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Babylon Bee Guide
The Babylon Bee Guide to Democracy
From the authors of the bestselling Babylon Bee Guide to Wokeness, and the minds behind the popular website The Babylon Bee comes a tongue-in-cheek guide to Democracy where you'll learn how to rig elections, bribe politicians, and crush your political enemies for good.
In The Babylon Bee Guide to Democracy, America's favorite satirists take you into a world you might have thought was beyond parody--politics. From closed-door meetings of bureaucrats deciding the fates of millions to preposterous lies from the campaign trail, The Bee skewers our political overlords with matchless wit. In this visual guide, you’ll learn how to rig an election, how to stage an insurrection, which political party you should join, and more--everything you need to fully participate in the worst political system of all time (except for all the others).
In The Babylon Bee Guide to Democracy, America's favorite satirists take you into a world you might have thought was beyond parody--politics. From closed-door meetings of bureaucrats deciding the fates of millions to preposterous lies from the campaign trail, The Bee skewers our political overlords with matchless wit. In this visual guide, you’ll learn how to rig an election, how to stage an insurrection, which political party you should join, and more--everything you need to fully participate in the worst political system of all time (except for all the others).
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2022
74 people are currently reading
175 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
August 29, 2022
As an esteemed adjunct, online community college professor of My Personal Opinion Studies, it is important for me to explore all sides of important issues, even if a side is stupid and wrong like The Babylon Bee's. I read The Babylon Bee Guide to Democracy so you don’t have to. Let’s dive in.
No trigger warnings! There are pictures of white men, American flags and Rand Paul and not a one has a trigger warning or an alert to sensitive content. Page twenty-five features an illustration of the Declaration of Independence with no notice that the reader is about to encounter violence and transphobia. This is irresponsible and literally assault! After you read page twenty-four, close your eyes and turn two pages to avoid trauma and misogyny. Please note that I have decided that the line drawing of Jordan Peterson in chapter three does not require a trigger warning because it’s a terrible likeness and doesn’t even look like him.
The Guide to Democracy is organized chronologically from our patriarchal beginnings, through the development of our systematically racist government. The information about the Legislative branch is well-researched but is simply a poor imitation of "Just a Bill on Capitol Hill” from School House Rock.
Highlights include “How to Identify a Republican” (hint-look beyond the MAGA hat) and a picture of RBG in a crown. These were offset, however, by depictions of (trigger warning) Donald Trump, firearms, Tucker Carlson, Christians and several mentions of Fox News.
While I believe that books such as The Babylon Bee Guide to Democracy, are valuable for academics such as myself and my colleagues at the Community College, they are dangerous in the hands of average citizens. For that reason, I recommend you skip this “guide” and read one of those gay sex books they have in middle school libraries these days instead.
No trigger warnings! There are pictures of white men, American flags and Rand Paul and not a one has a trigger warning or an alert to sensitive content. Page twenty-five features an illustration of the Declaration of Independence with no notice that the reader is about to encounter violence and transphobia. This is irresponsible and literally assault! After you read page twenty-four, close your eyes and turn two pages to avoid trauma and misogyny. Please note that I have decided that the line drawing of Jordan Peterson in chapter three does not require a trigger warning because it’s a terrible likeness and doesn’t even look like him.
The Guide to Democracy is organized chronologically from our patriarchal beginnings, through the development of our systematically racist government. The information about the Legislative branch is well-researched but is simply a poor imitation of "Just a Bill on Capitol Hill” from School House Rock.
Highlights include “How to Identify a Republican” (hint-look beyond the MAGA hat) and a picture of RBG in a crown. These were offset, however, by depictions of (trigger warning) Donald Trump, firearms, Tucker Carlson, Christians and several mentions of Fox News.
While I believe that books such as The Babylon Bee Guide to Democracy, are valuable for academics such as myself and my colleagues at the Community College, they are dangerous in the hands of average citizens. For that reason, I recommend you skip this “guide” and read one of those gay sex books they have in middle school libraries these days instead.
June 8, 2024
I needed some laughter in my life to counteract the boring and depressing books I've been cursed with lately.
August 17, 2022
This book is in many ways a disappointment BBs satire is consistently on point and this one misses the mark in many places. I gave it a higher rating that might be justified because there are some genuinely funny parts - but a lot of it is labored. I relied on the last book because it came to a consistently high standard of humor but this one is lame in several places.
The last BB book I read was one on Pilgrims Progress - which was consistently funny. But this one simply does not meet the standard. That book required some knowledge of PP and its' emphasis on poking fun never diminished. IN this case the book brushes over some topics it should not and struggles through some other areas where with a bit more care we could have had some Swiftian satire.
