The dazzling, inimitable Molly Ivins is back, with her own personal Hall of Fame of America’s most amazing and outlandish politicians–t...
read full description
reviews
Feb 10, 2008
James
rated it: 
A very good book from near the end of Molly Ivins' career and life; she died too young and is needed now as much as ever. This is a funny read, but at the same time, I found myself feeling sad and discouraged as I thought over the events of the last several years in American politics and our economy, environment, and culture. Sometimes the good guys lose, and we may not be able to get back everything that's been lost, stolen, or destroyed.
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Jun 21, 2010
Katy
rated it:
For those of you who don't know, Molly Ivins was a political journalist and humorist. She was born and raised in Texas and as her career grew she moved from Texas politics to the national stage. She was a Texas liberal, a rare breed indeed. She wrote a syndicated column, and this book is a collection of some of those columns.
I really enjoyed this book. The author has a gift for writing as a home-spun Texan, full of idioms and southern commentary, yet I still found myself needing a di More...
I really enjoyed this book. The author has a gift for writing as a home-spun Texan, full of idioms and southern commentary, yet I still found myself needing a di More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 22, 2010
Cheryl
rated it: 
This book is a collection of Molly Ivins old newspaper columns. As such, it's all old news. It's topical, and it's dated. I learned many things about the politics of the recent past. But I learned more about what kind of human being Molly Ivins was. The more I read, the more I loved her. She was smart, and laugh-out-loud funny, and I might have loved her for that alone, but I loved her more dearly for her deep-rooted decency, and belief in this country. She believes that government is supposed t
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 22, 2010
Genie
rated it: 
Those who say no one is irreplaceable, obviously never read the political writings of Molly Ivans.
During the forty + years of reporting on politics for both the Ft.Worth Star Telegram and the Texas Observer, Ivans gave political analysis with both insight and a sharp wit. This book is a compilation of her best articles written during the Nixon years and continuing through the G.W. Bush administration.
One of the best political satirist in journalism, Ivins never relied on the u More...
During the forty + years of reporting on politics for both the Ft.Worth Star Telegram and the Texas Observer, Ivans gave political analysis with both insight and a sharp wit. This book is a compilation of her best articles written during the Nixon years and continuing through the G.W. Bush administration.
One of the best political satirist in journalism, Ivins never relied on the u More...
Aug 22, 2010
Ariel
rated it:
Let's start with the downsides: this is a fairly comprehensive collection of Ivins' work, and, as such, treads a lot of familiar ground. Her chapters worth of insights on Clinton, Bush and the big-name scandals of years past are nothing fresh; and lacking currentness, the constant exhortations along the same few lines - Clinton is a great politician and an upbeat guy, Bush isn't as dumb as you think - are a little tiring.
But that's not why you're reading this book. You're reading it More...
But that's not why you're reading this book. You're reading it More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 07, 2011
Kate
rated it:
"The dazzling, inimitable Molly Ivins is back, with her own personal Hall of Fame of America's most amazing and outlandish politicians -- the wicked, the wise, the witty, and the witless -- drawn from more than twenty years of reporting on the folks who attempt to run our government (in some cases, into the ground).
Who Let the Dogs In? takes us on a wild ride through two decades of political life, from Ronald Regan, through Big George and Bill Clinton, to 9our current top dog, kno More...
Who Let the Dogs In? takes us on a wild ride through two decades of political life, from Ronald Regan, through Big George and Bill Clinton, to 9our current top dog, kno More...
Sep 02, 2010
Jimyanni
rated it:
This book is essentially a "greatest hits" album; it's a retrospective on Molly's best political commentary over the last 20-30 years of her life (running from Reagan to W. Bush). Any long-time fan will have seen most or all of these columns before. But they ARE a selection of her best work, and that makes it quite good indeed. Don't read it if you've read everything she's ever read & don't want reruns, but other than that, highly recommended.
May 11, 2008
Jill
rated it:
A collection of her newspaper columns about politics and/or the people in them. She covers Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II, various Texas politicians, and a bunch of commentary about various other people. Never say she didn't tell you what you needed to know about them!
It can be a long read because the content is rather heavy, even when lightened with humor. It is interesting to read it from the vantage point of 7 1/2 years of Dubya - she called it and so many of the things she More...
It can be a long read because the content is rather heavy, even when lightened with humor. It is interesting to read it from the vantage point of 7 1/2 years of Dubya - she called it and so many of the things she More...
