It Looks Like a President, Only Smaller

If you are a fan of his columns on washingtonpost.com, you'll definitely like this book.However, the surprising thing was the insight between the columns. Mr. Achenbach travelled the country throughout the campaign and the book includes observations and interviews at the conventions, and in bars, hotels, parties, restaurants, etc. The result is a better look at the thought process behind the voting process than any of the networks' focus groups turned out to be.I would highly recommend this for those who are interested in what makes the people tick, or who simply like to mix a little humor with their politics.

"Only Smaller" is down right laugh out loud funny. Achenbach's ability to weave first hand journalism with stinging sarcasm is already a classic to me. I wish I were quick enough to mock the way he goes after people, candidates, causes and elected officials. But I am not. And for my money: no one is. I'm a political hack so I picked it up for the author's take on politics 2000 not for the belly laugh I got every three pages. Please take my advice and give this book a peak. You will at least snicker and at most have to put the book down once in awhile to breathe. Achenbach is a master at bringing to light the downright absurd side of American politics in 2000. His style is insightful and fast paced and his wit is more direct and brutal that most political prose. Where most political writers jest and joke, Achenbach openly ridicules and mocks. The good news is that he is a non-partisan player with at least as many Gore shots as Bush slaps. And a personal note: do not drink a beverage while reading "...Only Smaller." If you're like me you'll just embarrass yourself and ruin the book.

Why would I spend... on a book that contained columns I had read on-line for free? Because I wanted a concise history of Campaign 2000, not a 700+ page tome penned by a ponderous pundit. But I got much more than I bargained for. The new material that links the columns provides just the needed context and background to link the columns into a seamless narrative. I think if more political journalism were like Mr. Achenbach' we'd see higher numbers in the voting booths. I'd add a superlative, but everyone else has already used them all.

I know, I know. People are sick of hearing about the election. But if you are going to read any book on American politics this year, I suggest it be this one. Surprised? I was too.Achenbach, who writes a column for the Washington Post online, is at heart a humor columnist. And a good one. The book contains hysterical commentary on the entire campaign, from the primaries through the innagural. That didn't suprise me. Achenbach's a funny guy.What did surprise me is that the book captures the essence of the 2000 election more poignantly and insightfully that any of the "serious" pieces I have read. Achenbach is at his root a journalist, and his humor is always digging at something deeper. Sure, he can make the obvious "W. ain't so smart" joke. But most of his commentary is both funny on the surface and incisive upon reflection. His writing about the recount captures the madness, mayhem and unique uncertainty of that process far more effectively than even the Post's own history of the election.Look, this is a funny book. If that's all you want, buy it. But it comes with an added bonus-- with wry humor it captures a surreal moment in American history perhaps the only way it can really be captured.

I went into this book skeptically -- the election was not something I cared to revisit -- but I enjoy Achenbach's columns on the Washington Post website, so I thought I'd give the book a chance. I'm really glad I did. Achenbach does a great job of parodying the main characters of the campaign and election and recount -- Bush, Gore, Katherine Harris, etc -- while taking the Average Joes quite seriously and unironically. He does more legwork than the average columnist and he's funnier, too. Who knew I would laugh out loud when reading about chads?