Maintaining the froideur that has won her little public support, First Lady Elizabeth Tyler MacMann needs to find the hottest lawyer in town to defend her in the biggest murder trial in America's history. And that means taking on the services of the fiance she dumped at law school in order to marry the then distinguished war hero who eventually becomes President. Serially divorced, Boyce Baylor is not surprised - he's the only attorney up to the job and he knows it. It's all going swimmingly - he's got it nailed, until his client decides she wants to take the stand and restore her reputation and he has no choice but to acquiesce. Throw in several egos the size of the White House, media-spin like there's no tomorrow, the old boy network, some very underhand business involving the FBI, a pregnancy, a few sex toys and a dose of Viagra and you're some way into this delicious farce - which becomes all the more delicious when you realise how small a leap of the imagination is required to get there.
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'Outrageous, surreal, absurd, farcical and hugely politically incorrect.' -- The Guardian
About the Author
Christopher Buckley is the Editor of Forbes Magazine and author of several bestselling novels, most recently LITTLE GREEN MEN. He lives in Washington with his wife, two daughters and a dog.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By taking a rest
HALL OF FAME
Format:Hardcover
Christopher Buckley has written fiction, non-fiction, plays, poetry, and dozens of articles for prominent publications. I have enjoyed his work, but this, "No Way To Treat A First Lady", is absolutely the best piece of writing he has done. In satirical pieces he has written in the past there was often spirited debate about just who was being put through the meat grinder, not so this time. Often real names are used with only the last named thinly disguised, and as a rule if a person is mentioned they are generally next in line for being flayed. There are times a writer is said to have a metaphorical rapier like wit; Buckley uses a rapier but his drips blood.
There are times when he simply has a bit of fun when giving the First Lady the moniker of Lady Bethmac. However most of the time he is out to score and for that I applaud him. He describes one attorney who you will immediately recognize as having been part of a certain dream team for a Heisman trophy winner. He describes the attorney as not being satisfied with acquitting a multiple murderer, but needing to stand in front of the press while blood still drips from his client's shoes.
Buckley was clearly incensed by the events in Brentwood and the farce that followed in both the criminal and civil courts. Where else but in America can you be found not guilty and walk free, and then be found responsible for the same crime. The latter is still not really an issue for one need only relocate to a friendly state like Florida, which in addition to being a state that is unable to successfully conduct an election for dogcatcher also welcomes certain dregs of society and happily protects their assets.
Great satire is hilarious, exceptional satire is also about and contains a great deal of serious thought on the people and subjects it touches and then shreds. This is a very amusing book to read, but when also acknowledged for the social commentary it contains, the book is elevated well above a humorous read.
Buckley the elder is an established man who has earned a place in the pantheon of great writers, thinkers, and modern persons that have earned the respect to be as skilled in a variety of disciplines as to have renaissance used to describe their talents. Christopher, or Buckley the younger, did not fall far from the paternal tree. He did land in soil more acidic and perhaps more accessible to readers than his father. In any event we are fortunate to have another Buckley that will continue to offer a unique view on life.
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I picked this book up on impulse to while away the time on a plane journey. I've forgotten where that journey was to, but I can tell you that this book is now firmly one of my favourites, far more memorable than many others (and certainly more than that journey was!). Buckley is an acute observer of US politics and an excellent satirist, and in this book he uses his obvious in-depth personal experience of Washington life and his observation and frequent scorn of modern pop culture to scathing - and very very funny - effect! Presidents, Lawyers, Government Agencies, TV, Celebrities - none escape unscathed by the ending of this very modern tale, which was perfect. Hugely funny characters, even the naughty ones are good (to read about!), and Buckley's very carefully-chosen words made me laugh out loud (rare for me when reading). Buy this one, you won't regret it! His other books like Florence of Arabia, Little Green Men and the White House Mess are well worth reading too.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
West Wing meets Christopher Brookmyre. President MacMann is discovered dead in bed clubbed to death by the Paul Revere spittoon; the First Lady is arrested and turns to Boyce "Shameless" Baylor for her defence, despite the fact that she dumped him at college to marry Ken MacMann. This biting political satire doubles as a clever legal thriller and is perfect mix of political humour and superb courtroom drama. It is also very, very funny and I defy you not to laugh out loud at least once on every page.
Christopher Buckley has been editor-in-chief of Forbes FYI since its launch has won Thurber Prize for American Humour as well as being presented with the Washington Irving Medal for Literary Excellence. He spent two years at the White House as a speech writer.
Christopher Buckley has been editor-in-chief of Forbes FYI since its launch has won Thurber Prize for American Humour as well as being presented with the Washington Irving Medal for Literary Excellence. He spent two years at the White House as a speech writer.
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