Teaching the Pig to Dance: A Memoir of Growing Up and Second Chances

I likely would have voted for Fred Thompson had he progressed to earn the Republican presidential nomination in 2007. Back then I would have likely learned more about him; aside from hearing a handful of interviews, my greatest exposure to him was his acting on the television show Law & Order. If it sounds superficial, my state has elected a wrestler as governor and a Saturday Night Live writer as senator. Unfortunately Sen Thompson hadn't made it further in his quest for the Oval Office, I would have likely read this book years ago.

It is my knowledge of him from TV that I read this book hearing his voice and quaint, Southern mannerisms. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Reading it, he conveyed (or I inferred) a sense of weight lifted off show more his shoulder, as he needn't pen a political book. I recently wrote a review of Senator Wellstone's book, Conscience of a Liberal, and commented how it, like so many other politician's autobiography, was primarily counting political coup to sway voters of their political prowess; no longer seeking higher office, Fred Thompson didn't need to tout his legislative acumen. In fact, he didn't do much more than inject a smattering of philosophical references to partisan beliefs, it was in the last twenty pages-or-so of a 253 page book at which point he briefly (and I mean briefly) detailed his political career. He more about his uncanny entry into Hollywood acting, quipping how an lawyer-turned-actor would end his career playing a lawyer.

Teaching the Pig to Dance was a quick read, taking only a little more than five hours, it was written as he speaks. Despite earning a degree in philosophy, don't expect a John Stuart Mill's level read (and I mean that in a good way!); I picture this book a fusion of styles like A Prairie Home Companion, Jean Shepard, and Forrest Gump. Self deprecating but not to a fault, Mr. Thompson laughs at his miscues and marvels at his circuitous path that did not include a lot of focus on school work before college yet attaining a position as Assistant U.S. Attorney and playing a part in the Watergate hearings. In the beginning of the book he wrote of authenticity being everything, this book effortlessly proves his true character and personal nature as being authentic.

Read this book for some "down home" Southern humor or peripheral look at small town life; don't expect hard-hitting (or even mild) political haranguing. The absence of a 10-point Republican platform makes this book enjoyable. You will not find a blue-print for conservative victory by even reading between the lines. One thing I did learn from reading this book is it is a shame I couldn't vote for Arthur Branch... I mean Fred Thompson for president. show less