What do you think?
Rate this book
God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy
In Mike Huckabee’s new book God, Guns, Grits and Gravy, he asks the question, "Have I been taken to a different planet than the one on which I grew up?" The New York Times bestselling author explores today’s American culture, drawing from his travels as a presidential candidate to present average, small-town people and families, and their optimistic resilience in the face of hard times; their stories, says Huckabee, "will inspire readers to think about their own values and rediscover what makes America great." At times lighthearted, at others bracingly realistic, Huckabee's brand of optimistic patriotism lends itself to discussing the reintroduction of fundamental American values, as well as a bright outlook for future generations.
7 pages, Audio CD
First published January 13, 2015
51 people are currently reading
635 people want to read
About the author
Mike Huckabee
57 books62 followersAmerican politician and a political commentator for Fox News Channel. A member of the Republican Party,
Huckabee served as governor of the U.S. state of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007 and finished second in the 2008 United States Republican presidential primaries; he announced his candidacy on January 28, 2007. Following losses to John McCain in the Texas, Ohio, Vermont, and Rhode Island primaries, McCain became the presumptive Republican nominee and Huckabee exited the race on March 4, 2008.
Huckabee is the author of several books, an ordained Southern Baptist minister and a public speaker. He is well known for having lost 110 pounds (50 kg) in a very short time and for advocating a healthy lifestyle. He and his wife, Janet, have been married 33 years and have three grown children: John Mark, David, and Sarah.
Huckabee served as governor of the U.S. state of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007 and finished second in the 2008 United States Republican presidential primaries; he announced his candidacy on January 28, 2007. Following losses to John McCain in the Texas, Ohio, Vermont, and Rhode Island primaries, McCain became the presumptive Republican nominee and Huckabee exited the race on March 4, 2008.
Huckabee is the author of several books, an ordained Southern Baptist minister and a public speaker. He is well known for having lost 110 pounds (50 kg) in a very short time and for advocating a healthy lifestyle. He and his wife, Janet, have been married 33 years and have three grown children: John Mark, David, and Sarah.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
February 21, 2015
The best part of this book was that "get off my lawn" was actually part of one of the chapter titles. This book is basically one giant "get off my lawn" to people who aren't like the author. As a DC native, gunless non-Christian, Ivy League graduate (degree paid for by my father's government job), PhD environmental scientist, childless single woman, and two-time Obama voter, I don't even need to be told to stay off this man's lawn, but unfortunately he seems to think that the entire country is his lawn.
The basic premise of this book is that America consists of "Bubbleville" and "Bubbaville," but it's not entirely clear to me how large parts of the country are classified. DC, LA, and NYC are called out as bubbles and the rural/small-town South and Midwest as Bubba, but a lot of the rest is unclear. I assume major coastal cities like SF and Boston also fall into the bubble category, but what about the big cities of the Midwest and South? I guess we shouldn't be surprised that grey areas are glossed over in an intentionally us vs. them, con vs. lib, red vs. blue, farm vs. city, broad-brush, stereotyping hatefest like this book.
The basic premise of this book is that America consists of "Bubbleville" and "Bubbaville," but it's not entirely clear to me how large parts of the country are classified. DC, LA, and NYC are called out as bubbles and the rural/small-town South and Midwest as Bubba, but a lot of the rest is unclear. I assume major coastal cities like SF and Boston also fall into the bubble category, but what about the big cities of the Midwest and South? I guess we shouldn't be surprised that grey areas are glossed over in an intentionally us vs. them, con vs. lib, red vs. blue, farm vs. city, broad-brush, stereotyping hatefest like this book.
never
January 9, 2015I wholeheartedly endorse two of these things. Care to guess which?
February 8, 2015
I saw Mike Huckabee on the Daily Show and the topic in this book was relevant to what I'm currently writing. I don't completely subscribe to right wing/conservative politics, nor am I extremely liberal. However, he made some fair points about how republicans and people of faith or 'country folks' are portrayed in the media. He does get a little scathing about how lame he thinks 'liberal coastal elites' are. But all in all, Mike Huckabee comes across as likable and fairly sensible. Even if I don't love every single thing he says. He is making a fair point about how divided American society is and how certain qualities are valued in the media while others are not. It was also informative reading if you are interested in politics.
February 6, 2015
Down-state Illinois
Glad that someone in the know had the guts to tell it like it is without holding back. Usually the media crushes or crucifies those who speak out. Clear examples would include : Phil Robertson, James Dobson, and Sarah Palin. Not very many people I know would take on the groups mentioned in your book. Will recommend this book to all and hope that another book would come out about Hillary before 2016.
Glad that someone in the know had the guts to tell it like it is without holding back. Usually the media crushes or crucifies those who speak out. Clear examples would include : Phil Robertson, James Dobson, and Sarah Palin. Not very many people I know would take on the groups mentioned in your book. Will recommend this book to all and hope that another book would come out about Hillary before 2016.
March 31, 2015
Reading this book reminded why I love the Governor so much. He is direct, honest but respectful and courteous to those who may disagree with him. He offered clear explanations for the reasons he believes what he believes and why a majority of "fly-over country" folks share those beliefs. So much of what he said in this book about growing up southern made me smile because I know exactly what he's talking about. This was a very, very good book.
October 16, 2023
Honestly, I generally hate politics and any books about politics. But this was not too bad--actually, it was pretty good! Huckabee is really funny and I enjoyed reading about his Southern Christian values. Plus, he just tells it like he sees it, which seems rare for a politician. No flim-flam here. But, if you disagree with him politically, I can see that rustling a few feathers.
June 4, 2015
I love God, guns are one of the greatest inventions, grits sound good, and gravy is to die for. This is one of my new recommendable books. The book contains life lessons, spiritual lessons, food lessons, and a healthy dose of sarcasm and jokes. The many of life stories are interesting and keep your attention. For being a teenager a majority of the lessons that are taught could apply to me in a way. Good overall books good for a summer book and a learning book.
July 10, 2015
Titles more accurate (but, admittedly, less catchy) than "God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy":
"Huckabee Dislikes a Thing Because It Isn't Old-Fashioned and/or Southern Enough"
"Why Huckabee is Different from All Those Other Republicans"
"Huckabee Comments on Political, Social, and Cultural Issues While Ending Every Paragraph with a "Funny" One-Liner"
"Contradictions, Condemnation, Christianity, and Communism"
Actually, that last one might work.
"Huckabee Dislikes a Thing Because It Isn't Old-Fashioned and/or Southern Enough"
"Why Huckabee is Different from All Those Other Republicans"
"Huckabee Comments on Political, Social, and Cultural Issues While Ending Every Paragraph with a "Funny" One-Liner"
"Contradictions, Condemnation, Christianity, and Communism"
Actually, that last one might work.
June 8, 2015
Do not buy this book; I got it from the library. I wish I could have given it 0 stars, but that's not an option.
First, no one this parochial should be President of the United States. It's OK that he really enjoys grits; it should be equally OK that I dislike grits. This guy says "how can an eating place that fancies itself fancy have the audacity to open its doors and not have biscuits and gravy or grits on the breakfast menu?"
Because not everyone likes grits. And whether or not you want to admit it, it's a regional dish. We simply don't serve it in the Northeast.
Second, this book is extremely poorly written - somewhere, there's a grammar school teacher who either has very high blood pressure or is spinning in his or her grave. Quotation marks are used for quotations, not for emphasis. Sarcasm can be delivered in other ways. And it's not a digression if you make the point every chapter.
I hate his folksy style. I don't want my President to be folksy - I want him or her to be intelligent. And it's not a digression if you do it all the time - it's your central point.
Third, he is remarkable inconsistent. According to Huckabee, the Government should stay out of our business - except to prevent gay people from getting married.
Don't bash the President's parenting! Not appropriate.
Regulation + Taxation + Litigation = Job migration. So, stop taxing and regulating, right? Except that his example, Texas, is faltering. California is recovering. Perhaps you should wait on your examples until they actually play out...
Christians are not being persecuted in the United States. Christians are being persecuted in many places around the world, but not the United States. Just ask the Chaldeans.
Topics about which Huckabee and I agree:
1. The term "flyover country" is insulting.
2. The NSA shouldn't spy on its own citizens (and Edward Snowden is neither villain nor hero).
3. Some regulations are stupid and overbearing, and social change cannot be legislated.
However, you don't get to say that you can identify with people from the Midwest in your introduction and then insult Midwesterners in your final chapter. Just as "flyover country" is insulting, so are terms like "citidiots."
First, no one this parochial should be President of the United States. It's OK that he really enjoys grits; it should be equally OK that I dislike grits. This guy says "how can an eating place that fancies itself fancy have the audacity to open its doors and not have biscuits and gravy or grits on the breakfast menu?"
Because not everyone likes grits. And whether or not you want to admit it, it's a regional dish. We simply don't serve it in the Northeast.
Second, this book is extremely poorly written - somewhere, there's a grammar school teacher who either has very high blood pressure or is spinning in his or her grave. Quotation marks are used for quotations, not for emphasis. Sarcasm can be delivered in other ways. And it's not a digression if you make the point every chapter.
I hate his folksy style. I don't want my President to be folksy - I want him or her to be intelligent. And it's not a digression if you do it all the time - it's your central point.
Third, he is remarkable inconsistent. According to Huckabee, the Government should stay out of our business - except to prevent gay people from getting married.
Don't bash the President's parenting! Not appropriate.
Regulation + Taxation + Litigation = Job migration. So, stop taxing and regulating, right? Except that his example, Texas, is faltering. California is recovering. Perhaps you should wait on your examples until they actually play out...
