Booknote

I've got this working theory that Al Franken has come to occupy a place in American public life formerly held by Gore Vidal. Franken, like Vidal is a writer/entertainer by trade, albeit on a slightly less elevated intellectual plane who has parlayed his celebrity status and connections into a moderately visible gig in political commentary. Both men are fairly leftist, Vidal moreso than Franken, but both also have a peculiar relationship to the social and political establishment which gives them unique access and perspective. Each has harbored an affinity for a disappointing conservative Democratic President (Vidal was close with the Kennedys and Franken makes no secret of his admiration of Clinton.) Franken's subversive wit and willingness to exhibit it in a confrontational manner are particularly reminiscent of Vidal who once nearly got William F. Buckley to punch him in the face on national television. Of course, Franken's similar stand off with Bill O'Reilly is still fresh in the public mind. While Vidal continues to prolifically turn out his criticism and such well into his seventies, Franken certainly is more in the public eye these days. I mention all of this because I finally got to read Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them this week. When you work at the library you tend to make use of its facilities This generally means that you buy fewer books and place the ones you want to read on hold. This, of course, means you have to wait in line for the popular stuff. This one was very much worth the wait. Now I can get started on Lesson Before Dying. I am required to read this one so that I may be in compliance with the One Book One New Orleans Regulations.