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Dumpty: The Age of Trump in Verse
(Dumpty #1)
by
Dumpty: The Age of Trump in Verse is a satirical poetry collection from award-winning actor and bestselling author John Lithgow. Chronicling the last few raucous years in American politics, Lithgow takes readers verse by verse through the history of Donald Trump's presidency.
- Lampoons the likes of Betsy DeVos, William Barr, Rudy Giuliani, and dozens more.
- Illustrated fro ...more
- Lampoons the likes of Betsy DeVos, William Barr, Rudy Giuliani, and dozens more.
- Illustrated fro ...more
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Start your review of Dumpty: The Age of Trump in Verse (Dumpty, #1)
Good! I can imagine Lithgow reading these verses must add a lot to the experience, but as it is, I’m so disgusted by Dumpfeld and this entire administration that I haven’t the heart to laugh much. I just want them gone and remembered as an embarrassing anecdote in American history (make that human history!). There’ll still remain the hordes of deplorables who’ve now been activated worldwide to deal with, however. No matter how I look at it... how do you laugh at your worst nightmare become a rea
...more
“Sure Dumpty’s a foolhardy figure of fun, but laugh at your peril there’s work to be done. Democracy’s frail but our spirit is firm, restrict Trumpty Dumpty to only one term.”
The poems are clever and amusing. The music and sound effects on the audiobook are loud and annoying.
The poems are clever and amusing. The music and sound effects on the audiobook are loud and annoying.
Clever and witty!
Dumpty by John Lithgow leaves no one out! I think most of the significant players on the right that has brown-nosed the orange buffoon was mentioned in this book somewhere and in a way that fit them! 😁
Dumpty by John Lithgow leaves no one out! I think most of the significant players on the right that has brown-nosed the orange buffoon was mentioned in this book somewhere and in a way that fit them! 😁
A comedic tragedy. The author and illustrator, John Lithgow has succeeded in creating witty poetry that lightened my mood accompanied by some great line drawings.
I laughed at My Favorite Lies, which is a parody of Rodgers and Hammerstein's My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music. If you imagine the tune to the chorus as you read the following, you will get the idea:
"When the Times bites,
When the Post stings,
When I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite lies
And then I don't feel so bad." ...more
I laughed at My Favorite Lies, which is a parody of Rodgers and Hammerstein's My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music. If you imagine the tune to the chorus as you read the following, you will get the idea:
"When the Times bites,
When the Post stings,
When I'm feeling sad,
I simply remember my favorite lies
And then I don't feel so bad." ...more
Witty, Artistic, Frank, Humorous
Is there anything that John Lithgow can't do? I guess there isn't. John Lithgow is one of my favourite people. Very talented, a comedic genius. A very funny person, great satarist. I still binged 3rd Rock From The Sun today and in fact I just watched it, its one of my favourite shows alongside Friends, and That 70's Show.
I watched this video of John talking about his new book, I thought well why not try it?
In this book Dumpty :The Age of Trump in Verse Book ...more
Is there anything that John Lithgow can't do? I guess there isn't. John Lithgow is one of my favourite people. Very talented, a comedic genius. A very funny person, great satarist. I still binged 3rd Rock From The Sun today and in fact I just watched it, its one of my favourite shows alongside Friends, and That 70's Show.
I watched this video of John talking about his new book, I thought well why not try it?
In this book Dumpty :The Age of Trump in Verse Book ...more
Oh oh oh .. I can hear John Lithgow's voice as I read these -- often out-loud because they sound even better. My gratitude is so great for this amazing creativity to help us get through these dark dark times. Yes, you want this. Or you want to give it as I did to a cousin for her birthday. Or a Thanksgiving (perfect to read aloud at the table!), Hanukkah or Christmas or Kwanzaa or Solstice or no-reason-at-all-present. In fact take it to Thanksgiving Funner [did you figure out this meant "dinner"
...more
This is a very ignorant and immature rendering of . . . excuse the supposed genre . . . poetry. This is not even mediocre poetry; it’s very bad and lame. Trump Derangement Syndrome has overtaken John “Jiggles” Lithgow’s brain, and his attempts at poetry fail at every stanza. How utterly sad for him.
Lame and immature. Five star reviews are obviously motivated by spite rather than literary taste.
Was looking for decent contemporary political satire. Opened this up, thinking “God, this looks awful, but who knows?”
