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The Infiltrator
Called "a cross between Michael Moore and South Park," gonzo journalist Harmon Leon shared his undercover exploits among fringe right-wingers in the riotously funny book Republican Like Me. Now, in The Infiltrator, Harmon exposes more of the harrowing and hilarious reality of living in red-state America.
Desperate for a job in the no-new-job Republican economy, Harmon becomes OJ Simpson’s sidekick helping him to pull off hidden-camera tricks on OJ’s budding reality show.
Harmon joins a civilian vigilante group of senior citizens called the Minuteman Project and helps them "patrol for illegal aliens" along the Mexican border by sitting in a lawn chair.
He becomes a Promise Keeper at one of the group’s weekend stadium events, where he "gets pumped up about Jesus" but finds that women are clearly not welcome.
Harmon infiltrates the Protest Warriors (who vehemently oppose liberal protestors) and meets a right-wing Warrior who boastfully confides to Harmon that he’s infiltrated leftist protests. Harmon rises to become president of the local chapter.
Harmon shows his flair for drama when he trains to be a teen abstinence educator and makes an unforgettable impression using mime.
At a faith healing extravaganza, Harmon throws away his crutches and walks again—before being "assisted" to the ground.
And there’s much, much more in this twisted sampler of "infiltration journalism." Follow Harmon on each mission impossible as he dons various ingenious disguises, goes undercover, tries various ways to eke out a living, and then just barely escapes to report on the shocking and very funny truth about surviving in conservative America.
Desperate for a job in the no-new-job Republican economy, Harmon becomes OJ Simpson’s sidekick helping him to pull off hidden-camera tricks on OJ’s budding reality show.
Harmon joins a civilian vigilante group of senior citizens called the Minuteman Project and helps them "patrol for illegal aliens" along the Mexican border by sitting in a lawn chair.
He becomes a Promise Keeper at one of the group’s weekend stadium events, where he "gets pumped up about Jesus" but finds that women are clearly not welcome.
Harmon infiltrates the Protest Warriors (who vehemently oppose liberal protestors) and meets a right-wing Warrior who boastfully confides to Harmon that he’s infiltrated leftist protests. Harmon rises to become president of the local chapter.
Harmon shows his flair for drama when he trains to be a teen abstinence educator and makes an unforgettable impression using mime.
At a faith healing extravaganza, Harmon throws away his crutches and walks again—before being "assisted" to the ground.
And there’s much, much more in this twisted sampler of "infiltration journalism." Follow Harmon on each mission impossible as he dons various ingenious disguises, goes undercover, tries various ways to eke out a living, and then just barely escapes to report on the shocking and very funny truth about surviving in conservative America.
- GenresNonfiction
263 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2006
About the author
Harmon Leon
8 books8 followersHarmon Leon is an award-winning author, performer, and former senior writer for National Lampoon. His latest book, The Infiltrator, was released in 2006, and his writing credits for print and television include NPR, National Geographic, Maxim, Cosmopolitan, The BBC, and Showtime Television Network. He lives and works in San Francisco. (from the publisher's website)"
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 4, 2010
Comedian Harmon Leon is back with his gonzo style of “infiltration” journalism. Although the cover promises exploits among the right-wingers, several of the stories take place among such cultural institutions as e-mail scammers and reality TV shows. The time-share chapter, in which Leon and a friend play a Vegas-crazed married couple, had me laughing so hard I almost choked on my lunch.
That’s the good part. The bad part is that Leon’s work could still use polish. Although his work has improved since the rapid-fire typos of Republican Like Me, I still think ol’ Harmon could use a better editor.
Of most interest to me personally was the chapter titled “Save the Cute Animals.” As an animal protection advocate, I often cringe when mainstream humorists look at our movement, as let’s face it, some groups don’t make us look too great. I prepared for the worst when Leon introduced the chapter with “we’ve got to examine ourselves…in order to point out why the Right calls us ‘moonbats’ or, even worse, ‘the Loony left.’” However, Leon’s mindset by the end of the chapter was improved, or as least improved as it could have been when the author’s whole point is to poke fun at his subjects.
The author makes the usual criticisms (“cute” animals get all the attention; some forms of cruelty are protested while others are ignored, etc.). However, he attends each protest geared up to encounter some paint-throwing, law-breaking militants, and each time he is “let down” when the activists turn out to be peaceful. After participating in a foie gras protest, Leon concludes, “Though I was disappointed that sinks weren’t clogged with cement or that cars weren’t vandalized, the kindness and organization of the protestors won me over.” I felt so proud that so many of my fellow animal advocates realize that the only way toward a humane world is to act peacefully and respectfully, and are defying the crude stereotypes the opposition so loves to toss around. Note: Veg*ns who shun PETA’s ads as sexist will be rolling their eyes at this ‘suggestion for a better protest’: “Hire those naked, hot supermodels.”
That’s the good part. The bad part is that Leon’s work could still use polish. Although his work has improved since the rapid-fire typos of Republican Like Me, I still think ol’ Harmon could use a better editor.
Of most interest to me personally was the chapter titled “Save the Cute Animals.” As an animal protection advocate, I often cringe when mainstream humorists look at our movement, as let’s face it, some groups don’t make us look too great. I prepared for the worst when Leon introduced the chapter with “we’ve got to examine ourselves…in order to point out why the Right calls us ‘moonbats’ or, even worse, ‘the Loony left.’” However, Leon’s mindset by the end of the chapter was improved, or as least improved as it could have been when the author’s whole point is to poke fun at his subjects.
The author makes the usual criticisms (“cute” animals get all the attention; some forms of cruelty are protested while others are ignored, etc.). However, he attends each protest geared up to encounter some paint-throwing, law-breaking militants, and each time he is “let down” when the activists turn out to be peaceful. After participating in a foie gras protest, Leon concludes, “Though I was disappointed that sinks weren’t clogged with cement or that cars weren’t vandalized, the kindness and organization of the protestors won me over.” I felt so proud that so many of my fellow animal advocates realize that the only way toward a humane world is to act peacefully and respectfully, and are defying the crude stereotypes the opposition so loves to toss around. Note: Veg*ns who shun PETA’s ads as sexist will be rolling their eyes at this ‘suggestion for a better protest’: “Hire those naked, hot supermodels.”
February 24, 2009
This was one of the funniest books I have ever read. i have loaned it to friends and they have all agreed. It is a collection of short stories so it is very easy to read and it does a great job at making fun of just how ridiculous some people in American society are.
March 12, 2008
A decent read for passive entertainment. You can't put too much effort in it or you can't like the writer well enough to finish it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews