The Best Politics 2024

1. Gumption : Relighting the Torch of Freedom with America's Gutsiest Troublemakers (Paperback)

First paperback printing includes "Bonus chapter." The star of Parks and Recreation, co-host of Making It, and author of the New York Times bestseller Paddle Your Own Canoe returns with a second book that humorously highlights twenty-one figures from our nation's history, from her inception to present day--Nick's personal pantheon of "great Americans." To millions of people, Nick Offerman is America. Both Nick and his character, Ron Swanson, are known for their humor and patriotism in equal measure. After the great success of his autobiography, Paddle Your Own Canoe, Offerman now focuses on the lives of those who inspired him. From George Washington to Willie Nelson, he describes twenty-one heroic figures and why they inspire in him such great meaning. He combines both serious history with lighthearted humor--comparing, say, Benjamin Franklin's abstinence from daytime drinking to Nick's own sage refusal to join his construction crew in getting plastered on the way to work. The subject matter also allows Offerman to expound upon his favorite topics, which readers love to hear--areas such as religion, politics, woodworking and handcrafting, agriculture, creativity, philosophy, fashion, and, of course, meat. The book also features heroic yet humorous portraits by illustrator Ethan Nicolle, literally illuminating the twenty-one august figures.

The star of Parks and Recreation, co-host of Making It, and author of the New York Times bestseller Paddle Your Own Canoe returns with a second book that humorously highlights twenty-one figures from our nation’s history, from her inception to present day—Nick’s personal pantheon of “great Americans.” To millions of people, Nick Offerman is America. Both Nick and his character, Ron Swanson, are known for their humor and patriotism in equal measure. After the great success of his autobiography, Paddle Your Own Canoe, Offerman now focuses on the lives of those who inspired him. From George Washington to Willie Nelson, he describes twenty-one heroic figures and why they inspire in him such great meaning. He combines both serious history with lighthearted humor—comparing, say, Benjamin Franklin’s abstinence from daytime drinking to Nick’s own sage refusal to join his construction crew in getting plastered on the way to work. The subject matter also allows Offerman to expound upon his favorite topics, which readers love to hear—areas such as religion, politics, woodworking and handcrafting, agriculture, creativity, philosophy, fashion, and, of course, meat. The book also features heroic yet humorous portraits by illustrator Ethan Nicolle, literally illuminating the twenty-one august figures.

2. La Cucaracha (Paperback)

An anthropomorphic hipster cockroach is on the cutting-edge of American comic-strip humor. La Cucaracha (aka Cuco Rocha) and his pals voice the concerns and observations of the Latino-American community with an edgy, insightful wit. Through La Cucaracha, creator Lalo Alcaraz makes blunt social commentary both hard-hitting and hilarious. The result is not just a pleasure, but also a craving. The strong undercurrent of modern Latino themes and issues adds a sharp layer of meaning to the humor. In one strip, an immigrant bartender has listened to two customers rant, ""I'm telling ya, there's too many immigrants pouring into this country."" When one of the customers asks for another drink the bartender declares, ""I'm an immigrant, and guess what? I'm not pouring!"" This first of perceptive La Cucaracha humor will delight and gratify all audiences that appreciate intelligent, progressive, deeply amusing comics.

La Cucaracha (Paperback)

3. America Gone Wild! (Paperback)

"Insightful and venomously cynical political cartoons . . . Rall straddles stereotypes, avoids party lines like live wires. . . . A true freethinker." --Las Vegas Mercury There simply isn't a more polarizing, more controversial, or more widely read political and social cartoonist than Ted Rall. Matt Groening: "Ted Rall makes me laugh out loud." Rush Limbaugh: "What is sad is that such an ignoramus ends up as a prominent cartoonist in major newspapers." Janet Clayton, L.A. Times editorial page editor: "He's wonderfully incisive. He has a way of looking at the world that is rarely articulated in editorial cartoons." Bernard Goldberg, author of 100 People Who Are Screwing Up America "There is loathsome and there is beneath loathsome. And then there's Ted Rall." Love him or hate him, Rall has a unique drawing style and makes caustic social commentary that sets him apart from the pack. America Gone Wild features Rall's most controversial cartoons assembled for the first time in a single collection. Rall views his strips as a vehicle for driving social change. He applies his outrageous sense of humor to volatile topics from 9/11 and the Iraq war to social issues such as unemployment, the environment, and religion. This collection comprises his edgiest material and features lengthy behind-the-scenes commentary from Rall.

