What do you think?
Rate this book
The President’s Desk
Did you know that Woodrow Wilson was a transvestite? That Grover Cleveland almost married his own daughter? That the White House was burned to the ground by Herbert Hoover? Or that Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jnr. blew up the El Rancho hotel in Las Vegas as part of the JFK conspiracy?
The President’s Desk is the story of America as seen through the eyes of its most powerful piece of furniture. Standing in the world’s most important office in the land for over a hundred years, it has been sat at by no less than twenty-four of the greatest men who ever lived (I’m leaving out Nixon, obviously). This epic retelling of the history of the United States takes us from its early life as the humble timbers of a barquentine frozen in the waters of the Arctic, through its transformation by decree of Queen Victoria, to over a century in the Oval Office as an eventually antique desk. Written by Shaun Micallef – Australia's answer to Doris Kearns Goodwin (assuming the question was very badly worded) – The President's Desk is a daring nudie run across the political landscape of the world’s most beloved super-power.
The President’s Desk is the story of America as seen through the eyes of its most powerful piece of furniture. Standing in the world’s most important office in the land for over a hundred years, it has been sat at by no less than twenty-four of the greatest men who ever lived (I’m leaving out Nixon, obviously). This epic retelling of the history of the United States takes us from its early life as the humble timbers of a barquentine frozen in the waters of the Arctic, through its transformation by decree of Queen Victoria, to over a century in the Oval Office as an eventually antique desk. Written by Shaun Micallef – Australia's answer to Doris Kearns Goodwin (assuming the question was very badly worded) – The President's Desk is a daring nudie run across the political landscape of the world’s most beloved super-power.
270 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2014
19 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Shaun Micallef
24 books58 followersShaun Micallef has starred in television, films, stage shows, radio and several books. He also has won four Logies, an ARIA and an AFI but, admirably, hasn’t let any of this go to his head.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 5, 2018
The rating system seems superfluous in this instance as by now experience should have taught us all that Micallef is incapable of producing anything less than unbearably brilliant. My only gripe would be that concentrating on the narrative (or semblance of one) is difficult when every bloody sentence is so singularly dazzling.
I'll just have to read it again.
I'll just have to read it again.
May 14, 2019
Shaun has added such a quirky slant on American presidential history. Such wit, great imagination and down-right funny. 3.5/5
August 18, 2020
This book delivers some laughs if thou're on the same wavelength as Shaun Micallef's bizarre sense of humour. Despite it being an easy read, I only dipped into it spasmodically, so it wasn't exactly compelling, but the addendum at the end is rewarding. Give it a go.
January 12, 2015
I love Shaun Micallef on TV so I was expecting great things from this book, but it didn't deliver. I'm not sure why; its humour was absurd and deadpan. I feel like it might be because the book wasn't actually very political, despite the topic, and relied a bit too often on "LOL, sex, funny!"
The appendices at the end were funnier than the main content of the book, though. They bring this up a star.
The appendices at the end were funnier than the main content of the book, though. They bring this up a star.
February 12, 2015
I love Shaun Micallef's humor but I must admit it took me a while to settle into this book, but by the end of it I knew I was going to miss reading it each day. The Errata and Glossary at the end made for most interesting reading (and is a source of many facts, unlike the main story!) Now that I've finished reading the book, I want to read it again...hopefully the second time around, I will appreciate the satire better.
September 20, 2022
This alternative and entirely inaccurate history of the United States is delivered in Micallef's Monty Python-esque humour he is best known for. Hilarious and enduring, this piece of comedy writing is both funny and absurd. Highlighting the ridiculousness of human endeavor over the ages, do not come here trying to make sense of things, for here there is no sense to be made. Good for a laugh and terrific fun.
February 15, 2015
It kills me to rate my beloved Micallef only 1 star, but this book was poor. I didn't finish it, but I honestly didn't see any need to. I'll still pick up Micallef's next book but my expectations won't be as high
August 17, 2019
Nothing here resembles real history. Instead we have Micallef's manic imagination rewriting truth for our amusement. The only downside here is that it's pretty much a one joke idea, reworked over each new President. Not a book to read at one sitting, but dipped into every now and then for a belly laugh.
February 3, 2018
I wanted to love this book and I really tried! It’s a great idea and some parts are hilarious, the additional information in the back is also good. I just found it difficult to read and not overly engaging. It missed the mark for me.
July 12, 2020
I’m not a huge aficionado on American politics but really that is not a deterrent for this. Micallef’s humour is ever-present and absurd as ever.
Not something I will read in its entirety but maybe a few sections.
Not something I will read in its entirety but maybe a few sections.
Read
December 16, 2024tapped out until the end where I was greeted by a vivacious wavelength of fanfiction-like hubris that was enough to keep me up all night. 10/10
April 15, 2025
I am a big Shaun Micallef Mad as Hell fan and this book is terrible. It is well-written nonsense that tries too hard.
April 30, 2016
4 and a half stars
A story revolving around the Resolute desk (aka the US President's Desk) and moments in time experienced by Presidents themselves (private moments- as divined by a drug flipping Micallef). It seems like a waste of time to read a 'historical' book where only crumbs of the story are factual- but to envelop yourself in this book is quite something else.
There's no getting around it- to truly understand the magnificence of this acid trip through American history- you must treat yourself to an assortment of quotes. The epic imaginings of AHit in this scene is one of my favourites.
(To set the scene, Adolf Hitler is imagining touring the streets with a glass desk he wishes to design- a desk incapable of obscuring view, rather enhancing the man seated behind it)
Hitler chuckled softly to himself as he pictured the terrified crowds lining the roadway waving banners; the women swooning at the sight of his rippling Siegfried-like torso; colours flying and band playing as the Archbishop of Canterbury crowns him Emperor of the World; the cheer erupting as he cleaves Churchill in twain with his magic sword and explodes Roosevelt with a beam of pure energy from his mind- and then, reclining in his glass chair, being straddled by a panting and insatiable Vera Lynn, their passionate lovemaking captured forever in a newsreel by Leni Riefenstahl.
um wot?
Micallef also has a knack for evocation- using such descriptions as spots the colour and placement of sneezed gelati and the word popping from his lips like a herniating disc.
The book doesn't spare itself some political commentary with nuggets like this, spoken between George W Bush and John Howard-
'America'd be proud to have you serve alongside our troops when we storm Iraq and end the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein.'
Again, Mr Howard felt it unnecessary to point out the President's errors. When he'd said 'Iraq' and 'Saddam Hussein', he'd obviously meant 'Saudi Arabia' and 'Osama bin Laden'.
The authors voice is loud on that one.
The book is stuffed full of enjoyable nonsense (and partial history), right up until the end- where Micallef addresses the blatant falsehoods he peddles nonstop from page 1- in the 'errata' section.
I also rather enjoyed the 'further reading' suggested at the back, where Micallef's (non) real book 'Amazing Coincidences' is advertised. Featuring riveting coincidences such as-
Did you know that Virginia Woolf and Dean Jones were born on the same day but fifty-one years apart? That they have a combined age of 199 and together have written Mrs Dalloway and starred in several Disney movies? That 50 percent of them died in 1941 when the other 50 per cent was only ten years old?
It took me a while to pick this book up because the assumed subject matter sort of bored me, but I'm glad I did- it was the absurd tonic I needed between heavier books.
A story revolving around the Resolute desk (aka the US President's Desk) and moments in time experienced by Presidents themselves (private moments- as divined by a drug flipping Micallef). It seems like a waste of time to read a 'historical' book where only crumbs of the story are factual- but to envelop yourself in this book is quite something else.
There's no getting around it- to truly understand the magnificence of this acid trip through American history- you must treat yourself to an assortment of quotes. The epic imaginings of AHit in this scene is one of my favourites.
(To set the scene, Adolf Hitler is imagining touring the streets with a glass desk he wishes to design- a desk incapable of obscuring view, rather enhancing the man seated behind it)
Hitler chuckled softly to himself as he pictured the terrified crowds lining the roadway waving banners; the women swooning at the sight of his rippling Siegfried-like torso; colours flying and band playing as the Archbishop of Canterbury crowns him Emperor of the World; the cheer erupting as he cleaves Churchill in twain with his magic sword and explodes Roosevelt with a beam of pure energy from his mind- and then, reclining in his glass chair, being straddled by a panting and insatiable Vera Lynn, their passionate lovemaking captured forever in a newsreel by Leni Riefenstahl.
um wot?
Micallef also has a knack for evocation- using such descriptions as spots the colour and placement of sneezed gelati and the word popping from his lips like a herniating disc.
The book doesn't spare itself some political commentary with nuggets like this, spoken between George W Bush and John Howard-
'America'd be proud to have you serve alongside our troops when we storm Iraq and end the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein.'
Again, Mr Howard felt it unnecessary to point out the President's errors. When he'd said 'Iraq' and 'Saddam Hussein', he'd obviously meant 'Saudi Arabia' and 'Osama bin Laden'.
The authors voice is loud on that one.
The book is stuffed full of enjoyable nonsense (and partial history), right up until the end- where Micallef addresses the blatant falsehoods he peddles nonstop from page 1- in the 'errata' section.
I also rather enjoyed the 'further reading' suggested at the back, where Micallef's (non) real book 'Amazing Coincidences' is advertised. Featuring riveting coincidences such as-
Did you know that Virginia Woolf and Dean Jones were born on the same day but fifty-one years apart? That they have a combined age of 199 and together have written Mrs Dalloway and starred in several Disney movies? That 50 percent of them died in 1941 when the other 50 per cent was only ten years old?
It took me a while to pick this book up because the assumed subject matter sort of bored me, but I'm glad I did- it was the absurd tonic I needed between heavier books.
February 27, 2017
Completely surreal and hilarious to boot. Suspend disbelief, (big time) and just enjoy the ride!! At times a complete hoot, and at other times simply downright silly, but fun all the way!! Micallef is a gem.
December 16, 2014
What else can anyone expect from the great Mr Micallef except zany zany zaniness! I did enjoy this extremely bizarre alt-history of the Presidents of the United States. I can't even begin to imagine how he came up with all that nonsense! My favourite section was of course the conversation between George Bush Jr and John Howard on Air Force One, hilarious. There is some stinging satire amongst the silliness. Like any book by Shaun Micallef I'll need to read this again to fully appreciate it, there is just so much to take in and he does love a good time-travelling paradox! The 'Errata' section at the end as well as the glossary of terms not used in the book are just icing on the cake. Great fun and a must for Micallef fans, looking forward to his next one.
February 9, 2015
I LOVE Shaun Micallef! Which probably explains why I gave this book 4 stars instead of 3. It wasn't often a laugh out loud read but it was VERY amusing and a fine example of the absurdist humour that is Shaun's trademark. This is an irreverent tumble through the past hundred or so years of United States history as seen through the eyes of, or more accurately from the seat behind, the desk of the title and the Oval Office in which it stands (most of the time, according to this tale.) A light and enjoyable read and a highly recommended antidote to stress.
October 28, 2014
If your familiar with the work of Shaun Micallef you know exactly what you're getting yourself into with this absurd take on American history seen through the eyes of the president's desk. A very clever book that literally has a gag on every page. The frustrating thing about this of course is that a re-read is essential in order to appreciate them all. The errata and glossary at the end is just as funny as the book itself. An accomplishment in itself.
January 16, 2015
An entertaining alternative history of America, seen through the eyes of the Presidents desk. Never quite sure where the truths, rumour and innuendo finish and the made up stuff begins, I'm fairly sure that Bess Truman wasn't an alien? While the whole book rollicks along at a nice pace, there are a couple of chapters which are just superb. The Monica Lewinsky story seen through the lens of Alice in Wonderland in particular was very well written.
February 17, 2015
Hit and miss - it would make a fun 6-10 part tv show.
The dead pan works for me, and continued narrative (robots...) keeps all of the flights of fancy going. As other have said, the funniest bit are parts based on reality - Nixon and Elvis, Ronald Reagan; the truth is stranger than fiction and it gets it edge when his teeth come out. The Errata's at the end of the book are fun too.
The misses tended to bog the book down so it took me longer to read than it should have.
The dead pan works for me, and continued narrative (robots...) keeps all of the flights of fancy going. As other have said, the funniest bit are parts based on reality - Nixon and Elvis, Ronald Reagan; the truth is stranger than fiction and it gets it edge when his teeth come out. The Errata's at the end of the book are fun too.
The misses tended to bog the book down so it took me longer to read than it should have.
January 24, 2017
Perfect chaos in a typical Micallef fashion. He has the ability to make drink spirt from one's mouth just by using an unexpected word. The richness of the subversions made this book best digestible in small chunks.
November 15, 2014
Very Micallef. I think it may have benefitted from there being a few less presidents though.
March 9, 2015
boring and supremely unfunny. micallef's doesn't seem to translate to written word very well. stopped reading just a few chapters in.
January 16, 2015
brilliant and hilarious
January 3, 2015
Brilliant absurdity. Plus he signed my copy, so I can hardly give it less than 5 stars.
March 9, 2015
A very, very silly book but I did laugh out loud reading it.
July 24, 2015
Absurdist. Hilarious. Never remove tongue from cheek. Not really about a desk.
April 15, 2015
Great collection of hilarious stories. Strongly recommend reading it!
November 1, 2015
Not really my type of storyline.
January 3, 2015
A hilarious satire of American presidential history.
February 1, 2015
Classic Micallef, delivers some great laughs
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews