What do you think?
Rate this book
Talk
The Primary Colors of 2014- an explosive novel exposing the inner workings of conservative talk radio and campaign politics from New York Times bestselling author and one of America's leading talk-radio hosts and political commentators, Michael Smerconish.
Stan Powers finds himself at a crossroads. Poised to take the last step in his unlikely ascent to the top of conservative talk radio, his conscience may not let him. Set amid the backdrop of "the most important presidential election of our lifetime," Powers - as the most influential voice in Tampa's hotly contested I-4 Corridor - holds the key to Florida, and therefore the Oval Office. His on-air attacks singlehandedly put an abrupt end to the top candidates' main competitors in the primaries, and now he is in the singular position to influence who wins the highest elected office in the world. Will he continue playing the game according to his cynical advisors, or listen to his own conscience and drop an even bigger bomb than expected? With a story that could have been ripped from the headlines, deeply developed characters and interconnected plotlines, and one of the most shocking and rewarding denouements you'll ever experience, this is the perfect political thriller for today's America.
Stan Powers finds himself at a crossroads. Poised to take the last step in his unlikely ascent to the top of conservative talk radio, his conscience may not let him. Set amid the backdrop of "the most important presidential election of our lifetime," Powers - as the most influential voice in Tampa's hotly contested I-4 Corridor - holds the key to Florida, and therefore the Oval Office. His on-air attacks singlehandedly put an abrupt end to the top candidates' main competitors in the primaries, and now he is in the singular position to influence who wins the highest elected office in the world. Will he continue playing the game according to his cynical advisors, or listen to his own conscience and drop an even bigger bomb than expected? With a story that could have been ripped from the headlines, deeply developed characters and interconnected plotlines, and one of the most shocking and rewarding denouements you'll ever experience, this is the perfect political thriller for today's America.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2014
18 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
September 17, 2014
Just to make things clear, I’m a Yellow Dog Democrat. I watch more than my fair share of political programing and follow politics at all levels of government. I have a Charlie Crist (Democratic candidate for governor of Florida) bumper sticker on my car along with a “Think Green, Vote Blue” sticker.
Florida is now considered a purple state from a red state most of the time in national and state elections. It’s in the water we drink, we change our minds like we change our under…oh, nevermind but we don't know which way to go. We really don't.
This book is not a Tea Party friendly book so if tea is your choice, my suggestion is to pass this book by. And my review as well. However, if you're a Tea Party member and want to learn something, read this book. If you're an active Tea Party, you are the reason the Tea Party exists.
Stanislaw Pawlowski graduated from Fort Myers High School (Florida) in the 85th percentile on his SATs however his grades were just average. He was into three things: trying to get laid, music, and trying harder to get laid.” Some close buddies were around but in the fall of his graduation year he was prepared to wave goodbye to his friends going to college and make his way in the world preferably stoned. Having no career plans of his own and enjoying weed over work, his Dad finally said get a job or else...
So he landed a job at Shooter’s sloshing beer for the local crowd and ringing the bell when he got a tip and most importantly, spinning vinyl during band breaks. Willy, the owner, who kept a sharp eye on his books, noticed that when Stan was spinning songs, the incoming dollars from the beer drinkers increased so he cut back on the band's break and added to Stan's spinning vinyl.
In Stan’s second summer Willy hired a hot, smart and sophisticated FSU student, Susan Miller, who he lusted after from day one. Before the end of the summer, they were getting it on in the cooler with the beer strategically stacked for optimum comfort. And by the end of the summer, Stan knew the exact minutes and seconds of specific songs and applied that to his cooler time. Smart thinking man, that stoner Stan.
Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven was a good one allowing Stan some extra minutes in the beer cooler with Susan.
While Stan knew he was out of his league, he kept spinning Led Zeppelin, Queen, Van Halen, AC/DC and all those songs and artists that made the customers swill the beer. During one intimate moment outside the cooler Susan said that with his voice and talent for talk, he should move on to radio. He was wasting away in Margaretville, oops, at Shooters so to speak.
Near summer’s end, Susan, without even a proper goodbye, was gone. She was moving up and finishing her sophomore year in Tallahassee at Florida State University.
Stoners like Stan need some guidance and direction and coming from Susan, it had to be a great idea with the proof in the beer sales.
Stan reinvents himself as a DJ in Philly still spinning records or DVDs. Radio was in a transition period with stations being bought and sold and formats changing without notice from country to rock to talk. As it goes in the industry, the owners also go. Stan is offered a job in Tampa at a popular station and nearby his hometown and he takes it.
In a matter of weeks, the station is sold and the format changed to talk radio, the far right side. Stan can go back to Philly, but his old job was already filled.
The new owner is a born again Christian whose desire is to have a Christian based format in the most popular spot, the morning drive time, 6-10 a.m. Stan was asked to stay for a couple of weeks until the manager could find a replacement since Stan wasn't a talk show host.
But as the weeks progressed, Stan became better and better in this time slot so he's offered a full time position making mega bucks. One stipulation though is he must spend telephone time with a consultant, Phil, who preaches the three "C's" which are "conservative, consistent and compelling" all of which can guide Stan to stardom...and a contract for syndication, the ultimate goal for a talk show host.
And this particular radio station is the prime station to reach that all important I-4 corridor. In case you didn't know, that corridor constitutes millions of votes from St. Petersburg/Tampa, to Orlando and on to Daytona Beach. From Wiki and more clearly stated: In the 2004 U.S. presidential election, the I-4 corridor, a commonly used term to refer to the counties in which Interstate 4 runs through and a site of significant population growth, was a focus of political activity within the swing state of Florida. Communities along the I-4 corridor were perceived by both major political parties as having higher proportions of undecided voters as compared to more Republican- or Democratic-leaning portions of the state.
Stan lives very comfortably, drives a hot car and has a hotter girlfriend (who is on the more liberal side) on his arm who knows that Stan doesn't believe the crap that comes out of his mouth but that's what it takes to keep up "the good life" so the older (and wiser) stoner keeps up the façade.
Although Stan hadn't seen Susan Miller (she kept her name) since the days of Shooter's, he knows she chose a husband carefully. He was a star college football player named Bob Tobias. Bob is a Florida native from St. Augustine interesting and I'm sure I know him, a Democrat who served in the Florida Legislature in both the House and Senate, then ran for governor and won.
Then to everyone's surprise, the present President of the United States has decided not to run a second term, so that leaves an opening for a job in Washington, D. C.
However, there's a lot of ground to cover with everyone scrambling to be the frontrunner but with one-half the amount of time to prepare.
Talk about having a ball, I laughed my way through this naughty but wise book that sounds so much like, like well, what's going on today with conservative radio. Like I mentioned to someone somewhere, "politics is dirty so what do you expect?" And it's all about entertainment.
Conservatives own talk radio in part because they've been there so long. Rush Limbaugh started in the mid-'80's and his bio on Rush Limbaugh's story Wiki sounds pretty familiar.
One reason Michael said "Talk radio is a clubhouse for conservatives." Yes, yes it is.
And get a chance read some of my comments as I read the book. What a riot.
This book, well I couldn't turn the page fast enough. It was the best book I've read this year, I'm pretty sure. If not the best it's second.
By the way, I know MSmerconish from MSNBC when he subbed for Chris Matthews. While I like Chris Matthews and he's well versed in all things politics, he asks a question then chats about the answer, then turns it over to his guest to answer. Huh? Why have a guest?
Smerconish is funny, pleasant and courteous and now has a morning slot on CNN Saturday. I need to watch, simply forget. I'm glad though because Smerconish isn't blue or red, he's purple, much like the State of Florida.
Michael Smerconish
***************************
As an aside, my background is radio and I worked for the Florida Legislature for a number of years. But you don't need that background to enjoy this easily readable and very funny and clever book.
Just in case you're going down memory lane with my talking about the ole stoner Stan, here are some links to some classic rock songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye5BuY... Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHQ_aT... Simple Man- Lynyrd Skynyrd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUz... Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0Wxg... Queen - Another One Bites The Dust
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0Wxg... Queen - We Are The Champions
Florida is now considered a purple state from a red state most of the time in national and state elections. It’s in the water we drink, we change our minds like we change our under…oh, nevermind but we don't know which way to go. We really don't.
This book is not a Tea Party friendly book so if tea is your choice, my suggestion is to pass this book by. And my review as well. However, if you're a Tea Party member and want to learn something, read this book. If you're an active Tea Party, you are the reason the Tea Party exists.
Stanislaw Pawlowski graduated from Fort Myers High School (Florida) in the 85th percentile on his SATs however his grades were just average. He was into three things: trying to get laid, music, and trying harder to get laid.” Some close buddies were around but in the fall of his graduation year he was prepared to wave goodbye to his friends going to college and make his way in the world preferably stoned. Having no career plans of his own and enjoying weed over work, his Dad finally said get a job or else...
So he landed a job at Shooter’s sloshing beer for the local crowd and ringing the bell when he got a tip and most importantly, spinning vinyl during band breaks. Willy, the owner, who kept a sharp eye on his books, noticed that when Stan was spinning songs, the incoming dollars from the beer drinkers increased so he cut back on the band's break and added to Stan's spinning vinyl.
In Stan’s second summer Willy hired a hot, smart and sophisticated FSU student, Susan Miller, who he lusted after from day one. Before the end of the summer, they were getting it on in the cooler with the beer strategically stacked for optimum comfort. And by the end of the summer, Stan knew the exact minutes and seconds of specific songs and applied that to his cooler time. Smart thinking man, that stoner Stan.
Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven was a good one allowing Stan some extra minutes in the beer cooler with Susan.
