Gerald C. Gardner

Making fun of the US president is a long tradition in American politics. Such mockery ranges from light-hearted (the fare of TV talk shows and stand-up comics) to downright mean. And some careful mockery of one's political opponents traditionally has not been considered within the bounds of acceptable.

Published in 1988, this book is replete with anecdotes of gentle mockery leveled against presidents and presidential candidates. The presidents and presidential elections included range from the years of Dwight Eisenhower throuigh the years of JF Kennedy, LB Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Jimmy Carter to George W. Bush. The anecdotes number in the 1000s, and are taken from campaign speeches, talk show monologues, newspaper articles, editorials, and other sources. In each chapter, this account presents them skillfully as aspects of an ongoing story, and each is brief enough that the reader is no sooner through with one and s/he's on to the next.

US readers with long memories will find it enjoyable to revisit the political figures of yesteryear, since the anecdotes are quite entertaining. Meanwhile, those who have had to endure to the contemptible, vile insults and lies spread by a recent holder of the US presidency will likely yearn for the level of discourse of past decades, and an atmosphere that is nearly gone in the hate-filled partisan wrangles of today.… (more)

A great reference for anybody interested in the behind-the-scenes of the Hays Code enforcement. The book features a brief history lesson on the formation of the Hays Office, but then the majority is comprised of reprints (with comments) of actual letters sent to and from the Hays Office regarding "suggested" cuts to films in order to receive approval. Historically fascinating, especially when looking back nearly a century at Hollywood's dismal attempts at self-censorship. Fans of navels, be prepared to be shocked!… (more)