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Politicians, Partisans, and Parasites: My Adventures in Cable News Kindle Edition

by Tucker Carlson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 396 ratings
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From the host of Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News comes a wild and informative ride behind the scenes of a news correspondent.

"A must read for Americans of any party." -- Rev. Al Sharpton

Political pundit Tucker Carlson cracks commentary on all things Washington with the acerbic wit and razor-sharp insight that have made him a beloved conservative commentator. An unabashed insider whose profile is unmatched, Carlson stands ready to pounce on anyone and everyone who dares enter the political fray. Whether it's the towel-snapping prowess of former presidents or the dumbfounding exploits of his predecessors, there is no sacred ground. Carlson's debut covers his beat with equal parts hilarity and insight in a jocular review that both exposes and defends the absurdity that underlies the world of politics.
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  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Grand Central Publishing
  5. Publication date
    September 15, 2003
  6. File size
    331 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

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 Ober-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.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Carlson is the conservative team member, the guy in the bow tie, on CNN's political-debate program Crossfire. His book is both memoir and commentary on current politics and the media--all with a slant, of course. Although many readers will disagree with his attitudes and precepts, everyone has to admit he is a good storyteller, intelligent and witty and sure of himself. He recalls his climb to his current TV position, which included formative time spent on the CNN show Spin Room. In the process, we certainly learn how cutthroat the television world is. Never averse to expressing an opinion, Carlson offers his own interesting philosophy on how to behave in front of a camera, which includes the maxim that "arguing a position you don't really support is a sure way to wind up loathing yourself. Plus, genuine conviction makes for a good debate. Phoniness is easy to spot." And this, too: "As the host, it's up to you to decide what happens on the show. And no matter what the producer says, you have the power to do it." The bottom line is, of course, that readers' gut-level responses will depend on which side of the liberal-conservative spectrum they find themselves. Librarians should expect demand. Brad Hooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000FBJAE6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grand Central Publishing (September 15, 2003)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 15, 2003
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 331 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 396 ratings

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Tucker Carlson

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
396 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Robin Landry
5.0 out of 5 stars Laugh-out-loud humor
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2019
Verified Purchase
I enjoy listening to Tucker every night, and I read his first book, but this one is even better than watching him live. Tucker dishes on what goes on 'backstage' with some of the biggest names in politics. From Jesse Jackson(has every question and answer written out for him) Jim Trafficant( showed up under the influence for live TV, something few are brave enough to do), John McCain(a tough guy in real life) and on it goes. Tucker shares how hard it is to not burst into laughter on live TV, something I always suspected by the way he frowns while listening to the rediculous statements his guests sometimes give.
I actually enjoyed this book better than Ship of Fools, which was an intelligent look on the problems we have today in our society and especially politics, but this book is just plain fun.
Tucker reminds me of Johnny Carson, that rare, humble, brilliant, humorous kind of host who could skewer his guests but never does.
10 people found this helpful
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aehtorod
5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievably funny.
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2013
Verified Purchase
Tears of laughter rolled down my cheeks through most of the read.

The really wonderful thing about Tucker Carlson is that he says exactly what he thinks. And, he has such an incisive mind and such a quick wit that what he thinks is frequently hilarious. Whether he's skewering Bill O'Reilly, Jesse Jackson, Karen Hughes and Jerry Falwell, or lauding Bill Maher, Alan Keyes and James Carville, Carlson's deftness of description is a pure delight.

My very favorite line in the book describes Alan Keyes oratory perfection: "He routinely launches into sentences so complex, with so many independent clauses, that no ordinary person could complete them without a written diagram. Keyes does it every time. He never says 'um.' " Having barely heard of Alan Keyes, I looked him up on YouTube. Carlson's characterization is dead on. Keyes' excellence as an orator and logician is, in my experience, unequalled in today's political arena. I would never have noticed this trait in him. I chalk it up to Tucker's brilliance that he thought on a dimension that allowed him to appreciate Keyes' gift.

This book is a quick and easy read. it's incredibly funny. And, it gives fascinating insights into a number of the past few decades' worth of interesting characters in Washington politics.

Definitely worth buying and definitely worth reading.
17 people found this helpful
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Steve in NJ
4.0 out of 5 stars One of his earlier books
Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2018
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I really enjoyed this book but was somewhat disappointed it was written so long ago when he was at anther job. I always enjoy listening to him on TV and find him very credible and even just ordered his latest boo, Ship of Fools. He's very articulate and doesn't let talking heads go on with tier pre-programed talking points.
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Ronald in Hawaii
5.0 out of 5 stars Super Funny. Chops up Jessie Jackson
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2019
Verified Purchase
This was written by pre-Fox News Tucker and its is a riot. Tucker is a gifted writer. And his weapon is a rapier wit making fun of all the hypocrites and fools and charlatans and yes parasites. I read this about 13 years ago and remember vividly how he chopped up Jessie Jackson so deftly. Jessie, of course, had his good moments, but was largely a charlatan and a hustler and even, at times, a shake down artist. And of course, he was a "reverend for hire" in case you needed someone to publicly pray with and get public forgiveness.

A great book and extremely candid. I knew that Tucker could not write too many of these books because no one would talk to him. But after 13 years he has a new one out and it is very funny also.
9 people found this helpful
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Chet Nagle
5.0 out of 5 stars Entertainment, Education, and Great Gossip!
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2003
Verified Purchase
I'm not a TV or celebrity junkie, but I have often wondered about the personal characteristics of many public figures. This book lays them out. Flat. And with style, grace, and humor. Carlson has the obligatory section on Monica Lewinsky, for example, but he focuses on her California doctor instead of what we have been told by the media, ad nauseum. And what a doctor! Then there are portraits of others, from Senator McCain to Bill Press, all surely accurate (Carlson is, after all, a journalist) and vastly entertaining. His great gift, however, is to paint a brilliant picture of a personality without being snide or vicious. He even portrays himself. In fact, the scene of Carlson edging over the fat sleeping Moroccan gent to try to get back to his cramped airline seat - and landing on the screaming guy's lap... I'm laughing out loud again as I write this. That scene alone is worth the modest price of this book. It is a 5 star read, perfect for a Christmas gift. I only wish it was longer -- and no, you can't borrow mine.
13 people found this helpful
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Rosato
5.0 out of 5 stars A good one from Tucker
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2019
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I read Ship of Fools, which was brilliant, so I had to get his first book written before the Fox show Tucker Carlson Tonight. If you like behind the scenes memoirs then read this one. Insightful, thoughtful, and very funny. His take on the mechanics of how a news show works is eye opening and puts you right on the set of the studio. He writes with a breezy, easy conversational style. I laughed out loud at some of the passages while learning some very interesting facts about this industry. It's a quick read but it's loaded with great anecdotes. If you're a Tucker fan you'll love it.
17 people found this helpful
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Peter Wormwood.
5.0 out of 5 stars I would have a beer with him.
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2020
Verified Purchase
CNN, wow. I don't see how Tucker ever fit in there.
I found Carlson to be earthy but honest. This reads like a tell all but with lots of humor.
What a dirty business and yet I feel he pulls it off with the kind of honor you would expect from Huckleberry Finn. I liked the book.
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Pure Tucker Carlson
Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2018
Verified Purchase
Tucker tells it like it is, unusual these days or more so a forgotten art. I know deep down in his heart he is waiting for the day when someone from the left, and some from the right, would actually answer his questions truthfully. So am I.
5 people found this helpful
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