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Dave Barry Hits Below the Beltway: A Vicious and Unprovoked Attack on Our Most Cherished Political Institutions
The ever popular boomer humorist ties up the gloves to go a few rounds with American politics as he updates the Declaration of Independence, revises the Constitution, swipes at the tax code, and roasts the current administration with all the slow-simmering heat of a Texas barbecue. 150,000 first printing.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2001
111 people are currently reading
308 people want to read
About the author
Dave Barry
153 books2,242 followersDave Barry is a humor writer. For 25 years he was a syndicated columnist whose work appeared in more than 500 newspapers in the United States and abroad. In 1988 he won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. Many people are still trying to figure out how this happened.
Dave has also written many books, virtually none of which contain useful information. Two of his books were used as the basis for the CBS TV sitcom "Dave's World," in which Harry Anderson played a much taller version of Dave.
Dave plays lead guitar in a literary rock band called the Rock Bottom Remainders, whose other members include Stephen King, Amy Tan, Ridley Pearson and Mitch Albom. They are not musically skilled, but they are extremely loud. Dave has also made many TV appearances, including one on the David Letterman show where he proved that it is possible to set fire to a pair of men's underpants with a Barbie doll.
In his spare time, Dave is a candidate for president of the United States. If elected, his highest priority will be to seek the death penalty for whoever is responsible for making Americans install low-flow toilets.
Dave lives in Miami, Florida, with his wife, Michelle, a sportswriter. He has a son, Rob, and a daughter, Sophie, neither of whom thinks he's funny.
Dave has also written many books, virtually none of which contain useful information. Two of his books were used as the basis for the CBS TV sitcom "Dave's World," in which Harry Anderson played a much taller version of Dave.
Dave plays lead guitar in a literary rock band called the Rock Bottom Remainders, whose other members include Stephen King, Amy Tan, Ridley Pearson and Mitch Albom. They are not musically skilled, but they are extremely loud. Dave has also made many TV appearances, including one on the David Letterman show where he proved that it is possible to set fire to a pair of men's underpants with a Barbie doll.
In his spare time, Dave is a candidate for president of the United States. If elected, his highest priority will be to seek the death penalty for whoever is responsible for making Americans install low-flow toilets.
Dave lives in Miami, Florida, with his wife, Michelle, a sportswriter. He has a son, Rob, and a daughter, Sophie, neither of whom thinks he's funny.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
May 21, 2022
Best laugh I've had in a long time. I'm not sure if I learned an awful lot about American politics, but I will be passing on everything I picked up to the uninformed canucks who get their American information from watching CNN and The View. Dave Barry seldom misses.
February 13, 2009
Overall, it was a good book, but the section on Florida politics was hysterical! I still can't beleive any of that actually happened.
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February 17, 2019
Dave Barry tackles politics. Not too bad, but not that memorable either.
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
[Blog] - [Bookstagram]
March 20, 2020
I love Dave Barry. I've grown up on him and appreciate his sense of humor. That being said, this was not my favorite book. It's about the government and politics. Dave Barry admits from the beginning that he really didn't do any research. And I feel that the book suffers from that. I appreciate his humor in real situations that he finds in life. He has a chapter where he goes off about life in Florida. I loved that chapter. It really lifts the book up.
So it's good, but it's not great.
So it's good, but it's not great.
February 26, 2020
Funny, silly, occasionally sophomoric and downright scary.
June 10, 2021
I lost track of the crime rings in the section on South Florida, that was a lot of 'coincidence', but I feel a deeper understanding of our constitution now.
September 8, 2008
When an election year comes around, I try really hard to stay above the fray. I know that there will be rumors and speeches and policies that get everyone really riled up, and I like to think that I can remain emotionally detached and not allow things to get under my skin.
I usually last until about the Conventions, at which point the slumbering poli-sci major in my brain wakes up and grabs the controls. At that point, I start to take things WAY too seriously. I write long, link-filled diatribes about why certain candidates (who shall remain nameless, in case I ever want to recycle this review during another election year) are completely wrong, utterly bereft of any kind of legitimacy or moral standing and how the American people obviously have the intellectual capacity of zucchini if they vote for them.
It's easy to get caught up, because that's what they want. Logical, well-reasoned approaches don't go over well with the public, so they rely on the emotional heartstrings, and sometimes they get me. I turn really serious and absolutely devoted to the idea that I Am Right.
The only antidote to this is humor. It's why I love watching The Daily Show - the more seriously you take things, the more self-assured you become in the absolute rightness of your position, the more you need to be taken down a peg. You need to take a breath, take a step back and allow yourself to laugh at the process. If you don't, you end up risking becoming one of those humorless, fanatic talking heads that just drive everyone crazy.
So, if you need some laughs, and we all know we do, you could do worse than to pick up this book.
This is an original book, rather than a collection of Barry's columns, and he promises right from the outset that he would do absolutely no research whatsoever. "To do an even halfway decent book on a subject as complex as the United States government," he says, "you have to spend a lot of time in Washington, D.C. So the first thing I decided, when I was getting ready to write this book, was that it would not be even halfway decent."
He is, of course, wrong. The book is at least three-quarters decent.
The government is a great source of humor, probably going back to the very first government when a particularly strong hunter-gatherer decided that he was the one best suited to tell the tribe what to do. Barry looks at the evolution of government, back from those early caveman days up to the early days of the twenty-first century. These days, instead of a large, heftable rock to beat possible opponents over the head with, they use commercials. Otherwise, the methods haven't changed.
Barry's sense of humor relies on him being The Common Man, someone who's not really interested in the intricacies of how the government works, but is perfectly happy just sitting back and making fun of it. He has a great time re-writing the Constitution ("Article IV, section 1: There shall be a bunch of States.") and illustrating the continual growth of the U.S. Government with the use of handy free clip-art pictures.
One of the best things he does is point out the fact that no politician ever, ever actually reduces the size of government, no matter what they promise. Government gets bigger, departments get more and more complex all the time, and there's really nothing that we can do about it but try and get a laugh. So whether it's the futility of trying to call prunes "dried plums" or trying to get Congress not to buy things that the military neither wants nor needs, the people in Washington that we trust to run the country are, obviously, insane. Why we keep sending them back is beyond me.
There is, of course, a section on the 2000 election - this book was written in 2001, so there was no escaping that - and a look at it from the unique perspective of those people who screwed it up for everyone. South Florida. The book gets kind of tangential at this point, going from making fun of the US government to making fun of Miami, but he does give us some warning. And in his defense, it is both funny and, in its own way, relevant. It has been argued that Florida is the reason why we've had eight years of George W. Bush, so perhaps if we understand it better we may avoid such... unpleasantness in the future.
But I doubt it.
So, if you're looking for a good laugh and something to remind you that you can't take all this too seriously, pick up the book. It won't solve your problems, and if won't stop you from wanting to strangle everyone on the internet who disagrees with you, but at least a moment's respite is worth it.
I usually last until about the Conventions, at which point the slumbering poli-sci major in my brain wakes up and grabs the controls. At that point, I start to take things WAY too seriously. I write long, link-filled diatribes about why certain candidates (who shall remain nameless, in case I ever want to recycle this review during another election year) are completely wrong, utterly bereft of any kind of legitimacy or moral standing and how the American people obviously have the intellectual capacity of zucchini if they vote for them.
It's easy to get caught up, because that's what they want. Logical, well-reasoned approaches don't go over well with the public, so they rely on the emotional heartstrings, and sometimes they get me. I turn really serious and absolutely devoted to the idea that I Am Right.
The only antidote to this is humor. It's why I love watching The Daily Show - the more seriously you take things, the more self-assured you become in the absolute rightness of your position, the more you need to be taken down a peg. You need to take a breath, take a step back and allow yourself to laugh at the process. If you don't, you end up risking becoming one of those humorless, fanatic talking heads that just drive everyone crazy.
So, if you need some laughs, and we all know we do, you could do worse than to pick up this book.
This is an original book, rather than a collection of Barry's columns, and he promises right from the outset that he would do absolutely no research whatsoever. "To do an even halfway decent book on a subject as complex as the United States government," he says, "you have to spend a lot of time in Washington, D.C. So the first thing I decided, when I was getting ready to write this book, was that it would not be even halfway decent."
He is, of course, wrong. The book is at least three-quarters decent.
The government is a great source of humor, probably going back to the very first government when a particularly strong hunter-gatherer decided that he was the one best suited to tell the tribe what to do. Barry looks at the evolution of government, back from those early caveman days up to the early days of the twenty-first century. These days, instead of a large, heftable rock to beat possible opponents over the head with, they use commercials. Otherwise, the methods haven't changed.
Barry's sense of humor relies on him being The Common Man, someone who's not really interested in the intricacies of how the government works, but is perfectly happy just sitting back and making fun of it. He has a great time re-writing the Constitution ("Article IV, section 1: There shall be a bunch of States.") and illustrating the continual growth of the U.S. Government with the use of handy free clip-art pictures.
One of the best things he does is point out the fact that no politician ever, ever actually reduces the size of government, no matter what they promise. Government gets bigger, departments get more and more complex all the time, and there's really nothing that we can do about it but try and get a laugh. So whether it's the futility of trying to call prunes "dried plums" or trying to get Congress not to buy things that the military neither wants nor needs, the people in Washington that we trust to run the country are, obviously, insane. Why we keep sending them back is beyond me.
