Life of the Party: A Political Press Tart Bares All

by Lisa Baron

Behind our political leaders-yes, even the "moral" ones-is an army of young, horny, professional staffers scrapping it out. Lisa Baron should know-she used to be one of them. With the unerring candor of George Stephanopoulos and the uncensored wit of Chelsea Handler, Baron gives good anecdote on a world where Godaphiles and Press Tarts work together to keep their politicos from imploding. . .and reveals how a not-so-nice Jewish girl became spokeswoman for the head of the Christian Coalition until she had to kiss that career and its perks-a drunken night with Wayne Newton and a seemingly endless supply of narcotics-good-bye."Sarah Palin, Ann Coulter, and Monica Crowley may think they're pretty bold. But when it comes to baring the secret ardor of a conservative woman, nobody undresses like Lisa Baron." -New York Daily News"Hysterical." -Hollis Gillespie, author of Trailer Trashed"Everything you wanted to know about what goes on behind the Christian GOP curtain but were afraid to ask. Funny, frank, hilarious. " -Michael Murphy, guest columnist for Time magazine"Sex, drugs, interns-rock stars have nothing on Bible-thumping politicos when it comes to sin and raunch." -Suzi Parker, author of Sex in the South"Primary Colors meets Coyote Ugly." -Gawker"Sex, scandal. . .this book has everything." -A. J. Jacobs

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, History, Humor

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2011

Reviews

[Cathy]

Yay! Won this First Reads copy. Looking forward to it because I am a hopeless political junkie.

[Geralyn M. Fennelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful book by an awful person

Terribly written book by a complete sellout . How did this book ever get published? Author should be ashamed of herself.

[The Pen & Muse]

If you are looking for that know all, tell all type of book with some Sex in the City magic in it, then you have to read this biography, political book Life of the Party. Baron, bares all for her book. She gives us the inside scoop as readers all about what goes on with the interns. If you can imagine it, sex, scandals, intrigue, the secret goings and coming, Baron really will have you in awe. All that we hear in the gossip rags and more can be found here. Some of it may even shock you. Although it was a biography and a political one at that, I really enjoyed it. Baron pours her heart and soul into this one. Well written and fresh material, Baron gives us an inside look to the political world.

[Nancy Narma · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have ever wondered what goes on within the political campaign of your chosen candidate or perhaps, you had an inkling, as you had become involved as a hard-working, pamphlet-passing, phone-stuck-to-your-ear volunteer as I have done, this book is definitely for you!! You’ll enjoy Lisa Baron’s “Inside skinny” of the ups and downs of political campaign life as she works toward her dream of White House Press Secretary,
while juggling some sort of a personal life. Lisa leaves no stone unturned and some will surprise you, (may even shock you), perhaps anger you, but will give you some good chuckles along the way. Who knows?? It may even make you stop and think as you head to the voting booth for the next election!!

[Mary BookHounds · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting a political memoir, but this is much more than some funny stories strung together. This is an in depth look at just exactly how politics and the public connect and a dishy look at that intersection in where there is more sex and drugs than in rock and roll. That part really took me by surprise and I never knew that politics have more groupies than NBA players. Lisa Baron admits that she had groupie tendencies and finds herself in compromising positions but explains them as youthful indiscretions. What is even more shocking is that these escapades take place right in the middle of the Christian Coalition. This is the tell all I bet that group would love to be forgotten. I adored the humor and self depreciation that the author displayed.

[Michael · Rating 1 out of 5]

STAY AWAY IT IS NOT AT ALL INTERESTING!!!! This book did not live up to the hype that I had been seeing around the web leading up to the release. The first part of the book Lisa Baron needs to constantly mention that she is Jewish for some reason and it gets old fast. Than she tells a story about how writing an article about her vagina and telling her father-in-law she had a huge one through code from a show. The story comes off as a "only funny if you were there type of story" but than she turns it into how many different ways with street slang can she say vagina got old within the first try.

[Marianne Stehr · Rating 3 out of 5]

These type of books are always hard for me to rate. It was funny, made me laugh out loud, but laughing at the raunchy, filthy real life escapades of a twentysomething is not necesarily a good thing. I like to think that the author took poetic license to embellish for the sake of humor, if not this is a troubled young woman who has writen a book to exploit herself and anyone who thinks this is the good life.

[Jasmyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa explores her life as a spokeswoman for several politicians, namely the head of the Christian Coalition. Her voice is humorous and insightful, immersing the reader in the chaotic life she led. But as scandal rocks the organization she is forced to realize that her mentor may not be as honest as she thinks he is. When a series of bad decisions attracts bad press like a magnet, Lisa's skills are put to the test.

A great and entertaining read full of very memorable quotes.

4/5

[Peggy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a book club read. These reads tend to be on the fluffy side, and this was no exception. The author was a self-described "press tart" for Ralph Reed, head of the Christian Coalition right around 1999-2006-ish. The author reminded me of Chelsea Handler. It had its funny moments and it was fun to see famous names that she dropped, but the book is cotton candy and although somewhat amusing it will not change your life.

[Tim Lundquist · Rating 1 out of 5]

Meh. Reading Baron is like reading a college sex columnist: where else is sex both utterly boring and cringe-worthy? Baron's book includes some interesting tidbits on Ralph Reed and a few other GOP politicos, but is really just warmed-up Wonkette mash, a few years stale.

[Kirsten Palladino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Baron's memoir is a hilarious, eye-opening and easy read that dances on the fence between chick-lit confessional and a political tell-all. As her editor at The Sunday Paper, I thoroughly enjoyed working with her, and I'm beaming for Lisa's success with this masterful memoir.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

read on the plane and finished pretty quickly. easy read. recognize most of the book from campaigns, but no larger point to it.

[Tina Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and fascinating account of life in and out of politics for a twenty something city girl. Sex and the City meets Primary Colors. Loved it.

[Tracy Burks · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED it - Laugh Out Loud funny! I have followed Lisa Baron since she wrote in The Sunday Paper and love her writing style. Nice to hear a funny side to politics!

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

I racked my brain trying to find redeeming value here ... alas, nothing.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some interesting moments but the excessive use of the phrase "press tart" and redundant anecdotes made it one of the less entertaining political memoirs I've read.

[Joel Goldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, light memoir of politics and pleasure. An insider's view and a unique coming of age story.

[Chet Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny memoir written by local Atlanta author Lisa Baron. She describes her time working for Christian Coalition founder Ralph Reed and keeps the reader very much entertained.