The Forbidden Political Dictionary: Complete and Unapproved - Softcover

Clifton, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0976084635 ISBN 13: 9780976084631

Publisher: Foley Square Books, 2010

Synopsis

Ever wonder what politicians mean by words like "transparency," "reform," "diversity,""nation-building?" Award-finalist author John Clifton shows you in this handy guide that it's never what you think! It's all here, from "academia" to "Zionism," insightfully and perversely defined for you in terms that leave the language laid bare, and, occasionally, laid in ruins. Here is a "Devil's Dictionary" of political words and phrases, illustrated with cartoons by the author, that will have conservatives and liberals laughing and thinking at the same time.

About this title

From the Publisher

Just when the nation couldn't seem more politically polarized, when the rhetoric from both left and right is often at best divisive and at worst downright nasty, comes this wickedly funny book that paints a moustache on the whole political scene, left, right, and in between. But perhaps describing The Forbidden Political Dictionary as simple moustache-painting does it an injustice, for there is much wit, and even wisdom, in its pages.

Owing more than a casual nod to the Ambrose Bierce classic, "The Devil's Dictionary," John Clifton's "handy guide" is full of perverse definitions of common words daily bandied about by politicos and pundits, and manages to strike the funny bone and the truth bone simultaneously. Pervading the definitions (all alphabetically ordered, like any typical dictionary) is the sense of cutthroat rivalry among political figures, operating in the context of polished public images and devious private actions. A simple word like "gift" becomes "A self-damaging error made by a rival." The verb "smear" is merely defined as "Describe" in Clifton's political paradigm. How is a reader supposed to react to that? The first response is laughter; the second is realization that maybe someone is onto something here. The author observes in his foreword that the left, right and center "all use the same words and phrases with which to excoriate each other and congratulate themselves. So words become the glue of politics." Indeed. Could their commonality of vocabularies ultimately reunite Democrats, Republicans and Independents? Is there a possibility that our leaders of every stripe will one day see each other as (at least) verbal brothers and unite in a cathartic hug of recognition of their similarities despite their disparate partisanship? Nah... But it's fun to catch a peek into their unique minds to see what nefarious thoughts lie behind their congenial smiles. Liberally peppered with cartoon illustrations by the author, this book is as much fun to read cover to cover as it is by skipping around at random.

Review

Whatever your political stripe (red, blue, purple or any hue between) you will get a hearty chuckle (and maybe emit a loud guffaw) at John Clifton's wittily barbed definitions. So many of them hit their targets with dagger-like accuracy that you'll gasp with delight. Be the first to share Clifton's sharp and funny words via e-mail or at the water cooler. These will travel fast. --Marvin Terban, award-winning, best-selling author of many books on the English language and wordplay.

As a standup comic, I tend to avoid doing material about politics. However, after reading this book I am certain John Clifton could have a great career as a comedian and would do quite well going up against any other sharp witted political satirists. Nothing is off limits in this awesome little page turner. I wish all dictionaries were this entertaining! And I am not just saying this because I am a `celebrity' (see pages 9 and 10). -- Kim Cea, award-winning comic and Broadway actress

Politics is so offensive today that we need an antidote, and John Clifton's The Forbidden Political Dictionary offers one of the best -- laughter! Along the way it offers insight into how politicians avoid real debate by using obfuscating verbiage and encourages us to see through their rhetoric and speak truth to power! --Mark Bruce Rosin, co-author of "My Mind Is Not Always My Friend: A Guide For How To Not Get In Your Own Way"

Edition details

• Publisher: Foley Square Books
• Publication date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0976084635
• ISBN 13: 9780976084631
• Binding: Paperback
• Illustrator: Clifton John
• Number of pages: 104