November 14, 2001

10:05 AM

Eat the RichI just re-read this P.J. O'rourke book. I don't agree with all of P.J.'s conclusions, but I HIGHLY recommend you give this book a read if you find yourself thinking along "wealth is theft" lines.
posted by Leonard (26 comments total)

A link to an ad for a book? What are we supposed to do with that? This is what book clubs are for...
posted by jpoulos at 10:13 AM on November 14, 2001

Wasn't the book from 1999?

Not to be snarky, I'm just making the distinction between news and NEWS. Maybe we could have a Recommendations section of MetaTalk for books, CDs, software, etc. It would definitely come in handy, as right now I'm looking for 3D graphics program recommendations. But that's beside the point. Metafilter would be a mess if front page posts were all "I just saw a cool movie from the 80s, you should check it out".
posted by Karl at 10:16 AM on November 14, 2001

I just saw O'Rourke on the Daily Show pushing his new book, CEO of the Sofa which came out Sept. 2.
posted by eyeballkid at 10:20 AM on November 14, 2001

man, it's an ad on the front page, no matter what.
and anyway O'Rourke's jingoistic, Reaganite, National Lampoon drunken antics are soooo 1985.
posted by matteo at 10:25 AM on November 14, 2001

It's P.J.'s 54th birthday, cut him some slack...no, wait, he never cut anyone else slack so why bother? Hey, look, P.J., Bill Clinton, Mia Farrow, Michael Moore and Richard Branson in the same room--for some reason I now have Cher's "Gypies, Tramps and Thieves" running through my head.
posted by m@ at 10:36 AM on November 14, 2001

I tried! I linked to his site directly, not amazon..

It really is a very interesting book, it had been a few years since I read it first and it seemed VERY applicable to a lot of the discussion I read here..
posted by Leonard at 10:52 AM on November 14, 2001

I love his writing. I don't agree with most of his "stuff", but I dare anyone to find a more humorous writer on politics these days. If you know anyone, tell me, please.
posted by adampsyche at 10:55 AM on November 14, 2001

adampsyche: try Rich Lowry over at National Review Online. He's hilarious, if unintentionally so. He writes like an adolescent who just learned to masturbate.
posted by Ty Webb at 11:01 AM on November 14, 2001

Don't miss the "Read Samples" link on this page. Sure it's an ad, but the samples are generous -- and funny.
posted by Faze at 11:01 AM on November 14, 2001

He writes like an adolescent who just learned to masturbate

Which is a self-referential phrase.
posted by marknau at 11:12 AM on November 14, 2001

He writes like an adolescent who just learned to masturbate

Which is a self-referential phrase.

Actually it's a simile.
posted by Ty Webb at 11:15 AM on November 14, 2001

and anyway O'Rourke's jingoistic, Reaganite, National Lampoon drunken antics are soooo 1985.


Took the words right outta my mouth.
posted by preguicoso at 11:38 AM on November 14, 2001

When I read a book and love it, I like to talk about it with everybody. Ditto movies. Many of them even illuminate some MeFi conversations. But jeezus, if everybody just linked to books they love and think touch on some MeFi issues, this page would be even more cumbersome than it already is.
posted by argybarg at 11:59 AM on November 14, 2001

Man, I'm not going to write what I recommend to people who find themselves thinking along "wealth is theft" lines.
(Epic battle with self-control)
I'm not, I'm not.
posted by Catch at 12:16 PM on November 14, 2001

If someone wants to post book recommendations on the front page, I have no problem with it, personally. If I want a news portal, I generally go to cnn.com or something like that. Bring it on, says I.
posted by Hildago at 12:50 PM on November 14, 2001

Props for trying, Leonard. Sorry if I snarked.
posted by jpoulos at 1:43 PM on November 14, 2001

Oh I'm sorry I thought you meant Mickey Rourke...
posted by feelinglistless at 2:22 PM on November 14, 2001

Book club, anyone?
posted by ColdChef at 2:28 PM on November 14, 2001

I've always loved "How to Drive Fast on Drugs While Getting Your Wing-Wang Squeezed and Not Spill Your Drink" from Republican Party Reptile.

It's not as much a philosophical treatise as it is a way of life.
posted by coolgeek at 2:41 PM on November 14, 2001

P.J. Is the god of the side parting. And witty line, the god of that too. Is it possible to be more than one god of wit at any one time? Unsure. I agree with the link, purely because I like the book. Lots. In fact, I'd probably support a P.J. O'Rourke 'link-a-week' section. I'm that sad.
posted by nedrichards at 3:49 PM on November 14, 2001

Three words: Read Ayn Rand.
posted by wiinga at 6:02 PM on November 14, 2001

This book struck a chord, because I read a great post on the Fool which referenced it. I'd like to post it here, but it's huge. Definitely a good reminder why capitalism is a good thing.
posted by MarkO at 6:17 PM on November 14, 2001

Oh man, what pissed me off was that in the introduction he admitted he hadn't even bother finding out where he stole the title from: it was the name of an excellent anarchist-inspired English comedy film and also the name of the theme song recorded for the soundtrack by the awesome Motorhead.

Imperialist lackey!
posted by chrisgregory at 7:41 PM on November 14, 2001

He writes like an adolescent who just learned to masturbate.

If I ever publish a book, Ty Webb, will you please say that about me, even if it's not true, so I can quote it on the back cover?

I reckon an adolescent who just learned to masturbate is probably about the most enthusiastic (if self-involved) person on the planet. Enthusiasm good.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 12:46 AM on November 15, 2001

Four words: Don't read objectivist propaganda.
posted by skechada at 6:34 AM on November 15, 2001

How I wish that my momma had told me that! Back in those innocent young days before my mind had been poisoned by the objectivists, and their evil, soul-shrivelling power!

What are you talking about, skechada? Sounds like it might be fun...
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 1:44 AM on November 16, 2001