked at the page and saw it was by the author of Thank You for Smoking, which I didn't realize was even a book but the movie was a hoot.
This was a similar inside-the-Beltway satire to Thank You for Smoking (always fun for someone who lives insi More...
This was a similar inside-the-Beltway satire to Thank You for Smoking (always fun for someone who lives insi More...
Jul 14, 2009
lulu
rated it:
Apa yang akan dilakukan ibu negara Amerika Serikat ketika dia menjadi tersangka utama dalam kasus tewasnya Presiden AS? Tentunya menyewa pengacara terbaik di negara itu. Apa pun akan dilakukannya untuk membebaskan dirinya dari tuduhan itu. Bukan hanya demi mendapatkan pernyataan tidak bersalah dari para juri, melainkan juga pengakuan dari seluruh penduduk AS bahwa dirinya bersih seutuhnya. Untuk itu dia harus menemukan siapa dalang di balik tewasnya sang presiden.
Elizabeth Tyler MacM More...
Elizabeth Tyler MacM More...
Jun 02, 2011
Fiary
rated it:
Membaca novel ini, segera saja sebutan CLBK itu pas banget bagi Beth & Boyce.
Inti ceritanya mengenai presiden negri adi daya yang ditemukan telah tak bernyawa di tempat tidurnya. Dan segera saja sang ibu negara menjadi tersangka. Rupanya sebelumnya suami istri ini sedang bertengkar yang karena kesalnya sang istri melempar tempolong ludah (spitton) dan mengenai dahi sang kepala negara.
Tentu saja Beth gak terima dituduh sebagai pembunuh. Dia menyewa pengacara yang terkenal More...
Inti ceritanya mengenai presiden negri adi daya yang ditemukan telah tak bernyawa di tempat tidurnya. Dan segera saja sang ibu negara menjadi tersangka. Rupanya sebelumnya suami istri ini sedang bertengkar yang karena kesalnya sang istri melempar tempolong ludah (spitton) dan mengenai dahi sang kepala negara.
Tentu saja Beth gak terima dituduh sebagai pembunuh. Dia menyewa pengacara yang terkenal More...
May 22, 2010
Lombe
rated it:
We didn't have a very good library at my high school. So we traded books with each other and I was such an addict that I became a pro at jumping lines and convincing whoever was reading a novel I wanted that I could finish it before the next person even knew they had finished.When I got No way to treat a first lady I read and finished it swiftly. Loved it so much I read it again and still loved it. Unfortunately I had to pass it along to the next person else I definitely would have read it again
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Feb 12, 2012
Lorin
rated it:
When the President who can't keep his fly zipped dies shortly after an interlude in the Lincoln Bedroom, the First Lady is charged with murder. She is defended by the country's most expensive lawyer "Shameless" Baylor. It's a funny set up and Buckley knows how to play the humor card well, keep the plot moving and introduce interesting twists. His characters are believable because we can see them on the news so often--the arrogant, the vain, the shameless, and so on. Enjoyable.
Nov 18, 2010
Jennie
rated it:
Pretty silly, but kind of cute. I would recommend it as an airplane read. A friend left it to me in a group of books she didn't take with her in her move and I just so happened to be out of books this week. It's about on literary par with a Carl Hiassen novel - low impact, a few laughs, a little bit of raunch and a predictably cheerful wrap up. I haven't read any other Buckley novels, so I'm not sure how this fares compared to his other work.
