Nothin' But Good Times Ahead

by Molly Ivins

She's back.  Molly Ivins, our most perceptive, outrageously funny political commentator, has given us an uproarious new book.

In Nothin' But Good Times Ahead , Ivins proved that no one has a steadier gaze or a quicker trigger finger, as she hits the bull's-eye in such targets as George Bush, Bill Clinton, Camille Paglia, the Clarence Thomas hearings, and the ethics-twisting, English-slaughtering pols of her beloved Texas.  Here's Molly

The 1992 Republican "Many people did not care for Pat Buchanan's speech; it probably sounded better in the original German."

Texas "Better than the zoo, better than the circus, rougher than football, and even more aesthetically satisfying than baseball."

Gibber Lewis, former House Speaker of the Texas State "He once announced, 'This is unparalyzed in the state's history." Another "It could have bad ramifistations in the hilterlands."
 

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Humor, Essays, Journalism, History

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

American newspaper columnist, political commentator, and best-selling author from Austin, Texas.

Reviews

[Duff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good grief. Some of her insights into the 1%, the right wing politics and Congressional dysfunction seem to have been written today, not in 1992! Glad I happened to find this old volume at the library. And, there were certainly laugh out loud moments. Gee I miss Molly Ivins.

[KennyO · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly Ivins was the Texas liberal of Texas liberals. Her wit was clever and often cutting but never lacking for a foundation. She had the power to be a giant killer but she also held a sympathetic regard for those who were targets of her columns. Fun was never had at the expense of wisdom.

[Stacy Croushorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly Ivins is my idol! Her writing is hilarious and straight from the hip. This book is almost 30 years old and it is still relevant! The issues she discusses are the same issues we are wrangling today. She is totally irreverent and tells it like it is. She was taken from us much too soon.

[audrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me start this discussion by pointing out that I am not antigun. I'm pro-knife. Consider the merits of the knife.
In the first place, you have to catch up with someone in order to stab him. A general substitution of knives for guns would promote physical fitness. We'd turn into a whole nation of great runners. Plus, knives don't ricochet. And people are seldom killed while cleaning their knives.

Synopsis: A collection of newspaper columns from the early 90s by the late, great political commentator Molly Ivins.



I remember first hearing about Molly Ivins right around the time these columns were set, so, late 80s, early 90s, in my last year of high school, maybe, and while I didn't read any of her work then, I remember hearing about what a stir she was creating on the political commentating scene simply by being critical of George Bush Sr. Later on, as the Cult of Molly grew, I heard more about her groundbreaking liberal voice and how daring her criticisms were, etc etc. And now I've actually gotten around to reading her work, I just don't get what the fuss is all about.

It's true that not many people were being openly critical of Bush Sr (and we never heard from the ones who criticized W, for a variety of reasons) I didn't find much here to get all up in arms about. She really lowballs her attacks on the guy til they're mostly of the Gosh That President variety.

I also didn't care much for Ivins' writing style in general. The columns had a habit of ending abruptly, with no summation or true analysis I could find, and overall, they were a tough slog. I started this book January 2nd, and it took me til last Saturday to finish it. I kept feeling like it was some type of terrible assigned reading for a class I forgot I signed up for.

There are a few standout pieces: one where Ivins does indeed rip Camille Paglia a new one, one on women's rights, a profile of Sam Houston, and an astonishingly good one about the Waco tragedy. The last is possibly worth the price of admission, but this is one book that's headed to the sale pile.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious and depressingly still relevant to today's political climate. What I really love about Molly Ivins is that she is blunt and loud about her criticisms of Texas politcs--and politics in general--but even in her snarkiest, most angry moments, you get a real sense of just how much she loves and respects Texas and its people. There is nothing worse than a political analyst or pundit who looks down on the people and places they write about. No matter how much I might disagree with some of the stuff that comes out of rural Texas, there is nothing worse or more off-putting than condescension. Ivins isn't blind to the faults of politics, of Texas, of America, and she refuses to ignore problems or to excuse shitty behavior and ideologies, but goddamn does she love her home and its people. That's what makes this book funny, and touching, and more than worth reading.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a collection of columns Molly Ivins wrote from 1991 to 1993, and I had forgotten a lot of the shenanigans that politicians had gotten up to way back then. Boy, talk about proto-trumpism! The reactionaries were in full cry and laying the groundwork to take over our government and destroy liberty and honor, and they have nearly succeeded. Even then, Molly was pointing out the dangers of income inequality, deregulation, and the flood of guns, fear and hatred, and we have come much farther down the road than even those simpler but alarming times. But she also wrote about the many colorful characters that were populating Texas politics even back then, and she is always entertaining. I wonder what she'd make of the current crop of crooked, lying, low energy bums we are saddled with.

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly Ivins died almost seven years ago. This book is a collection of columns and other short writings that were written about thirty years ago. Frankly, change the names of the players (that's technically \"politicians") and you'd never know they weren't written last month. Ms Ivins had the talent of writing lovingly about the politics of Texas and the U.S. while simultaneously hating many of the results. I really miss reading her on a regular basis. And I've hardly spent any time in Texas at all.

[Phil Lawless · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book of Molly's columns from 1991 to 1993. It covers the presidential campaigns of Bush, Clinton, and Ross Perot. The principal difference between then and 2016 is that the richest 1 percent then only owned 40 percent of the nation's wealth, not the 90 percent that Sanders quotes today. The other problems - guns, gridlock, money in politics - seem not to have changed at all. I can't decide whether Molly would have despaired or just laughed it off.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of columns from the mid-90's, Bush and Clinton on the national stage, and of course Ross Perot's campaign. So, more a bit of historical nostalgia, but one that continues to make me wish Molly were still around.

While most are political commentary, one that is not - Of Hog Hunts and Humankind - is alone worth the price of admission.

[Leif Erik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this a long time ago and you would really have to be a hard core political nerd with an affinity for Texas hijinks to appreciate Ivins' essays. However no author has ever made me laugh as hard as she has. She is very much missed.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1993, I was 6 or 7 years old. I was more into making friends than learning about politics. I love Molly's take on politics back then. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in what was going on in our government back then. I found this book entertaining and hilarious.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually listened to her read the book on tape, and it was utterly hilarious! I love you, Molly.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so sorry she died. She was an important voice.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do so adore Molly Ivins! Her wit is devastating, and her ability to boil complex political machinations down to the nitty gritty is a boon to all mankind.

We are bereft without her.

[Gerry Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book written by Molly Ivins who grew up with George and knew him his entire life and her opinion of his presidency.

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 4 out of 5]

R.M.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I miss Molly.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ivins's Texas humor kept me amused through a good deal of jury duty. It's both funny and depressing to see how much we're still fighting the same political battles of 1992-1993.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly, where are you when we need you?! And even worse, just change a few names and these could be re-run.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly Ivins views resonate and fascinate and are funny and truth to the bone.

[Sharon Beers · Rating 4 out of 5]

RIP, Molly.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like a lot of journalists, I realize. Miss Molly Ivins

[Richard Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molly Ivins knows better than most how to skewer hypocritical politicians on both a national level and in her home state of Texas. She pulls few punches as she takes on the 1992 election and exposes some of the chicanery of Clinton, Bush, and Perot. I sure do miss all the entertainment and excitement they provided us. Ivins tangles with many of the cultural issues as well, from gay rights and abortion to the uneven distribution of wealth in this country. I like her feisty attitude and her fearlessness; she never backs down from a fight and seems to have great fun in the process. A very entertaining and hilarious read.

[Steven]

excellent. newspaper article primarily about George W Bush. strangely appropriate for our current times.

[MaryBeth Long · Rating 2 out of 5]

Repetitive and dated with some funny bits.

[Milt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collectively herein, past and current events and characters have been thoroughly mollyfried!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly wish this felt dated 🥺. The more things change,…

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved it...!

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, do I miss Molly Ivins! My hero-- what an incredible broad.