Christians are not being persecuted in the United States. Christians are being persecuted in many places around the world, but not the United States. Just ask the Chaldeans.
Topics about which Huckabee and I agree:
1. The term "flyover country" is insulting.
2. The NSA shouldn't spy on its own citizens (and Edward Snowden is neither villain nor hero).
3. Some regulations are stupid and overbearing, and social change cannot be legislated.
However, you don't get to say that you can identify with people from the Midwest in your introduction and then insult Midwesterners in your final chapter. Just as "flyover country" is insulting, so are terms like "citidiots."
May 4, 2015
Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee writes about concerning topics as talked about on his Fox News show. Huckabee talks about ideas that I agree with such as: too much government spying and a tendency of some in government to over-regulate and interfere with the lives of Americans.
Huckabee’s simplistic premise is that the United States consists of two types of people, the Bubbas who are decent, God-fearing, Bible-believing, Christians, and the people in Bubbleville who are crude, know-it-alls, who live in the cities of NYC, Hollywood, and DC. Huckabee's ideas would be laughable if they weren’t so true.
Huckabee writes about how the United States needs many types of people who each can contribute in their own way for our country to flourish. I know Huckabee, like myself, believes in personal freedom because he devotes a whole chapter to it.
This book is a great overall read that was easy to breeze through and enjoy probably because I am from the south myself and could relate to so much he discussed but I think this book was incredibly well written and will definitely keep it on my bookshelf and re-read it again.
Huckabee’s simplistic premise is that the United States consists of two types of people, the Bubbas who are decent, God-fearing, Bible-believing, Christians, and the people in Bubbleville who are crude, know-it-alls, who live in the cities of NYC, Hollywood, and DC. Huckabee's ideas would be laughable if they weren’t so true.
Huckabee writes about how the United States needs many types of people who each can contribute in their own way for our country to flourish. I know Huckabee, like myself, believes in personal freedom because he devotes a whole chapter to it.
This book is a great overall read that was easy to breeze through and enjoy probably because I am from the south myself and could relate to so much he discussed but I think this book was incredibly well written and will definitely keep it on my bookshelf and re-read it again.
August 23, 2019
Funny and light-hearted but contains an abundance of important historical information. If you watch his show on TBN, you will find the same hopeful spirit, especially as he always features real-life heroes that you never heard about anywhere else. Huckabee always comes across as a kind (less snarky) political pundit. If you are looking for "positive politics" or didn't think it was possible, try this book. And I always like to point out that Huckabee is a musician and a Bible scholar who loves people and could speak for the rest of his life on topics other than politics, if he didn't think its role in our lives is significant. Many of our nation's founders were ministers of the Gospel, and I hope we have more of them choose to go into office.
February 16, 2015
I like all his ideas. He knows the common folk and isn't one of the elite, he knows what the average middle income person wants and needs. He's honest and has a lot of common sense - which isn't out there with our current politicians. Wish there were a lot more like him. An excellent book and an easy read. I love his comparisons of DC, NY, and LA to the people of the "flyover" land. Those people have no clue as to how the rest of us live!
April 18, 2015
I enjoyed this book of Huckabees more than I thought I would. I found other books of his to be boring. In this book, he compares "Bubba-villes" versus the "Bubble-villes" (the power centers of the country like New York, Washington, and LA). He gave great examples from popular culture about hot topics such as homosexuality, gun control, the infamous discussion about Beyoncé being a role model for girls, etc.
March 8, 2015
I loved it. So down to earth and says what has been on my mind for many years now. I especially loved the part about the real rednecks towards the end of the book and how they don't like to fight, but!!!!!!!!!!!!. I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't read the book. I read it to my long time southern friends and we got a good laugh out of a very serious subject.
April 16, 2015
EXCELLENT read! Mike Huckabee has more common sense in his little finger than most politicians have in their entire body! I found his ideas very balanced, fair and logical. Very well written, very thought provoking. Highly recommend this book.
April 27, 2015
I read a variety of books for multiple politely parties to make sure I am well balanced and gleaning facts from multiple avenues. This is absolutely one of the best autobiographies I have ever read. (Listened to).
April 2, 2018
It seems more politicians are starting their presidential campaigns by writing books about their lives and beliefs. Huckabee does so here, talking about his conservative values. Of course, all these type works cite what the candidate considers positive.
June 7, 2015
God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy by Mike Huckabee
“God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy" is an interesting look at the foundation and source of Mike Huckabee’s political philosophy. Not ashamed of his roots, former governor Mike Huckabee introduces the masses to the people for whom God, guns, grits, and gravy makes sense. Find out why this progressive reviewer though finding Huckabee at times quite charming disagrees with his outdated theocratic agenda. This accessible 271-page book includes nineteen chapters covering a number of political topics.
Positives:
1. A well-written and at times even charming book.
2. I’m always interested in understanding opposing views. This book provides valuable insights into what is at the essence of Huckabee’s political views.
3. An easy to follow format that readers can easily reference back. Very accessible and dare I say pleasant to read. Does a really good job of making his points very clear.
4. Many interesting topics addressed. Everything from same-sex marriages, guns and religion.
5. Some valid points on the culture of crude.
6. Certainly all parties and groups make use of language that is favorable to their position. “Control the definition of terms, and you win the debate before it begins.”
7. Valid criticism to a certain extent on the “nanny” state. “There’s a huge difference between government encouraging healthy behavior and government force-feeding us an arugula salad because some bureaucrat sitting in a cubicle thinks his power is more powerful than our freedom to choose.”
8. Positive support for Michele Obama’s stance on overweight children.
9. Good points on the NSA. “Snowden has been labeled everything from a traitor to a hero, but the truth probably lies somewhere in between.” Agreed.
10. “Laws will be passed and government will grow to more clearly define the boundaries of acceptable behavior.” Agreed but one based on what’s in the best interest of all Americans and not one based on what’s in the best interest of imagined gods.
11. Some great examples that clearly show government overreach particularly in the TSA. Great chapter!
12. Huckabee drops the Hawthorne effect on his readers. Good chapter on reality TV culture.
13. “In Bubble-ville, the government will offer other people’s money in huge amounts to protect the guilty at the expense of the innocent.” Oh my science, I’m a agreeing with Huckabee. Another great quote, “…the very people who had crafted the destruction of the American economy were rewarded with government bailouts and bonuses.”
14. Exposes some liberal hypocrisy.
15. Some good quotes. “When two parties are negotiating a deal that neither has to pay for, it doesn’t end well for the sucker who does have to pay for it.”
16. Makes some valid points on his contention that the United States is falling behind other nations.
17. A look at some proposals.
18. A final chapter that summarizes well his positions.
Negatives:
1. Plain and simply, Huckabee’s religious views get in the way of reason. He espouses what can only be construed as theocratic views. Specific negatives to follow.
2. Huckabee doesn’t take long to challenge the president on why he changed his stance on same-sex marriage. Here’s an answer, because he changed his mind based on a better and in this case superior stance on the issue. It’s called progress.
3. Oh please Huckabee plays the Christian persecution card. Respect our Constitution’s separation of church and state! Having religious beliefs does not give you the right to discriminate against gay people.
4. Another cheap shot at the president for “allowing” his children to listen to vulgarity of Jay-Z and Beyoncé.
5. “But in today’s demand for uniformity, one who questions the politically driven agenda of global warming is labeled as “anti-science,” even though there are many legitimate scientists on that side.” Politically driven agenda of global warming? The only agenda that the consensus of subject-matter experts (climatologists) has is to be on the right side of our current science. The OVERWHELMING consensus is that we humans do INDEED have an impact on global warming.
6. How can you make a good and bad point in one sentence? “I believe we should practice good health habits. Not because the government tells us to but because, first and foremost, our bodies belong to God.” Really, “God”? Which one? Zeus, Apollo, Aphrodite? God is the ultimate deception, the ultimate Sugar Daddy.
7. Uses a very poor example to illustrate his introduction to same-sex attraction.
8. Huckabee urges a rational debate based on logic and facts, agreed. Let’s start with having a discussion on why laws should in fact be man-centered and not “God’s law”. What objective foundation do we have for “God”?
9. Probably will go down as the biggest flops of this book. “Like the Robertsons of Duck Dynasty fame, the Duggars reflect all that is good and decent about family.”
10. “Climate change isn’t the only field in which the environmental movement has claimed to represent unassailable scientific truth, only to be brought up short by new data.” Mr. Huckabee, sir, I beg you to leave the science work to scientists!
11. “We started each day with a prayer, and said another one on the way to the lunchroom.” Not in my public school you won’t! Separation of church and state sir! Respect our godless Constitution!
12. Makes some valid points on his contention that the United States is falling behind other nations but for the wrong reasons. “Meanwhile, we’re watching our government take away land rights and personal and religious freedoms at a stunning rate.” Taking away religious freedom? Are you kidding me?
13. Good points on family and the correlation to eliminating poverty yet is against same-sex marriages.
14. “But Heaven Is For Real got it right, and it’s a TriStar release featuring mainstream star Greg Kinnear.” Wasn’t the book exposed for the fraud that it is?
In summary, I got what I wanted from this book, to gain a better understanding of what’s behind Huckabee’s theocratic views. The book is a pleasure to read in the sense that it’s plain and engaging writing. Huckabee suffers from dual personality. He can be quite charming and reasonable but other times mean and rigid. This progressive reviewer finds many of his social views based on religious beliefs to be regressive and a threat to unity. His theocratic views would be a danger to our society and ironically goes against the very foundation of our grand secular Constitution. Worth reading even if you’re a progressive as myself.
“Attack of the Theocrats” by Sean Faircloth, “Society without God” by Phil Zuckerman, “American Fascists” by Chris Hedges, “Fool Me Twice: Fighting the Assault on Science in America” by Shawn Lawrence Otto, “The Hockey Stick and Climate Wars” by Michael E. Mann, “Lies, Damned Lies, and Science” by Sherry Seethaler, “American Taliban” by Markos Moulitsas, “Reduce Gun Violence in America” by Daniel K. Webster and Jon S. Vernick, and “Merchants of Doubt” by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway.
“God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy" is an interesting look at the foundation and source of Mike Huckabee’s political philosophy. Not ashamed of his roots, former governor Mike Huckabee introduces the masses to the people for whom God, guns, grits, and gravy makes sense. Find out why this progressive reviewer though finding Huckabee at times quite charming disagrees with his outdated theocratic agenda. This accessible 271-page book includes nineteen chapters covering a number of political topics.
Positives:
1. A well-written and at times even charming book.
2. I’m always interested in understanding opposing views. This book provides valuable insights into what is at the essence of Huckabee’s political views.
3. An easy to follow format that readers can easily reference back. Very accessible and dare I say pleasant to read. Does a really good job of making his points very clear.
4. Many interesting topics addressed. Everything from same-sex marriages, guns and religion.
5. Some valid points on the culture of crude.
6. Certainly all parties and groups make use of language that is favorable to their position. “Control the definition of terms, and you win the debate before it begins.”
7. Valid criticism to a certain extent on the “nanny” state. “There’s a huge difference between government encouraging healthy behavior and government force-feeding us an arugula salad because some bureaucrat sitting in a cubicle thinks his power is more powerful than our freedom to choose.”
8. Positive support for Michele Obama’s stance on overweight children.
9. Good points on the NSA. “Snowden has been labeled everything from a traitor to a hero, but the truth probably lies somewhere in between.” Agreed.
10. “Laws will be passed and government will grow to more clearly define the boundaries of acceptable behavior.” Agreed but one based on what’s in the best interest of all Americans and not one based on what’s in the best interest of imagined gods.
11. Some great examples that clearly show government overreach particularly in the TSA. Great chapter!
12. Huckabee drops the Hawthorne effect on his readers. Good chapter on reality TV culture.
13. “In Bubble-ville, the government will offer other people’s money in huge amounts to protect the guilty at the expense of the innocent.” Oh my science, I’m a agreeing with Huckabee. Another great quote, “…the very people who had crafted the destruction of the American economy were rewarded with government bailouts and bonuses.”
14. Exposes some liberal hypocrisy.
15. Some good quotes. “When two parties are negotiating a deal that neither has to pay for, it doesn’t end well for the sucker who does have to pay for it.”
16. Makes some valid points on his contention that the United States is falling behind other nations.
17. A look at some proposals.
18. A final chapter that summarizes well his positions.
Negatives:
1. Plain and simply, Huckabee’s religious views get in the way of reason. He espouses what can only be construed as theocratic views. Specific negatives to follow.
2. Huckabee doesn’t take long to challenge the president on why he changed his stance on same-sex marriage. Here’s an answer, because he changed his mind based on a better and in this case superior stance on the issue. It’s called progress.
3. Oh please Huckabee plays the Christian persecution card. Respect our Constitution’s separation of church and state! Having religious beliefs does not give you the right to discriminate against gay people.
4. Another cheap shot at the president for “allowing” his children to listen to vulgarity of Jay-Z and Beyoncé.
5. “But in today’s demand for uniformity, one who questions the politically driven agenda of global warming is labeled as “anti-science,” even though there are many legitimate scientists on that side.” Politically driven agenda of global warming? The only agenda that the consensus of subject-matter experts (climatologists) has is to be on the right side of our current science. The OVERWHELMING consensus is that we humans do INDEED have an impact on global warming.
6. How can you make a good and bad point in one sentence? “I believe we should practice good health habits. Not because the government tells us to but because, first and foremost, our bodies belong to God.” Really, “God”? Which one? Zeus, Apollo, Aphrodite? God is the ultimate deception, the ultimate Sugar Daddy.
7. Uses a very poor example to illustrate his introduction to same-sex attraction.
8. Huckabee urges a rational debate based on logic and facts, agreed. Let’s start with having a discussion on why laws should in fact be man-centered and not “God’s law”. What objective foundation do we have for “God”?
9. Probably will go down as the biggest flops of this book. “Like the Robertsons of Duck Dynasty fame, the Duggars reflect all that is good and decent about family.”
10. “Climate change isn’t the only field in which the environmental movement has claimed to represent unassailable scientific truth, only to be brought up short by new data.” Mr. Huckabee, sir, I beg you to leave the science work to scientists!
11. “We started each day with a prayer, and said another one on the way to the lunchroom.” Not in my public school you won’t! Separation of church and state sir! Respect our godless Constitution!
12. Makes some valid points on his contention that the United States is falling behind other nations but for the wrong reasons. “Meanwhile, we’re watching our government take away land rights and personal and religious freedoms at a stunning rate.” Taking away religious freedom? Are you kidding me?
13. Good points on family and the correlation to eliminating poverty yet is against same-sex marriages.
14. “But Heaven Is For Real got it right, and it’s a TriStar release featuring mainstream star Greg Kinnear.” Wasn’t the book exposed for the fraud that it is?
In summary, I got what I wanted from this book, to gain a better understanding of what’s behind Huckabee’s theocratic views. The book is a pleasure to read in the sense that it’s plain and engaging writing. Huckabee suffers from dual personality. He can be quite charming and reasonable but other times mean and rigid. This progressive reviewer finds many of his social views based on religious beliefs to be regressive and a threat to unity. His theocratic views would be a danger to our society and ironically goes against the very foundation of our grand secular Constitution. Worth reading even if you’re a progressive as myself.
“Attack of the Theocrats” by Sean Faircloth, “Society without God” by Phil Zuckerman, “American Fascists” by Chris Hedges, “Fool Me Twice: Fighting the Assault on Science in America” by Shawn Lawrence Otto, “The Hockey Stick and Climate Wars” by Michael E. Mann, “Lies, Damned Lies, and Science” by Sherry Seethaler, “American Taliban” by Markos Moulitsas, “Reduce Gun Violence in America” by Daniel K. Webster and Jon S. Vernick, and “Merchants of Doubt” by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway.
February 12, 2023
Rather than ask “have I been taken to a different planet than the one I grew up one”, maybe you should ask “should I be taken to a different planet than the one I grew up on?”. Explore that idea a bit sir.
November 3, 2018
God, Guns, Grits and Gravy, he asks the question, "Have I been taken to a different planet than the one on which I grew up?"
March 2, 2016
It was bound to happen eventually, and I write as one who has slogged his way through the ouevre of Philippa Gregory and other historical romance writers. But I couldn't finish this piece of dreck. As historical romances go --- and don't kid yourself, that's what ole Huck is a-writin', this one is really dreadful.
He starts with a fallacious premise about the past. God knows a lot of authors in this genre do that, but people who fantasize about Marie Antoinette or the Romanovs aren't likely to cause much harm, whereas this dimbulb is actually out to hurt the Constitution of the United States by either getting himself elected President (highly unlikely going forward after Donald Trump, one of them Noo Yawk sharpies that Huckabee pretends to despise, finishes wrecking the GOP in 2016) or by pandering to exactly the base that the Drumpf (someone give John Oliver a medal) is seeking to energize. Those would be the stupid people, by the way.
How does he do this? Well, he starts by creating a history of a United States that never was, and attempts to validate it by saying he "remembers a time when . . ." So do I, Governor. I was raised by God-fearing parents (albeit Catholics, who don't really count in Huckabeeland) on Long Island. They scrimped and saved to give their children the finest affordable education. They were diligent Republicans during a period when that wasn't embarrassing, even voting for Barry Goldwater in 1964 --- when I'll lay money the Huckabee clan was out in force for LBJ. Of course, Barry Goldwater looks like the love child of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in the current political climate that Huckabee helped create. And the America that I remember in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s was tearing herself apart over the treatment of African Americans, women, homosexuals; over whether we should have participated in an ultimately meaningless war in Vietnam that succeeded in causing untold American and Vietnamese deaths; over whether the President could violate the laws of the Republic and remain in office . . . well, you get the point, even if Huckabee doesn't. There was no fairy-tale golden age when all was well with the world, and the folks sat out on porches whittlin' and singin'. It's romantic twaddle of the first order, and I am sure he knows better.
So why is he doing it?
Well, for one thing, we have a black President, and damn, that sticks in some people's craws. The second, and more important reason, is to validate the existence of a base that Huckabee thought he had a shot at before his ass was handed to him in the Republican race for the 2016 nomination, a race that hilariously included Huckabee (a former governor) and Cruz (a sitting senator) holding the hands of a lawbreaker as she emerged from a few days in the clink, telling people that she was "standing up" for the Constitution. Urf.
I almost finished it, and it kills me not to because I always finish books I start, gosh darn it, because Eisenhower told us to. Or something. But I am comforted by a childhood memory. At one point there was nothing else to start a fire in an outdoor grill, and my friend fished a copy of Myra Breckinridge out of a stack of paperbacks, doused it with lighter fluid and threw it onto the charcoal. "What?" he asked at the sight of the expression on my face. "They ain't all War and Peace."
No joke.
He starts with a fallacious premise about the past. God knows a lot of authors in this genre do that, but people who fantasize about Marie Antoinette or the Romanovs aren't likely to cause much harm, whereas this dimbulb is actually out to hurt the Constitution of the United States by either getting himself elected President (highly unlikely going forward after Donald Trump, one of them Noo Yawk sharpies that Huckabee pretends to despise, finishes wrecking the GOP in 2016) or by pandering to exactly the base that the Drumpf (someone give John Oliver a medal) is seeking to energize. Those would be the stupid people, by the way.
How does he do this? Well, he starts by creating a history of a United States that never was, and attempts to validate it by saying he "remembers a time when . . ." So do I, Governor. I was raised by God-fearing parents (albeit Catholics, who don't really count in Huckabeeland) on Long Island. They scrimped and saved to give their children the finest affordable education. They were diligent Republicans during a period when that wasn't embarrassing, even voting for Barry Goldwater in 1964 --- when I'll lay money the Huckabee clan was out in force for LBJ. Of course, Barry Goldwater looks like the love child of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in the current political climate that Huckabee helped create. And the America that I remember in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s was tearing herself apart over the treatment of African Americans, women, homosexuals; over whether we should have participated in an ultimately meaningless war in Vietnam that succeeded in causing untold American and Vietnamese deaths; over whether the President could violate the laws of the Republic and remain in office . . . well, you get the point, even if Huckabee doesn't. There was no fairy-tale golden age when all was well with the world, and the folks sat out on porches whittlin' and singin'. It's romantic twaddle of the first order, and I am sure he knows better.
So why is he doing it?
Well, for one thing, we have a black President, and damn, that sticks in some people's craws. The second, and more important reason, is to validate the existence of a base that Huckabee thought he had a shot at before his ass was handed to him in the Republican race for the 2016 nomination, a race that hilariously included Huckabee (a former governor) and Cruz (a sitting senator) holding the hands of a lawbreaker as she emerged from a few days in the clink, telling people that she was "standing up" for the Constitution. Urf.
I almost finished it, and it kills me not to because I always finish books I start, gosh darn it, because Eisenhower told us to. Or something. But I am comforted by a childhood memory. At one point there was nothing else to start a fire in an outdoor grill, and my friend fished a copy of Myra Breckinridge out of a stack of paperbacks, doused it with lighter fluid and threw it onto the charcoal. "What?" he asked at the sight of the expression on my face. "They ain't all War and Peace."
No joke.
October 1, 2018
While a lot of very newsworthy political events have occurred since the publishing of this book in 2014, it is still a great resource to compare the events Huckabee mentions with similar events today. Huckabee writes about some serious stuff with intelligence, experience, and a biblical, conservative worldview, made more palatable with his down-home sense of humor. Basically, he shows the different mindset of the people from "Bubba-ville" and the people from "Bubble-ville." If you are from "Bubba-ville, you are going to love it.
March 24, 2015
I won this audiobook. First off, I gave this book an honest chance, and looked at it from every angle I could think of. secondly, I think it is important to note that it is actually read by the author, not an actor. It is important because it sounds like it is being read by somebody who is lying. I am not saying it sounds like it is being read by a bad voice actor. Nope, it sounds like an intelligent man is purposefully saying things that are false in order to make people happy. He sounds like every word either was just a lie, or is about to be a lie. You've all met somebody like that, so you know what is sounds like. That is what this guy sounds like. Maybe what he is saying is true (although I find that very hard to believe), but every word oozed of a lie carefully aimed at a certain group of people. I love grits and biscuits and gravy, but he tells us within the first few minutes of the book that he expects us to believe that not only has he checked to see if the fanciest restaurants in New York serve these, but that we are supposed to believe that he is genuinely surprised that they don't serve them. Either he is lying, and thinks that everybody who is going to read this book is an idiot, or he is an idiot. Neither situation is good when discussing a politician. Certainly, I should expect lies from a politician, but he shouldn't expect a good book review when even the intro to his book is full of lies. What baffles me is the large rating this book has. I suspect he found his target audience, and he pitched his voice and slang exactly the way they want to hear it.
May 19, 2015
Huckabee, is entertaining in a folksy manner of Will Rodgers. However Huk, uses the hyperbole of humor to pander to his base,Bubbaville, while demonizing his opposition, bubbleville. So even though he's cute; he does little more than promote divisiveness.
He plays the victim card to the extreme: religion and Christianity in particular is under attack. All without ever recognizing that it's just the sanctimonious Christians that are being criticized. Most Americans believe that Christians (the heroes of Bubbaville) have no more right to tell them how they should behave than Muslims, the villians of Bubbaville. To disagree with a Bubbavillian is an attack on their First Amendment rights -- "golly gee, we're only sharing our superior knowledge of right versus wrong. And it's not like we are demanding anything except the behaviors directed right there in THE scriptures, as we interpret them." And as Huckabee basically put it, if we disagree on the absolute superiority of the scriptures, then there's not much hope for agreement anywhere.