While Stan knew he was out of his league, he kept spinning Led Zeppelin, Queen, Van Halen, AC/DC and all those songs and artists that made the customers swill the beer. During one intimate moment outside the cooler Susan said that with his voice and talent for talk, he should move on to radio. He was wasting away in Margaretville, oops, at Shooters so to speak.
Near summer’s end, Susan, without even a proper goodbye, was gone. She was moving up and finishing her sophomore year in Tallahassee at Florida State University.
Stoners like Stan need some guidance and direction and coming from Susan, it had to be a great idea with the proof in the beer sales.
Stan reinvents himself as a DJ in Philly still spinning records or DVDs. Radio was in a transition period with stations being bought and sold and formats changing without notice from country to rock to talk. As it goes in the industry, the owners also go. Stan is offered a job in Tampa at a popular station and nearby his hometown and he takes it.
In a matter of weeks, the station is sold and the format changed to talk radio, the far right side. Stan can go back to Philly, but his old job was already filled.
The new owner is a born again Christian whose desire is to have a Christian based format in the most popular spot, the morning drive time, 6-10 a.m. Stan was asked to stay for a couple of weeks until the manager could find a replacement since Stan wasn't a talk show host.
But as the weeks progressed, Stan became better and better in this time slot so he's offered a full time position making mega bucks. One stipulation though is he must spend telephone time with a consultant, Phil, who preaches the three "C's" which are "conservative, consistent and compelling" all of which can guide Stan to stardom...and a contract for syndication, the ultimate goal for a talk show host.
And this particular radio station is the prime station to reach that all important I-4 corridor. In case you didn't know, that corridor constitutes millions of votes from St. Petersburg/Tampa, to Orlando and on to Daytona Beach. From Wiki and more clearly stated: In the 2004 U.S. presidential election, the I-4 corridor, a commonly used term to refer to the counties in which Interstate 4 runs through and a site of significant population growth, was a focus of political activity within the swing state of Florida. Communities along the I-4 corridor were perceived by both major political parties as having higher proportions of undecided voters as compared to more Republican- or Democratic-leaning portions of the state.
Stan lives very comfortably, drives a hot car and has a hotter girlfriend (who is on the more liberal side) on his arm who knows that Stan doesn't believe the crap that comes out of his mouth but that's what it takes to keep up "the good life" so the older (and wiser) stoner keeps up the façade.
Although Stan hadn't seen Susan Miller (she kept her name) since the days of Shooter's, he knows she chose a husband carefully. He was a star college football player named Bob Tobias. Bob is a Florida native from St. Augustine interesting and I'm sure I know him, a Democrat who served in the Florida Legislature in both the House and Senate, then ran for governor and won.
Then to everyone's surprise, the present President of the United States has decided not to run a second term, so that leaves an opening for a job in Washington, D. C.
However, there's a lot of ground to cover with everyone scrambling to be the frontrunner but with one-half the amount of time to prepare.
Talk about having a ball, I laughed my way through this naughty but wise book that sounds so much like, like well, what's going on today with conservative radio. Like I mentioned to someone somewhere, "politics is dirty so what do you expect?" And it's all about entertainment.
Conservatives own talk radio in part because they've been there so long. Rush Limbaugh started in the mid-'80's and his bio on Rush Limbaugh's story Wiki sounds pretty familiar.
One reason Michael said "Talk radio is a clubhouse for conservatives." Yes, yes it is.
And get a chance read some of my comments as I read the book. What a riot.
This book, well I couldn't turn the page fast enough. It was the best book I've read this year, I'm pretty sure. If not the best it's second.
By the way, I know MSmerconish from MSNBC when he subbed for Chris Matthews. While I like Chris Matthews and he's well versed in all things politics, he asks a question then chats about the answer, then turns it over to his guest to answer. Huh? Why have a guest?
Smerconish is funny, pleasant and courteous and now has a morning slot on CNN Saturday. I need to watch, simply forget. I'm glad though because Smerconish isn't blue or red, he's purple, much like the State of Florida.
Michael Smerconish
***************************
As an aside, my background is radio and I worked for the Florida Legislature for a number of years. But you don't need that background to enjoy this easily readable and very funny and clever book.
Just in case you're going down memory lane with my talking about the ole stoner Stan, here are some links to some classic rock songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye5BuY... Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHQ_aT... Simple Man- Lynyrd Skynyrd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUz... Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0Wxg... Queen - Another One Bites The Dust
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0Wxg... Queen - We Are The Champions
November 22, 2014
I'm so damned mad I could spit nails...I wrote a review but it's disappeared. Hopefully I wrote in Word and I won't have to rewrite.
It was so of my best work, too. Lots of talk about woodies. And not like the Beach Boys autos that traveled well with surf boards.
My review was hiding!
*****************************
Just to make things clean and clear, I’m a Yellow Dog Democrat. I watch more than my fair share of political programing and follow politics at all levels of government. I have a Charlie Crist (Democratic candidate for governor of Florida he lost) bumper sticker on my car along with a “Think Green, Vote Blue” sticker.
Florida is now considered a purple state from a red state most of the time in national and state elections.
Yes, you are correct in saying Florida's opinion varies like temps in November, 38 degrees on day, 68 degrees the next. Maybe it's due to something in the water we drink; we change our minds like we change our under…oh, nevermind but we don't know which way to go. We really, really don't. We've proven it time and time again.
This book is not a Tea Party friendly book so if tea is your choice, my suggestion is to pass this book by. And my review as well. However, if you're a Tea Party member and want to learn something, read this book. If you're an active Tea Party, you are the reason the Tea Party exists.
Now To The Book
Stanislaw Pawlowski graduated from Fort Myers High School (Florida) in the 85th percentile on his SATs however his grades were just average. He was into three things: trying to get laid, music, and trying harder to get laid.” Some close buddies were around but in the fall of his graduation year he was prepared to wave goodbye to his friends going to college and make his way in the world preferably stoned. Having no career plans of his own and enjoying weed over work, his Dad finally said get a job or else...
So he landed a job at Shooter’s sloshing beer for the local crowd and ringing the bell when he got a tip and most importantly, spinning vinyl during band breaks. Willy, the owner, who kept a sharp eye on his books, noticed that when Stan was spinning songs, the incoming dollars from the beer drinkers increased so he cut back on the band's break and added to Stan's spinning vinyl.
In Stan’s second summer Willy hired a hot, smart and sophisticated FSU student, Susan Miller, who he lusted after from day one. Before the end of the summer, they were getting it on in the cooler with the beer strategically stacked for optimum comfort. And by the end of the summer, Stan knew the exact minutes and seconds of specific songs and applied that to his cooler time. Smart thinking man, that stoner Stan.
Led Zeppelin’s "Stairway to Heaven" was a good one allowing Stan some extra minutes in the beer cooler with Susan.
While Stan knew he was out of his league, he kept spinning Led Zeppelin, Queen, Van Halen, AC/DC and all those songs and artists that made the customers swill the beer. During one intimate moment outside the cooler Susan said that with his voice and talent for talk, he should move on to radio. He was wasting away in Margaretville, oops, at Shooters so to speak.
Near summer’s end, Susan, without even a proper goodbye, was gone. She was moving up and finishing her sophomore year in Tallahassee at Florida State University.
Stoners like Stan need some guidance and direction and coming from Susan, it had to be a great idea with the proof in the beer sales.
Stan reinvents himself as a DJ in Philly still spinning records or DVDs. Radio was in a transition period with stations being bought and sold and formats changing without notice from country to rock to talk. As it goes in the industry, the owners also go. Stan is offered a job in Tampa at a popular station and nearby his hometown and he takes it.
In a matter of weeks, the station is sold and the format changed to talk radio, the far right side. Stan can go back to Philly, but his old job was already filled.
The new owner is a born again Christian whose desire is to have a Christian based format in the most popular spot, the morning drive time, 6-10 a.m. Stan was asked to stay for a couple of weeks until the manager could find a replacement since Stan wasn't a talk show host.
But as the weeks progressed, Stan became better and better in this time slot so he's offered a full time position making mega bucks. One stipulation though is he must spend telephone time with a consultant, Phil, who preaches the three "C's" which are "conservative, consistent and compelling" all of which can guide Stan to stardom...and a contract for syndication, the ultimate goal for a talk show host.
And this particular radio station is the prime station to reach that all important I-4 corridor. In case you didn't know, that corridor constitutes millions of votes from St. Petersburg/Tampa, to Orlando and on to Daytona Beach. From Wiki and more clearly stated: In the 2004 U.S. presidential election, the I-4 corridor, a commonly used term to refer to the counties in which Interstate 4 runs through and a site of significant population growth, was a focus of political activity within the swing state of Florida. Communities along the I-4 corridor were perceived by both major political parties as having higher proportions of undecided voters as compared to more Republican- or Democratic-leaning portions of the state.
Stan lives very comfortably, drives a hot car and has a hotter girlfriend on his arm. She knows that Stan doesn't believe the crap that comes out of his mouth. But apparently it's what it takes for Stan to keep up "the good life," so the older (and wiser) stoner Stanislaw Pawlowski, keeps up the façade.
Although Stan hadn't seen Susan Miller (she kept her name) since the days of Shooter's, he knows she chose a husband carefully. He was a star college football player named Bob Tobias. Bob is a Florida native from St. Augustine (interesting), a Democrat who served the Florida Legislature in both the House and Senate, then ran for governor and won.
Then to everyone's surprise, the present (Democrat) President of the United States has decided not to run a second term, so that leaves an opening for a job in Washington, D. C.
However, there's a lot of ground to cover with everyone scrambling to be the frontrunner but with one-half the amount of time to prepare.
Talk about having a ball, I laughed my way through this naughty but wisecracking book that sounds so much like, like well, what's going on today with conservative radio. Like I mentioned to someone somewhere, "politics is dirty so what do you expect?" And it's all about entertainment. Such drama!
Conservatives own talk radio in part because they've been there so long. One reason Michael said "Talk radio is a clubhouse for conservatives." Yes, yes it is. Rush Limbaugh started in the mid-'80's and his bio on Rush Limbaugh's story Wiki sounds pretty familiar.
Michael Smerconish
And get a chance, read some of my comments as I read the book. What a riot...Michael Smerconish.
This book, well I couldn't turn the page fast enough. It was the best book I've read this year, I'm pretty sure. If not the best it's second.
By the way, I know MSmerconish from MSNBC when he subbed for Chris Matthews. While I like Chris Matthews and he's well versed in all things politics, he asks a question then chats about the answer, then turns it over to his guest to answer. Huh? Why have a guest?
Smerconish is funny, pleasant and courteous and now has a morning slot on CNN Saturday. I now watch. I'm glad though because Smerconish isn't blue or red, he's purple, much like the State of Florida and a number of other states in the union.
***************************
As an aside, my background is radio and I worked for the Florida Legislature for a number of years. But you don't need that background to enjoy this easily readable and very funny and clever book.
Just in case you're going down memory lane with my talking about the ole stoner Stan, here are some links to some classic rock songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye5BuY... Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHQ_aT... Simple Man- Lynyrd Skynyrd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUz... Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0Wxg... Queen - Another One Bites The Dust
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0Wxg... Queen - We Are The Champions
(less)
It was so of my best work, too. Lots of talk about woodies. And not like the Beach Boys autos that traveled well with surf boards.
My review was hiding!
*****************************
Just to make things clean and clear, I’m a Yellow Dog Democrat. I watch more than my fair share of political programing and follow politics at all levels of government. I have a Charlie Crist (Democratic candidate for governor of Florida he lost) bumper sticker on my car along with a “Think Green, Vote Blue” sticker.
Florida is now considered a purple state from a red state most of the time in national and state elections.
Yes, you are correct in saying Florida's opinion varies like temps in November, 38 degrees on day, 68 degrees the next. Maybe it's due to something in the water we drink; we change our minds like we change our under…oh, nevermind but we don't know which way to go. We really, really don't. We've proven it time and time again.
This book is not a Tea Party friendly book so if tea is your choice, my suggestion is to pass this book by. And my review as well. However, if you're a Tea Party member and want to learn something, read this book. If you're an active Tea Party, you are the reason the Tea Party exists.
Now To The Book
Stanislaw Pawlowski graduated from Fort Myers High School (Florida) in the 85th percentile on his SATs however his grades were just average. He was into three things: trying to get laid, music, and trying harder to get laid.” Some close buddies were around but in the fall of his graduation year he was prepared to wave goodbye to his friends going to college and make his way in the world preferably stoned. Having no career plans of his own and enjoying weed over work, his Dad finally said get a job or else...
So he landed a job at Shooter’s sloshing beer for the local crowd and ringing the bell when he got a tip and most importantly, spinning vinyl during band breaks. Willy, the owner, who kept a sharp eye on his books, noticed that when Stan was spinning songs, the incoming dollars from the beer drinkers increased so he cut back on the band's break and added to Stan's spinning vinyl.
In Stan’s second summer Willy hired a hot, smart and sophisticated FSU student, Susan Miller, who he lusted after from day one. Before the end of the summer, they were getting it on in the cooler with the beer strategically stacked for optimum comfort. And by the end of the summer, Stan knew the exact minutes and seconds of specific songs and applied that to his cooler time. Smart thinking man, that stoner Stan.
Led Zeppelin’s "Stairway to Heaven" was a good one allowing Stan some extra minutes in the beer cooler with Susan.
While Stan knew he was out of his league, he kept spinning Led Zeppelin, Queen, Van Halen, AC/DC and all those songs and artists that made the customers swill the beer. During one intimate moment outside the cooler Susan said that with his voice and talent for talk, he should move on to radio. He was wasting away in Margaretville, oops, at Shooters so to speak.
Near summer’s end, Susan, without even a proper goodbye, was gone. She was moving up and finishing her sophomore year in Tallahassee at Florida State University.
Stoners like Stan need some guidance and direction and coming from Susan, it had to be a great idea with the proof in the beer sales.
Stan reinvents himself as a DJ in Philly still spinning records or DVDs. Radio was in a transition period with stations being bought and sold and formats changing without notice from country to rock to talk. As it goes in the industry, the owners also go. Stan is offered a job in Tampa at a popular station and nearby his hometown and he takes it.
In a matter of weeks, the station is sold and the format changed to talk radio, the far right side. Stan can go back to Philly, but his old job was already filled.
The new owner is a born again Christian whose desire is to have a Christian based format in the most popular spot, the morning drive time, 6-10 a.m. Stan was asked to stay for a couple of weeks until the manager could find a replacement since Stan wasn't a talk show host.
But as the weeks progressed, Stan became better and better in this time slot so he's offered a full time position making mega bucks. One stipulation though is he must spend telephone time with a consultant, Phil, who preaches the three "C's" which are "conservative, consistent and compelling" all of which can guide Stan to stardom...and a contract for syndication, the ultimate goal for a talk show host.
And this particular radio station is the prime station to reach that all important I-4 corridor. In case you didn't know, that corridor constitutes millions of votes from St. Petersburg/Tampa, to Orlando and on to Daytona Beach. From Wiki and more clearly stated: In the 2004 U.S. presidential election, the I-4 corridor, a commonly used term to refer to the counties in which Interstate 4 runs through and a site of significant population growth, was a focus of political activity within the swing state of Florida. Communities along the I-4 corridor were perceived by both major political parties as having higher proportions of undecided voters as compared to more Republican- or Democratic-leaning portions of the state.
Stan lives very comfortably, drives a hot car and has a hotter girlfriend on his arm. She knows that Stan doesn't believe the crap that comes out of his mouth. But apparently it's what it takes for Stan to keep up "the good life," so the older (and wiser) stoner Stanislaw Pawlowski, keeps up the façade.
Although Stan hadn't seen Susan Miller (she kept her name) since the days of Shooter's, he knows she chose a husband carefully. He was a star college football player named Bob Tobias. Bob is a Florida native from St. Augustine (interesting), a Democrat who served the Florida Legislature in both the House and Senate, then ran for governor and won.
Then to everyone's surprise, the present (Democrat) President of the United States has decided not to run a second term, so that leaves an opening for a job in Washington, D. C.
However, there's a lot of ground to cover with everyone scrambling to be the frontrunner but with one-half the amount of time to prepare.
Talk about having a ball, I laughed my way through this naughty but wisecracking book that sounds so much like, like well, what's going on today with conservative radio. Like I mentioned to someone somewhere, "politics is dirty so what do you expect?" And it's all about entertainment. Such drama!
Conservatives own talk radio in part because they've been there so long. One reason Michael said "Talk radio is a clubhouse for conservatives." Yes, yes it is. Rush Limbaugh started in the mid-'80's and his bio on Rush Limbaugh's story Wiki sounds pretty familiar.
Michael Smerconish
And get a chance, read some of my comments as I read the book. What a riot...Michael Smerconish.
This book, well I couldn't turn the page fast enough. It was the best book I've read this year, I'm pretty sure. If not the best it's second.
By the way, I know MSmerconish from MSNBC when he subbed for Chris Matthews. While I like Chris Matthews and he's well versed in all things politics, he asks a question then chats about the answer, then turns it over to his guest to answer. Huh? Why have a guest?
Smerconish is funny, pleasant and courteous and now has a morning slot on CNN Saturday. I now watch. I'm glad though because Smerconish isn't blue or red, he's purple, much like the State of Florida and a number of other states in the union.
***************************
As an aside, my background is radio and I worked for the Florida Legislature for a number of years. But you don't need that background to enjoy this easily readable and very funny and clever book.
Just in case you're going down memory lane with my talking about the ole stoner Stan, here are some links to some classic rock songs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ye5BuY... Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHQ_aT... Simple Man- Lynyrd Skynyrd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUz... Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0Wxg... Queen - Another One Bites The Dust
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY0Wxg... Queen - We Are The Champions
(less)
May 7, 2014
Michael Smerconish has made a national name for himself through the radio and television, and now he's offered up the written word with the novel, "Talk." We live in a cynical age that would give Jefferson Smith nightmares, but even by today's standards "Talk" focuses on the seedy side of modern American politics.
Our hero is Stan Powers (real name, Stanislaw Pawlawsky), political yakker along Florida's I-4 corridor. Stan is as surprised as anyone that he talks about politics for a living as he grew up a stoner more interested in a rock album's liner notes than any politician's speeches. But he learned an interesting lesson after working as a radio DJ spinning tunes - there's little difference between a classic rock DJ and a conseravative political talk show host - you just have to keep the hits coming. But instead of playing classic songs like "Walk This Way" or "Misty Mountain Hop," you reiterate extreme rhetoric about the Second Amendment or how President Obama is a Kenyan terrorist.
Smerconish pulls back the curtain on talk radio's complex web of advisers, players, and talent as Powers unexpectedly moves up the food chain, more or less through blind luck masquerading as fate. It's the next presidential campaign, and the Florida governor is the favorite for the Demoratic Party nomination . . . and whose gorgeous wife just happens to be the summertime fling who encouraged Powers to go into radio in the first place.
Further, political winds being what they are, the I-4 corridor of Florida turns out to be the most critical swing district in the state, so all the Republican party nominees are desperate to win over Powers and his flock of listeners, and they are willing to go to great lengths to win his loyalty . . . or to use him to further their own ends.
What ensues is a morality tale of selling out, of how to throw your integrity to the wind while trumpeting "American values" and defending our "founding Judeo-Christian principles." It's a breezy read - at least than 280 pages, you might finish the book on one cross-country flight as Smerconish keeps the action quick and the analysis light.
Smerconish creates a fine scenario and his political creatures are all recognizable and enjoyable, even if they are shallow one-note creations. The weakest part of the novel is actually our hero, Stan Powers. True, the guy was never all that ambitious and at times he reads just like the slacker he was as a young man, but throughout the story he is one passive dude, blithely accepting his good fortune and bobbing along in the political current . . . but his acceptance of the path of least resistance and his resolution of the book's culminating event - whether to unleash a scandalous half-truth that will rock the presidential election - ring false.
Others may not be so bothered by the ending, but for me it was as unsatisfying as the 45-second speech Michael Douglas gives at the end of "The American President" - was that all it took to make Bob Rumson go away? I won't spoil this ending for you, but I will leave it to you to analyze whether you think Powers' efforts resolve the mess he helped create.
All in all, a cynical, clever, but not-too-funny take on our modern political world. This is a must-read for political junkies, although I would imagine that it's more for the MSNBC crowd (which includes me) than Fox.
Our hero is Stan Powers (real name, Stanislaw Pawlawsky), political yakker along Florida's I-4 corridor. Stan is as surprised as anyone that he talks about politics for a living as he grew up a stoner more interested in a rock album's liner notes than any politician's speeches. But he learned an interesting lesson after working as a radio DJ spinning tunes - there's little difference between a classic rock DJ and a conseravative political talk show host - you just have to keep the hits coming. But instead of playing classic songs like "Walk This Way" or "Misty Mountain Hop," you reiterate extreme rhetoric about the Second Amendment or how President Obama is a Kenyan terrorist.
Smerconish pulls back the curtain on talk radio's complex web of advisers, players, and talent as Powers unexpectedly moves up the food chain, more or less through blind luck masquerading as fate. It's the next presidential campaign, and the Florida governor is the favorite for the Demoratic Party nomination . . . and whose gorgeous wife just happens to be the summertime fling who encouraged Powers to go into radio in the first place.
Further, political winds being what they are, the I-4 corridor of Florida turns out to be the most critical swing district in the state, so all the Republican party nominees are desperate to win over Powers and his flock of listeners, and they are willing to go to great lengths to win his loyalty . . . or to use him to further their own ends.
What ensues is a morality tale of selling out, of how to throw your integrity to the wind while trumpeting "American values" and defending our "founding Judeo-Christian principles." It's a breezy read - at least than 280 pages, you might finish the book on one cross-country flight as Smerconish keeps the action quick and the analysis light.
Smerconish creates a fine scenario and his political creatures are all recognizable and enjoyable, even if they are shallow one-note creations. The weakest part of the novel is actually our hero, Stan Powers. True, the guy was never all that ambitious and at times he reads just like the slacker he was as a young man, but throughout the story he is one passive dude, blithely accepting his good fortune and bobbing along in the political current . . . but his acceptance of the path of least resistance and his resolution of the book's culminating event - whether to unleash a scandalous half-truth that will rock the presidential election - ring false.
Others may not be so bothered by the ending, but for me it was as unsatisfying as the 45-second speech Michael Douglas gives at the end of "The American President" - was that all it took to make Bob Rumson go away? I won't spoil this ending for you, but I will leave it to you to analyze whether you think Powers' efforts resolve the mess he helped create.
All in all, a cynical, clever, but not-too-funny take on our modern political world. This is a must-read for political junkies, although I would imagine that it's more for the MSNBC crowd (which includes me) than Fox.
July 8, 2016
I started listening to Michael Smerconish in the summer of 2000 trying to get my brain wrapped around the upcoming election. He's a super entertaining talk show host who could address serious political issues just as well as he could discuss lifestyle points like if Christmas lights should be white or multicolored. As his career progressed his time slot changed and my listening interests shifted more to podcasts than political radio but I was always glad when he succeed and got a more national recognition and a spot on CNN. Anyway, this is all to explain why I bought his novel when it came out (to support a person I felt like I "knew") but never actually read it.
This week I stumbled upon his novel in my kindle and it felt like the time to read it. OMG. It's a scathing expose of the media/talk radio/cable TV. It's not the most well written thing (there's a lot of redundancy) but he creates a great (if overly crude) character in Stan Powers, talk show host on the rise, and a plot that seems shockingly plausible. Because I have followed so much of his career I recognize a lot of Michael in his character and I wonder how much truth hides in the rest of this story.
Besides the plot, there are several passages describing the state of American politics and the role of media in it and for that alone I think this is a good read for this period leading up to the fall election.
I'd categorize this as a quick beach read with some hidden serious and thought provoking undertones.
This week I stumbled upon his novel in my kindle and it felt like the time to read it. OMG. It's a scathing expose of the media/talk radio/cable TV. It's not the most well written thing (there's a lot of redundancy) but he creates a great (if overly crude) character in Stan Powers, talk show host on the rise, and a plot that seems shockingly plausible. Because I have followed so much of his career I recognize a lot of Michael in his character and I wonder how much truth hides in the rest of this story.
Besides the plot, there are several passages describing the state of American politics and the role of media in it and for that alone I think this is a good read for this period leading up to the fall election.
I'd categorize this as a quick beach read with some hidden serious and thought provoking undertones.
April 24, 2014
I won this in a first-reads giveaway.
To my surprise, I really liked this book. I'm not really into politics much and thought that this might be a boring read but I was wrong. It made me think twice about the sports talk show I listen to daily. The protagonist (Stan) almost has a Bukowski vibe to him. I probably would of rated this a 4 until I read the last chapter. The ending put a smile on my face. I'm really glad I won this.
To my surprise, I really liked this book. I'm not really into politics much and thought that this might be a boring read but I was wrong. It made me think twice about the sports talk show I listen to daily. The protagonist (Stan) almost has a Bukowski vibe to him. I probably would of rated this a 4 until I read the last chapter. The ending put a smile on my face. I'm really glad I won this.
July 16, 2015
Stanislaw Pawlowsky, aka Stan Powers, is a 40-something radio talk show host – a Republican conservative of course – in Tampa, Florida. Due to several quirks of fate – a Democratic President decides not to seek a second term and Florida, with its I-4 corridor through Tampa, (Stan’s radio audience), thus becomes the critical battleground in the upcoming election - our man Stan finds himself at the center of the US political/media universe. Sweet serendipity for Stan, who wants to go “national” with his broadcast/program – except for one thing – Mr. Powers/Pawlowsky is developing a conscience.
So the tale begins as our hero gets willingly sucked into the circus of election season – “talking the talk” as he weighs means and ends with his eye on the “grand prize”. All the while explaining to his saintly girlfriend that, “I’m really not a wing nut, I just play one on the radio.” This tug of war being the “drama” of the story; Stan’s 15 minutes of fame not exactly as he imagined/fantasized.
Stan is a likeable enough protagonist, albeit a tad juvenile, particularly his language, drinking habits and attitude towards women. Unfortunately this adolescent mind-set grows tiresome, much like the towel-snapper in the locker room.
Two notes on the story-telling/narration. Stan/Smerconish pontificates – a lot – which shouldn’t be too big of a surprise considering both the author and protagonist are talk radio hosts. Second there is much backfilling in Talk. We experience a “current moment” with Stan, who then digresses for paragraphs, pages and even a chapter in one instance to bring the reader “up to date”. Not necessarily a bad thing, but so prevalent here that it does impede the flow of the book.
And finally the book’s Capra-esque ending – valid but both saccharine sweet and preachy – just doesn’t sit well – think frosting on a meatloaf.
Some marketing genius has labeled this book as the “Primary Colors of 2014”, which simply begs the question whether he or she has read either book. What will prove interesting is the media’s reaction – specifically talk radio – to “Talk”. Although not a “tell-all expose”, Smerconish does let us behind the Wizard of Oz curtain and raises more than a few troublesome points concerning news, entertainment, opinion, facts and even “credentials”. Just that this political novel centers on a member of the media versus a politician says something about our current political milieu.
An entertaining book – just not very compelling.
So the tale begins as our hero gets willingly sucked into the circus of election season – “talking the talk” as he weighs means and ends with his eye on the “grand prize”. All the while explaining to his saintly girlfriend that, “I’m really not a wing nut, I just play one on the radio.” This tug of war being the “drama” of the story; Stan’s 15 minutes of fame not exactly as he imagined/fantasized.
Stan is a likeable enough protagonist, albeit a tad juvenile, particularly his language, drinking habits and attitude towards women. Unfortunately this adolescent mind-set grows tiresome, much like the towel-snapper in the locker room.
Two notes on the story-telling/narration. Stan/Smerconish pontificates – a lot – which shouldn’t be too big of a surprise considering both the author and protagonist are talk radio hosts. Second there is much backfilling in Talk. We experience a “current moment” with Stan, who then digresses for paragraphs, pages and even a chapter in one instance to bring the reader “up to date”. Not necessarily a bad thing, but so prevalent here that it does impede the flow of the book.
And finally the book’s Capra-esque ending – valid but both saccharine sweet and preachy – just doesn’t sit well – think frosting on a meatloaf.
Some marketing genius has labeled this book as the “Primary Colors of 2014”, which simply begs the question whether he or she has read either book. What will prove interesting is the media’s reaction – specifically talk radio – to “Talk”. Although not a “tell-all expose”, Smerconish does let us behind the Wizard of Oz curtain and raises more than a few troublesome points concerning news, entertainment, opinion, facts and even “credentials”. Just that this political novel centers on a member of the media versus a politician says something about our current political milieu.
An entertaining book – just not very compelling.
December 2, 2022
I'm a person who pays close attention to politics and watches CNN and MSNBC regularly, especially around election time, and my political views align relatively closely with Smerconish's, which may be one reason why I enjoyed this book. It has a lot going for it: an interesting narrator of questionable ethics with a compelling and humorous voice; a salacious plot with lots of political machinations and unexpected twists; a bevy of stock characters who act as foils; and a (somewhat) unexpected denouement. In short, the book was a highly entertaining page-turner even if, at times, its approach is sensationalistic, its plot unrealistic, and its female characters often little more than sex interests. It seems as if the final scene, in which the protagonist finally states what he really thinks, is Smerconish's personal opportunity to stand upon a soapbox, but who cares? The book was fun to read, even if it's not one that's going to win the National Book Award for its innovative style or deep philosophical content. This book is a B-grade look at sleazy politics, and that's why I would recommend it to anyone who considers himself or herself a politico--especially one with moderate or progressive political views. Grade: B+
April 26, 2014
Well-written and pretty interesting, regardless of your political affiliations or age.
I read it quickly, and gave it to my grandfather. He is about 1/4 through it and he is also enjoying it although he "doesnt appreciate the language" but I dont remember there being bad language so I dont know what to say about that.
Merged review:
Well-written and pretty interesting, regardless of your political affiliations or age.
I read it quickly, and gave it to my grandfather. He is about 1/4 through it and he is also enjoying it although he "doesnt appreciate the language" but I dont remember there being bad language so I dont know what to say about that.
I read it quickly, and gave it to my grandfather. He is about 1/4 through it and he is also enjoying it although he "doesnt appreciate the language" but I dont remember there being bad language so I dont know what to say about that.
Merged review:
Well-written and pretty interesting, regardless of your political affiliations or age.
I read it quickly, and gave it to my grandfather. He is about 1/4 through it and he is also enjoying it although he "doesnt appreciate the language" but I dont remember there being bad language so I dont know what to say about that.
April 28, 2014
Maybe Smerconish should get a ghost writer like O'Reilly does (although his books are even worse). This book was totally boring and I'm into talk radio. But the "inside baseball" that he does with this book is so boring and amazingly distracting. The characters are shallow and predictable. Our hero has no passion, but is constantly horny. I think that's why he decides to chuck it all at the end so the two women he's dealing with throughout the book will have sex with him. Shows how non-committed Smerconish is and explains why he's a non-issue anymore. As bad as PMSNBC is, he can't even get a show there.
November 10, 2018
Like a book about American football, this book about American nomination selection of Presidents, has a language and rhyme and reason which is clearer to an insider than an outsider. Even if in my case I can boast one American history subject as part of my government major. And at this stage of my life I don’t even remember what that subject was. But it was more likely about passing bills – or not passing bills. I seem to remember something called filibuster which is extended speaking in order to delay the passing of a bill. I think.
However, this book is less about politics as in governing the country, as in getting elected. It seems in America just getting nominated is a long, highly expensive, and just plain wheeling and dealing that embraces all sorts of immoral actions, including a wife of a candidate sacrificing herself for the good of the country??? – or her husband – by sleeping with the man who might help the husband to get the nomination.
The book tells us something that most of us are beginning to realise that politics have left the arena of common sense and are now a game politicians play. And far too often it’s about getting elected and re-elected than creating a climate for the welfare of the citizens. That apparently is too simplistic.
It reminds me of the many water boards that have been created throughout Australia. All the members have to be paid travelling expenses, accommodation, meals etc. And what is the purpose of these meetings? Mostly I imagine to see if they need to put up the water charges, because as far as I know none of the boards are actually creating the water. Last I heard, it falls from the sky – sometimes gently, sometimes fiercely – but always free of charge. None of the boards, as far as I know, are planning to catch the water for future use. So in time of rains galore, we have floods. In times of little or no rain, we have droughts where crops and livestock die or in the case of the later are killed to save them from dying more slowly and more torturously.
Currently we are raising money to help farmers with one of the latter problem. What we don’t have, though, are plans by the water boards to ensure that the farmers – and the rest of us who are waiting for our next water bill – will be better off next year.
I know we all love to hate politicians. We love to complain at the lack of care in the things that effect us daily and directly – like water, like electricity, like communication, like health, like housing, like employment, like enough food to eat.
But what this book emphasizes is that politican’s energy is directed elsewhere - often to the detriment of people inside and outside its borders; and often with the assistance of a media that has decided that no good news is good news, and if there’s no bad news than find ways to create your own.
However, this book is less about politics as in governing the country, as in getting elected. It seems in America just getting nominated is a long, highly expensive, and just plain wheeling and dealing that embraces all sorts of immoral actions, including a wife of a candidate sacrificing herself for the good of the country??? – or her husband – by sleeping with the man who might help the husband to get the nomination.
The book tells us something that most of us are beginning to realise that politics have left the arena of common sense and are now a game politicians play. And far too often it’s about getting elected and re-elected than creating a climate for the welfare of the citizens. That apparently is too simplistic.
It reminds me of the many water boards that have been created throughout Australia. All the members have to be paid travelling expenses, accommodation, meals etc. And what is the purpose of these meetings? Mostly I imagine to see if they need to put up the water charges, because as far as I know none of the boards are actually creating the water. Last I heard, it falls from the sky – sometimes gently, sometimes fiercely – but always free of charge. None of the boards, as far as I know, are planning to catch the water for future use. So in time of rains galore, we have floods. In times of little or no rain, we have droughts where crops and livestock die or in the case of the later are killed to save them from dying more slowly and more torturously.
Currently we are raising money to help farmers with one of the latter problem. What we don’t have, though, are plans by the water boards to ensure that the farmers – and the rest of us who are waiting for our next water bill – will be better off next year.
I know we all love to hate politicians. We love to complain at the lack of care in the things that effect us daily and directly – like water, like electricity, like communication, like health, like housing, like employment, like enough food to eat.
But what this book emphasizes is that politican’s energy is directed elsewhere - often to the detriment of people inside and outside its borders; and often with the assistance of a media that has decided that no good news is good news, and if there’s no bad news than find ways to create your own.
April 20, 2023
Michael Smerconish's novel "Talk" is a work of fiction that explores the world of political talk radio and its impact on American politics. However, the novel draws inspiration from real-life events and trends in the evolution of political talk radio in American media. Here are some themes from the novel that can be compared to actual events:
Polarization and extremism in political talk radio: "Talk" highlights the divisive and extreme nature of political talk radio. The protagonist, Stan Powers, is a moderate radio host who tries to bring balance and reason to political discussions. However, he is constantly undermined by his more extreme and polarizing colleagues who attract more listeners and advertisers. This theme reflects the trend in political talk radio towards more extreme and partisan programming that has contributed to the polarization of American politics.
The role of advertising in shaping political talk radio: The novel also explores the influence of advertisers on political talk radio. The more extreme and polarizing hosts attract more listeners and therefore more advertising revenue. As a result, the programming becomes more extreme to appeal to advertisers. This theme reflects the role of advertising in shaping the content of political talk radio and the pressure hosts face to generate revenue.
The impact of political talk radio on public opinion: "Talk" also highlights the influence of political talk radio on public opinion. The novel suggests that political talk radio has the power to shape public opinion and influence elections. This theme reflects the impact of political talk radio on American politics and the role it has played in shaping public opinion on issues such as immigration, gun control, and climate change.
The decline of local programming in political talk radio: The novel also touches on the decline of local programming in political talk radio. The protagonist, Stan Powers, laments the fact that political talk radio has become nationalized and standardized, with the same hosts and topics being broadcast across the country. This theme reflects the trend in political talk radio towards nationalized programming that has contributed to the decline of local voices and perspectives.
Overall, "Talk" provides a fictionalized but insightful look into the world of political talk radio and its impact on American politics. The themes in the novel reflect the real-life events and trends in the evolution of political talk radio in American media.
Polarization and extremism in political talk radio: "Talk" highlights the divisive and extreme nature of political talk radio. The protagonist, Stan Powers, is a moderate radio host who tries to bring balance and reason to political discussions. However, he is constantly undermined by his more extreme and polarizing colleagues who attract more listeners and advertisers. This theme reflects the trend in political talk radio towards more extreme and partisan programming that has contributed to the polarization of American politics.
The role of advertising in shaping political talk radio: The novel also explores the influence of advertisers on political talk radio. The more extreme and polarizing hosts attract more listeners and therefore more advertising revenue. As a result, the programming becomes more extreme to appeal to advertisers. This theme reflects the role of advertising in shaping the content of political talk radio and the pressure hosts face to generate revenue.
The impact of political talk radio on public opinion: "Talk" also highlights the influence of political talk radio on public opinion. The novel suggests that political talk radio has the power to shape public opinion and influence elections. This theme reflects the impact of political talk radio on American politics and the role it has played in shaping public opinion on issues such as immigration, gun control, and climate change.
The decline of local programming in political talk radio: The novel also touches on the decline of local programming in political talk radio. The protagonist, Stan Powers, laments the fact that political talk radio has become nationalized and standardized, with the same hosts and topics being broadcast across the country. This theme reflects the trend in political talk radio towards nationalized programming that has contributed to the decline of local voices and perspectives.
Overall, "Talk" provides a fictionalized but insightful look into the world of political talk radio and its impact on American politics. The themes in the novel reflect the real-life events and trends in the evolution of political talk radio in American media.
December 5, 2022
I listen off and on the Smerconish on Sirius radio when I’m in the car. He hosts a daily political talk show every morning. As an on-air personality, he’s interesting, but too often a bit stuck on himself. A lawyer by training, he’s intelligent and does a good job of staking out a civil conversation and a middle of the road approach in a country badly polarized.
One of his theories is that “talk radio” and “network news” is behind much of the political insanity and national dysfunction that is going on today. I agree.
In this novel, written in 2014, his protagonist is a former pot-head turned radio personality, turned political radio personality. He is controlled by experts who insist he be conservative-consistent-and compelling, even though he is not himself very conservative in his thinking. But he plays the game and becomes very powerful in Republican circles for his performances.
The novel takes place in the midst of a presidential campaign that turns ugly very quickly. The protagonist (Stan) is a player in it. But as the novel moves along, his conscience stirs. Suddenly, at the end of the novel, he has to face a decision he never thought he’d face. I won’t spoil it for you.
The protagonist is kind of raunchy, and gets boring after a while. The issues are extremely important, now as much as in 2014. The politics is a little dated (Florida is still a swing state in the novel.) And issues are addressed in bumper-sticker style rather than any deep analysis, not even in the deeper thoughts of the characters.
But I enjoyed this novel, a fast read, for its reminder of the poisonous role the media plays in this growing hatred in our country.
As a novel, the characters are rather shallow, the protagonist doesn’t go through any deep agony when he changes… he just wakes up one day and flips. There is no conclusion to the plot, the novel leaves it hanging in midair. The suspense is good. The solutions the novel hints toward are a bit too naïve.
One of his theories is that “talk radio” and “network news” is behind much of the political insanity and national dysfunction that is going on today. I agree.
In this novel, written in 2014, his protagonist is a former pot-head turned radio personality, turned political radio personality. He is controlled by experts who insist he be conservative-consistent-and compelling, even though he is not himself very conservative in his thinking. But he plays the game and becomes very powerful in Republican circles for his performances.
The novel takes place in the midst of a presidential campaign that turns ugly very quickly. The protagonist (Stan) is a player in it. But as the novel moves along, his conscience stirs. Suddenly, at the end of the novel, he has to face a decision he never thought he’d face. I won’t spoil it for you.
The protagonist is kind of raunchy, and gets boring after a while. The issues are extremely important, now as much as in 2014. The politics is a little dated (Florida is still a swing state in the novel.) And issues are addressed in bumper-sticker style rather than any deep analysis, not even in the deeper thoughts of the characters.
But I enjoyed this novel, a fast read, for its reminder of the poisonous role the media plays in this growing hatred in our country.
As a novel, the characters are rather shallow, the protagonist doesn’t go through any deep agony when he changes… he just wakes up one day and flips. There is no conclusion to the plot, the novel leaves it hanging in midair. The suspense is good. The solutions the novel hints toward are a bit too naïve.
March 27, 2019
An enjoyable read from first-time novelist Smerconish. It's really a commentary about current talk radio and cable news wrapped in a story about a talk radio host who gains fame. The main characters are fictitious but the environment is real and it's a mostly true-to-life setting for political campaigning and partisan discourse today.
I liked the many musical references (which Smerconish often notes on radio) and the many real-life references of a man who grew up in my era. I especially liked the "big time wrestling" analogy that eventually found its way into the narrative.
It was written before the Trump campaign but it's a surprisingly-timely read as we head into another campaign season with so many Democrats gearing up to take on the current President.
While it was short on the laugh-out-loud humor I like from a novel such as this, it was an enjoyable read, an almost-believable story, an education (of sorts) and a solid insight into talk radio today. Recommended.
I liked the many musical references (which Smerconish often notes on radio) and the many real-life references of a man who grew up in my era. I especially liked the "big time wrestling" analogy that eventually found its way into the narrative.
It was written before the Trump campaign but it's a surprisingly-timely read as we head into another campaign season with so many Democrats gearing up to take on the current President.
While it was short on the laugh-out-loud humor I like from a novel such as this, it was an enjoyable read, an almost-believable story, an education (of sorts) and a solid insight into talk radio today. Recommended.
May 15, 2018
Michael Smerconish a quite balanced and even handed news analyst has written a fine novel about our ideological and silo divided times. His main character is a conservative talk show host: Stan Powers who plays an oversized role in a critical election. The ending is great, although in our partisan times I don’t know if it is likely but this is a timely and worthwhile read. If you are obsessed with politics and you enjoy talk radio this is a must read.
October 19, 2020
The first few chapters were great, and gave new insights to the world of talk radio. The themes of political polarization and disconnect between public views and personal beliefs are very relevant.
However, the second half takes unexpected and unnecessary turns, which take away from the realism the author seems to be aiming for. The main character's redemption at the end felt undeserved, and left me unsatisfied.
However, the second half takes unexpected and unnecessary turns, which take away from the realism the author seems to be aiming for. The main character's redemption at the end felt undeserved, and left me unsatisfied.
March 17, 2018
Anyone who wants to see how and why our politics are so polarized ought to read this book. Mr. Smerconish does an incredible job in showing how we got to where we are today while still providing an entertaining fictional story.
January 13, 2023
Required reading
This book should be required reading for all politicians. Then Michael should test them to make sure they understand that the future of our great country is dependent upon compromise.Keep up the good work,Michael.You're needed now more than ever.
This book should be required reading for all politicians. Then Michael should test them to make sure they understand that the future of our great country is dependent upon compromise.Keep up the good work,Michael.You're needed now more than ever.
June 16, 2018
Poorly written, narrator sounds like an uninspired 15 year old, never missing a chance for a foul description. Too long to get to the point, which didn't matter anyway.
December 20, 2018
I needed 2 more chapters.. it’s almost like he knew who would run in 2016..
February 24, 2022
Good for political junkies
If you're interested in politics, the book is maybe for you. Otherwise, it has too many characters and and almost no drama.
If you're interested in politics, the book is maybe for you. Otherwise, it has too many characters and and almost no drama.
May 14, 2014
This was a challenging book for me to read because I spent many years as a talk radio host and this purports to be about talk radio. I use “purport” carelessly, perhaps. Smerconish writes as one of the few not totally ideological talk persons around, working on Sirius Satellite Radio and CNN. The hero of his novel is a local talk guy in Florida, a morning man named Stan Powers (pseudonym). His real name is Stanislaw Pawlowksy and he started his radio career as a classic rock DJ. Like so many of us who have long radio careers, he slid, almost without notice, into talk. My pre-talk background was middle-of-the-road, a format that no longer exists, and classical, a format that is almost extinct. When Oliver North, a man with absolutely no radio training and highly questionable ethics, was hired at the station I worked at, I could see the handwriting on the wall and got another line of work. North was so bad that he cooperated in a scam call by one of the producers at the station—once MY producer—to let the producer pose as an average caller, urged on and fed information by the station’s sales staff, in order to push a particular position and cause. But I digress. Smerconish’s hero is a self-described actor. He poses as a right wing Tea Partying wingnut in order to fulfill the direction of his consultant (who he never meets, Phil) who “consults” from New Mexico. Phil feeds him killer lines and directions for his show, all designed at getting him bigger audiences. Along the way we hear some classic nuggets of talk radio basics: don’t ever rate your program’s success or failure on the amount of calls. That’s true. One of my most popular single hours ever never had a caller until the show was over. She was a Russian whose mother had married an American naval officer. She, herself, was an airline stewardess who had written her mother’s story and told it exquisitely. The GM of the station was livid that I never took a call but her story was so compelling that it could not be broken up with distractions. It was great, entertaining radio.
There are a couple of usage mistakes: “enumerable” used in place of “innumerable” and “poll position” instead of “pole position.” Not serious, but not confidence-inspiring either.
“I’m not a wingnut. I just play one on the radio,” says Stan. This is often used as an excuse by talk show hosts who want to have some credibility left but it is a highly irresponsible statement and position to take since, in the process of “playing” the wingnut, a lot of bad information, lies and misleading character portrayals gets spread around the airwaves. By saying “I’m just an actor,” the host denies any responsibility for the lying and the misinformation. Some even seem to take pride in getting away with the lies. The con in the game is that the host need never answer to his lies or his irresponsibility or worry about the reputations that he destroys with the lies. He can say: “I’m just playing a role” or hang up on callers with too much information that can correct the host. Or, in the worst case, you can play Karl Rove and put a lie out there such as “it could be Hillary had some brain damage,” knowing that the lie is all that many if not most people will remember.
Smerconish maintains that talk radio is the “conservatives’ clubhouse”—their place of refuge after all the years of being ignored by “mainstream radio.” That may be so, but most children outgrow their clubhouses and take their place in the real world. As Stan tries to move out, sort of, near the end of the novel, one wonders what price we’ll pay for this perverted playhouse and the collection of myths, misconceptions, lies and deceits that is its environment. We have already paid a tremendous price in self-delusion, character assassination and obstructed government. TALK illuminates part of the problem but may make you a bit ill with its celebration of cynicism and its condescending attitude toward the unwashed multitude that is its target audience.
There are a couple of usage mistakes: “enumerable” used in place of “innumerable” and “poll position” instead of “pole position.” Not serious, but not confidence-inspiring either.