Perhaps the funniest parts are the comparisons of what is said and what is meant. But many parts of the book simply don't meet the exceptionally high standards of BB.
The last BB book I read was one on Pilgrims Progress - which was consistently funny. But this one simply does not meet the standard. That book required some knowledge of PP and its' emphasis on poking fun never diminished. IN this case the book brushes over some topics it should not and struggles through some other areas where with a bit more care we could have had some Swiftian satire.
Perhaps the funniest parts are the comparisons of what is said and what is meant. But many parts of the book simply don't meet the exceptionally high standards of BB.
July 23, 2023
4.5 stars
This book was absolutely hilarious. They didn’t hold anything back & they hit everyone with jokes. No one is safe.
While being satire it still taught you what the different branches of government are and went through some of what the amendments were, etc. There were also some jokes made that my husband and I were wondering if they were true, and we did research to find out a good bit was true & had mini history lessons due to it!
It’s kinda sad because while this is a satire funny book, it taught us more about US government than any history book we had learned from in school.
Also loved reading it with my husband. It’s a wonderful funny read aloud book.
Definitely recommend!
This book was absolutely hilarious. They didn’t hold anything back & they hit everyone with jokes. No one is safe.
While being satire it still taught you what the different branches of government are and went through some of what the amendments were, etc. There were also some jokes made that my husband and I were wondering if they were true, and we did research to find out a good bit was true & had mini history lessons due to it!
It’s kinda sad because while this is a satire funny book, it taught us more about US government than any history book we had learned from in school.
Also loved reading it with my husband. It’s a wonderful funny read aloud book.
Definitely recommend!
January 8, 2023
Utterly ridiculous yet quite entertaining
August 9, 2022
It's worth buying a Babylon Bee book if only to support thinkers who are so fun and yet so important. But "The Babylon Bee Guide to Democracy" seemed especially appealing to me. I got it as soon as I could, and I just had to review it.
I read it cover to cover in a single morning, so the entire work was in my head at once. I'm not very used to reading either comic books, or graphic novels. I would call this more of an iconic book. The illustrations felt a bit more like graphs and tables in a professional article, and they added a lot to both the text and the humor. I was pleased at how readable this book felt.
It's basically a 12 chapter, 240 page book, plus a good introduction, and a cute glossary to finish. The title worried me before reading. I am a stickler that straight democracies are bad, and that our United States are a constitutional Republic, not a democracy, thank goodness! But the authors point this out right away, and reassure us they use "democracy" as shorthand for our existing government. They even illustrate a point similar to the old statement a democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. I was impressed they recognized how King George and England saddled "the colonies" with much badness and sadness that took future Americans years to get rid of. And they included very Christian sentiments with the origins story of American "democracy."
I especially loved the reviews at the end of each chapter. In fact, these were my favorite feature. Typically one longer question per chapter served as "the essay question from hell," which always had me laughing. (These authors clearly had PTSD from their college essay tests.) The reviews make each chapter more memorable and more fun.
I enjoyed the "Federal Department Generator" in the executive branch chapter. Too true. In the judicial branch chapter, it's time to "get Borked," with a lovely illustration of the capital building in its "traditional circus tent garb" for a judicial nomination.
Their righteous and well defended argument that there is a fourth branch of government known as the Corporate Branch especially stood out. No one learned that from "The More You Know!" PSAs, we need the Bee for that kind of wisdom! They cover parts of the Corporate Branch, and explain "crony capitalism" as "the great partnership of democracy."
There are serious quotes that slip right by while you are laughing. I grabbed an amazing serious quote from chapter 7 to hang on my office door. They went a bit easy on "Winning (and Rigging) Elections" and on the "(mostly) Peaceful Protests." I was pleased a Dr. Ron Paul quote made the book, and also a World of Warcraft reference.
Overall it was fun, educational, and useful. This book belongs especially on road trips to be read out loud by passengers when the good radio talk shows fade away. And it belongs on your coffee table, of course, as a virtue signal to your guests, but also because there is enough meat in it to warrant rumination. Bee humor mixed with Bee wisdom is especially nutritious.
I read it cover to cover in a single morning, so the entire work was in my head at once. I'm not very used to reading either comic books, or graphic novels. I would call this more of an iconic book. The illustrations felt a bit more like graphs and tables in a professional article, and they added a lot to both the text and the humor. I was pleased at how readable this book felt.
It's basically a 12 chapter, 240 page book, plus a good introduction, and a cute glossary to finish. The title worried me before reading. I am a stickler that straight democracies are bad, and that our United States are a constitutional Republic, not a democracy, thank goodness! But the authors point this out right away, and reassure us they use "democracy" as shorthand for our existing government. They even illustrate a point similar to the old statement a democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. I was impressed they recognized how King George and England saddled "the colonies" with much badness and sadness that took future Americans years to get rid of. And they included very Christian sentiments with the origins story of American "democracy."
I especially loved the reviews at the end of each chapter. In fact, these were my favorite feature. Typically one longer question per chapter served as "the essay question from hell," which always had me laughing. (These authors clearly had PTSD from their college essay tests.) The reviews make each chapter more memorable and more fun.
I enjoyed the "Federal Department Generator" in the executive branch chapter. Too true. In the judicial branch chapter, it's time to "get Borked," with a lovely illustration of the capital building in its "traditional circus tent garb" for a judicial nomination.
Their righteous and well defended argument that there is a fourth branch of government known as the Corporate Branch especially stood out. No one learned that from "The More You Know!" PSAs, we need the Bee for that kind of wisdom! They cover parts of the Corporate Branch, and explain "crony capitalism" as "the great partnership of democracy."
There are serious quotes that slip right by while you are laughing. I grabbed an amazing serious quote from chapter 7 to hang on my office door. They went a bit easy on "Winning (and Rigging) Elections" and on the "(mostly) Peaceful Protests." I was pleased a Dr. Ron Paul quote made the book, and also a World of Warcraft reference.
Overall it was fun, educational, and useful. This book belongs especially on road trips to be read out loud by passengers when the good radio talk shows fade away. And it belongs on your coffee table, of course, as a virtue signal to your guests, but also because there is enough meat in it to warrant rumination. Bee humor mixed with Bee wisdom is especially nutritious.
October 17, 2023
Love the guys at the Babylon Bee! Their Guides are awesome. I am poor so I am waiting for my library to get The Babylon Bee Guide to Gender so I can read that one too. What's funny is, there is an audiobook version of this. That would be incredibly weird and boring.
April 23, 2023
Fun book! It makes fun of both sides equally well.
August 20, 2022
The latest of The Babylon Bee Guides is The Babylon Bee Guide to Democracy. It is a hilarious look at all aspects of our democracy, from the founding of our nation to how our money is spent by the government. The book is essentially a graphic novel that had me laughing all the way through it. It is dedicated to “the one true president Donald J. Trump, long may he reign”.
The book begins by looking at some of the different forms of government used throughout history and the origin story of our democracy (technically a constitutional republic). According to historical fact, in answer to a prayer from George Washington in the late 1700’s, God handed down his chosen form of government: DEMOCRACY.
The book then humorously looks at how democracy works by reviewing the branches of the government, including the Corporate Branch, which writes the laws and hands them off to Congress for a quick sign-off. We are told that every branch is sacred and worthy of our respect.
The book then turns to the centerpiece of democracy – elections – and how to participate in them to make sure our votes are counted. For example, if you are a Calvinist, blindfold yourself and vote for random people to place it all in God’s hands.
We read of George Washington’s foundations (he was a child named Kirin-El sent to Earth from a doomed planet in another galaxy to Mary and Augustine Washington), the “completely true” story of the Revolutionary War and a closer look at the Founding Fathers. For example, John Hancock was the inventor of the signature and cousin to Herbie.
We read that there is nothing so important in our identity as our political party. It is the most significant thing about us, and we are given a flowchart to help us determine what party we are.
The book does a deep-dive on the legislative, executive, judicial, and corporate branches of government, and provides a handy list of your constitutional rights (including some “lesser-known” rights).
We are told that experts have found that every election that we participate in is the most important election in the history of the universe and that if our side loses, it is the end of democracy as we know it. We are told how to rig an election so that we can win every time. If we win, it was the fairest election in the history of the world. If we lose, it was the most rigged and unfair election ever held in the history of the universe.
The important thing to remember about the Electoral College is that it is racist and anti-democratic, unless our side wins the election. Then, it is fair and balanced and a bastion of true democracy in the world.
We read about insurrections and mostly peaceful protests, how to tell the difference between the two, and how to destroy those who disagree with you - including how to win an argument on social media, and how to own your relatives at Thanksgiving dinner. We read about the government’s relationship with money, and that the government doesn’t make any money so it has to take yours by force.
The book includes a helpful glossary. A few of my favorite definitions are:
• CNN – The nation’s most popular, reliable, and trustworthy satire site.
• Separation of Church and State. An important legal principle designed to prevent the worship of God from interfering with the worship of government.
• Undocumented Immigrant – A Democratic voter.
Like any good book, each chapter has a helpful “Chapter Review” with probing questions. Some of my favorite questions were:
• What’s the Revolutionary War going on in your life now? Give it to God.
• Is Jesus Christ the founding father in your life? Why not?
• Can you identify the bureaucracy in your life? Ask God to break those chains right now.
• Which one of these amendments personally spoke to your heart? Why?
• What is the election in your life that you need to focus on?
• Are you more of an insurrectionist or a peaceful protestor?
This creative book is full of the type of satirical humor that you expect from The Babylon Bee. Highly recommended for those who could use a laugh.
#beemocracy
The book begins by looking at some of the different forms of government used throughout history and the origin story of our democracy (technically a constitutional republic). According to historical fact, in answer to a prayer from George Washington in the late 1700’s, God handed down his chosen form of government: DEMOCRACY.
The book then humorously looks at how democracy works by reviewing the branches of the government, including the Corporate Branch, which writes the laws and hands them off to Congress for a quick sign-off. We are told that every branch is sacred and worthy of our respect.
The book then turns to the centerpiece of democracy – elections – and how to participate in them to make sure our votes are counted. For example, if you are a Calvinist, blindfold yourself and vote for random people to place it all in God’s hands.
We read of George Washington’s foundations (he was a child named Kirin-El sent to Earth from a doomed planet in another galaxy to Mary and Augustine Washington), the “completely true” story of the Revolutionary War and a closer look at the Founding Fathers. For example, John Hancock was the inventor of the signature and cousin to Herbie.
We read that there is nothing so important in our identity as our political party. It is the most significant thing about us, and we are given a flowchart to help us determine what party we are.
The book does a deep-dive on the legislative, executive, judicial, and corporate branches of government, and provides a handy list of your constitutional rights (including some “lesser-known” rights).
We are told that experts have found that every election that we participate in is the most important election in the history of the universe and that if our side loses, it is the end of democracy as we know it. We are told how to rig an election so that we can win every time. If we win, it was the fairest election in the history of the world. If we lose, it was the most rigged and unfair election ever held in the history of the universe.
The important thing to remember about the Electoral College is that it is racist and anti-democratic, unless our side wins the election. Then, it is fair and balanced and a bastion of true democracy in the world.
We read about insurrections and mostly peaceful protests, how to tell the difference between the two, and how to destroy those who disagree with you - including how to win an argument on social media, and how to own your relatives at Thanksgiving dinner. We read about the government’s relationship with money, and that the government doesn’t make any money so it has to take yours by force.
The book includes a helpful glossary. A few of my favorite definitions are:
• CNN – The nation’s most popular, reliable, and trustworthy satire site.
• Separation of Church and State. An important legal principle designed to prevent the worship of God from interfering with the worship of government.
• Undocumented Immigrant – A Democratic voter.
Like any good book, each chapter has a helpful “Chapter Review” with probing questions. Some of my favorite questions were:
• What’s the Revolutionary War going on in your life now? Give it to God.
• Is Jesus Christ the founding father in your life? Why not?
• Can you identify the bureaucracy in your life? Ask God to break those chains right now.
• Which one of these amendments personally spoke to your heart? Why?
• What is the election in your life that you need to focus on?
• Are you more of an insurrectionist or a peaceful protestor?
This creative book is full of the type of satirical humor that you expect from The Babylon Bee. Highly recommended for those who could use a laugh.
#beemocracy
August 24, 2022
BABYLON BEE DISSECTS THE DEMOCRACY CONUNDRUM; FINDS MORE CONUNDRUMS INSIDE
Note the artwork at the book's beginning. A pictogram character, a rough outline of a human, appears as an instructor. Here's the thing folks: the creature has no eyes, ears, nose, mouth or hands. Therefore, no senses and no situational awareness. Are the authors hinting that we have no f'ing idea what is going on around us? Maybe. What follows is a pretty damn good review of civics, that I originally learned in grammar school, but mostly forgot, due to indifference. This rendition is different. There is humor, something noticeably missing from fifth grade civics. And a concept never taught in school: The human condition is propelled by stuff. Stuff you own and others covet.
The biggest coveter is government. The Greeks, Romans, Kings, and Emperor Palpatine (yeah, the phantom menace) all practiced coveting. Luckily, a rescue document arrived i.e. The Magna Carta, forcing the King to share your stuff with his nobles. Theocracy anyone? Then a true miracle descended upon us. George Washington, sent by God, established the new religion of Democracy. He came brandishing sacred, parchment documents, to insure your stuff remained yours. So what happened? A senator caned a senator nearly to death. The Civil War erupted. And President Lincoln established the IRS to pay for - whatever. (Same guy who freed the slaves!). So much for parchment documents. In time the majority ate the minority. Corporate lobbyists ate the majority. And globalist lizards ate everything. The good new is, if you vote and Jordan Peterson stays healthy, the day can be saved. Ahh, but only if our three-part government survives. Power was divided thrice to protect your stuff, but still, judges got Borked, Capitalists became cronies and IPA beer was dumped on us. Once again, your stuff was in danger. So the people voted to get things straight, via election rigging. A clever way to insure a winner (your guy, not the other one). To guarantee the win, it was necessary to obtain union money, spend it on media advertising and prostitutes, run the vapid personality you want to win, suppress the vote by burning down cities or creating a plague, incite a guy named Schumer to launch an erection speech and make George Soros happy by becoming very unhappy, till you yearn for an old fashioned Hamilton duel. Not upset yet? Then try contemplating the word non-binary, while inflation evaporates your life savings. But still, don't give up hope. We have these parchment promises from the late 1700's; we have John Adams warning that democracy will eat itself (these old white guys were on the ball), we've got the Electoral College and the filibuster to protect us from democracy, plus a government-approved Ponzi Scheme, to fund our retirement - good stuff. Our responsibility is to agree that the sacred documents have merit, and by the way, avoid the Machiavellian FBI. The key to saving democracy is, of course, participation. Earn your "I Voted" pin. Extremely important. It's your democracy, not the Greeks'. N.B. for bonus laughs there are hilarious "word generators" and political museum artifacts (including the rubbery spine of a Supreme Court justice) to entertain yourself, while incarcerated for insurrection, tax misdemeanors, or just clinging stupidly to your stupid stuff. Well done Bee. I understand. I am afraid. But I'm still laughing.
Note the artwork at the book's beginning. A pictogram character, a rough outline of a human, appears as an instructor. Here's the thing folks: the creature has no eyes, ears, nose, mouth or hands. Therefore, no senses and no situational awareness. Are the authors hinting that we have no f'ing idea what is going on around us? Maybe. What follows is a pretty damn good review of civics, that I originally learned in grammar school, but mostly forgot, due to indifference. This rendition is different. There is humor, something noticeably missing from fifth grade civics. And a concept never taught in school: The human condition is propelled by stuff. Stuff you own and others covet.
The biggest coveter is government. The Greeks, Romans, Kings, and Emperor Palpatine (yeah, the phantom menace) all practiced coveting. Luckily, a rescue document arrived i.e. The Magna Carta, forcing the King to share your stuff with his nobles. Theocracy anyone? Then a true miracle descended upon us. George Washington, sent by God, established the new religion of Democracy. He came brandishing sacred, parchment documents, to insure your stuff remained yours. So what happened? A senator caned a senator nearly to death. The Civil War erupted. And President Lincoln established the IRS to pay for - whatever. (Same guy who freed the slaves!). So much for parchment documents. In time the majority ate the minority. Corporate lobbyists ate the majority. And globalist lizards ate everything. The good new is, if you vote and Jordan Peterson stays healthy, the day can be saved. Ahh, but only if our three-part government survives. Power was divided thrice to protect your stuff, but still, judges got Borked, Capitalists became cronies and IPA beer was dumped on us. Once again, your stuff was in danger. So the people voted to get things straight, via election rigging. A clever way to insure a winner (your guy, not the other one). To guarantee the win, it was necessary to obtain union money, spend it on media advertising and prostitutes, run the vapid personality you want to win, suppress the vote by burning down cities or creating a plague, incite a guy named Schumer to launch an erection speech and make George Soros happy by becoming very unhappy, till you yearn for an old fashioned Hamilton duel. Not upset yet? Then try contemplating the word non-binary, while inflation evaporates your life savings. But still, don't give up hope. We have these parchment promises from the late 1700's; we have John Adams warning that democracy will eat itself (these old white guys were on the ball), we've got the Electoral College and the filibuster to protect us from democracy, plus a government-approved Ponzi Scheme, to fund our retirement - good stuff. Our responsibility is to agree that the sacred documents have merit, and by the way, avoid the Machiavellian FBI. The key to saving democracy is, of course, participation. Earn your "I Voted" pin. Extremely important. It's your democracy, not the Greeks'. N.B. for bonus laughs there are hilarious "word generators" and political museum artifacts (including the rubbery spine of a Supreme Court justice) to entertain yourself, while incarcerated for insurrection, tax misdemeanors, or just clinging stupidly to your stupid stuff. Well done Bee. I understand. I am afraid. But I'm still laughing.
August 17, 2022
Please see my initial review on another format of the book dated 8/9/2022 at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6.... This is it for easier reference:
It's worth buying a Babylon Bee book if only to support thinkers who are so fun and yet so important. But "The Babylon Bee Guide to Democracy" seemed especially appealing to me. I got it as soon as I could, and I just had to review it.
I read it cover to cover in a single morning, so the entire work was in my head at once. I'm not very used to reading either comic books, or graphic novels. I would call this more of an iconic book. The illustrations felt a bit more like graphs and tables in a professional article, and they added a lot to both the text and the humor. I was pleased at how readable this book felt.
It's basically a 12 chapter, 240 page book, plus a good introduction, and a cute glossary to finish. The title worried me before reading. I am a stickler that straight democracies are bad, and that our United States are a constitutional Republic, not a democracy, thank goodness! But the authors point this out right away, and reassure us they use "democracy" as shorthand for our existing government. They even illustrate a point similar to the old statement a democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. I was impressed they recognized how King George and England saddled "the colonies" with much badness and sadness that took future Americans years to get rid of. And they included very Christian sentiments with the origins story of American "democracy."
I especially loved the reviews at the end of each chapter. In fact, these were my favorite feature. Typically one longer question per chapter served as "the essay question from hell," which always had me laughing. (These authors clearly had PTSD from their college essay tests.) The reviews make each chapter more memorable and more fun.
I enjoyed the "Federal Department Generator" in the executive branch chapter. Too true. In the judicial branch chapter, it's time to "get Borked," with a lovely illustration of the capital building in its "traditional circus tent garb" for a judicial nomination.
Their righteous and well defended argument that there is a fourth branch of government known as the Corporate Branch especially stood out. No one learned that from "The More You Know!" PSAs, we need the Bee for that kind of wisdom! They cover parts of the Corporate Branch, and explain "crony capitalism" as "the great partnership of democracy."
There are serious quotes that slip right by while you are laughing. I grabbed an amazing serious quote from chapter 7 to hang on my office door. They went a bit easy on "Winning (and Rigging) Elections" and on the "(mostly) Peaceful Protests." I was pleased a Dr. Ron Paul quote made the book, and also a World of Warcraft reference.
Overall it was fun, educational, and useful. This book belongs especially on road trips to be read out loud by passengers when the good radio talk shows fade away. And it belongs on your coffee table, of course, as a virtue signal to your guests, but also because there is enough meat in it to warrant rumination. Bee humor mixed with Bee wisdom is especially nutritious.
It's worth buying a Babylon Bee book if only to support thinkers who are so fun and yet so important. But "The Babylon Bee Guide to Democracy" seemed especially appealing to me. I got it as soon as I could, and I just had to review it.
I read it cover to cover in a single morning, so the entire work was in my head at once. I'm not very used to reading either comic books, or graphic novels. I would call this more of an iconic book. The illustrations felt a bit more like graphs and tables in a professional article, and they added a lot to both the text and the humor. I was pleased at how readable this book felt.
It's basically a 12 chapter, 240 page book, plus a good introduction, and a cute glossary to finish. The title worried me before reading. I am a stickler that straight democracies are bad, and that our United States are a constitutional Republic, not a democracy, thank goodness! But the authors point this out right away, and reassure us they use "democracy" as shorthand for our existing government. They even illustrate a point similar to the old statement a democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what's for dinner. I was impressed they recognized how King George and England saddled "the colonies" with much badness and sadness that took future Americans years to get rid of. And they included very Christian sentiments with the origins story of American "democracy."
I especially loved the reviews at the end of each chapter. In fact, these were my favorite feature. Typically one longer question per chapter served as "the essay question from hell," which always had me laughing. (These authors clearly had PTSD from their college essay tests.) The reviews make each chapter more memorable and more fun.
I enjoyed the "Federal Department Generator" in the executive branch chapter. Too true. In the judicial branch chapter, it's time to "get Borked," with a lovely illustration of the capital building in its "traditional circus tent garb" for a judicial nomination.
Their righteous and well defended argument that there is a fourth branch of government known as the Corporate Branch especially stood out. No one learned that from "The More You Know!" PSAs, we need the Bee for that kind of wisdom! They cover parts of the Corporate Branch, and explain "crony capitalism" as "the great partnership of democracy."
There are serious quotes that slip right by while you are laughing. I grabbed an amazing serious quote from chapter 7 to hang on my office door. They went a bit easy on "Winning (and Rigging) Elections" and on the "(mostly) Peaceful Protests." I was pleased a Dr. Ron Paul quote made the book, and also a World of Warcraft reference.
Overall it was fun, educational, and useful. This book belongs especially on road trips to be read out loud by passengers when the good radio talk shows fade away. And it belongs on your coffee table, of course, as a virtue signal to your guests, but also because there is enough meat in it to warrant rumination. Bee humor mixed with Bee wisdom is especially nutritious.
August 4, 2022
Once again, Babylon Bee has provided a delightful tongue-in-cheek look at a major topical idea. In this case – Democracy. Needless to say, the Bee staff has put in a valiant effort not only to inform and inspire but also to entertain and lampoon. Those “in the know” will utter a low-level chuckle and with a nod of the head think “so true, so true”. The text within is not so much a marvelous, enlightened statement of the times but rather a subdued expression of the status quo. Nothing is revealed nor is earth-shaking. The satire is more ironic observations of “what is” since the facts themselves are blatantly … weird. Living in Orwellian times removes the edge that satire would normally elicit so one has to wonder “why write such a book” and who is the intended audience”. The “why” is simply answered by assigning the task of chroniclers to the Bee Staff. They have to write; they are the scribes of our age. The indented audience is also self-evident: it is the Bee’s loyal audience who seek the in-depth look at topics in a way that only the Bee can deliver. This book will not be read by many of those skewered by the observations and even a smaller number of those readers will be changed in any meaningful way - assuming they can recognize being skewered. So, the intent of the endeavor is to continue the business of chronicling and to provide the choir with a chuckle and a knowing smile. Keep them coming.
August 31, 2022
This is a very accurate description of how American “Democracy” works today, and why it doesn’t even a little bit. As with everything in the Bee, there is more useful information in this book than in any history or civics class I ever took in public school. For example, did you know that George Washington had a blog? I didn’t. The stuff they leave out of the history books!
I think my favorite part was the section on winning and rigging elections. The book offers a step-by-step guide to this time-honored practice, with many useful hints. I also learned from this book that there are far more than the original three branches of government. There are even more than Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez knows, and she's in one of them.
It’s a very funny book, even after you realize that it’s all true and our collective goose is cooked. I don’t even like cooked goose. So, what am I supposed to do? Anyway, you should read this book. You will laugh, and then you will cry, and then you will get off your @$$ and go out and fix it. Fix the democracy, I mean, not your @$$. You may even get to touch the gavel. Everybody wants to touch the gavel.
I think my favorite part was the section on winning and rigging elections. The book offers a step-by-step guide to this time-honored practice, with many useful hints. I also learned from this book that there are far more than the original three branches of government. There are even more than Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez knows, and she's in one of them.
It’s a very funny book, even after you realize that it’s all true and our collective goose is cooked. I don’t even like cooked goose. So, what am I supposed to do? Anyway, you should read this book. You will laugh, and then you will cry, and then you will get off your @$$ and go out and fix it. Fix the democracy, I mean, not your @$$. You may even get to touch the gavel. Everybody wants to touch the gavel.
September 12, 2022
The Babylon Bee Guide to Democracy is a definite recommended read and is an on-point satirical look at our “democracy” in America. The creative minds at the BB take satire to the edge, where humor, irony and exaggeration truly meld with reality. That’s satire at its best!
The 12 chapters discuss everything from the beginnings of American “democracy” to providing a glossary of “democracy definitions;” according to the BB of course. Eleven of the chapters include a chapter review to assist the reader in checking his/her “comprehension for absolutely no reason whatsoever.” (pg 35) The graphics offer additional entertainment and understanding of our ever-bloated “democracy,” which is technically a constitutional republic, but I digress…and so do the authors in their introduction when they warn the reader not to let the fact that we’re a constitutional republic get in the way. (pg 2)
The Babylon Bee Guide to Democracy will make you laugh with some melancholy thrown in. It’s a book written for this time in history, particularly before the 2022 midterm elections. Humor absolutely is the best medicine!
The 12 chapters discuss everything from the beginnings of American “democracy” to providing a glossary of “democracy definitions;” according to the BB of course. Eleven of the chapters include a chapter review to assist the reader in checking his/her “comprehension for absolutely no reason whatsoever.” (pg 35) The graphics offer additional entertainment and understanding of our ever-bloated “democracy,” which is technically a constitutional republic, but I digress…and so do the authors in their introduction when they warn the reader not to let the fact that we’re a constitutional republic get in the way. (pg 2)
The Babylon Bee Guide to Democracy will make you laugh with some melancholy thrown in. It’s a book written for this time in history, particularly before the 2022 midterm elections. Humor absolutely is the best medicine!
September 5, 2022
The Babylon Bee Guide to Democracy
"It's great to make maps of Utopia, but it's criminal to sell them to tourists."
If your initial reaction was "But we live in a constitutional republic, not a democracy," consider the quotation above. The writers at The Babylon Bee have employed satire to skewer what is, rather than what should be.
The Guide to Democracy explains things you were taught in high school Civics class, such as the three branches of government. It also explains things they neglected to teach you in school, such as how democracy originated, the fourth branch of government (you'll have to read the book, no spoiler here), and how bills become laws.
The book also explains that whether or not an election was rigged depends on whether your candidate won or lost. One of the more insightful chapters describes the critical differences between an insurrection and "(mostly) peaceful protests."
The Babylon Bee Guide to Democracy is enjoyable and amusing. While it is satire, it would be even more funny if there weren't so much truth contained in it.
"It's great to make maps of Utopia, but it's criminal to sell them to tourists."
If your initial reaction was "But we live in a constitutional republic, not a democracy," consider the quotation above. The writers at The Babylon Bee have employed satire to skewer what is, rather than what should be.
The Guide to Democracy explains things you were taught in high school Civics class, such as the three branches of government. It also explains things they neglected to teach you in school, such as how democracy originated, the fourth branch of government (you'll have to read the book, no spoiler here), and how bills become laws.
The book also explains that whether or not an election was rigged depends on whether your candidate won or lost. One of the more insightful chapters describes the critical differences between an insurrection and "(mostly) peaceful protests."
The Babylon Bee Guide to Democracy is enjoyable and amusing. While it is satire, it would be even more funny if there weren't so much truth contained in it.
September 10, 2022
Satire reveals human foolishness or vice through irony or wit. The Guide to Democracy talks about all kinds of things we complain about--like making decisions based on comments of pundits, the displaying of anger and violence when we don't get our way, the seemingly foolish things the government does, people we elect, and so much more. It's good to step back occasionally from the divisions caused by social media and corporations and take time to see the foolishness and laugh...and maybe cry a little at the same time.
August 24, 2022
Another excellent read from the creative makers of the 'Bee'. In depth look in the workings of our complex governmental structure. With the use of BIG words as well as concise nomenclature that is sure to intrigue the wordies of the world, this latest install from the Babylon Bee staff takes the reader into the catacombs of the surreal and sublime. I just can't get enough of this terrific exegesis of life today.
September 7, 2022
The Babylon Bee does it again with its spot-on historically accurate book on how America is definitely a democracy. Even the newest Federal Department of the All-Powerful League of Muscular Badgers gives this book five freaking stars. I learned so much about the four branches of government and if you thought there were three, then you need to read this book. Get it now and when you do let us all know if you touched the gavel ;)
September 10, 2022
The book is not a shadow of Babylon 5
Style is light and humorous with occasional serious questions thrown in. Some humorous descriptions can be uncannily close to the truth. Quotes can be actual or made up. Anachronism is common. Even Babylon 5 can be brought down to earth 🌎, embarrassing several aliens, thus accounting for the red shift.
Style is light and humorous with occasional serious questions thrown in. Some humorous descriptions can be uncannily close to the truth. Quotes can be actual or made up. Anachronism is common. Even Babylon 5 can be brought down to earth 🌎, embarrassing several aliens, thus accounting for the red shift.
August 19, 2023
I love Babylon Bee! There satire of so evidently close to reality! It is very true truthful and I respect the Babylon bee for telling the truth and being so hilarious! It teaches the truth about the three branches of government and how corrupt the government is! I recommend this book to conservatives that want to know the truth!
August 24, 2022
Most detailed and accurate account if his government worksI have ever seen. Every part of the process is hilariously dissected and explained. Cannot miss this-especially if you are a politics wonk. So much fun in one book!!
September 9, 2022
So good! Clever satire makes you laugh, then wince, and then reflect. These guys are so incredibly talented. Excellent book! Terrific gift, especially if the national news is getting you down. I promise you’ll get several belly laughs from this read
September 9, 2022
The Babylon Bee always makes me laugh. This latest book is just what the country needs right now. Well written and full of satire. As someone once said: "This country needs to learn how to take a joke." This should be on the everyone's reading list.
September 27, 2022
This book is a must read, couldn't put it down! Contains all of the information missing from "traditional" sources. Makes fun of everyone, Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians, so this isn't just comedy for conservatives.
January 2, 2023
Cute and pretty funny, even when repetitive. The Bee, as usual, has it exactly right: corporations really are the ones in charge. The best part is the smooth, perfect end-of-chapter merger of history exam review questions and bible study worksheet.
September 24, 2022
So funny but also sad that so much is true. Really enjoyed the fun read.
October 11, 2022
Cute book. Pulls no punches. Laughs at everyone!!
As a Minnesotan, I had to chuckle when they said Minnesota could use some climate changes (warming)
As a Minnesotan, I had to chuckle when they said Minnesota could use some climate changes (warming)
November 14, 2022
Babylon Bee doesn't miss.
November 27, 2022
Funny
Definitely worth the money and the time it takes to read it. Don't read a lot of satire but found this quite entertaining.
Definitely worth the money and the time it takes to read it. Don't read a lot of satire but found this quite entertaining.
December 31, 2022
Babylon Bee doesn't miss, hilarious as always!
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