I Am Not a Crook

by Art Buchwald

Collected articles provide a witty and perceptive analysis of the Watergate scandal

Genres: Humor, Politics, History, Nonfiction, Satire

250 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

American humorist best known for his long-running column of political satire and commentary that he wrote in The Washington Post, which was syndicated in over 500 newspapers. He wrote more than 30 books. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Outstanding Commentary in 1982. In 1991 he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Obituary at The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...

Columns at The Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/...

Reviews

[Karla Huebner]

I'm really glad that this was not one of the many books my family didn't keep. We enjoyed Art Buchwald greatly back in the Watergate days, but I'm sure it never occurred to any of us that decades later Buchwald's columns would be equally applicable to an even worse president and his administration. Brilliant stuff, as funny now as it was when first published, and a fine distraction from the coronavirus pandemic. Get a copy and read it now!

[Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my father's books and I read it probably around 1975 or 1976. Loved it even though I didn't understand it as much as I did later.

Art is probably my first satirical hero. He led me towards the rest.

[Pat Camalliere · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I’m not a big satire fan, as I prefer stories and character development. This book is a compilation of Buchwald’s column written during and shortly after Watergate and the Nixon resignation. Buchwald is known as a great satirist, and I can’t argue with that. I’m sure I would have enjoyed the columns more had I read them one at a time, as they were written. Printed in a single volume to be read together did not work for me, as they lost their punch and the creative satire got lost. I plodded my way through mainly because I lived through this time period but was much distracted by raising my young children and lost a lot of the impact. I wanted to inform myself about the details by reading what was being written at the time. From that aspect it worked, and shows astonishing parallels to present day. Read it yourself and see if you don’t agree—it’s worth the read from that standpoint.

[Max · Rating 2 out of 5]

I suppose that if one of these collected columns had popped up in my newspaper each day during Watergate, it might have been an entertaining breath of fresh air. But collected in a book, coming at me in rapid fire, they are not very interesting. The vast majority of them aren't even funny. There are a few glimpses into issues, such as a controversy over Nixon's tax deductions and resulting low payments, that remind one of some of Trump's shenanigans. Then there's some business about milk prices, that Buchwald alludes to several times while never going into any details. I had completely forgotten about that one.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nixon!

I discovered his books while working a very stressful job. I always kept a few in my desk for lunch time.

His unique view of the world and politics especially, really helped me through stressful days.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Political satire from the Watergate era that seems strangely apt today. Much enjoyment.