Like so many political wannabe books, Huck's book is a lot of complaints about the obvious with very little specific solutions. I just felt like I was listening to my Dad talk about how much better everything was back... Well as I learned, shit changes, Dad/Huck. Get used to it. And it's not like Bubbaville has never had to catch up to the times in the past -- race relations.
He plays the victim card to the extreme: religion and Christianity in particular is under attack. All without ever recognizing that it's just the sanctimonious Christians that are being criticized. Most Americans believe that Christians (the heroes of Bubbaville) have no more right to tell them how they should behave than Muslims, the villians of Bubbaville. To disagree with a Bubbavillian is an attack on their First Amendment rights -- "golly gee, we're only sharing our superior knowledge of right versus wrong. And it's not like we are demanding anything except the behaviors directed right there in THE scriptures, as we interpret them." And as Huckabee basically put it, if we disagree on the absolute superiority of the scriptures, then there's not much hope for agreement anywhere.
Like so many political wannabe books, Huck's book is a lot of complaints about the obvious with very little specific solutions. I just felt like I was listening to my Dad talk about how much better everything was back... Well as I learned, shit changes, Dad/Huck. Get used to it. And it's not like Bubbaville has never had to catch up to the times in the past -- race relations.
September 22, 2018
As Gov. Huckabee states in this book, it’s becoming more and more difficult to recognize the America we grew up in. He does a nice recap of our traditional values and customs that have historically represented who we are as Americans and why decent hard working people around the world wanted to come here to become citizens. While hard to find on the more liberal havens on both coasts, these core values are still common in what the coastals refer to as “flyover country” indicating their disdain for those who hold those values. The book does a good job analyzing and discussing various topics comparing where we came from, where we are, and where we can go from here. Good book for anyone interested in traditional American values.
April 19, 2015
Here is a perfect example of my feeling about this book: I was preparing to write this review and I thought one of the Bookshelf/tab options was "shoot self."
This book is h-o-r-r-i-b-l-e. He complains that the people in "fly-over country" are a mystery. That they suffer from incorrect stereotypes, then he proceeds to label the people that live in coastal cities with stereotypes that hail from the same information source, television. What a jerk. I picked up the book, because I thought maybe he had something intelligent to share about conservative thought. Boy was I wrong. It was hard to get through (because it was basically a rant), very difficult to find credible (because it was a rant unsupported by facts), and gives the people in "Bubbaville" a worse reputation than I thought they had before I picked up the book. Way to go Mike!
This book is h-o-r-r-i-b-l-e. He complains that the people in "fly-over country" are a mystery. That they suffer from incorrect stereotypes, then he proceeds to label the people that live in coastal cities with stereotypes that hail from the same information source, television. What a jerk. I picked up the book, because I thought maybe he had something intelligent to share about conservative thought. Boy was I wrong. It was hard to get through (because it was basically a rant), very difficult to find credible (because it was a rant unsupported by facts), and gives the people in "Bubbaville" a worse reputation than I thought they had before I picked up the book. Way to go Mike!
January 1, 2017
I picked this up because I needed a political memoir for the Popsugar Ultimate Reading Challenge. While it did have a few memoir moments of Mr. Huckabee's time as Arkansas Governor and presidential candidate, it was mostly an essay of his views on various social issues. Regardless of my own views, I found this book to be very intelligent, articulate and well thought out.
Since I grew up in what Mr. Huckabee calls fly over country, I can certainly identify with the perspective that he is coming from. I enjoyed this book and learned a bit more about how government works.
Since I grew up in what Mr. Huckabee calls fly over country, I can certainly identify with the perspective that he is coming from. I enjoyed this book and learned a bit more about how government works.
May 6, 2015
Pretty much what I expected. If you're a republican you'll probably enjoy the book. If you're a democrat you probably won't.
I would love to see a flat tax, but I don't ever see that happening. I would love to see term limits on senators and the house, but I don't see that ever happening.
Huckabee presents great ideas, but I don't see them ever happening because gov't has become so huge.
I would love to see a flat tax, but I don't ever see that happening. I would love to see term limits on senators and the house, but I don't see that ever happening.
Huckabee presents great ideas, but I don't see them ever happening because gov't has become so huge.
August 17, 2015
God, Guns, Grits and Gravy is a fairly typical offering from a presidential candidate. The book is a glorification of the southern lifestyle, but reads mostly like a set of talking points on issues that Governor Huckabee wants to ride to the White house. But it's hard to see how railing against reality TV helps him get there. He also didn't do himself any favors with me by placing my hometown of Sioux Fall, S.D. in Iowa.
March 29, 2015
I agree with him on a lot of positions such as reducing welfare bureaucracy or as he calls it, the "poverty industry" in order to get more aid directly into people's pockets, term limits for elected officials, no prohibition on campaign financing, simplifying tax code, and protecting the Bill of Rights.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews