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Obliviously On He Sails: The Bush Administration in Rhyme
Does the Bush Administration sound any better in rhyme? In this biting array of verse, it at least sounds funnier. Calvin Trillin employs everything from a Gilbert and Sullivan style, for describing George Bush’s rescue in the South Carolina primary by the Christian Right (“I am, when all is said and done, a Robertson Republican”), to a bilingual approach, when commenting on the President’s casual acknowledgment, after months of trying to persuade the nation otherwise, that there was never any evidence of Iraqi involvement in 9/11: “The Web may say, or maybe Lexis-Nexis / If chutzpa is a word they use in Texas.”
Trillin deals not only with George W. Bush but with the people around him—Supreme Commander Karl Rove and Condoleezza (Mushroom Cloud) Rice and Nanny Dick Cheney (“One mystery I’ve tried to / Why Cheney’s head is always at an angle . . .”) The armchair warriors Trillin refers to as the Sissy Hawk Brigade are celebrated in such poems as “Richard Whose Fault Is He?” and “A Sissy Hawk Cheer” (“All-out war is still our druthers— / Fiercely fought, and fought by others.”).
Trillin may never be poet laureate—certainly not while George W. Bush is in office—but his wit and his political insight produce what has been called “doggerel for the ages.”
Trillin deals not only with George W. Bush but with the people around him—Supreme Commander Karl Rove and Condoleezza (Mushroom Cloud) Rice and Nanny Dick Cheney (“One mystery I’ve tried to / Why Cheney’s head is always at an angle . . .”) The armchair warriors Trillin refers to as the Sissy Hawk Brigade are celebrated in such poems as “Richard Whose Fault Is He?” and “A Sissy Hawk Cheer” (“All-out war is still our druthers— / Fiercely fought, and fought by others.”).
Trillin may never be poet laureate—certainly not while George W. Bush is in office—but his wit and his political insight produce what has been called “doggerel for the ages.”
112 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2004
2 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Calvin Trillin
88 books278 followersCalvin (Bud) Marshall Trillin is an American journalist, humorist, and novelist. He is best known for his humorous writings about food and eating, but he has also written much serious journalism, comic verse, and several books of fiction.
Trillin attended public schools in Kansas City and went on to Yale University, where he served as chairman of the Yale Daily News and became a member of Scroll and Key before graduating in 1957; he later served as a trustee of the university. After a stint in the U.S. Army, he worked as a reporter for Time magazine before joining the staff of The New Yorker in 1963. His reporting for The New Yorker on the racial integration of the University of Georgia was published in his first book, An Education in Georgia. He wrote the magazine's "U.S. Journal" series from 1967 to 1982, covering local events both serious and quirky throughout the United States.
Trillin attended public schools in Kansas City and went on to Yale University, where he served as chairman of the Yale Daily News and became a member of Scroll and Key before graduating in 1957; he later served as a trustee of the university. After a stint in the U.S. Army, he worked as a reporter for Time magazine before joining the staff of The New Yorker in 1963. His reporting for The New Yorker on the racial integration of the University of Georgia was published in his first book, An Education in Georgia. He wrote the magazine's "U.S. Journal" series from 1967 to 1982, covering local events both serious and quirky throughout the United States.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 8, 2024
Full review here: https://thebeerthrillers.com/2024/02/...
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One of the strengths of “Obliviously On He Sails” is Trillin’s fearless approach to satire. He does not shy away from pointing out what he sees as the follies and failures of the Bush administration. Yet, there’s an underlying playfulness to his critique, which prevents the poems from becoming overly harsh or mean-spirited. This balance is crucial in maintaining the reader’s engagement and fostering a reflective rather than reactive response.
Critics and readers may find that Trillin’s pointed satire reflects partisan perspectives, which could be a drawback for those seeking a more neutral analysis of political events. However, for fans of political satire and poetry, Trillin offers a compelling blend of entertainment and insight. His work not only serves as a historical reflection on the Bush years but also as a reminder of the power of poetry to influence public discourse.
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Full review here: https://thebeerthrillers.com/2024/02/...
--------------------
--------
Excerpt:
--------
One of the strengths of “Obliviously On He Sails” is Trillin’s fearless approach to satire. He does not shy away from pointing out what he sees as the follies and failures of the Bush administration. Yet, there’s an underlying playfulness to his critique, which prevents the poems from becoming overly harsh or mean-spirited. This balance is crucial in maintaining the reader’s engagement and fostering a reflective rather than reactive response.
Critics and readers may find that Trillin’s pointed satire reflects partisan perspectives, which could be a drawback for those seeking a more neutral analysis of political events. However, for fans of political satire and poetry, Trillin offers a compelling blend of entertainment and insight. His work not only serves as a historical reflection on the Bush years but also as a reminder of the power of poetry to influence public discourse.
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Full review here: https://thebeerthrillers.com/2024/02/...
December 21, 2007
I wouldn't normally pick up something like this, but I'd just heard one of Mr. Trillin's poems on NPR and the book caught my eye on the Hot Picks shelf at the library.
This slim volume is a collection of humorous poems on the Bush administration, starting with the campaigns and election in 2000 and concluding with poems from earlier this year that deal with the situation in Iraq. Trillin throws in an occasional sea chanty, or parody of traditional folk songs (tho nothing along the lines of Jib Jab's "This Land Is Your Land").
Needless to say, Trillin has made his attitudes quite obvious in his poetry; however, the humour and turns of phrase made this collection more than just an angry and frustrated screed; Michael Moore might consider taking notes.
Recommended to fans of Ogden Nash who probably aren't voting Republican this year.
This slim volume is a collection of humorous poems on the Bush administration, starting with the campaigns and election in 2000 and concluding with poems from earlier this year that deal with the situation in Iraq. Trillin throws in an occasional sea chanty, or parody of traditional folk songs (tho nothing along the lines of Jib Jab's "This Land Is Your Land").
Needless to say, Trillin has made his attitudes quite obvious in his poetry; however, the humour and turns of phrase made this collection more than just an angry and frustrated screed; Michael Moore might consider taking notes.
Recommended to fans of Ogden Nash who probably aren't voting Republican this year.
August 13, 2010
I was really excited to read this book. The concept sounded original and hilarious, and I was so sure I'd have a good time reading it. While reading, I found out that the poems were originally broadcast on a weekly radio show. This was a great idea. I would have much rather heard the poems in context with the world's events, rather than randomly combined in one book. I can understand someone wanting to read this after having heard the poems on the show, but other than that, this is definitely one of those books you want to pick up at the library, instead of purchasing it. I did enjoy the poems for the most part, although I really would have loved it if each poem had a blurb accompanying it, explaining the backstory behind the poem, as I found myself completely unfamiliar with the content of some of the poems.
Rating:2.5/5
Rating:2.5/5
September 24, 2007
This was LOL, or would have been if the fool he is talking about was not the president of the United States!! That makes it embarrassing and troubling.
November 27, 2007
things i learned
OUR PRESIDENT IS A FUCKING MORON!!!!
oh wait, I didn't learn that....i already knew it.
OUR PRESIDENT IS A FUCKING MORON!!!!
oh wait, I didn't learn that....i already knew it.
October 15, 2008
811.54 Fairly humorous poems about George W. Bush.
December 24, 2008
Delightful poetry about the great determinator. Full of chuckles
December 23, 2008
Poetry for the lovers of all things political.
March 1, 2009
Delightful. Now that Bush is out of office.
September 10, 2010
Excellent political humor in poetry form. I've always enjoyed Trillin's poems in the New Yorker, now I've got a whole book of them!
June 15, 2012
Loved it.
March 4, 2013
Worth every chuckle!
July 12, 2015
short poems about the G.W.Bush administration. Funny, but it was sad to live through.
June 16, 2020
A bit outdated, of course, but the humour in the poetry is still sharp, and it's well worth the read.
May 27, 2016
My mom loved this. Laughed herself silly over many of them.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews