The Worst Years of Our Lives: Irreverent Notes from a Decade of Greed

I love essays, collections of essays (particularly humorous essays), essayists (particularly humorous essayists), and irreverence toward everything including self. In other words, I love Barbara Ehrenreich as I love Molly Ivins, happily grinning and genuflecting in obeisance to their talent and craft. This collection is drawn from Ehrenreich's work in the late 1980s, when, it must be admitted, targets were large and easy to hit. With one president AWOL and his successor perennially in the men's room whenever illegal matters were discussed by cabinet members or staffers, and then urging us to read his lips, Washington was funny without subtitles. But the author didn't take the easy way out--simply quoting Reagan and Bush--rather she used their utterances as a launch pad and quickly reached orbital speed. Great stuff. Several of the essays here treat with feminism and male behavior, including the longest, titled "At last a new man." Almost twenty years on her observations are not stale, and I doubt that any thoughtful man can read these comments without some discomfort as her barbs find their mark. Look for Ehrenreich's recent work at www.theprogressive.org. She has only improved with age.

down a twisted memory lane. Perhaps I'm biased because nine times out of ten I agree with Ehrenreich's politics and attitude, but whatever the reason, I love this book. Each essay is like a little time capsule, though not necessarily one that's good for our egos. As a child of the 80's, it also gives me insight into the cultural forces that shaped my view of the world - and makes me wonder if there should be some form of compensation! A very good read.