Author: Meghan McCain and Michael Ian Black
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Da Capo Press
Publish Date: June 5, 2012
Source: Library
Why You're Reading This Book:
- You're a non-fiction fan
- You like politics.
From Goodreads.com: "In the summer of 2011, McCain and Black embarked on a balls-out, cross-country tour. Along the way, they spoke to politicians, gun lovers, abortion-rights advocates and opponents, gay parents, flag burners, Muslims, poker players, Tea Partiers, Minutemen, veterans, teen moms, bikers, fast food workers, and a hooker or two. They toured the White House. They fired semiautomatic weapons. They stopped and ate at every Olive Garden along the way. But mostly they talked to each other about their differences, their similarities. It’s Chelsea Handler meets Hunter S. Thompson in a political cannonball run across America."
My Two Cents:
When I saw this book at the library, it just looked really interesting to me mostly because it's such a strange concept. Take Meghan McCain, daughter of former GOP Presidential candidate John McCain and Michael Ian Black, comedian with fairly liberal views, and throw them in a stinky RV for a trip across the country together. It sounds strange, but it actually works pretty well.
This book is a sort of love letter to America and all of its wonderfulness and strangeness and eccentricities. During the ride, McCain and Black discuss all things politics and all of the different things that they see along the way. They have some pretty interesting adventures (strip club with stripper named G-cup B*tch? How could you not be intrigued). Aside from all their adventures, they really do explore some of the things that make living in America really awesome.
With as silly as the concept is, the book gave me a lot to think about especially with the particular political climate that we're in right now. Everything that you see on tv about the politics in the country makes it look like we're all trying to out American each other or rather to try to prove who is the best American. We're all Americans. We all make this place pretty great. It would be super boring if we all believed the same things. The purpose of our discourse should really be to try to make things better. Rigorous debate will obviously be a part of that but let's keep it to debate instead of cut-downs, eh? This point is really the driving force of this book.
Bottom line: This is a strange adventure with something to think about!
I love reading political books and this one looks great because the idea of it does seem crazy. Adding to my TBR list!
ReplyDeleteIt's such an original idea!
DeleteI was wondering how this one was! I've been really into political stuff in the past few years, but I've also been into reading stuff about the interactions between people of both parties because that is something that frustrates and maddens me! I'll keep this one in mind. I had started reading the free sample on my nook but wasn't sure if I'd like the whole dialog thing for the entire book.
ReplyDeleteYou and me both. I think that our country would be moving forward a lot more if we could all learn to have civilized conversations with each other. One chapter that really spoke to me is when they go visit Dennis Kucinich. You would think that the daughter of John McCain and Mr. Kucinich would not get along at all but they do. McCain makes an observation that Kucinich really believes that what he what he does and wants really is in the best interest for the country and that we all want good things for the country, we just have different ideas as to how we're going to get there. That has to be okay!!!
Delete