Morning Drive: Things I Wish I Knew Before I Started Talking

by Michael A. Smerconish

Michael Smerconish—attorney-turned-political-pundit, radio talk show host, columnist, author and all-around lightning rod of controversy and spirited discussion—is back!

300 pages, Hardcover

First published April 22, 2009

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Generally well written, although the non policy chapters I'm sure would be more interesting if I'd ever listened to his show. There's some woe-is-me wait-I'm-a good-guy that may be true but gets a bit old. There are also chapters where his argument is complete straw man, and/or fails to take into account complexities and logical end results, which took away from the more fully reasoned topics.
I'd say that Smerconish embodies the Republican party I leaned about in high school - small government, pro-business, low taxes, and who cares about social policies? Which isn't a bad party platform and one that made me feel like Republican leadership could be a good thing even if I didn't agree with all the points, and something I wish we could go back to.

[stormhawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit it. I'm a talk radio junkie. I listen to all of them, off and on ... Rush, Hannity, Beck, but the fellow I really like is Michael Smerconish. He's smart, he has strong opinions that are clearly thought out, and not just expressed because they are part of a party platform. And he's sensible. Most of the time. He gets a little off the hook around Christmastime with the tiny white light/fat colored light thing, but he's right about that too.

And maybe there's an element to my liking him that he's the first radio guy who is my age, even if he did go to one of my high school's football rivals, but that means that I did watch him play at least a couple of times, while I was sitting in the opposing stands, freezing my butt off in a marching band uniform, watching his team win.

I really like how Michael Smerconish writes. He's informative, he's funny, and he tells stories well, even when he doesn't come off quite as well as he would have liked.

I've enjoyed his other books as well, especially Murdered by Mumia: A Life Sentence of Loss, Pain, and Injustice.

[William J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Smerconovich" makes a case for civility in the political world, and provides a talk-radio voice for the Moderate majority of Americans.

This book is even more entertaining if you (like me) are from Philadelphia or the surrounding area, and/or a listener to Michael's show - but these are not requirements.

Tired of the blow-hards on the "right" and the "left?" This book is for you.

I do not agree with all of his views, but he makes a great case for most of them. The whole point of his book (and radio show) is that though many people disagree on "the issues," few of us fall in strict line with the extremes of "right" and "left."

Check out this book if you are curious to hear a fresh voice discussing and analyzing the political scene. He knows his stuff, and has the self-deprecating humor that just about no other talk-radio folks possess.

There are also some great stories about Michael's run-ins with celebrities, both local and international. This is a man who idolizes Larry David. He gets an extra plug just for that!

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

so, far, I have not learned anything about Michael that I did not already know from his radio station. However, the book is still a fun read-if you like listening to Smerconish, you'll enjoy the book, although is is repeats of his shows. It is political in nature, as many of his opinions are, but it is interspersed with personal accounts and experiences. All-in-all--I'll have it finished in a few days and probably say it was worth it. I own it if anyone is interested..just finished it--a bit repetitive, but worth reading if you are a fan.

[Adam Greenman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smerconish has a huge ego, but his suburban manifesto was interesting.