This gem of a book rips into political crap- the nonsense our politicos routinely spout to us. Based on direct quotations, its twelve chapters are arranged according to the nature of the crap rather than the subject matter; crap on education, for example is to be found in several chapters (Newspeak Crap, Contradictory Crap, Illogical Crap, Cheeky Crap, and so on). It maintains a running narrative between the quotations making for easy reading. It is also very funny, especially if you like a trenchant, irreverent, and folksy style.
Many of the quotations are from the UK, but the book has a strong international flavour, including large helpings of crap from US, EU, and UN politicos. Indeed, it's fascinating to see just how interchangeable their crap is.
Try these examples of "One Rule for Them Crap":
(i) The UK Health Minister arguing that a "leaked document.....demonstrated that there is a more open culture in the National Health Service". The "leak" came eight months after the Government received the document!
(ii) A European Commissioner (imposing a fine on Microsoft) telling us that "no company is above the law" to which Terry Arthur retorts "unless you're a company of bureaucrats", pointing out that the European Union's own accounts have not been signed off for at least twelve years.
(iii) George Bush defining success or failure in Iraq as "whether schools are being built or hospitals are being opened", leaving The Times to point out that "In the chaos of Iraq, one project is on target: a giant US Embassy".
For once the recommendations on the back cover do not exaggerate:
"Behind the jokey title and lively, entertaining style, Terry Arthur has produced a devastating expose of the intellectual confusion, political deception and economic ignorance that have come to dominate public pronouncements. His precision of thought, clarity of language and lightly-worn scholarship have resulted in a book that would have won the warm approval of George Orwell." Sir Antony Jay, co-author, Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister.
"Mr Arthur has presented us with a user's manual to politicians. Anyone who reads it will not merely laugh out loud, but will be armed against all future attempts by the political class to lie, obfuscate and prevaricate. To this end some philanthropist should pay for a copy to be sent into every household in the land". Simon Heffer, Associate Editor, Daily Telegraph.
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