“I’m not a wingnut. I just play one on the radio,” says Stan. This is often used as an excuse by talk show hosts who want to have some credibility left but it is a highly irresponsible statement and position to take since, in the process of “playing” the wingnut, a lot of bad information, lies and misleading character portrayals gets spread around the airwaves. By saying “I’m just an actor,” the host denies any responsibility for the lying and the misinformation. Some even seem to take pride in getting away with the lies. The con in the game is that the host need never answer to his lies or his irresponsibility or worry about the reputations that he destroys with the lies. He can say: “I’m just playing a role” or hang up on callers with too much information that can correct the host. Or, in the worst case, you can play Karl Rove and put a lie out there such as “it could be Hillary had some brain damage,” knowing that the lie is all that many if not most people will remember.
Smerconish maintains that talk radio is the “conservatives’ clubhouse”—their place of refuge after all the years of being ignored by “mainstream radio.” That may be so, but most children outgrow their clubhouses and take their place in the real world. As Stan tries to move out, sort of, near the end of the novel, one wonders what price we’ll pay for this perverted playhouse and the collection of myths, misconceptions, lies and deceits that is its environment. We have already paid a tremendous price in self-delusion, character assassination and obstructed government. TALK illuminates part of the problem but may make you a bit ill with its celebration of cynicism and its condescending attitude toward the unwashed multitude that is its target audience.
March 12, 2014
Compelling and Provocative, March 12, 2014
Edit Review
Delete Review
This review is from: Talk: A Novel (Hardcover)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program (What's this?)
If you are a political junkie with a familiarity of all the tools used to sway votes, this novel will not be a big surprise to you. However, if you do not know the intricacies of talk radio in this country and the overwhelming influence it has, Smerconish gives you a birds-eye view of the industry. And it is an industry; billions are made from a talk radio star. Conservative talk shows are front and center and this is the important point: it does not matter whether the commentator believes a word he or she is saying, the impact is enormous in terms of money and wide-spread influence. The listeners’ on-air response has negligible impact; it’s the emotional verbose talent of the host, i.e. entertainer. This person is simply echoing the sentiments of his audience in an extreme and sometimes volatile political atmosphere.
In this clever novel, Stan Powers may be a typical conservative talk show host. He is high school educated, no college, no formal training, not really an intellect, heaven forbid, but a smart guy, nonetheless. He knows how to rope in an audience. He started out as a bartender, real name, Stanislaw Pawlowski, who was adept at playing the right music to encourage more drinking, thus lifting the profits of his employer’s drinking establishment. After a sexual fling with a beautiful, smart waitress, Susan, he takes her advice and cultivates his propensity for giving the crowd what they want, to working in radio. He moves up through the ranks and lands a decent job at a Tampa radio station, ultra-conservative and mouths the party line. He has many radio-paid advisors who mold him into the radioman who will capture the hard right-wing and sell advertising spots. Stan’s program becomes Morning Power and evolves into a high-rated broadcast during a surprising Presidential election. He plays to the viewers and mirrors the Limbaugh-loving audiences on cue. He is going places.
He manages to hurt candidates and their families when he becomes more influential. He is given the questions to ask, true or not, which will assure him of possible syndication. Smerconish has much to say and he gets his point across that politics and government are absent of compromise, but rather an authentic down and dirty game with no integrity. No kidding. He throws almost every technique into this novel: sex, intellect, lack of intellect, and most of all, religion. The separation of church and state is no longer a reality in this country, very sad. I recommend the book, it is a good page-turner and if anyone believes that right wing radio is looking for truth and justice, this insight into talk radio should demolish that good philosophy. The liberals are not all innocent, either, but at least most of them went to college and NPR is a mainstay. Education is not a bad thing.
Smerconish banged away at his point, and it became heavy-handed. The ending is predictable and somewhat trite. Also, there was a constant flow of alcohol and meds to stimulate our protagonist, which is another sad commentary on our political landscape.
Edit Review
Delete Review
This review is from: Talk: A Novel (Hardcover)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program (What's this?)
If you are a political junkie with a familiarity of all the tools used to sway votes, this novel will not be a big surprise to you. However, if you do not know the intricacies of talk radio in this country and the overwhelming influence it has, Smerconish gives you a birds-eye view of the industry. And it is an industry; billions are made from a talk radio star. Conservative talk shows are front and center and this is the important point: it does not matter whether the commentator believes a word he or she is saying, the impact is enormous in terms of money and wide-spread influence. The listeners’ on-air response has negligible impact; it’s the emotional verbose talent of the host, i.e. entertainer. This person is simply echoing the sentiments of his audience in an extreme and sometimes volatile political atmosphere.
In this clever novel, Stan Powers may be a typical conservative talk show host. He is high school educated, no college, no formal training, not really an intellect, heaven forbid, but a smart guy, nonetheless. He knows how to rope in an audience. He started out as a bartender, real name, Stanislaw Pawlowski, who was adept at playing the right music to encourage more drinking, thus lifting the profits of his employer’s drinking establishment. After a sexual fling with a beautiful, smart waitress, Susan, he takes her advice and cultivates his propensity for giving the crowd what they want, to working in radio. He moves up through the ranks and lands a decent job at a Tampa radio station, ultra-conservative and mouths the party line. He has many radio-paid advisors who mold him into the radioman who will capture the hard right-wing and sell advertising spots. Stan’s program becomes Morning Power and evolves into a high-rated broadcast during a surprising Presidential election. He plays to the viewers and mirrors the Limbaugh-loving audiences on cue. He is going places.
He manages to hurt candidates and their families when he becomes more influential. He is given the questions to ask, true or not, which will assure him of possible syndication. Smerconish has much to say and he gets his point across that politics and government are absent of compromise, but rather an authentic down and dirty game with no integrity. No kidding. He throws almost every technique into this novel: sex, intellect, lack of intellect, and most of all, religion. The separation of church and state is no longer a reality in this country, very sad. I recommend the book, it is a good page-turner and if anyone believes that right wing radio is looking for truth and justice, this insight into talk radio should demolish that good philosophy. The liberals are not all innocent, either, but at least most of them went to college and NPR is a mainstay. Education is not a bad thing.
Smerconish banged away at his point, and it became heavy-handed. The ending is predictable and somewhat trite. Also, there was a constant flow of alcohol and meds to stimulate our protagonist, which is another sad commentary on our political landscape.
May 8, 2014
I received an Advance Copy of this book, and, was looking forward to reading it having been a listener to the authors radio show for quite a while. I'm not quite sure what I was expecting, but, I think I may have liked the book more if I had not been a listener and occasional prop to the author's radio show.
The book has a message, however, anyone with more than a cursory knowledge of the author will already be familiar with this message, and as a result, see where the story is heading.
That does not mean it was not enjoyable, but, rather than the message, I was more involved in trying to figure out where the facts ended, and, the fiction begins. The story contains several incidents, based on true occurrences, Jon Anderson, lead vocalist of Yes and his discussion of the C-Word. Ted Nugent and the interview conducted with a defective recorder, Alex driving her niece and friends initially oblivious to the lyrics of the rap music they were listening to in the car and upon the realization debating on if there was an obligation to call the parents of the other children in the car to explain what happened and apologize. In addition, I found myself trying to figure out the inspiration for each character:
Stan Powers: Michael Smerconish/Glenn Beck
Alex: TC? (position and rap CD incident only)
Phil Dean: Tom Bigby?
Rod Chinkles: ?????
Don Fortini: Mike "Don" Baldini
Jules Delgado: (a name that should be familiar to listeners) Steve Mountain?
If they were there, I missed the references to former board op Greg stocker, and, friend, caller, contributor, "Liberal" Paul.
The book also reads true about the behind the scenes aspects of the radio game (not surprising as the author has been a long time host of a radio talk show). I found it interesting, but not surprising, how little regard the industry has for the callers (props), and while it was not surprising, the admissions to how ratings are really the only thing driving the content.
The author has written several books previous to this one, but, this was his first novel. Should Mr. Smerconish author another novel, I am sure I would give it a read, but, will not feel deprived if this ends up being his only novel.
The book has a message, however, anyone with more than a cursory knowledge of the author will already be familiar with this message, and as a result, see where the story is heading.
That does not mean it was not enjoyable, but, rather than the message, I was more involved in trying to figure out where the facts ended, and, the fiction begins. The story contains several incidents, based on true occurrences, Jon Anderson, lead vocalist of Yes and his discussion of the C-Word. Ted Nugent and the interview conducted with a defective recorder, Alex driving her niece and friends initially oblivious to the lyrics of the rap music they were listening to in the car and upon the realization debating on if there was an obligation to call the parents of the other children in the car to explain what happened and apologize. In addition, I found myself trying to figure out the inspiration for each character:
Stan Powers: Michael Smerconish/Glenn Beck
Alex: TC? (position and rap CD incident only)
Phil Dean: Tom Bigby?
Rod Chinkles: ?????
Don Fortini: Mike "Don" Baldini
Jules Delgado: (a name that should be familiar to listeners) Steve Mountain?
If they were there, I missed the references to former board op Greg stocker, and, friend, caller, contributor, "Liberal" Paul.
The book also reads true about the behind the scenes aspects of the radio game (not surprising as the author has been a long time host of a radio talk show). I found it interesting, but not surprising, how little regard the industry has for the callers (props), and while it was not surprising, the admissions to how ratings are really the only thing driving the content.
The author has written several books previous to this one, but, this was his first novel. Should Mr. Smerconish author another novel, I am sure I would give it a read, but, will not feel deprived if this ends up being his only novel.
