Politicians, Partisans, and Parasites: My Adventures in Cable News

by Tucker Carlson

From the host of Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News comes a wild and informative ride behind the scenes of a news correspondent. "A must read for Americans of any party." -- Rev. Al Sharpton Political pundit Tucker Carlson cracks commentary on all things Washington with the acerbic wit and razor-sharp insight that have made him a beloved conservative commentator. An unabashed insider whose profile is unmatched, Carlson stands ready to pounce on anyone and everyone who dares enter the political fray. Whether it's the towel-snapping prowess of former presidents or the dumbfounding exploits of his predecessors, there is no sacred ground. Carlson's debut covers his beat with equal parts hilarity and insight in a jocular review that both exposes and defends the absurdity that underlies the world of politics.

Genres: Politics, Memoir, Humor, Nonfiction, Biography

256 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2003

About the author

Tucker Carlson served as the host of FOX News Channel’s Tucker Carlson Tonight. On the 24th of April, 2023, Fox News and Carlson took separate paths. Two weeks hence, on May 10th, Tucker declared that his program would now be solely broadcasted through Twitter. Carlson features powerful analysis and spirited debates with guests and challenges political correctness and media bias. He joined the network in 2009 as a contributor. Before joining FNC, Carlson hosted Tucker on MSNBC from 2005-2008 and PBS’ Tucker Carlson: Unfiltered. He joined CNN in 2000 as its youngest anchor ever, co-hosting The Spin Room and went on to become co-host of CNN’s Crossfire until 2005. Additionally, Carlson founded and acted as editor-in-chief of The Daily Caller, a political news website he launched in 2010.

Reviews

[Songnoonesings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always liked Tucker. Although I completely disagree with just about every political view he may have I've always thought of him as a great guy, with a good heart and an even better sense of humor. This book will take you through the life of Tucker Carlson. Though, it'll do little more than that. I feel that through most of the book he's just bragging about how he did this and that. Or telling us things we already know. He does it with enough wit to make it all the more entertaining, though.

A good read for any political nut.

[Jack R.]

It is unnerving how Tucker Carlson turned from a goofy, but competently sane center-right journalist-cum-cable host-- one who in his work revels at pointing out the conspiratorial nuttiness of the then tame American political scene-- into a neo-Father Coghlan for our secular age. He goes from praising Larry King's apathetic advice for the cable tv host ("care, but not too much") to, now, possessing a rabid intensity, as if his monologues on Fox or X are slowing our alleged civilizational collapse with every clause or imperative. Was it the transition away from bowties? Maybe, underlying the theme of the book, is that working within the nuance-free, verbal warfare cesspool of pundit-led television is destructive on mind, body, and soul. Carlson, only a few years in the biz, could look at it all with ironic distance, but he grew too close until the whole enterprise swallowed him up. All that he lampooned, he began to believe as creed.

[Kellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amusing read inside the life of Tucker, very funny, quick read!!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn't so much about national politics as the politics of cable news. It kept me laughing hysterically all the way through.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!

[Bryce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy's super sharp and very funny! I want to see another book!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny it cemented my crush of Carlson and set the bar for non fiction comedy. Excellent tales of politico people and events

[A Ivy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing revolutionary, but fairly entertaining. Funny narrative.

[Miles Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most delightful political memoirs I have ever read.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think he used this book to spin truth w lies. Al Sharpton w boots up on the table and Dea involvement. Guy named M. Murphy hangs out w McCain and ruins political careers and Michael Murphy is remembered as Seal from Arkansas who was a hero and died and whose audio book I borrowed online and talked of doing drugs etc Not what I believe. I think the Colorado event w the Aurora incident was related to clowns to the left and jokers to the right. Greg doesn't drive the bus. Show about Hoarders? Show about Weeds. Uggg.. Tucker is a gravedigger. Thank you Willie Nelson. Spins off truth and lies abound in ths fictional book. Turned it in Nov 6 mon 2012.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished the book and I am quite happy and surprised. In the book, Tucker rolls back the curtain into his role as a journalist and reveals his personality off the air. I have been a Tucker fan for a long time, and I really enjoyed the insight and personal view of his stories over the years. Overall, the book was a joy to read and I hope he releases his new book soon.

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hilarious! Tucker is somewhat of an asshole but a funny one who sheds light on various politicians and "leaders" in our nation behind camera and the media. If you want a laugh and a quick read pick this up

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pure Tucker Carlson

Tucker tells it like it is, unusual these days or more so a forgotten art. I know deep down in his heart he is waiting for the day when someone from the left, and some from the right, would actually answer his questions truthfully. So am I.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I must have been pretty bored to read this. It wasn't awful, but I didn't take anything lasting away from it.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

good. even better b/c i have an autographed copy

[Deedee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have been good -- but Tucker Carlson pulls his punches, and writes instead a handful of inconsequential anecdotes.

[Erich · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book by Tucker Carlson! It was a very lighthearted, easy read of one of the most fascinating pundits on TV right now. I am looking forward to his 2018 book release.

[Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical smartass Tucker in his early days st CNN. Some fun insights into the business and his life. If you are a TC fan it’s worth a read. Definitely light reading.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've occasionally watched Mr. Carlson on Fox News and, while I don't always agree with his opinions, he expresses them well and seems a pretty likeable guy. This book did nothing to change my opinion. He doesn't seem full of himself. It's a really interesting and fun read. I found myself laughing out loud a lot. He writes well. It doesn't take nearly the time it took for me to read it as I had very little time to spend reading. I was sorry when the book was done.

[Kelly Killian · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you didn't already love Tucker, you will after you read this. It is always insightful, sometimes hysterical. This is an older book but still it is written and delivered in a way that only Tucker can do. It is an interesting read about his life up to that point, and there is probably far more to his life than you would guess. Highly recommend. Quick, easy, fun read.

[Alec Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A necessary read in our time.

[john j martorella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hysterical!

Buy this book for shits and giggles as well as Tucker’s other books; very entertaining and thought provoking whether you agree politically or not.

[Betty J. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

Really enjoyed reading this book. Have found my new favorite writer. Looking forward to all future books. Thanks for the enjoyable laughs and great stories.

[Burt Schoeppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Tucker's talent shines through.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book where Tucker Carlson describes his early years in cable TV where he had a lot of encounters with people in politics. Some of the stories are pretty crazy.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whatever you think of Carlson (I've never watched his show), he's fun to read. Here he just sort of flits from one topic to the next (so much so that you wonder if he wrote this book in a day or two), but I enjoyed these sprints. Tucker has an earthiness about him that is refreshing, like someone who can laugh at the excesses of his industry and not take himself too seriously.

[Arden Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s fascinating to see how Carlson went from being a moderate right-leaning traditional Republican to possssing his current stances. Regardless, I enjoyed this one thoroughly. A bit long winded at times and sometimes stories mentioned seemed to carry no relevance to the narrative’s coherency besides bragging rights but I loved the tone overall and I like the way this guy writes. Casual, witty, comical, and to the point. Love him or hate him as a person, he’s kinda hilarious objectively and he knows it. Sad the audiobook was “only available on CD” given its long after its initial 2003 release, but I know he’d narrate this book in a manner that would bring his words to life.