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Who Let the Dogs In?: Incredible Political Animals I Have Known
The dazzling, inimitable Molly Ivins is back, with her own personal Hall of Fame of America’s most amazing and outlandish politicians–the wicked, the wise, the witty, and the witless–drawn from more than twenty years of reporting on the folks who attempt to run our government (in some cases, into the ground).
Who Let the Dogs In? takes us on a wild ride through two decades of political life, from Ronald Reagan, through Big George and Bill Clinton, to our current top dog, known to Ivins readers simply as Dubya. But those are just a few of the political animals who are honored and skewered for our amusement. Ivins also writes hilariously, perceptively, and at times witheringly of John Ashcroft, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, H. Ross Perot, Tom DeLay, Ann Richards, Al Gore, Jimmy Carter, and the current governor of Texas, who is known as Rick “Goodhair” Perry.
Following close on the heels of her phenomenally successful Bushwhacked and containing an up-to-the-minute Introduction for the campaign season, Who Let the Dogs In? is political writing at its best.
Who Let the Dogs In? takes us on a wild ride through two decades of political life, from Ronald Reagan, through Big George and Bill Clinton, to our current top dog, known to Ivins readers simply as Dubya. But those are just a few of the political animals who are honored and skewered for our amusement. Ivins also writes hilariously, perceptively, and at times witheringly of John Ashcroft, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, H. Ross Perot, Tom DeLay, Ann Richards, Al Gore, Jimmy Carter, and the current governor of Texas, who is known as Rick “Goodhair” Perry.
Following close on the heels of her phenomenally successful Bushwhacked and containing an up-to-the-minute Introduction for the campaign season, Who Let the Dogs In? is political writing at its best.
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
22 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
Molly Ivins
36 books145 followersAmerican newspaper columnist, political commentator, and best-selling author from Austin, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
February 10, 2008
A very good book from near the end of Molly Ivins' career and life; she died too young and is needed now as much as ever. This is a funny read, but at the same time, I found myself feeling sad and discouraged as I thought over the events of the last several years in American politics and our economy, environment, and culture. Sometimes the good guys lose, and we may not be able to get back everything that's been lost, stolen, or destroyed.
December 19, 2010
This book is a collection of Molly Ivins old newspaper columns. As such, it's all old news. It's topical, and it's dated. I learned many things about the politics of the recent past. But I learned more about what kind of human being Molly Ivins was. The more I read, the more I loved her. She was smart, and laugh-out-loud funny, and I might have loved her for that alone, but I loved her more dearly for her deep-rooted decency, and belief in this country. She believes that government is supposed to be all about working hard to solve problems, and making life better for people by keeping them safe, healthy, well-educated, well-employed, and protected from corporate greed. There is much depressing in this book, as she documents example after example of that corporate greed working against the common good. But she laughs whenever and wherever she can, and she praises every honest, fair and hardworking politician, even when she does not agree with their policies. She was a voice of reason in a bitter political climate. I wish I could have known her, and am sad that she died too soon.
June 21, 2010
For those of you who don't know, Molly Ivins was a political journalist and humorist. She was born and raised in Texas and as her career grew she moved from Texas politics to the national stage. She was a Texas liberal, a rare breed indeed. She wrote a syndicated column, and this book is a collection of some of those columns.
I really enjoyed this book. The author has a gift for writing as a home-spun Texan, full of idioms and southern commentary, yet I still found myself needing a dictionary every couple of pages as her vocabulary kept me challenged. Her politics didn't always agree with mine, but she was well backed with facts and figures, and I can't find fault with her reasoning. Plus, she made me laugh, and laugh.
For example, she compared being attacked on the air by Rush Limbaugh to being gummed by a newt. Doesn't really hurt, but does leave you kind of slimy around the ankles.
She encourages us all to get involved, and exercise our rights as citizens.
I'm going to look for more of her books.
I really enjoyed this book. The author has a gift for writing as a home-spun Texan, full of idioms and southern commentary, yet I still found myself needing a dictionary every couple of pages as her vocabulary kept me challenged. Her politics didn't always agree with mine, but she was well backed with facts and figures, and I can't find fault with her reasoning. Plus, she made me laugh, and laugh.