July 30, 2014
When I first started reading this novel by Michael Smerconish (one of my favorite rational conservatives), I was having trouble deciding if it was an actual work of fiction or a thinly disguised reality in which he is actually talking about real people on the national political stage. Early in the book, he throws a lot of "this is fiction" confetti in the reader's face—who is running for what, where, what they look like, who they are married to, what their gender and biases and beliefs are, etc.—as if to say "Hey, people, this really is going to be a work of fiction. Don't try to make any associations." But it's impossible not to make associations, so realistic are the scenes he portrays. The behind-the-scenes goings-on are what many of us suspect is happening, to one degree or the other, so the way the book unfolds is completely believable.
Once I got past the first quarter of the book, I got swept up into the story and quit trying to figure out if it was based on real figures or not. Many of the big political figures of today are mentioned in the book by their real names, and the manipulators pulling their (and our) strings might just as well be the real thing as well. Master puppeteer Phil, for example. (Although it's subtly played by Smerconish, Phil gets his behind-the-curtain moment at the end of the book, which was one of the most interesting turns for me in that it said as much about who is really behind the wheel as the whole book did up to that point.)
I was horrified at the climax of the book, because up to that point I really did not believe Stan Powers, the protagonist, was going to do what he did. The anti-climax, if a little too intelligently discursive (and for that reason the one portion of the book that was not entirely believable to me because I can't see it ever actually happening), was satisfying and pertinent. And suddenly I realized that this book is a masterfully disconcerting mirroring of what the U.S. political system has in all truth become: both fiction and reality at the same time. Stan Powers leaves us with his thoughts on what we as individuals can do about it. A little awkwardly, but it needed to be said.
Once I got past the first quarter of the book, I got swept up into the story and quit trying to figure out if it was based on real figures or not. Many of the big political figures of today are mentioned in the book by their real names, and the manipulators pulling their (and our) strings might just as well be the real thing as well. Master puppeteer Phil, for example. (Although it's subtly played by Smerconish, Phil gets his behind-the-curtain moment at the end of the book, which was one of the most interesting turns for me in that it said as much about who is really behind the wheel as the whole book did up to that point.)
I was horrified at the climax of the book, because up to that point I really did not believe Stan Powers, the protagonist, was going to do what he did. The anti-climax, if a little too intelligently discursive (and for that reason the one portion of the book that was not entirely believable to me because I can't see it ever actually happening), was satisfying and pertinent. And suddenly I realized that this book is a masterfully disconcerting mirroring of what the U.S. political system has in all truth become: both fiction and reality at the same time. Stan Powers leaves us with his thoughts on what we as individuals can do about it. A little awkwardly, but it needed to be said.
April 29, 2014
p.19 He enjoyed guiding the puppeteers who manipulated the marionettes, and drew preverse pleasure from the way the audience reacted to every movement of a limb.
p.99 No need to allow a little substance to get in the way of a good liberal-conservative argument.
p.136 Independent thinking is discouraged
p.229 The truth was irrelevant.
The gist of the plot is a conservative talk show host moving up the media ladder and branching out into syndication and television. There is a clever mix of music and politics presented through the main character. Rather than a big push of conservative ideas, the text focus upon the nuts and bolts of the radio talk industry. Focusing upon the profession, instead of the ideas espoused within the profession, brings a lot new information to this reader. Presenting the inside look of what goes on in and around a radio talk show is one of the strengths of the story.
One of the highpoints of the story is when the author riffs upon the origins of the word "c-nt." In a story drenched with profanity, the author will not print that one word. A moving speech is offered upon the origins of the word and the reason for its exclusion. The section is one of the most interesting within a page-turning story.
Edit: p.12 3rd line "honkytonk" not plural; p.24 "air force colonel" not capitalized; p. 36 9th line from the bottom; p.79 1st line, 3rd paragraph "on" not one; p.80 timeframe: "a few years," later "a couple of months;" p.119 "one thing" syntax; p.136 "necessary," instead of necessarily.
p.99 No need to allow a little substance to get in the way of a good liberal-conservative argument.
p.136 Independent thinking is discouraged
p.229 The truth was irrelevant.
The gist of the plot is a conservative talk show host moving up the media ladder and branching out into syndication and television. There is a clever mix of music and politics presented through the main character. Rather than a big push of conservative ideas, the text focus upon the nuts and bolts of the radio talk industry. Focusing upon the profession, instead of the ideas espoused within the profession, brings a lot new information to this reader. Presenting the inside look of what goes on in and around a radio talk show is one of the strengths of the story.
One of the highpoints of the story is when the author riffs upon the origins of the word "c-nt." In a story drenched with profanity, the author will not print that one word. A moving speech is offered upon the origins of the word and the reason for its exclusion. The section is one of the most interesting within a page-turning story.
Edit: p.12 3rd line "honkytonk" not plural; p.24 "air force colonel" not capitalized; p. 36 9th line from the bottom; p.79 1st line, 3rd paragraph "on" not one; p.80 timeframe: "a few years," later "a couple of months;" p.119 "one thing" syntax; p.136 "necessary," instead of necessarily.
June 25, 2014
First, my star rating should be 3 1/2 if possible. This book will not become a classic; however, the views it contains hopefully reflect where the country really lies politically. This is a thinly veiled work of the author's views which you can hear on a regular basis on Sirius radio in the morning. It confirms what many of us have thought for awhile - talk radio is not much more than modern day Professional Wrestling. It's meant to be entertainment which means the hosts spout what brings in the audience.
There is a storyline attached to Mr. Smerconish's point that we are all much more middle of the road than our elected officials might make you think. It's a decent plot and gives you some satisfaction in the end. It's a quick read and would be a good beach buddy.
So, if you're someone that cares more about being a fiscal conservative and a social liberal, I think you'll probably enjoy the message you'll find here. It's a story that needs to be told.
There is a storyline attached to Mr. Smerconish's point that we are all much more middle of the road than our elected officials might make you think. It's a decent plot and gives you some satisfaction in the end. It's a quick read and would be a good beach buddy.
So, if you're someone that cares more about being a fiscal conservative and a social liberal, I think you'll probably enjoy the message you'll find here. It's a story that needs to be told.
July 10, 2014
I really enjoyed this book ... to a point. Smerconish is definitely on familiar ground here and it's clear he knows both the media and political types he's writing about and skewering. He also lays out what I've always kinda suspected: many of the media "thought leaders" don't really believe what they're saying, they're just trying to gin up the base, not to improve the state of our union but to grow their ratings.
What I didn't like was the end. Stan's change of heart was so abrupt! I don't want to spoil the finale for anyone, but it was so theatrical and so sudden that I just couldn't buy it. I did like the implication at the very end, though -- that Stan was going to come through this okay and keep winning, not because he was finally true to himself but because of a shift in the national zeitgeist. An effective, if cynical, coda.
What I didn't like was the end. Stan's change of heart was so abrupt! I don't want to spoil the finale for anyone, but it was so theatrical and so sudden that I just couldn't buy it. I did like the implication at the very end, though -- that Stan was going to come through this okay and keep winning, not because he was finally true to himself but because of a shift in the national zeitgeist. An effective, if cynical, coda.
June 13, 2014
Thank you to author Michael Smerconish and Goodreads First Reads for the opportunity to review this book.
This novel read like a transcript from a conservative talk show, which I suppose was the author's intention. Aside from a few insightful moments, I felt as though I were reading from a right wing encyclopedia, which I did not find entertaining at all. I found the supposed protagonist to be pretentious and wholly unlikeable, and the ending was disappointingly anticlimactic.
The one highlight of this novel is that it is well written, with the exception of a few typos which I assume were corrected during the final editing process. I'm sure there is someone out there who will enjoy this novel, but that person is not me.
This novel read like a transcript from a conservative talk show, which I suppose was the author's intention. Aside from a few insightful moments, I felt as though I were reading from a right wing encyclopedia, which I did not find entertaining at all. I found the supposed protagonist to be pretentious and wholly unlikeable, and the ending was disappointingly anticlimactic.
The one highlight of this novel is that it is well written, with the exception of a few typos which I assume were corrected during the final editing process. I'm sure there is someone out there who will enjoy this novel, but that person is not me.
December 2, 2014
Nothing great, but fun. The protagonist lays out his analysis of what's wrong with the current political situation toward the end, which bears considerable resemblance to the policy prescriptions laid out by former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens in his recent book Six Amendments: How and Why We Should Change the Constitution: 1) hyper-partisan districts (gerrymandering); 2) closed primaries; 3) the effect of money; 4) the ideologically-driven media. Of course the story lays the basis for these conclusions, by showing how it works in an entertaining way.
May 2, 2014
I got this book as part of the Goodreads FirstReads Free Giveaway
So this definitely wasn't my cup of tea.
And I love tea.
I do really enjoy a novel with politics and that sort of intrigue. But this one just didn't do it for me.
The first reason was that I just didn't like the main character very much.
Secondly, the swearing was over the top. Every time I saw a curse word, I lost focus.
Third, I just don't think it was the right time of year for me to read this one. I just haven't been in the mood for this kind of book.
So I'll read it again in October. Maybe it'll grow on me then.
Actual rating: 1.5 out 5
So this definitely wasn't my cup of tea.
And I love tea.
I do really enjoy a novel with politics and that sort of intrigue. But this one just didn't do it for me.
The first reason was that I just didn't like the main character very much.
Secondly, the swearing was over the top. Every time I saw a curse word, I lost focus.
Third, I just don't think it was the right time of year for me to read this one. I just haven't been in the mood for this kind of book.
So I'll read it again in October. Maybe it'll grow on me then.
Actual rating: 1.5 out 5
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews