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Summary: You don't have to like politics to love this book!
Review: Mark Katz once played on Al Gore's apparent stiffness by having him wheeled on a dolly into an event by a UPS guy.When I heard that there were more "incidents" like that to read about, I bought "Clinton and Me". Mark delivers as promised. It is a funny book. That is enough to recommend it as a read. But it also shows insights into the lives and personalities of some of the most powerful people in the country and the people who work around them. Mark gives you a good story of a class clown who managed to make that a career whilst throwing a lot of behind the scenes action in. My husband and I, both with very different political views, read it at the same time, using two bookmarks. We both loved it. PJ
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Summary: A Superb Personal Spotlight On Political Humor
Review: This is a quirky book--part memoir, part modern history, with insight of unexpected depth and the funniest footnotes you'll ever read. No matter where you stand along the political spectrum, there's something in this book for you. There are those to whom even the name "Clinton" is incendiary, but Katz is neither an apologist nor a gossip-monger. Rather, he's a really funny guy telling hilariously wry and real stories about what happened to him while helping some politicians be a little funnier. Along the way, Katz gives his readers perspective different from those of the usual political wonks, deftly shining light on the vulnerability of those who had to convincingly make Katz's humorous words their own. The story of Katz's collaboration with Vice President Gore on one particular speech, showing us an eager-to-please, self-deprecating side of the "man-who-would-have-been-president" is a revelation worth the price of the book. Katz's take on those who inhabit the offices of American leadership is irreverent but respectful, a difficult line to straddle. This is not to say that Katz's political leanings are obscured; if you're a big fan of Richard Nixon or Bebe Rebozo, this might not be the memoir for you. If, however, you love a political raconteur who can share behind-the-scenes insight into the movers-and-shakers of our day and still make you laugh until diet Coke® squirts out your nose, "Clinton & Me" is definitely the next book you should buy. Katz's work isn't just about politics, but about growing up in the post-Watergate era and defining one's personal role in the post-Me Generation of the late 80's and 90's. His stories of childhood, family and friends (some wacky, some highly placed) are endearing, and his abilities as a political memoirist both amuse and enlighten. From Katz's negotiations to get Barney and Big Bird on the same stage (with one another as well as Barney Frank and Robert Byrd), to his work with Dukakis, Clinton, Gore, Albright and others, you will learn fascinating facts that make you giggle and prompt you to reconsider what you thought you knew. Long before you reach the making of the "Final Days" video, you'll have been hooked on Katz's style and storytelling. Dazzlingly funny, "Clinton & Me" is told by a man with an unusual role in the claustrophobic world of modern American politics. If Katz seems breathless as he imparts the surreality of riding aboard Air Force 2, being praised by Streisand or taking a telephone call from Mr. President, it only reinforces that Katz is one of us--a regular guy--who is a LOT funnier than we are. We should be grateful he shares with the class.
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Summary: Someone give John Kerry Mark Katz's phone number!
Review: This book provides a funny, insightful account of what few of us get to see - backstage at the White House. The unique perspective that Katz brings is that it is written from the point of view of a very funny "every man", not a political wonk like most books about the White House. Katz gives us a sense of the wonder and awe of entering the West Wing and working with Clinton, Al Gore and others, and gives us a window into the world of White House humor. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and laughed out loud through much of it. Now if Katz could only inject some humor into the current democratic candidate...
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Summary: Mark Katz is truly hilarious--A Must Read!
Review: I stumbled upon this book in a local shop...and I can't tell you how glad I am that I found it. Katz tackles politics and Clinton with a wit, intelligence, and irreverence that makes this book an absolutely delightful read. From his childhood to a job as Clinton's joke writer, we are treated to the story of a class clown who somehow manages to becomes the humorist in chief for The White House. The jokes are funny, the narrative is charming, and the look inside the machinations of The White House is remarkable. Political junkies and humor fans be forewarned: you will not be able to put this book down!
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Summary: A Terrific Book: Not for Political Junkies Only!
Review: I enjoyed this book from the first page to the last. It succeeds on many different levels. First, it's a great read. Although it is a memoir, it reads like a novel, and the author's comedic talents shine on every page. It is also a poignant coming-of-age tale, and it explains how someone with such an unusual aptitude ends up channeling that aptitude in creative and unorthodox ways. It also works as a political memoir, from the author's days in the Dukakis campaign (where he got his start) to his triumphs (and occasional tribulations)in the Clinton/Gore White House. This book is worth reading just for the egg timer vignette that makes up the prologue, or the brilliant story of when the author received his first telephone call from the President. In this election year, where I dare say we need a little levity to counter the heavy-handed politicking of the endless primary, this book comes as welcome relief and a special treat. But it is not for political junkies only. It is simply a terrific book!
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Summary: Wit and Wisdom
Review: Mark Katz writes with a real feel for politics and for his unique craft. The descriptions of his days as a "young wise-ass" are laugh out loud funny. His recounting of his encounters with President Clinton are both fun and give insight into the personality of one of our most interesting presidents. For anyone who loves politics and laughing, this book is a must read.
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Summary: Even the footnotes are funny!
Review: This book is about the development of a unique and highly specialized industry -- humor writing as an instrument of presidential politics -- and how one of this industry's undisputed masters developed his humor sensibility. The book recounts how this rare meeting of talent and opportunity helped the Clinton administration use humor to tackle or deflect its many travails. And yes, even the book's footnotes are funny.
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Summary: From the Guy Who Made Michael Dukakis Funny
Review: Writing jokes for political people is unlike writing jokes for someone like Letterman or Leno. If the President or Secretary of State tells a joke, chances are everyone is going to laugh, whether the joke is funny or not. People tend to hold Letterman to a higher standard, humor-wise. So the guy who writes jokes for the President only has to make the President laugh. Which may explain why Mark Katz's book is not very funny to me. While I was interested in how someone becomes a joke writer for the President, I was not as interested in Katz's rather boring, suburban New Jersey childhood. I really did not like his revenge-tinged stories of teachers who found him disruptive in class, or his kiss-and-tell story of how, after he became successful, he got lucky with a woman who wouldn't go out with him in college. The story drags until he gets back to the political stories. I enjoyed reading about Katz's dealings with Madeleine Albright, Al Gore, and Bill Clinton. I even enjoyed the story of the bizarre negotiations to get Big Bird and Barney on the same stage with the President. And the book ends with a pretty good story, too. Oddly enough, the jokes Mark Katz tells here are not funny. On the other hand, George Stephanopolous, Al Gore, and Katz's friend, Fisher, come across as very funny. And what is with the footnotes? I usually read footnotes, but Katz goes crazy with them here, and this isn't even the sort of book that really merits footnotes. So, my advice is to quickly skim the first half of Clinton & Me, skipping the footnotes, and enjoy the second half.
Rating:
Summary: This book is worth reading!
Review: In addition to the political anecdotes, what makes this book so engaging are the stories Mark Katz shares about his family. It enables the reader to fully understand the people who helped develop his enthusiasm for comedy and politics. More than just another memoir by another jaded ex-Clinton aide, this book is a fun look at life both in (and out) of the White House.
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Summary: A Star is Born
Review: Mark Katz has arrived. While previously known only to Washington insiders as the premier source to turn to lighten up any important speech with brilliant humor, the entire world
is now blessed to know his rare talent. Clinton and Me is a "laugh-a-minute" read that will have you wondering how it is possible for one young person to be so consistantly witty and downright funny. So engaging is Katz that it is literally impossible not to finish this hysterical book in a single sitting.
Without question we are witnessing the coming of age of the next Jerry Seinfeld and it will not be long before a smart major network gobbles up Katz with a long term deal for a comedy talk show or political sitcom that will catapult Mark Katz into primetime.
READ THIS BOOK NOW AND REMEMBER, YOU HEARD IT HERE...FIRST!!!!!!!!!
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