There is, of course, a section on the 2000 election - this book was written in 2001, so there was no escaping that - and a look at it from the unique perspective of those people who screwed it up for everyone. South Florida. The book gets kind of tangential at this point, going from making fun of the US government to making fun of Miami, but he does give us some warning. And in his defense, it is both funny and, in its own way, relevant. It has been argued that Florida is the reason why we've had eight years of George W. Bush, so perhaps if we understand it better we may avoid such... unpleasantness in the future.
But I doubt it.
So, if you're looking for a good laugh and something to remind you that you can't take all this too seriously, pick up the book. It won't solve your problems, and if won't stop you from wanting to strangle everyone on the internet who disagrees with you, but at least a moment's respite is worth it.
July 20, 2010
Synopsis: The humor columnist for the Miami Herald writes about the history of politics and the United States government.
My Review: While you never know if Dave Barry is speaking the truth or not, this book was certainly an entertaining read. Barry pokes fun at everything he can fit into his 208 pages. In many ways, I found the book to actually be quite eye-opening to the excesses and poor practices of our government. Imagine if the government actually worked the way the founding fathers meant it to...
My Review: While you never know if Dave Barry is speaking the truth or not, this book was certainly an entertaining read. Barry pokes fun at everything he can fit into his 208 pages. In many ways, I found the book to actually be quite eye-opening to the excesses and poor practices of our government. Imagine if the government actually worked the way the founding fathers meant it to...
December 12, 2009
This one rivals Dave Barry Turns 40 as my favorite Dave Barry book, although that might be because I have an unhealthy obsession with politics. He takes shots at both of the big parties, so don't worry that yours will be left out.
He also takes shots at The West Wing, despite the fact that it's the best show ever. Just so you know, I don't approve of that bit. Bad Dave.
He also takes shots at The West Wing, despite the fact that it's the best show ever. Just so you know, I don't approve of that bit. Bad Dave.
March 22, 2021
Once every year or two I read a Dave Barry book. It's a comforting experience. You know you aren't going to be mentally taxed, that you will likely have a few chuckles, and that you will be finished with the book in a few days tops. I started reading Barry's column way back in middle school, and his cadence and technique are familiar and unchanging.
Here, obviously, the focus is on politics, but most of the writing isn't topical in any real sense. There's a couple of "history" chapters, some stuff about Washington, DC as a city, and a good deal about the peculiarities of Florida politics. It's all quite broad and goes to great lengths so as to not be perceived as partisan, and thus turning off potential purchasers of the book.
You can pretty much count on the three star rating for just about every Barry book (his non-fiction at least). It's gentle, shallow humor, but it will hit at least once in a while. I always enjoy these books while I am reading them, but a week after I've finished, it's forgotten.
Here, obviously, the focus is on politics, but most of the writing isn't topical in any real sense. There's a couple of "history" chapters, some stuff about Washington, DC as a city, and a good deal about the peculiarities of Florida politics. It's all quite broad and goes to great lengths so as to not be perceived as partisan, and thus turning off potential purchasers of the book.
You can pretty much count on the three star rating for just about every Barry book (his non-fiction at least). It's gentle, shallow humor, but it will hit at least once in a while. I always enjoy these books while I am reading them, but a week after I've finished, it's forgotten.
June 29, 2024
I've been reading Dave's books since his beginnings. I couldn't believe my luck at finding somebody else with a sense of humour like mine; it's as if he's always two seconds ahead of the world's time clock, almost too weird to explain. This book was like it was just written in the last few months. The reality of it was scary. I like to call it as I see fit when I see and read about politicos sticking their noses in religion(s), sex and bedrooms of the nations, everything but what they were voted to do. Dave takes it to a completely new and extremely amuzing area of reality that I've found myself re-reading some of his books more than once; too much craziness to try and remember it all. Old or new, his writing continues to be refreshing. He never fails to make me laugh until tears are running down my face. He remains my greatest Go-To-Guy whenever I need to crack up so I can stop staring at the world's current pitiful state. I recommend Dave to be inducted in the Funniest Man Alive Walk of Fame! 🍻👍
April 13, 2020
(3.5 Stars) This work is typical Dave Barry, with a mix of political and slap-stick humor. In this one, he analyzes American political history, following the evolution (at least in his fashion) of how humans established government, how democracy evolved, how the US government evolved, culminating with the giant cluster that was the 2000 US Presidential Election. It is a bridge book of sorts, combining work from his take on US history (Dave Barry Slept Here) to his work describing his home state of Florida (Best. State. Ever). There are quite a few laugh out loud moments (see his take on Florida, the US Constitution and parody of US network press coverage of the election returns from 2000 (especially Dan Rather’s use of country sayings)). Maybe not the best Barry work, but amusing in its own right. Worth a read (and watch out for the prehistoric giant zucchini...more dangerous in history than you think).
December 24, 2020
This is a ridiculous books in a lot of ways, both intentional and not.
Intentionally it's got Dave Barry's classic style of humor as he talks about the history and the form of government in America. However, this felt pretty weak, outside of a chapter he focuses on South Florida towards the end, though there were some great gems.
Unintentionally, it's a book written before the September 11, 2001 attacks (though it was published the next month), and it's a weird snapshot in time at politics in the year 2000. It was both sad and silly seeing all the things that no longer apply to what's going on in DC today.
It definitely didn't age well (I felt the Monica Lewinsky jokes were a bit cruder than what Barry usually goes for), and of the Dave Barrys that I've read, this is probably at the bottom of my list.
Intentionally it's got Dave Barry's classic style of humor as he talks about the history and the form of government in America. However, this felt pretty weak, outside of a chapter he focuses on South Florida towards the end, though there were some great gems.
Unintentionally, it's a book written before the September 11, 2001 attacks (though it was published the next month), and it's a weird snapshot in time at politics in the year 2000. It was both sad and silly seeing all the things that no longer apply to what's going on in DC today.
It definitely didn't age well (I felt the Monica Lewinsky jokes were a bit cruder than what Barry usually goes for), and of the Dave Barrys that I've read, this is probably at the bottom of my list.
June 2, 2025
I loved this book (read last May, as we were embroiled in the presidential race); it reassured me that the nonsense of political elections has been around for a long time. Barry's book was originally published in 2001 and gives some interesting history. Doubtless, the relentless back and forth, with selective and misleading clips on both sides, has been amplified through asocial media and FOX News, with legacy media now having to report (often more than necessary) with a left leaning bent to give balance.
December 30, 2025
The alarming digression into the insanity of Miami life is just one prescient example of how timeless this particular book by Dave Barry ended up being, and I am not making this up, the country has literally never recovered from its shocking revelations about our political process, including such insights as what exactly Giant Prehistoric Zucchini has to do with everything, and just what lawyers have to say for themselves [insert gibberish here].
April 15, 2020
The book is almost 20 years old and still funny enough to make me laugh out loud as i read alone, in my room. He uses stand-up comic devices in written form that come out as stand up comedy.
It's also to read the book because it was written in a time when we could make jokes about our presidents and congress people knowing that we are OK as a nation.
It's also to read the book because it was written in a time when we could make jokes about our presidents and congress people knowing that we are OK as a nation.
October 12, 2021
Hilarious!
As always, Dave Barry had me reading passages out loud to my spouse (to share the laughs). The funniest material was true stories. Stories too insane to be fiction. My only regret, that Dave Barry didn't write another book covering the last 4 years. Now, that would have been a laugh!
As always, Dave Barry had me reading passages out loud to my spouse (to share the laughs). The funniest material was true stories. Stories too insane to be fiction. My only regret, that Dave Barry didn't write another book covering the last 4 years. Now, that would have been a laugh!
December 23, 2020
I'd give this 3.5 stars if I could; 4 seems like to much for this genre, much as I love Barry's humor. Washingtonians will like the section on the DC area, and the look back at the 2000 election is pretty funny as well (This was published just after it.)
May 17, 2017
The first couple of chapters were hard, but after that very funny.
May 17, 2018
funny at times
August 14, 2018
Good book to read in a midterm election year. I "read" this book on CD. I felt the timing of the humor was sometimes off so would have preferred another reader, perhaps Dave Barry himself?
April 18, 2020
Funny
A typical Dave Barry book? Ok I think so. Funny rambles off topic with interesting twists Recurring zucchini joke? That's not so funny
A typical Dave Barry book? Ok I think so. Funny rambles off topic with interesting twists Recurring zucchini joke? That's not so funny
September 18, 2020
Good fun!
January 3, 2021
Barry is hilarious
February 28, 2022
Hilarious!
June 9, 2022
Always good for a chuckle.
September 27, 2023
I like this guy. He makes me laugh.
November 12, 2024
Read this post election for an attempt at comfort. While it’s not Barry’s best work, it did provide a few chuckles.
January 9, 2025
Sometimes I have to wonder if he IS making it up.
July 3, 2021
It's the usual Dave Barry book that delves into politics without picking sides.
It's strictly for humour and absolutely no informative value.
Just sit back and laugh.
It's strictly for humour and absolutely no informative value.
Just sit back and laugh.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews