I’m putting this book in the Humorous Fiction
category because that’s where author Christopher Buckley obviously intended his book to be. This is a spoof of the White House insider memoir
. The author
is Herbert Wadlough, an Assistant to the President. President Thomas Nelson Tucker, the Democratic successor to President Reagan is his boss. But I can’t think of any book I’ve ever read that is more unfunny than this book. I am reminded of Fox News’ not-so-hilarious attempt to have their own funny version of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Let’s take a look at a clip from that:
Were you rolling on the floor, unable to contain your mirth? If so, The White House Mess is for you!
Let’s go to a clip
from Buckley’s book. The setting is the White House Oval Office. A number of President Tucker’s advisers are discussing ways to relieve the besieged American base in Bermuda. A rebel
in Bermuda has taken over the country’s sweater factories and put their former owners to work making garments. A large number of his supporters rush the base.
Clanahan spoke up.
Mr. Smith here has something that might be of comfort.This was the first time I or most of the people in the room had heard of GB-322.The idea of putting large numbers of people to sleep struck me as being eminently sensible. Feeley, however, became extremely agitated. He devotes three pages to his argument against GB-322 in The Outrage of Power.
Gas?he said in a loud, demonstrative voice.You want to gas them?
And later, after the rioters have been put to sleep and no one is hurt:
Only the New York Post approved, with its full page, Ready, Aim, Whoosh! The Washington Post editorial was titled
Jonestown Diplomacy.The U.N. convened the Security COuncil. Greece introduced the resolution condemning us for
crimes against humanity.The vote was 14-1. We vetoed the resolution, but then our Ambassador to the U.N. was quoted in the Times as saying he had beenprivately appalledat the President’s decision.
Just. Not. Funny.
Buckley seems to be more concerned with getting in digs at Democrats and Europe and other Washington insiders. The blurbs on the back are all from Washington insiders (George Will, John Kenneth Galbraith, David A. Stockman, and Bob Woodward). It might be funny to them and other politicos. It’s good that they can laugh at themselves. Uproariously funny at a Washington cocktail party of the time I’m sure. But not outside the beltway.
Title: The White House mess
Author: Christopher Buckley
Imprint / publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
Format: Hardcover
Length: 224 p.
Publication date: 1986
ISBN-10: 0-394-54940-6
LC classification: PS3552.U339W5 1986