"Insightful and venomously cynical political cartoons . . . Rall straddles stereotypes, avoids party lines like live wires. . . . A true freethinker." --Las Vegas Mercury There simply isn't a more polarizing, more controversial, or more widely read political and social cartoonist than Ted Rall. Matt Groening: "Ted Rall makes me laugh out loud." Rush Limbaugh: "What is sad is that such an ignoramus ends up as a prominent cartoonist in major newspapers." Janet Clayton, L.A. Times editorial page editor: "He's wonderfully incisive. He has a way of looking at the world that is rarely articulated in editorial cartoons." Bernard Goldberg, author of 100 People Who Are Screwing Up America: "There is loathsome and there is beneath loathsome. And then there's Ted Rall." Love him or hate him, Rall has a unique drawing style and makes caustic social commentary that sets him apart from the pack. America Gone Wild features Rall's most controversial cartoons assembled for the first time in a single collection. Rall views his strips as a vehicle for driving social change. He applies his outrageous sense of humor to volatile topics from 9/11 and the Iraq war to social issues such as unemployment, the environment, and religion. This collection comprises his edgiest material and features lengthy behind-the-scenes commentary from Rall.

4. Dog vs. Cat: A Nation Divided : Dirty Tricks and Other Shocking Secrets from a Nasty Pet Election (Paperback)

It's been said politics makes for strange bedfellows. In this case, those fellows just happen to be furry. In Dog vs. Cat: A Nation Divided, cartoonist Don Asmussen creates a fun and fluffy mix of politics and pets that's outside the box. The litter box, that is. It has become ever apparent in recent years that divisiveness is poisoning our national debate. Discussion and compromise have been replaced by name-calling, bullying, and veiled hate speech. Never in our history has our country been so fractured between these two groups . . . dog lovers and cat lovers. Using metaphors from the political scene of both yesterday and today, Dog vs. Cat humorously parodies government silliness and squabbles through the eyes of a cartoon canine and kitty. Humorist Don Asmussen takes us behind the scenes for an investigative look at the controversial Spot vs. Mittens election-one that nearly scratched and clawed our country apart. The media gets accused of cat bias in its coverage of Mittens's affair with JenniPURR Flowers. Meanwhile, Spot's dog license is called into question at the Cat National Convention. Perfect for the pet owner who keeps an eye on the political arena, Dog vs. Cat scoops the stories-and then the yard-of all the funny, quirky things that cat lovers, dog lovers, and elected humans can do, all in the name of creating a pet-ter tomorrow.

It's been said politics makes for strange bedfellows. In this case, those fellows just happen to be furry. In Dog vs. Cat: A Nation Divided, cartoonist Don Asmussen creates a fun and fluffy mix of politics and pets that's outside the box. The litter box, that is. It has become ever apparent in recent years that divisiveness is poisoning our national debate. Discussion and compromise have been replaced by name-calling, bullying, and veiled hate speech. Never in our history has our country been so fractured between these two groups . . . dog lovers and cat lovers. Using metaphors from the political scene of both yesterday and today, Dog vs. Cat humorously parodies government silliness and squabbles through the eyes of a cartoon canine and kitty. Humorist Don Asmussen takes us behind the scenes for an investigative look at the controversial Spot vs. Mittens election-one that nearly scratched and clawed our country apart. The media gets accused of cat bias in its coverage of Mittens's affair with JenniPURR Flowers. Meanwhile, Spot's dog license is called into question at the Cat National Convention. Perfect for the pet owner who keeps an eye on the political arena, Dog vs. Cat scoops the stories-and then the yard-of all the funny, quirky things that cat lovers, dog lovers, and elected humans can do, all in the name of creating a pet-ter tomorrow.

5. Doonesbury: The War Within, 27 : One More Step at a Time (Series #27) (Paperback)

The initial stages of B.D.Us recovery from losing a leg in Iraq were dramatically portrayed in "The Long Road Home: One Step at a Time," but his healing journey was far from over. As this powerful sequel shows, the "war within" can be a long and lonely struggle, hardly the life of a "glamorous amputee" imagined by his daughter's jealous classmate. Your compassionate portrayal of Lieutenant B.D.'s recovery and struggle . . . has touched our Warrior family and opened the eyes of the rest of the world to the physical, emotional, and personal challenges our soldiers face." The initial stages of B.D.'s recovery from losing a leg in Iraq were dramatically portrayed in The Long Road Home: One Step at a Time, but his healing journey was far from over. As this powerful sequel shows, the "war within" can be a long and lonely struggle, hardly the life of a "glamorous amputee" imagined by his daughter's jealous classmate. With his coaching job at Walden re-secured and the marathon PT sessions paying off, B.D.'s return to normalcy seems to be progressing well. But those who love him see alarming signs of trouble, namely anger and alcohol. First there's the punching of an MP. Then there's the daily breakfast of beer, a subject not open for discussion even with a best-intentioned friend like Mike Doonesbury. And "the screaming at night isn't very Christmassy," Boopsie notes. As B.D. admits to his doctor, "I'd rather sleep with my weapon than my wife! How messed up is that?" Messed up enough that our wounded warrior forces himself to begin circling the local Vet Center, where he is gently and skillfully reeled in by a remarkable counselor and fellow Vietnam Vet named Elias. Their sessions together form an extraordinary and moving chronicle of catharsis and coming-to-terms. The words "Welcome home, soldier," are powerful and transformative, and B.D. is fortunate in finally getting to a place where he can hear them.

Your compassionate portrayal of Lieutenant B.D.'s recovery and struggle . . . has touched our Warrior family and opened the eyes of the rest of the world to the physical, emotional, and personal challenges our soldiers face." The initial stages of B.D.'s recovery from losing a leg in Iraq were dramatically portrayed in The Long Road Home: One Step at a Time, but his healing journey was far from over. As this powerful sequel shows, the "war within" can be a long and lonely struggle, hardly the life of a "glamorous amputee" imagined by his daughter's jealous classmate. With his coaching job at Walden re-secured and the marathon PT sessions paying off, B.D.'s return to normalcy seems to be progressing well. But those who love him see alarming signs of trouble, namely anger and alcohol. First there's the punching of an MP. Then there's the daily breakfast of beer, a subject not open for discussion even with a best-intentioned friend like Mike Doonesbury. And "the screaming at night isn't very Christmassy," Boopsie notes. As B.D. admits to his doctor, "I'd rather sleep with my weapon than my wife! How messed up is that?" Messed up enough that our wounded warrior forces himself to begin circling the local Vet Center, where he is gently and skillfully reeled in by a remarkable counselor and fellow Vietnam Vet named Elias. Their sessions together form an extraordinary and moving chronicle of catharsis and coming-to-terms. The words "Welcome home, soldier," are powerful and transformative, and B.D. is fortunate in finally getting to a place where he can hear them.

6. George W. Bush : An Unauthorized Oral History (Paperback)

More Info About George W. Bush: An Unauthorized Oral History Tom was so excited about the book that he couldn't help himself... he went to the Amazon book review site. It's a site where readers review books they've read. So this one woman from Texas loved the book. Says she laughed out loud many times. She gave the book 5 stars. Tom was thrilled. Out of curiosity, he checked to see what she thought of other books she read. Tom saw that she read and critiqued Catcher in the Rye. She gave that 4 stars. Tom's book got 5 stars. We got a real classic on our hands. I was captain of my college baseball team; he was a male cheerleader. I was a war hero; he was a draft dodger. I was a respected world leader; he's a buffoon. Is it any wonder the dope doesn't believe in evolution? --George H. W. Bush, former president During the Russian summit, instead of Ha As seen on the Late Show with David Letterman- Letterman: Any reaction from the President? Ruprecht: I'm not really worried about George Bush reading a book. Emmy-nominated humorist and political writer Tom Ruprecht offers up the first faux oral history of the United States' 43rd president. George W. Bush's life is presented in chronological order-from infancy to the beer-soaked floor of a Yale fraternity house, and from blowing off his questionable tenure with the National Guard to blowing off his presidential duties. Inspired quotes from the president's inner circle reveal long-simmering tensions between George H. W. and Barbara Bush; Condoleezza's unrequited love; Cheney's descent into madness; and much, much more.

More Info About George W. Bush: An Unauthorized Oral History Tom was so excited about the book that he couldn't help himself... he went to the Amazon book review site. It's a site where readers review books they've read. So this one woman from Texas loved the book. Says she laughed out loud many times. She gave the book 5 stars. Tom was thrilled. Out of curiosity, he checked to see what she thought of other books she read. Tom saw that she read and critiqued "Catcher in the Rye." She gave that 4 stars. Tom's book got 5 stars. We got a real classic on our hands." I was captain of my college baseball team; he was a male cheerleader. I was a war hero; he was a draft dodger. I was a respected world leader; he's a buffoon. Is it any wonder the dope doesn't believe in evolution?" --George H. W. Bush, former president During the Russian summit, instead of "Ha As seen on the Late Show with David Letterman- Letterman: Any reaction from the President? Ruprecht: "I'm not really worried about George Bush reading a book." Emmy-nominated humorist and political writer Tom Ruprecht offers up the first faux oral history of the United States' 43rd president. George W. Bush's life is presented in chronological order-from infancy to the beer-soaked floor of a Yale fraternity house, and from blowing off his questionable tenure with the National Guard to blowing off his presidential duties. Inspired quotes from the president's inner circle reveal long-simmering tensions between George H. W. and Barbara Bush; Condoleezza's unrequited love; Cheney's descent into madness; and much, much more.

7. Idiots in Charge : Lies, Trick, Misdeeds, and Other Political Untruthiness (Paperback)

Gregory offers more than 250 accounts of bumbling bureaucrats on both sides of political party lines.

Nothing is more important in the face of a war than cutting taxes." --Tom DeLay, America's Community Bankers meeting, March 12, 2003 * After revealing absurd 911 phone calls and America's dumbest criminal antics, former Saturday Night Live writer Leland Gregory skewers political pandering and pen-pushing philosophizing. Leland Gregory generates the best laughs by exposing the worst of human nature. Inside Idiots in Charge: Lies, Trick, Misdeeds, and Other Political Untruthiness Gregory offers more than 250 accounts of bumbling bureaucrats on both sides of political party lines: * David Spellman became mayor of Black Hawk, Colo., on July 12, 2006, a week after pleading guilty to felony menacing and third-degree assault for pistol-whipping his wife with a handgun and firing three shots in 2005. * County officials in Vermillion, Ind., were told by state homeland security officials in July 2006 to stop using the special emergency-only highway message boards to advertise their charity fish fries and spaghetti dinners. * District 1 Town Councilor David Watson resigned from his position as council vice chairman on January 23, 2007, after unintentionally forwarding an e-mail to 18 members of the New Elementary School Building Committee. The e-mail contained nine embedded images of topless women under the heading "This Is National Women's Breast Awareness Day." The only other text in the e-mail read, "Beats . . . Martin Luther King Day, doesn't it?"

8. 185 Stupid Things Republicans Have Said (Paperback)

185 STUPID THINGS REPUBLICANS HAVE SAID

Ted Rueter panders to Republican party lines by collecting 370 oratorical guffaws credited to popular politicians. Categorized in alphabetical order and presented by subject topic, the quips include: Osama bin Laden: "[Osama bin Laden] is either alive and well or alive and not well or not alive." --Donald Rumsfeld Misunderestimation: "They misunderestimated me." --George W. Bush

9. You Betcha! : The Witless Wisdom of Sarah Palin (Paperback)

"New York Times-"bestselling human stupidity historian Gregory sets his sights on everyone's favorite rogue hockey-mom, highlighting Palin's most cringe-worthy comments, including excerpts from the infamous Katie Couric interview, her acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, and sketchy explanations for her resignation as governor. A hilarious collection of the stubbornly ignorant and shockingly ludicrous remarks made by former Alaskan governor and 2008 Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin compiled by New York Times best-selling author Leland Gregory. Includes B&W photographs. Alaskan governor Sarah Palin launched onto the national political scene in 2008 when she was unexpectedly chosen as John McCain's running mate. Soon after, her oratory foibles, shaky stance on political policy, and ignorance of national/world affairs became priceless fodder for journalists and comedians. Now New York Times best-selling human stupidity historian Leland Gregory sets his sights on everyone's favorite rogue hockey-mom in You Betcha! The Witless Wisdom of Sarah Palin. Whether she's bagging on the President at a Tea Party, waging war on Family Guy, or slandering Bristol's ex-beau, one thing's for certain--Sarah Palin loves to be heard. Gregory has hunted down Palin's most cringe-worthy comments, including excerpts from the infamous Katie Couric interview, her acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, and sketchy explanations for her resignation as governor. Death panels, helicopter moose hunting, and all of her magic maverick moments are included in this anthology of photos, quotes, and anecdotal material that is sure to keep readers laughing so hard they'll want to cry.

A hilarious collection of the stubbornly ignorant and shockingly ludicrous remarks made by former Alaskan governor and 2008 Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin compiled by New York Times best-selling author Leland Gregory. Includes B&W photographs. Alaskan governor Sarah Palin launched onto the national political scene in 2008 when she was unexpectedly chosen as John McCain's running mate. Soon after, her oratory foibles, shaky stance on political policy, and ignorance of national/world affairs became priceless fodder for journalists and comedians. Now New York Times best-selling human stupidity historian Leland Gregory sets his sights on everyone's favorite rogue hockey-mom in You Betcha! The Witless Wisdom of Sarah Palin. Whether she's bagging on the President at a Tea Party, waging war on Family Guy, or slandering Bristol's ex-beau, one thing's for certain--Sarah Palin loves to be heard. Gregory has hunted down Palin's most cringe-worthy comments, including excerpts from the infamous Katie Couric interview, her acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, and sketchy explanations for her resignation as governor. Death panels, helicopter moose hunting, and all of her magic maverick moments are included in this anthology of photos, quotes, and anecdotal material that is sure to keep readers laughing so hard they'll want to cry.

10. Doonesbury: Mel's Story : Surviving Military Sexual Assault (Series #35) (Paperback)

9781449460327. New condition. Trade paperback. Language: English. Pages: 128. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 128 p. Contains: Illustrations, black & white. Doonesbury, 35. The first time B.D. encounters command-rape survivor Melissa Wheeler in the waiting room at the VA Center, he has no idea what to make of the scowling former chopper mechanic. But in the months that follow, witnessing Mel's pain and her healing process help him with his own, and B.D. ends up a staunch and encouraging ally. With the help of VA counsellors Cora and Elias, Wheeler is able to reframe her experience and move forward to the point where she re-ups and re-deploys, though the trauma and betrayal continue to haunt her. She and battlebud Roz masterfully manage a perilous rescue op of a downed USO chopper, and in the new post-DATD world the now-out Roz and her now-superior (That's SERGEANT bitch to you!) help wind down US ops in Afghanistan. Returning stateside, Mel's final obstacle is her father's cluelessness and a widespread reluctance to hear the truth of her story. As always, Trudeau manages to find humour and humanity in even a tale of suffering, and sheds serious light on one of the most pressing and undermining problems in our military today.

The fourth Doonesbury book focusing on the effects of combat on recent war veterans.  "An estimated 19,000 rapes and sexual assaults took place in the military last year. Every one of them represents a monstrous crime made much worse by the sense of betrayal that accompanied it. That so few victims--just one in seven--report these crimes underscores the utter lack of trust that pervades military culture."  -- Retired Gen. Loree Sutton and Garry Trudeau, in a Washington Post OpEd, June 29, 2013  The first time B.D. encounters command-rape survivor Melissa Wheeler in the waiting room at the VA Center, he has no idea what to make of the scowling former chopper mechanic. But in the months that follow, witnessing Mel's pain and her healing process help him with his own, and B.D. ends up a staunch and encouraging ally.  With the help of VA counselors Cora and Elias, Wheeler is able to reframe her experience and move forward to the point where she re-ups and re-deploys, though the trauma and betrayal continue to haunt her. She and battlebud Roz masterfully manage a perilous rescue op of a downed USO chopper, and in the new post-DADT world the now-out Roz and her now-superior ("That's SERGEANT bitch to you!") help wind down US ops in Afghanistan. Returning stateside, Mel's final obstacle is her father's cluelessness--and a widespread reluctance to hear the truth of her story.  As always, Trudeau manages to find humor and humanity in even a tale of suffering, and sheds serious light on one of the most pressing and undermining problems in our military today.