It is awful, and that’s coming from someone who agrees with Lithgow on paper. This is a wannabe-jokebook with no jokes, bloated with arid poetry. Lithgow is always trying to write himself politically on top of a high horse, but there is zero surprise or substance to lessen the stink of the condescension in his tone. The forms he chooses are as sterile and dry as can be, to make m ...more
It is awful, and that’s coming from someone who agrees with Lithgow on paper. This is a wannabe-jokebook with no jokes, bloated with arid poetry. Lithgow is always trying to write himself politically on top of a high horse, but there is zero surprise or substance to lessen the stink of the condescension in his tone. The forms he chooses are as sterile and dry as can be, to make m ...more
Satire like no other, this is brilliant work by Lithgow...if not depressing as all heck...
And, elitist wit supercedes the intellect of blind followers, so, there is that as well. Those who need the recognition of exactly what has been slapped in our faces of abuse of power & downright negligence of office & responsibility won't understand the satire & most likely be scarily overwhelmed...or say, "Who cares?"
I laughed at this...mostly a nervous laugh...but laughed nonetheless because what else is ...more
And, elitist wit supercedes the intellect of blind followers, so, there is that as well. Those who need the recognition of exactly what has been slapped in our faces of abuse of power & downright negligence of office & responsibility won't understand the satire & most likely be scarily overwhelmed...or say, "Who cares?"
I laughed at this...mostly a nervous laugh...but laughed nonetheless because what else is ...more
With skewering wit, actor and author John Lithgow lampoons in verse Donald Trump’s presidency and his revolving door staff and others with whimsical drawings.
I heard John Lithgow reading from this recently-published book back in September when he appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. I immediately added it to my growing wish-list of books. And I got it for Christmas! Many of the verses mimic a famous poem, so dual fun in reading these. An incredible amount of time/effort must have gone into these to incorporate all the extensive vocabulary used.
Lithgow is best known as the 'father' Dick Solomon on 3rd Rock From The Sun, TV series.
From wiki ...more
Lithgow is best known as the 'father' Dick Solomon on 3rd Rock From The Sun, TV series.
From wiki ...more
Lithgow’s poems aren’t just witty and clever; they feel important, a reminder to laugh in the face of stupidity and evil, and that higher ideals can win the day in the face of utter debasement. This is a book that gave me hope.
Just listened to John Lithgow read from one of the poems on Morning Joe. Brilliant and fabulously illustrated by himself. "Running" to Amazon to buy and gift.
...more
Lithgow has showcased his impressive way with words in a variety of children's books, and now here's a collection of poetry and lyrics calling out Trump and his associates for their various misdeeds.
I'm truly impressed by how talented Lithgow is; the poetry is witty and sharp and the song parodies in particular are a delight. Humorous pen-and-ink illustrations also dance through the pages.
While this little book was for the most part a lot of fun, one poem in particular dampened my enthusiasm a ...more
I'm truly impressed by how talented Lithgow is; the poetry is witty and sharp and the song parodies in particular are a delight. Humorous pen-and-ink illustrations also dance through the pages.
While this little book was for the most part a lot of fun, one poem in particular dampened my enthusiasm a ...more
I loved this! It was funny, smart, and still quite frighteningly serious all at once. It was especially enjoyable as an audiobook read by John Lithgow himself. I plan to listen again soon. It is a short book of poems about Trump and his minions covering the period up through June 2019 so it's topical. I wonder if it will be updated as events continue to unfold. I will wait and watch.
In the meantime, I plan to order print copies for us and select individuals who I know will enjoy it as much as I ...more
In the meantime, I plan to order print copies for us and select individuals who I know will enjoy it as much as I ...more
I had no idea that Lithgow was so multifaceted. This book is a mixture of Shel Silverstein-like ink drawings and poetry, and political commentary. I was able to follow most of it, but I was grateful for the notes at the end of each poem that explained the political relevance of each person he wrote about. If you're a Trump supporter, then you won't like this book, but otherwise this brings a bit of levity and a break from the political stress currently throughout the U.S.
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Do yourselves a favor & listen to this on audio. Lithgow brings a certain Suessical quality to this prose. My only regret is that I have to wait for a hard copy to come in at my library to see the illustrations. Mental images that sprung to mind were ogres, giants, and emperors in spanking new clothes. Just good old fashioned fun.
This was hilarious, but I must confess I was only able to get through it by switching to the audiobook. Whereas the written words made my blood boil because they made me remember all the scandals in the past three years, Lithgow's narration livens it up and allows the comedy of the poems to shine.
...more
Hilarious and insightful. I had almost forgotten all the corrupt and criminal things that Dumpty has done; I thank Mr Lithgow for bringing them to the surface again in such a fun way! I'm quoting the last line in the book: "Democracy's frail but our spirit is firm; Restrict Trumpty Dumpty to only one term."
...more
Perfect impeachment week listening! A combination of original poems with short summaries of the individuals and events they lampoon. Horrifying to realize how much corruption and chaos we have lived through in the last three years!
What a great collection of poems & a reminder...one after another after another...VOTE, DANG IT, VOTE!!
Enjoyed this book by John Lithgow! It is the story of Trump's Presidency told in verse.
...more
I agree with all of it, but it’s just terrible poetry.
3.25|5
- Book Riot’s 2020 Read Harder Challenge - 8. Read an audiobook of poetry -
It would be funny if it weren’t so sad.
- Book Riot’s 2020 Read Harder Challenge - 8. Read an audiobook of poetry -
It would be funny if it weren’t so sad.
John Lithgow is a man of many talents! I had no idea he was so good at political humor/satire, and that he draws pictures, too. These verses are all funny and clever and very current. Some are original, while others are based on classics from nursery rhymes ("Trumpty Dumpty wanted a wall/To stir up a rabid political brawl") to Edward Lear (the Owl and the Pussycat becomes "The Walrus and the Kleptocrat"--John Bolton and Vladimir Putin) to Gilbert and Sullivan ("An Ex-Lieutenant General" instead
...more
Ok, so it is not Shakespeare or T.S. Elliot. But for what it intends to be, it is well crafted and highly entertaining.
John Lithgow has written a series of bad verses - intentionally so - about the current President. He has also provided a set of illustrations to go with the verses and has voiced the result as well on the audio book, along with background music and other noises. To assist those who are not much “into” poetry, most of the selections are adaptations of popular songs, Gilbert and S ...more
John Lithgow has written a series of bad verses - intentionally so - about the current President. He has also provided a set of illustrations to go with the verses and has voiced the result as well on the audio book, along with background music and other noises. To assist those who are not much “into” poetry, most of the selections are adaptations of popular songs, Gilbert and S ...more
I picked this up for a giggle, expecting to leaf through it solely to admire Lithgow's illustrations as he is a gifted artist of children's picture books. I ended up appreciating the clever verse even more! Here is a compact chronicle of the Trump administration's major scandals-to-date in one entertaining, if outrageous, volume. In these times, it's tough to keep up with the breathtaking pace of disgrace:
"He's done most of these things and a hundred things more,
And God only knows what he still ...more
"He's done most of these things and a hundred things more,
And God only knows what he still ...more
I saw Lithgow reading his book on some late night show. Probably Stephen Colbert. Possibly Trevor Noah. Less likely, though possibly, Conan O'Brien. It was amusing, and interesting enough that I, naturally, waited more than a year to get this book here and the second one in this series.
I probably should have gone for the audiobook version of this, though I so rarely find audiobooks to work for me. Still, probably would have been better to hear this than to read it. *pauses and listens to audiob ...more
I probably should have gone for the audiobook version of this, though I so rarely find audiobooks to work for me. Still, probably would have been better to hear this than to read it. *pauses and listens to audiob ...more
I mean it’s very important topics about the current presidential situation, but like the poems were not good.
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John Lithgow is a prolific actor with two Tonys, six Emmys, two Golden Globes, and two Oscar nominations to his name. He has starred in the hit TV series 3rd Rock from the Sun, Dexter, and The Crown, and in beloved films like The World According to Garp, Shrek, and Terms of Endearment. Lithgow has appeared on Broadway twenty-five times and in England with both the Royal Shakespeare Company and the
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Kerine Wint is a software engineering graduate with more love for books than for computers. As an avid reader, writer, and fan of all things...
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“I always knew I'd be preaching to the choir. Slap the title 'Dumpty' on a book of political humor, and your bias is glaringly obvious. From the beginning, I've intended these verses for people who oppose our current President, hoping to briefly yank them out of their chronic depression at his persistent grip on executive power.”
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“Given that Dumpty is such a crude, paranoid, petulant, cowardly, vicious liar, con man, and crook, would you want to work in an office where he was in charge? Would you want to join his downtrodden White House staff or the weird cast of characters in his cabinet? Would you want him to invest your life savings for you? Would you want to sit next to him at a dinner party, picnic, or sporting event? Would you want to carpool or (God forbid!) drive cross-country with him? Would you hire him to babysit your toddler or fix him up with your best friend’s daughter? Would you ask him to speak at your own memorial service? If you answer no to all of these questions (and how could you not?) then why in the world would you entrust your country’s future and the future of this fragile planet to him? Pause for a moment and contemplate your own contradictory leanings.”
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