Politicians, Partisans, and Parasites

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY 14 JUL 2003

In his first book, the genial cohost ("from the right") of CNN's popular Crossfire details his adventures in the political business and in television, from the enlightening to the downright hilarious. Given Carlson's conservative label, some readers may be wary. That would be a mistake. Politicians is not about bashing liberals (indeed, Carlson admits that his ber-liberal cohost James Carville is "one of my favorite people"), but about the colorful and at times irreverent people who make politics so interesting and entertaining. The author reserves his criticism for stuffy politicians who take themselves too seriously, and he lavishes praise on those who make good on-air guests. Among these is the convicted former Ohio congressman, James Traficant, "because he was willing to appear on television drunk." Carlson's montage is packed with golden political nuggets ("if you're going to be shallow, I've always thought you'd better be amusing") as well as the secret to his success (just let people talk and they will tell you everything you need to know) and funny glimpses behind the scenes at live TV, including the producer from hell, the "seven forbidden words" on television and "easy turns," the "publicity hounds" without whom, he says, talk shows could not exist. At times, it's difficult to tell if Carlson is being serious or pulling your leg, but that is part of his charm. Anyone with a sense of humor will find this chronicle thoroughly enjoyable, and political junkies will likely laugh out loud more than once.