Jun 23, 2010
Hollis
rated it:
A fabulous selection of op-eds from the past 20 years. Molly is so pithy and just tells it like it is. On Bill Clinton: Couldn't he keep his penis in his pants for 8 short years? She died several decades too young. I would have liked to have read her commentary on the 2010's and 20's.
Jan 09, 2009
Paul
rated it:
Molly Ivins sadly passed away recently and it is still a national tragedy. This book shows she is a lot more than just a critic of the Bush administration. This is a great read for her views on politics for the last thirty years. I couldn't put it down it was so interesting.
Apr 02, 2008
Colleen
rated it:
This isn't a book of new material, but rather a compilation of some of the articles Molly Ivins wrote throughout her 40-year political reporting career. Her insight is amazing and, nine times out of ten, spot-on. If every American listened to her common sense approach to politics and government, we'd probably be in a better place today. No one is safe - regardless of what party you belong to, if you're an elected official and you screw up, you will be eviscerated in print. I especially like her
More...
Apr 02, 2009
Laura
rated it:
Molly Ivins was one of my favorite political writers. She told us not to vote for a guy from Texas, and it sure looks like she knew what she was talking about!
Jan 01, 2012
Frederick
rated it: 
A collection of Molly Ivins columns from the past 20 years. Much of it is out of date and not that interesting.
Sep 27, 2009
Simon
rated it:
It was just a collection of old opinion pieces, but I liked it because she read it. Great for the car. It is sad she has passed on.
Jan 01, 2009
I read this one off and on. She is a hoot and I like her political views.
Jun 16, 2009
Margie
rated it:
Whereas most of Molly's earlier books focused on a particular era (Bushwacked, for instance, is from when the Shrub was in office), this is a compilation of pieces she wrote from the time Bush the Elder was in office. They're not her best pieces (those, of course, were published in her previous books), but Molly Ivins when she wasn't at her best was funnier and more insightful than most people. Reading this collection mostly made me miss her, but also rekindled the joy of reading her work.
More...
Jun 23, 2008
Beetletheknee
rated it:
This book was really interesting because SHE was really interesting. She's got such a way with words, and her attitude and perspective are refreshing in a sort of caustic way. I think I'd very much like to read her other books, especially more focused on current political ... uh, characters, because for the most part, many of the people she skewered in here I've never heard of. Still funny though!
Jan 25, 2008
Audrey
rated it:
After hearing an interview on national public radio, I decided to read this book and see if it lived up to the billing. It did. This is a hilarious account of political lives. However, it also chronicles the corporate political ties that have developed through the years and our decaying bill of rights. Give it a read and see what you think.
Jul 25, 2007
Candice
rated it:
I miss Molly Ivins. That's why I bought this book of some of her collected political satire. Turns out there was plenty to laugh about even before the current Bush administration. And she does it with such wit and style! Reminds me that things were bad back then too before I really paid any attention to politics. May she rest in peace!
Feb 26, 2008
Haley
rated it:
My only regret of reading this book is that the wonderful and talented Molly Ivins won't be around to write more. She connects to people in a way that I wish more people in government would. Her writing is not only funny, engaging and incredibly informed but also damn feisty. I recommend this book to everyone!
Jul 27, 2008
Allison
rated it:
Pretty funny, edgy, great for the current event politically savvy. Both politicl parties provide material for the comedic discourse. Ivins is so right-on with her sarcastic and pointed talks.
Dec 16, 2009
TJ
rated it:
Molly Ivins is a great story teller and a great writer. She had a keen eye for the truth and absurdity in daily living and in politics. I only wish more people had listened to her insights on W.
Mar 17, 2008
Laura
rated it:
Molly Ivins is an author who is sure to make you laugh and then think. This book was no exception. After laughing, you might then feel the pain of the reality Ivins describes.
Jan 24, 2008
Rochelle
rated it:
I love Molly Ivins and deeply admire her ability to bring humor to an ugly situation. I read her column regularly when I lived in Texas and really enjoyed this book.
Feb 25, 2008
David
rated it:
Molly was right (small "r") about everything. Kind of depressing to read about the Right (capital "R") for the last 15 years. What a collection of bumblers.
Oct 04, 2011
I enjoyed what I read but didn't finish the book. It would have been better if I had read it when the political figures were actually in office.
Dec 16, 2009
Laura
rated it:
This one is mostly reprinted essays from the other volumes. Not bad, because her stuff has always been fun to read, but it's old news.
Nov 18, 2008
(I've read a few chapters, and I think it may be somewhat repetitive of some of her other books)