For example, she compared being attacked on the air by Rush Limbaugh to being gummed by a newt. Doesn't really hurt, but does leave you kind of slimy around the ankles.
She encourages us all to get involved, and exercise our rights as citizens.
I'm going to look for more of her books.
August 23, 2010
Let's start with the downsides: this is a fairly comprehensive collection of Ivins' work, and, as such, treads a lot of familiar ground. Her chapters worth of insights on Clinton, Bush and the big-name scandals of years past are nothing fresh; and lacking currentness, the constant exhortations along the same few lines - Clinton is a great politician and an upbeat guy, Bush isn't as dumb as you think - are a little tiring.
But that's not why you're reading this book. You're reading it for Ivins' frank, indomitable warmth and wit, which she has in plenty, and for her unvarnished, often hilarious takes on lesser-known Texas pols and other public figures. Her obituaries - both those for political careers and lives - are especially noteworthy and poignant.
Not an essential read, but a worthwhile one for any fans (and there should be many) of Ms. Ivins.
(And once more, I long for half stars. This should be a 3.5.)
But that's not why you're reading this book. You're reading it for Ivins' frank, indomitable warmth and wit, which she has in plenty, and for her unvarnished, often hilarious takes on lesser-known Texas pols and other public figures. Her obituaries - both those for political careers and lives - are especially noteworthy and poignant.
Not an essential read, but a worthwhile one for any fans (and there should be many) of Ms. Ivins.
(And once more, I long for half stars. This should be a 3.5.)
June 22, 2010
Those who say no one is irreplaceable, obviously never read the political writings of Molly Ivans.
During the forty + years of reporting on politics for both the Ft.Worth Star Telegram and the Texas Observer, Ivans gave political analysis with both insight and a sharp wit. This book is a compilation of her best articles written during the Nixon years and continuing through the G.W. Bush administration.
One of the best political satirist in journalism, Ivins never relied on the use of humor alone. She always backed up her comments with research and facts. She was known to unleash her fury on Democrats as well as Republicans and was just as even handed when occasionally giving praise.
Ivans is gone but not forgotten. This book reads like a political science study with a dose of much needed humor thrown in.
During the forty + years of reporting on politics for both the Ft.Worth Star Telegram and the Texas Observer, Ivans gave political analysis with both insight and a sharp wit. This book is a compilation of her best articles written during the Nixon years and continuing through the G.W. Bush administration.
One of the best political satirist in journalism, Ivins never relied on the use of humor alone. She always backed up her comments with research and facts. She was known to unleash her fury on Democrats as well as Republicans and was just as even handed when occasionally giving praise.
Ivans is gone but not forgotten. This book reads like a political science study with a dose of much needed humor thrown in.
June 16, 2009
Whereas most of Molly's earlier books focused on a particular era (Bushwacked, for instance, is from when the Shrub was in office), this is a compilation of pieces she wrote from the time Bush the Elder was in office. They're not her best pieces (those, of course, were published in her previous books), but Molly Ivins when she wasn't at her best was funnier and more insightful than most people. Reading this collection mostly made me miss her, but also rekindled the joy of reading her work.
January 23, 2019
SO many thoughts. Molly Ivins was so insightful. Very interesting to see same baloney that is going on now went on the last few decades. Also, George W. Bush did same thing as Martha Stewart, but no jail time.
July 28, 2008
Pretty funny, edgy, great for the current event politically savvy. Both politicl parties provide material for the comedic discourse. Ivins is so right-on with her sarcastic and pointed talks.
August 12, 2016
With Donald Trump highlighting the craziness of American politics in 2016, this book should be compulsory reading for every single American. Written with humour, it is, nonetheless, sick-making and frightening to read of the greed and mismanagement at the top levels of the most powerful country in the world. This has been going on for a very long time and what the media is doing to Hillary today is only a continuation of what was done during her husband's administration. The Republican party obstructed legislation that was good for the people simply because Clinton proposed it or it might cost some of their sponsors money. Just as the Republicans in Congress and the Senate have blatantly stated they would obstruct Obama at every turn no matter what he proposes and then followed through for 8 years...they continue to lie and smear. All the proof in the world...of malfeasance... is there for the asking...begging to be published but is consistently ignored for stupid stuff like a candidate's personal life and peccadillos. The important stuff like hungry children, gutted education, global warming, lies over weapons of mass destruction, rescinding laws that prevent corporations from moving money off shore and paying no taxes and taking government handouts all on the backs of the population are glossed over and ignored. While the media talks about Kim Kadashian's ass, things like Enron are buried and presidents try to destroy wildlife habitat for oil interests that have him in their pocket. Talking Bush here. Or Nixon who was almost canonized at his death despite how he single handedly destroyed American faith in government.
August 30, 2016
Even though the "best of" columns collected in this book are quite dated now, mostly written during the Reagan, Clinton, and Bush (both) eras, much of Molly's wisdom is just as trenchant now as then, especially some of her more generic observations about political power (generally abuse of), the effect of money in politics (what WOULD she think now, post Citizens United?). Here's a call to arms from her introduction:
"You have more political power than 99 percent of all the people who have ever lived on this planet. You can not only vote, you can register other people to vote, round up your friends, get out and do political education, talk to people, laugh with people, call the radio, write the paper, write your elected representative, use your e-mail list, put up signs, march, volunteer, and raise hell. All your life, no matter what else you do . . . you have another job, another responsibility: You are a citizen. It is an obligation that requires attention and effort. And on top of that, you should make it into a hell of a lot of fun. Having fun while fighting for freedom is, as you will see from this book, my major life cause. I see no reason why we should not laugh, and in fact I think we should insist on it."
I wish I had the time and energy to quote even more from dear old Molly, but that will have to do for now. Rest in peace, Molly, and even though you're no longer with us, may your words continue to be an inspiration and motivation to anyone who cares about the direction of our country!
"You have more political power than 99 percent of all the people who have ever lived on this planet. You can not only vote, you can register other people to vote, round up your friends, get out and do political education, talk to people, laugh with people, call the radio, write the paper, write your elected representative, use your e-mail list, put up signs, march, volunteer, and raise hell. All your life, no matter what else you do . . . you have another job, another responsibility: You are a citizen. It is an obligation that requires attention and effort. And on top of that, you should make it into a hell of a lot of fun. Having fun while fighting for freedom is, as you will see from this book, my major life cause. I see no reason why we should not laugh, and in fact I think we should insist on it."
I wish I had the time and energy to quote even more from dear old Molly, but that will have to do for now. Rest in peace, Molly, and even though you're no longer with us, may your words continue to be an inspiration and motivation to anyone who cares about the direction of our country!
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March 7, 2014Aaaawwwwwwhhhhhhh.....blatant bleeding heart liberal. It has been so long since I read or heard one.
This is a good sampler of her work - a couple of decades of washington politics and texan politics (how does a liberal love texas?) from the perspective of someone who writes like she is a warm, intelligent, funny idealist.
Reliving the frustration with the Clinton administration and the devastation of the Bush administration turning from predictable Republican shenanigans to a glimpse into something that terrified many - is a good thing to do. The media hasn't lost its stride moving forward, but there are a lot of things from those years that needed to be examined that still haven't been. *
The obama administration has quietly ignored cleaning up some of bush's encroachments and missteps. avoided asking hard bleedy hearty questions.
A lot of laughs and a lot of heart.
*historical update: snowden. check.
This is a good sampler of her work - a couple of decades of washington politics and texan politics (how does a liberal love texas?) from the perspective of someone who writes like she is a warm, intelligent, funny idealist.
Reliving the frustration with the Clinton administration and the devastation of the Bush administration turning from predictable Republican shenanigans to a glimpse into something that terrified many - is a good thing to do. The media hasn't lost its stride moving forward, but there are a lot of things from those years that needed to be examined that still haven't been. *
The obama administration has quietly ignored cleaning up some of bush's encroachments and missteps. avoided asking hard bleedy hearty questions.
A lot of laughs and a lot of heart.
*historical update: snowden. check.
July 7, 2017
I was aware of Molly Ivins but hadn't read many of her columns. Maybe she wasn't carried regularly in the Washington Post. I chose this audiobook at the Fairfax County Library as entertainment during my commutes, and it was a great pleasure to hear some of her best works condensed in this 10-disc set. I was sad to learn that she died several years ago of the cancer that she mentioned in one of her stories. Although this collection could have seem dated since it covered Reagan, Bush 41, Clinton, Bush 43 ("Shrub") and others, it seemed current because WE STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS TODAY. It was awful to realize how little progress we have made in 25 years. Anyone reading/listening to her discuss the unreasonable hatred of all things Clinton would have known that the Democrats never should have nominated Hillary in 2016. I did enjoy her anecdotes about Texas and Texans since Texas does seem another country to me -- a lifelong easterner. The narrator was excellent.
May 11, 2008
A collection of her newspaper columns about politics and/or the people in them. She covers Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II, various Texas politicians, and a bunch of commentary about various other people. Never say she didn't tell you what you needed to know about them!
It can be a long read because the content is rather heavy, even when lightened with humor. It is interesting to read it from the vantage point of 7 1/2 years of Dubya - she called it and so many of the things she was trying to get people to pay attention to have gotten worse, but are on the docket with the presidential campaigners. Its actually a good time to brush up on one's political awareness. I particularly like the March 2002 "Doctor! Doctor!" column about the state of the health care system. 6 years later....
It can be a long read because the content is rather heavy, even when lightened with humor. It is interesting to read it from the vantage point of 7 1/2 years of Dubya - she called it and so many of the things she was trying to get people to pay attention to have gotten worse, but are on the docket with the presidential campaigners. Its actually a good time to brush up on one's political awareness. I particularly like the March 2002 "Doctor! Doctor!" column about the state of the health care system. 6 years later....
January 13, 2013
Bless the late, great Molly Ivins. How I wish her particular brand of intelligent Texan snark was still around, because heaven knows the country deserves it. As a child of the 80s, I was mostly familiar with Ivins' comments on George W. Bush and Rick Perry; it was a treat (and educational) to read her writings on Clinton and George Bush, given I was busy being in elementary school at the times of their presidencies.
I also admit that as a Southerner (not Texan, but with Texan parents) she does me proud - my region of the country gets a bad rap for a wealth of excellent and valid reasons, but Ivins represented us well while still retaining an undeniably Southern flavor. I was particularly proud of her efforts to explain Texas, which is frankly a difficult and bizarre place to explain to those who haven't lived there.
Would that she were still with us.
I also admit that as a Southerner (not Texan, but with Texan parents) she does me proud - my region of the country gets a bad rap for a wealth of excellent and valid reasons, but Ivins represented us well while still retaining an undeniably Southern flavor. I was particularly proud of her efforts to explain Texas, which is frankly a difficult and bizarre place to explain to those who haven't lived there.
Would that she were still with us.
April 2, 2008
This isn't a book of new material, but rather a compilation of some of the articles Molly Ivins wrote throughout her 40-year political reporting career. Her insight is amazing and, nine times out of ten, spot-on. If every American listened to her common sense approach to politics and government, we'd probably be in a better place today. No one is safe - regardless of what party you belong to, if you're an elected official and you screw up, you will be eviscerated in print. I especially like her commentary on George W. "Shrub" Bush (and boy, does she have a lot of material on him, being from Texas herself and observing his rise to power from the very beginning). RIP Molly, you're sorely missed!
April 11, 2016
This is a collection of columns about some, or most, of Molly Ivin's subjects from the Shrub Bush years to the Bush 43 years. Not all connected, and some really complementary columns about some of her acquaintances who had died. It is a mixed bag, with some columns recycled from Bushwhacked, and others more contemporary. A literary scholar might discern changes from previous columns, but to little consequence. According to Molly, we have all been screwed, but there have been some good guys standing up for us. The more I read of her columns, the more depressed I get. Maybe I should stop. Or maybe I should embrace a much wider view of humanity than I have.
October 14, 2017
I bought this book because I knew Molly Ivins was a humorous writer, but I have to say that reading her columns from the 1980s to the 2000s turned out to be more depressing than funny. To see the same corruption, greed and heartlessness pass unchanged from Republican administration to Republican administration was very disheartening. No, not unchanged; the deterioration of our democracy which has been under attack by corporations and right-wing reactionaries has actually snowballed. But the columns also provided moments of grace and slim gleams of honor and hope, and Molly could sure convey character and explain custom, and entertain.
July 21, 2020
I’ve always enjoyed Molly Ivins’ wackydoodle style of writing. It’s a shame we don’t have her around to help us get through this dark time. The things she railed against about former presidents and congressional participants are still with us today, and in even more concentrated and venal forms. I was sad to see how her losing battle with cancer could be traced in her writing. The zaniness in her irreverent analyses of political figures was muted toward the end. While she was still as perceptive, satirical, and scathing, she sounded as tired as I imagine she was feeling. I hope, like the Greek gods, she’s looking down on us, twitching to launch verbal grenades.
June 24, 2008
This book was really interesting because SHE was really interesting. She's got such a way with words, and her attitude and perspective are refreshing in a sort of caustic way. I think I'd very much like to read her other books, especially more focused on current political ... uh, characters, because for the most part, many of the people she skewered in here I've never heard of. Still funny though!
September 2, 2010
This book is essentially a "greatest hits" album; it's a retrospective on Molly's best political commentary over the last 20-30 years of her life (running from Reagan to W. Bush). Any long-time fan will have seen most or all of these columns before. But they ARE a selection of her best work, and that makes it quite good indeed. Don't read it if you've read everything she's ever read & don't want reruns, but other than that, highly recommended.
September 29, 2012
Has Molly Ivins really been gone five years?
The world without her is a much poorer and sadder place.
This book which details years of observation of various political animals is a great place to get to know Molly as well. Her observations on the Great State (eg-Texas) and the political theater to be found there are priceless. I'm unhappy we didn't get a book about the Tea Party from her. It would've been funny and true. RIP, Molly.
The world without her is a much poorer and sadder place.
This book which details years of observation of various political animals is a great place to get to know Molly as well. Her observations on the Great State (eg-Texas) and the political theater to be found there are priceless. I'm unhappy we didn't get a book about the Tea Party from her. It would've been funny and true. RIP, Molly.
July 26, 2007
I miss Molly Ivins. That's why I bought this book of some of her collected political satire. Turns out there was plenty to laugh about even before the current Bush administration. And she does it with such wit and style! Reminds me that things were bad back then too before I really paid any attention to politics. May she rest in peace!
February 26, 2008
My only regret of reading this book is that the wonderful and talented Molly Ivins won't be around to write more. She connects to people in a way that I wish more people in government would. Her writing is not only funny, engaging and incredibly informed but also damn feisty. I recommend this book to everyone!
January 25, 2008
After hearing an interview on national public radio, I decided to read this book and see if it lived up to the billing. It did. This is a hilarious account of political lives. However, it also chronicles the corporate political ties that have developed through the years and our decaying bill of rights. Give it a read and see what you think.
January 3, 2013
I'm enjoying this. Well, enjoying isn't quite the right word but Molly still makes me laugh. Yes, it is dated but when you read things about Reagan for example as they happened and then see how they still affect us today, you have to laugh or shake you head.
On another point, I always enjoy her stories about John Henry Faulk and then cry that he is gone too.
On another point, I always enjoy her stories about John Henry Faulk and then cry that he is gone too.
April 21, 2019
Molly Ivins is a lot of fun to read. It's both sad and funny to read this collection, which contains stories about the presidents up to George W. Bush. It's sad because you can see the seeds of the current debacle being sown as early as the 1990s, beginning with Newt Gingrich. She's funny, barbed, and insightful.
April 4, 2013
A good collection of classic Ivins, but it gets almost a little too comprehensive toward the end. The discussions of national politicians and personalities is much more interesting than the local folks that populate most of the end of the book.
January 10, 2009
Molly Ivins sadly passed away recently and it is still a national tragedy. This book shows she is a lot more than just a critic of the Bush administration. This is a great read for her views on politics for the last thirty years. I couldn't put it down it was so interesting.
June 23, 2010
A fabulous selection of op-eds from the past 20 years. Molly is so pithy and just tells it like it is. On Bill Clinton: Couldn't he keep his penis in his pants for 8 short years? She died several decades too young. I would have liked to have read her commentary on the 2010's and 20's.
June 4, 2018
Will definitely read more Molly Ivins. This one is a political history of most of my adult life with the addition of much I was not aware of at the time. The Youtube videos with Molly are a treat as well. Wish she was still with us. We need her now more than ever.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews