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Title: On Politics: A Carnival of Buncombe by H. L. Mencken, Malcolm Moos ISBN: 0-8018-5342-7 Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press Pub. Date: 01 June, 1996 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 5 (5 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Mencken on politics
Comment: This book is a collection of political columns, written mostly for the Baltimore Sun, that H.L. Mencken penned in the early twentieth century. In virtually every piece, Mencken advances the view that politicians are third-rate men, devoid of convictions, willing to follow any platform that will make them electable. The only politicians Mencken likes are those that he believes have spine. He detests politicians that waver, particularly those that try to sit on both sides of the fence on the abolition issue.
Mencken is at his best when he covers presidential campaigns, as he does in many columns in this collection. He revels in the empty rhetoric he hears, and describes the bilge to the reader in truculent and uncompromising language. The whole art of politics, to him, is circus-like. The pols are clowns and their election speeches are the main act.
Anyone looking for sober commentary should look elsewhere. But anyone looking for extremely witty, well-written and combative columns should pick up this collection. There is probably no better example of attack-dog journalism out there, nor is there likely a more entertaining way to get a quick history lesson on the important political figures and issues of the early twentieth century. Enjoy!
Rating: 5
Summary: A great book by one of the great American humorists
Comment: If you are looking for a book on H.L. Mencken, I would highly recommend "On Politics." This book highlights Mencken at his most acidic through his constant verbal jabs at the "holy" Woodrow Wilson, "Silent" Cal, the "royalist" Hoover, Roosevelt Minor and the stupidity of Warren Harding.(Note: Take a look at what Mencken writes about Harding's mangling of the english language and then compare it to what some modern columnists write about George W's handling of the language. It is truly scary how history repeats itself.)
Besides being an utterly hilarious look at the aforementioned presidents and American society in general, this book is quite eye-opening in terms of showing Mencken's political leanings. I always thought that Mencken was a pure liberatarian with his constant attacks on the New Deal and FDR. Actually, Mencken somewhat liked FDR up until he was elected. Mencken also sides with progressive politicians such as Robert M. LaFollete and expresses sympathy (or as much "sympathy" as the great misanthrope can express) for jailed socialist leader Eugene Debs. Nevertheless, all of the aforementioned people also receive Mencken verbal lashings.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone interested in early 20th century American politics or for anyone with a slightly cynical bent. On days when you feel slightly misanthropic and (mad) at the world, read "On Politics" and you feel much, much better.
Favorite Mencken Quote: "All artists are idiots."
Rating: 5
Summary: Politically Incorrect
Comment: Buy everything you can find that was written by H. L Mencken, this collection is no exception. Mencken was one of the most influential and popular men of letters in America. He covered the Scopes Monkey Trial as a reporter for the Baltimore Sun, and was editor of two literary magazines: Smart Set and the American Mercury. His popularity waned for a variety of reasons. While he teased presidents Harding, Coolidge and Hoover, he gave no quarter when it came to FDR, referring to him "Dr. Roosevelt" and "Roosevelt minor." He had little use for the New Deal. "The New Deal began, like the Salvation Army, by promising to save humanity. It ended, again like the Salvation Army, by running flop-houses and disturbing the peace." This and his pro-German attitudes didn't go over too well in the depression and war years. But over the last twenty or thirty years Mencken has enjoyed a resurgence or interest and popularity. As a journalist, a wit and a social critic he has no peer today.
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Title: Prejudices: A Selection by H. L. Mencken ISBN: 0801853419 Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press Pub. Date: 01 April, 1996 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: H.L. Mencken's Smart Set Criticism by H. L. Mencken, William H. Nolte ISBN: 0895262312 Publisher: Gateway Editions Pub. Date: 15 March, 2001 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Treatise on the Gods by H. L. Mencken, H.L. Mencken ISBN: 080185654X Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press Pub. Date: 01 June, 1997 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: Mencken Chrestomathy by H. L. Mencken ISBN: 0394752090 Publisher: Vintage Books USA Pub. Date: 01 April, 1982 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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Title: The Vintage Mencken by H. L. Mencken, Alistair Cooke ISBN: 0679728953 Publisher: Vintage Books USA Pub. Date: 01 March, 1990 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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