Why We Don't Suck: And How All of Us Need to Stop Being Such Partisan Little Bitches

by Denis Leary

Alternate cover edition can be found here

From the author of the bestselling Why We Suck comes a searing comic look at these divisive times, skewering liberals and conservatives alike with a signature dose of sarcasm and common sense.
 
Denis Leary refutes the current highly partisan Right Wing Nutjob versus Left Wing Snowflake approach to American politics—where you’re either one or the other, with no gray areas in between. Leading a new protest movement called Gray Lives Matter, he takes equal opportunity aim at the screaming heads we see arguing every night on CNN (the Clinton News Network) and Fox’s Fair and Balanced Republican Report. With a devoted mission to Make America Laugh Again, Denis tackles the topics we all hold close to our American hearts: Twitter, Instagram, and the seemingly endless search for fame and diet vodka.
 
In a country so gluten-free that a box of jelly donuts is now a bigger threat than Vladimir Fucking Putin—where college kids are more afraid of Ann Coulter than HIV—it’s time for someone to stand up and stop the insanity. Or at least defend the double cheeseburger. With a side order of free porn. Denis is that guy.
 
He'll answer such burning questions as: when will Hillary run out of pantsuits? And why wasn't her campaign motto Hey America—It's My Fucking Turn! As Denis says in the book "Trump's election gave me faith that even I could be president. Look at his track record: canceled TV show, thin skin, angry tweets and an attractive wife. According to that formula, I'm one bad combover away from living in The White House." We're all in this together and Denis Leary is here to remind us what makes America #7 on the list of Best Countries To Live In—which may sound bad, but means at least we still make the playoffs.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Politics, Comedy, Audiobook, Pop Culture, Memoir

314 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 24, 2017

About the author

Denis Leary is a five-time loser at the Emmy awards. And the Golden Globes. He has lost in both the drama and comedy categories. In leading and supporting roles. Not to mention writing. Leary hopes to one day be nominated for—and more than likely not win—an Oscar, a Grammy, and a Tony Award. His first literary foray Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid was a New York Times bestseller, but not nominated for The National Book Award. In his long and storied entertainment career, Leary has also never won The Stanley Cup, The Nobel Peace Prize, or an argument with his wife.

Photo ©Henry Leutwyler

Reviews

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

(The gif is appropriate for the laughing maniacally as well as for who is laughing.)

Make no mistake, this is 80% rant, followed by 15% veering slightly off topic trying to make a point (still in a hilarious way though) and 5% conclusion.

Denis Leary is the son of Irish immigrants. He doesn't come from money but made it thanks to stand-up comedy, a bit of music, a couple of movies and some TV shows. I actually know him as Diego from the Ice Age movies and Gwen Stacey's father in The Amazing Spiderman.
He also, apparently, wrote a book on which the title for this one is based. Because whereas the first was about America's mania for anything with butter, this one is - of course - about politics.

However, don't worry, he's not endorsing either side. He's not in favour of any President or party, past or present. He's dealing out the slaps to all cheeks, presented or turned away. And it's glorious. Because as cynical and "offensive" as many will probably find his observations, the man is right!
There are no participation trophies in life and while the whininess of (mostly) millenials sucks, that generation is also the best if not only hope for our planet and future generations. If only they knew it and lived up to the challenge instead of just slurping their designer coffee through their operator beards.

Leary talks about Trump, Hilary, Bush jr. and sr., Obama, Clinton ... even Lincoln and any President in between. He neatly shows what the true problem is and has been for a while: the great divide. I happen to not agree with him on all but on a lot of his points, for example like how great it is how Americans often cross the entire country to get to a flooded or bombed area to help fellow Americans. Or at least used to. How while he is pro gun, he's also pro gun control (no, that doesn't mean bans, just a few rules and regulations that already make sense for driving cars).

Basically, what he talks about is nothing groundbreaking, just common sense. However, in this vile climate (around the world by the way), in which people are either on one side or another, can't really have a debate but simply scream at each other or hurtle maniac tweets, it was nice to hear a very sarcastic voice of reason.

The part where he steered off course was when he started talking about a few things that had happened to him. It was a lesson about fame and not letting it get to your head and how America was obsessed with celebrities and reality TV shows, instead of supporting true heroes. Because Leary is a big advocate for that. He created a great foundation for firefighters after his cousin and childhood friend were killed while trying to save others. This rings especially true and strong after what happened to the police officer in France last Friday. Unsung heroes, who might not do their jobs to get recognition but should get it nevertheless.
Oh, about the part that went off course (see how easy that is?): it might not have been 100% about the message of the book but the anecdotes were funny as fuck. Especially the dress story with Justin Timberlake had me laughing so hard, I almost couldn't steer the car anymore.

The book does what it promises: it entertains, makes you laugh, but it also gets you thinking (if you let it) and is never trying to push an agenda onto you.

[Richard Derus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3* of five

I was never all that big on Leary. I don't like being yelled at the way he used to in those sneaker (?) commercials in the 90s when he prowled around behind a chain link fence. I'm utterly certain I didn't spend my, or anyone else's, United States dollars procuring this book. But here it is, and here it's been for at least a year.

So where'd it come from? The Little Free Library? No, why would I pick it up? I called my Young Gentleman Caller. "Sweetiedarling," I cooed and then paused for the ritual admonition not to call him that it makes his boys try to get back inside, "Sweetiedarling (nose-sigh from YGC) did you give me a Denis Leary book called Why We Don't Suck?" A startled pause. "Dennis Who?" he asked blankly. (My hearing is excellent and I could detect the redundant "n" in Dr. Leary's name.) No joy.

When one of y'all sends me a giftie, I leave the card inside so I won't have to commit to memory who gave me nice stuff. Memory is a slippery bar of soap at the best of times, but at my age when the bar drops there it stays. Bending down in the shower?! Are you NUTS?! Do you know how many people my age break things that they still need doing that?! So I guess the bar of soap with the name of the donor is gone for good.

Don't read this. Browse through it. If one attempted to swallow this guff in a gulp, back up it would come in a fountain of outrage as you damn near strangle while laughing. Is it worth it? For free, yeah...I guess. For money? Under a buck, yes; under two, maybe. Library sales, garage sales, that level of venue. Bookstore or Ammy? Oh HELL no. The Chronicles of St Mary's book ten will be out in a week or so, spend the spondulix on that! Guaranteed laughs and less yelling.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never read (or listened to) Leary's previous book, "Why We Suck", but it's been on my "to get to one day" list for a long time. I probably should have read that one first... who knows? But I saw this one on Audible and thought it might be slightly more relevant, so I grabbed it.

And now I've finished it. I don't know what "Why We Suck" was like, but I think I need to move it up the list, because I kinda loved this. It's part the dad lecture you and your sibling would get when you JUST WILL NOT FUCKING STOP BICKERING WITH EACH OTHER, and he doesn't GIVE A SHIT who is right or wrong or who started it, you're BOTH assholes, and KNOCK IT THE FUCK OFF, and part celebrity memoir.

I dunno if I would really consider myself a fan of Denis Leary. I don't DISlike him or anything, it's just... sometimes I like his work, and sometimes I don't. I don't follow his career, but when something crosses my path that's good, I appreciate it.

I appreciated this. It was funny, relevant, spot on in a lot of criticisms of both Democrats and Republicans and people in general, and showed Leary's acerbic wit and sense of humor. It also was a surprisingly uplifting book, which maybe I shouldn't be surprised by, considering it's called "Why We Don't Suck" and theoretically one could assume that it's going to go into ways in which we aren't complete fucking assholes and maybe do something good or right in the world. But I thought some of the examples of the ways that we don't suck were surprising, especially from him - someone that I kinda imagine as a super jaded and cynical person. Not necessarily out of any personal knowledge of him... but I think that comedians all have to have those traits to a degree, and some more than others.

The personal stories that he shared in the book, of people he knows who took some type of adversity and turned it around to make a difference in the world, or people who were called to help, even if it meant that they gave their lives to do it, was pretty refreshing in a world dominated by mass shooting after mass shooting, and constant news of scandals and rollbacks of regulations meant to protect and help people, or the environment, or whatever. The world is depressing these days, so it was nice to hear about some people selflessly doing good and using their time, platform, money, or influence to benefit others.

The celebrity memoir part I found especially humorous. It was very self-deprecating, whether it's Leary making a fool of himself in front of his idols, or people recognizing him, but mistaking him for anyone from Jane Lynch to Willem Defoe to Jon Bon Jovi. He shares funny anecdotes and at one point I almost snorted coffee out of my nose when he asked Justin Timberlake for thong advice.

I think part of that might've been hearing him read the audiobook. I don't know if it would have been as funny had I been reading the actual words on the page. And I'm not USUALLY a fan of authors reading their own work, but for this type of book, or when the author is also a performer, I'll make the exception, because they will perform it. And he did. And it was hilarious.

So... Yeah. It was actually less political than I expected, but I really enjoyed it for what it was. If you maybe aren't offended super easily, check it out. If you are, maybe still check it out. It might be a good reminder that sometimes we can get caught up in our own shit and need a 3rd party to tell us to knock it the fuck off already. :)

[Valerity (Val) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I became a fan of Denis Leary through various programs on television, finding him to be a wonderful and funny actor. So I picked up this book by him and it’s more of the same. It’s very much the same, funny and sharp, warm and sarcastic all at once. I’m not a very political person but he nails much of the craziness going on in the social and political arenas out there that makes us shake our heads. He also can maybe help us laugh at it for a change, where we might not have been so able to prior. I would say that’s an improvement for sure. An easy enjoyable read for a change of pace. Thanks for reading. A copy of this book was provided by Blogging For Books for this review.

[Gary Moreau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Put on your cynical hat and you’re likely to laugh until you cry. If you’ve been following the American political and cultural wars, however, you’re likely to go straight to tears. For everyone else, which isn’t likely to be enough people to make a crowd, there will at least be some laughs.

I had never heard of Dr. Leary before reading this book although that’s certainly more a reflection on me than him. I was merely looking for a light and jaunty read after plowing through a good deal of the uber-serious books published recently. And he certainly made me laugh. Enough to prompt my wife, to put some dimension on it, who was downstairs at the time, to wonder what was going on.

I am of Dr. Leary’s generation, which definitely helps. I am not as familiar with pop and political culture as he is, however, so more than a few of the references were completely lost on me. Most everyone who reads this book will suspect that Leary is of the opposite political camp, but we tend to do that with everyone we meet for the first time these days.

His politics, overall, are what I would call “cynical Northeastern boomer.” If you tick those three boxes, which I do, for the most part, you’re likely to be more like him than not. I too have hunted and owned a gun before, but see no reason for anyone to buy an automatic assault rifle. Life is always a slippery slope and that is no argument not to do things that make so much obvious sense. (e.g., Restricting the right to own guns designed only for human hunting.)

I don’t share all of Leary’s political positions, to be sure. But that’s okay. My parents, like his, taught me that just because we don’t agree on everything doesn’t automatically make you a bad person.

There is a lot of cussing. But for those of us who remember Lenny Bruce, Leary is pretty tame. (He acknowledges that he was schooled by nuns and the influence shows.) I don’t swear very often but only because I find the vocabulary to be too complicated due to its ever-changing standards. Leary actually shares some pretty interesting/funny research on this in the book. (And I was right; I’ve never heard at least one of the more popular swear words.)

Leary is definitely an equal opportunity critic. Partisans on both sides of the aisle will find plenty not to like. He skewers both Trump and Clinton, although that obviously doesn’t take the literary skills of a Dostoevsky or Shakespeare.

You aren’t likely to change the world after reading this book. You are sure to get a moment of respite from it, however. And that short hiatus may just give you the energy to get up and do something. The field is wide open. Your leadership is there for the taking. You’ll have to do it in 150 characters or less, and it will help if you know one of the Kardashians, but the trail is already there; you won’t have to blaze new ground.

[Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a big fan of Denis Leary since his FX television series "Rescue Me" that ran from 2004 - 2011. I read and enjoyed his first book entitled, Why We Suck. This book is just as funny. Denis writes well and has a lot of interesting things to say. He starts off talking about politics but covers other topics in a way only he can.

I'll write more later but suffice it to say that I recommend this book highly!

A few more thoughts about this book -

Denis has been an actor for over 25 years but he still often gets mistaken for other actors. Most frequently, fans think he's Willem Dafoe, occasionally Kevin Bacon and quite a few others. He writes that sometimes it's easier to go along with the mistaken impression than to disappoint a fan. This backfired once when an Uber driver thought he was Kevin Bacon and actually called his wife to tell her who he was driving home.

He tells other funny stories like this and they all made me laugh. In fact, I was reading this book at the gym once when I was on the treadmill and I actually laughed out loud! People probably wondered what I was reading.

I enjoyed the quotes he puts between chapters including -

Achievement has no color. - Abraham Lincoln

First God created man. Then he had a better idea. - Sister Agnes Catherine, 1973

Fame changes a lot of things. But it can't change a lightbulb. - Gilda Radner

Nothing prepared me for being this awesome. - Bill Murray

You're not famous until my mother knows who you are. - Jay Leno

If frequent use of the f-word bothers you, then this book is probably not for you. But I think Denis Leary is a good guy who's devoted to his wife and 2 kids. I could probably write more about it, but I encourage you to pick up this book for yourself. I hope you like it as much as I did!

[Sarrah · Rating 2 out of 5]

How, I asked myself when I started this hilarious book, is he going to keep up this bi-partisan banter for nearly 300 pages? Turns out he couldn't (or, at least, didn't). The first two sections were great (and the Tweets by historical figures was a lot of fun), but after that, it was Denis Leary patting himself on the back or simply throwing shade at only Trump. I enjoy Denis Leary's humor, but frankly, I couldn't give a damn less about his life or the famous people whose names he likes to drop. And since I picked up the book to see BOTH sides of that failed election get crucified, the fun stopped early.

[Linda Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book of this, which was read by the author. It’s always wonderful to have the author as the narrator; it’s them telling their own story and it’s like sitting in a room with them while they tell it. While I didn’t agree with all of his statements, “Dr.” Leary cuts through most of the partisan crap we live with now and tells it like it is for anyone with common sense and a lack of tolerance for all the nonsense going on in our country. Why We Don’t Suck is a reminder to us all that WE are what makes up this country and it’s up to us to shape what we want it to be.

[Randee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always liked Denis Leary. I liked him as a stand up and as an actor. I loved his TV series 'The Job' and 'Rescue Me', many of his movie roles and as a guest on talk shows. I've liked his previous books, so you could call me a fan and I would not deny it. However, the last two projects Denis has done have been less than stellar and that has me a bit worried that he is losing his edge/perspective and humorous snarky self. His last TV show, 'Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll' was almost unwatchable for me. He was about as believable as a faded rock star as Meryl Streep was in 'Ricki and the Flash.' Neither one of them have that certain vibe. As good an actress as Streep is, she couldn't pull it off. Denis, I believe is a decent actor and writer, but that show was one hot mess of inauthentic portrayals of rock musicians and story lines. This book had its moments, but there is too much bragging of 'look what I did' instead of actually telling a story on himself. You know he is proud of the stuff he is relating as 'embarrassing' moments in his life/career. The disappointment I feel is based on the fact that Denis does not have to blow his own horn. He's talented, he's smart, he's funny and attractive; he should leave it to others to praise him. This makes him look like a very insecure guy which is the total opposite of his image.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook format, which in my opinion is the only way to listen to a memoir, especially one from a comedian. Denis Leary in particular has a delivery that I just can't mimic even inside my own head.

This book is hilarious and smart, too. Leary rips on everyone so don't take it personally if you have a favorite politician or even reality tv star cuz he rips on them. However, if you can put your bias aside you'll realize Leary is right. We all need to put our bipartisan bs aside and work together and actually fix the problems, not blame "libertards" and "conservadicks."

In addition to politics he shares some hilarious stories from his career, ones that had me nearly in tears.

Do yourself and everyone else a favor: read this book.

[Patrick O'donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Leary doesn't disappoint! I purchased the audio version of this book in preparation for a trip to Vegas. I'm a big fan of audiobooks while crammed into a bus with wings eating pretzels and drinking shot size Coke. It takes my mind off the always "larger than me guy" who inevitably sits next to me that has personal hygiene issues. I looked around and of course, I was surrounded by college-aged small framed women. You could have fit two or three of those girls on one of these tiny seats. And, I'm guessing they smelt a hell of a lot better than jumbo who was sweating like a whore in church that was next to me

Dr. Leary kept me entertained throughout the flights coming and going to Vegas. I'm glad I got the audio version because Dr. Leary narrated it. It drives me crazy when you buy an audiobook written by a star and they don't narrate their own work. It was like he was there. Suffering just like me in not so friendly skies. He did a great job of narration that kept me engaged in the book. I enjoyed his jabs at both parties. Dr. Leary doesn't pull any punches, and that is refreshing to me in this age of "political correctness." He also entertains with stories of other musicians and Hollywood types. Funny stuff indeed! I also enjoyed learning about his parents. Both of my folks are Irish immigrants, so I can relate.

Being a big city cop for the last 23 years, I truly appreciated his recognition of Firefighters, Police, and Military. I hope you weren't taking a knee when you did that.

Thanks for the laughs Dr. Leary! You made my trip to and from Sin City much more bearable. The rubber things on my earphones fell off and I was unable to retrieve them on the trip back. I toughed it out without the rubber things, it was worth the pain. Oh, by the way, I was only down $50.00. for the trip. Not too bad for being there for four days.

Thanks again for the fun, entertaining and laugh out loud moments. Keep writing Dr. Leary!

[Susan Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was an immense disappointment to me in several ways. One, his first book was beyond hysterical. Denis managed to take everything society gets upset about and make it ridiculously funny. That bestselling book, "Why We Suck" had me laughing so hard at the ridiculous things society tends to focus on and get mad about.

In his new book, he fails to add comedy to a mostly political commentary on Trump, Bernie, Hillary and everything all of us are already so sick of looking at online. If someone reads this book and they never use social media, and a lot of people do not, they will not understand a lot of the references or social media sites. There are a few chapters where Denis' comedy comes through but it is seriously lacking what his first book has so much of and this is, comedy.

I think Denis wanted to get into the forefront the absolute stupidity that humankind, media and political arenas display along with the backbiting, fighting, and hatred that is displayed 24/7 on television and social media sites regarding politics and how everyone gets so angry over things that are not really that different than any other year.

What fails in this book is I laughed a few times. That is it. Compared to the first book where I could not stop laughing and was sad to finish it. This book I thumbed through and read a few stories here and there, but honestly, after being on social media a lot and already seeing this rhetorical nonsense from everyone I know, I certainly had no desire to read it all in a book again.

While I agree with Denis wholeheartedly about the state of people and society, I suggest reading his first book and not this one.

[Renee Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly interesting and entertaining. Partly a political rant (which I found relatable because he speaks against both parties' extremists) and partly stories about fame and how sometimes it's ego-building, but more often humbling. I don't think there's anything Denis Leary is embarassed to tell people. Lots of profanity (duh, it's Denis Leary) so if you're offended by that, you should avoid this, and everything he ever does. It didn't top my favorite of his skits--the one where his brother shot him in the head with an arrow. :)

[Timothy M. Gorman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a lot like his other book "Why We Suck". Guess I shouldn't be surprised. I found myself getting bored. He's very opinionated. Sometimes he expresses these opinions in a funny manner, other times they seem forced, added more for affect than effect. I guess I liked it. Don't think I will read "Why We Did Suck But Don't Anymore", or what ever derivative version he writes in the future.

[Lorri Steinbacher · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started promisingly, but I feel like Leary lost the thread somewhere in the middle and it became more of a typical name-droppy celebrity tome.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite possibly the most inconsistent thing I've ever read. It's all over the map: from hilarious to boring, brilliant to stupid, endearing to offensive, patriotic to cynical, humble to braggadocious. The one and only through line is Leary's non-stop usage of profanity.
The first part deals with the weighty topic of America's widening political divide and current culture war. Once that plays out, Leary moves to slightly lesser topics, like fake news, reality TV, the opiod epidemic, and our unhealthy obsession with fame. After that, it simply becomes a grab-bag of amusing personal anecdotes, most of which involve meeting or palling around with global celebrities like Rod Stewart, Bruce Springsteen, Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, and The Rolling Stones. In humble-brag fashion, Leary discusses how being around such mega-stars has kept his own celebrity status from going to his head. Other anecdotes include him getting mistaken for Willem Dafoe, Kevin Bacon, and Jon Bon Jovi. It's the sort of stuff you expect from a TV talk show interview rather than a book published in hardcover.
I got the sense Leary was pulling in whatever material he could come up with to help WHY WE DON'T SUCK reach book-length, making me suspect it was mostly written to fulfill a contract. His opening salvo is a welcome return to the energy and wit of NO CURE FOR CANCER, but most of the other chapters just sorta hang there. For the most part, I was amused, but rarely more than that.
One way he could've sharpened it up is by demonstrating a higher degree of consistency. For example, early in the book, he decries the "Make America Great Again" slogan, saying that America is already great and getting better with each successive decade. But then in the very next chapter, he goes on and on about how America is falling behind the rest of the world except when it comes to things like obesity and opiod abuse. He dismisses fame as overrated and not something that can solve your problems, then goes on and on about the big-name celebrities he's met and how starstruck they made him feel. He talks about people spending too much time on their phones, seemingly forgetting that he previously published an entire book of his own Tweets.
And on a final note, the title WHY WE DON'T SUCK strikes me as a serious misnomer for a book this cynical. I blame the marketing department for going with the whole I AM SPOCK / I AM NOT SPOCK concept.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Dennis Leery since his MTV days, loved Rescue Me and have listened to other books by him. What makes the audio books so much better is that he narrates them, so you get the full experience.

I often found myself laughing while listening, my co-workers giving me strange looks. I liked Dennis’s views on politics, bagging on both parties and the system itself, loved the tweets from historical figures. Even Hollywood and Dennis’s own fame didn’t escape. I find it funny that Dennis has been taken for other celebrities and he just rolls with it. Even as he ranted a bit about Millennials, he pointed out so many good things they are doing and how they are the future of the country.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Parts of this were laugh-out-loud funny but it grew tiresome about a third through. I liked the way he poked fun at both sides of the political spectrum but the book gradually turned to boasting couched in self-depreciation and humility. Was ‘Dr.’ O’Leary really that famous?? According to him he was. I can’t remember one movie he was in, only that he was a comedian. There was a lot of filler material that just wasn’t interesting, although I did enjoy his imaginative funny tweets from famous historical figures. The worst part was his meeting a naked Rod Stewart and recalling Stewart’s genitals. It quickly went downhill from there.

[James Chally · Rating 3 out of 5]

The words ‘Contractually Obligated’ come to mind when reading Dr. Leary’s most recent stream of consciousness submission. 20% of the book is comprised of non-partisan political rants that I found somewhat therapeutic in our hyper-partisan political era; the other 80% is random stories about other famous people. It really does feel like you’re following along inside his head as he bounces from one topic to the next. and let’s be honest there’s at least forty pages of filler which I can only assume is there to meet the 300 pages required by the publisher. Verdict: I really enjoyed it, mostly because I think he has a hilarious AND rational viewpoint which I found I echo on almost all points including the belief that if someone were to attempt to solve the paradox of how people who are as dumb as (insert almost any popular celebrity name here) could be so wealthy and famous their head would probably explode. And also because it made me want to watch him again in Footloose.

[William]

Audio book
no rating because it's somebodies subjective opinion about politics in America as if his way of oral condescension is objective. If he wasn't a popular actor/comedian, this book wouldn't be published.
I recommend this to people who need a little arrogance to cover up their inability to debate.

[Mary Tonks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is 304 pages (counting afterward) of Denis Leary monologue hilarity! Everything is fair game for his criticism, especially himself, but also his praise. You must read the chapter "Red, White, and True" at least twice to be inspired to "not suck".

[annmarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tough to rate, some funny/enjoyable chapters and some that annoyed me.

[Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny whether you are Dem or Rep. It is the kind of laugh needed during the crazy year of 2020.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like Denis Leary...but it was a bit too much doom over and over in this one. Not that things aren't the way he says but over and over, almost the same s****.

[Karen Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not actually finish. It started to get repetitious.

[Donna Bijas · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars This is a good book with a touch of annoying self-aggrandizement. Leary makes many valid points about politics, and he uses Twitter and Jesus to do it too. I also liked his disdain for people who think the Bible dislikes the gays and his story on p. 124 is spot on. This is my next F2F book and really have to wonder how this discussion will go.

[J. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book because I wanted to laugh about the political environment that we unfortunately live in. Not because I blame Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, but because it has all become so cultist. You love one, you must hate the other. You are either an alt right nutter or a far left nutter. I cannot live my life that way. I don’t think everything Trump does is right or wrong and I cannot abide the criminality of the Clintons. I think Bernie Sanders is an old hippy who the DNC used to make Hillary Clinton look better at the pre primary debates and Jeb Bush was just another idiot that the GOP tried to shove down the throats of their party members (remember McCain and Romney?) It is ridiculous ! I thought this book would make me feel less anxious, make me feel like I am not the only one...it didn’t.

It was obvious that Leary’s ideology is far left, not a centralist and although he was disappointed in Clinton and seems to find Sanders somewhat foolish, he really dislikes all things Republican. So the subtitle of this book “And how all of us need to stop being such partisan bitches” becomes somewhat ironic and certainly does not provide any relief from such nonsense. I don’t blame anyone for their opinions, but don’t dress it up for what it is not.

Most of the book has nothing to do with politics. We hear about his friends in the entertainment and athletic fields, who he is often mistaken for, and a chapter pandering to the millennials who are important to a comedian’s future prospects. The problem for Leary is that he is a sixty year old performing the same type of angst rants that he did in his twenties. Everyone understands teenage and even twenty-ish rants...it is the time to rant...but at sixty ? I thing Denis Miller should consider another type of comedy too.

Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of funny and disrespectable material in his book and if you enjoyed Leary’s humor in the 1980's and 1990's you probably will get a laugh out of some of this book. It is, however, a book written by a sixty year old trying too hard to be relevant to twenty year olds. Is he ? how would I know I haven’t been twenty in awhile now...

And by the way, Denis, if by some slight chance you read this review I too--sometimes--have people telling me I look like Christopher Walken, A young soldier stopped me on the street just the other day and said “Did anyone ever tell you, you look like Christopher Walken ?”, but because I am not famous they never think I actually am Christopher Walken. People think you are someone famous Denis, because you “are” someone famous, they just cannot figure out who. So if you find my review not to your liking...there’s that.

[Mark Higley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just on the first chapter, but Denis has me cracking up. It's great to hear someone blast both sides of ridiculous politics! *update* 4 stars, I recommend this book, especially if you're feeling cynical.

[Jon · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's like your 90 year old uncle cornering you at a family party to name drop and hold court. It doesn't last long, and at the end of the party, he's satisfied, which is all that's important. You only remember hearing several slightly varied retellings of "And back in '48, Red McRae and Ruth McGillicuddy threw a whizbang of clam bake in Los Angeles for all the theater types. I'm sipping some dog soup with Hank Moses and Jimmy walks up to me (that's Jimmy Stewart, a long time friend and swell guy)..."

The first half of the book is a middle of the road political rant, then a bunch of stories from 10 years before the book was written about celebrities who were famous 30 years before that, then more ranting, ending with a whipped cream party for the Millennials.

Leary seems aware that this is an endless, fist-shaking old man rant at nothing but time passing him into irrelevancy. On the other hand, the longest yarn in the book is about meeting Rod Stewart, who peaked in popularity in 1979. The story is so inexplicably fanboy that it's awkward even after however many rounds of editing it went through.

Like listening to your ancient uncle at the party, it wasn't all bad. I did get one good laugh out of the book. Maybe you'll get more. I expected nothing and Leary delivered, in the easiest way possible. I can't figure out who the intended audience for this book is. You may enjoy it. It just wasn't for me.

[Einar Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirty years ago, an up-and-coming comedian named Denis Leary released his crass, sarcastic Asshole Song. I loved it. Since those formative college years, I’ve increased my appreciation for Leary’s productions from Two if by Sea and The Ref to Rescue Me and voicing Diego in Ice Age. Reading his book Why We Don’t Suck filled a gap in my knowledge about him. I appreciate and respect him far more now than before I borrowed this book from the library.

The book’s subtitle grabbed me: “And How All of Us Need to Stop Being Such Partisan Little Bitches.” Leary crafts a strong argument about the pitfalls of partisanship in the first half of the book. He wrote this book in the first year of Trump’s term as president and while he doesn’t hide his loathing for Trump, he also doesn’t hide his disgust for other selfish leaders from a range of political backgrounds. Instead, he provides countless examples of Americans of multiple ages, ethnicities, careers, genders, and sexual orientation who contribute positively to our world constantly. He also shares lots of examples from his own career where his celebrity status was checked by humility (often not by his choice).

The second half was more of a memoir of his experiences balancing fame with his actual life, but it was equally engaging and entertaining. Leary is a great writer. Yes, there’s lots of swearing and sarcasm, and there are insights, hopes, humor, and vulnerability.

He finishes with an inspiring call to arms for the Millennial Generation that includes his two adult children:

“If Trump can win, anyone can. That means you. Or someone bright and sharp and well-spoken from your generation. But as Obama said in his farewell address: get active. Stop bitching and start organizing. My generation [Baby Boomers] broke the planet and politics. Your generation can fix both. This land is literally your land. Take your 80-million-strong army and do something with it… F*** worldwide fame. Be famous locally. Really local. In your own city for making a difference. In your own neighborhood for making things better. In your own house for raising a family and/or keeping a relationship together. Be remembered for changing the future and making this country even greater.” As a dad of two Gen Z-ers, I’m standing and cheering. As for those new leaders, Leary suggests abandoning “more rich, white retreads from the Baby Boom generation” and if you don’t like that man or woman after four years of being “momentarily in charge, you can remove their power and say, ‘Take a hike, douchebag’.”

I could include hundreds of quotations that resonated with me, but I want this one because it connects to the subtitle and reminds me of some of my public statements over the years when political leanings appeared at my presentations and, as a result, threatened the community’s well-being.

“Fire doesn’t care who you voted for. Parkinson’s doesn’t attack based on political affiliation. Cancer is out to kill everyone on both sides of the aisle. Disease, disaster, and physical disability are all bipartisan issues. They suck. Hard.”

I, too, look forward to the youth of our nation taking over and evolving beyond this echo-chambered partisan zealotry that claims to protect believers from reality. I enjoyed this book—a couple times laughing so hard that breathing was difficult—and the ideas it inspired in my brain.