Ann On
Is anybody else around here reading Ann Coulter's new book Demonic? I'm about halfway through, and I am genuinely digging it. The ideas, the research... the jokes! I hope it stays this good the whole way through because it really is a textbook on how to popularize ideas. You know, the fact that Ann doesn't have 1) a column in a major venue and 2) a Pulitzer tells you everything you need to know about columns in major venues and Pulitzers and none of it is good. I think when you put aside all the flash - and I know she's very good at the flash - she is really a pundit of the first water, maybe even the kind who'll be read after the events of the day have passed. Anyway, I recommend it highly so far and would like to hear from anyone else who's reading it.
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May '11
Re: Ann On
Totally agree with you. You had an article I read somewhere recently praising Mark Stein based on his early writings on cultural affairs and I remember thinking then that he and Ann Coulter have a similar comic wit married to deep perceptive analysis.
She needs to get over her crush with Chris Christie, however. She is too influential to succumb to cheap theatrics and style over well thought out conservative principles.
Edited on Jun 16, 2011 at 7:55pmDec '10
Re: Ann On
Apparently I am getting Demonic as a Fathers Day present. Glad to hear it's worth reading, Andrew.
May '10
Re: Ann On
I'm kicking myself for not having listened to her Ricochet podcast appearance yet. Ann is one of our fiercest warriors, and greatly appreciated.
Aug '10
Re: Ann On
I opened "Demonic" in the bookstore to kill time while waiting for my niece and randomly started reading a chapter on the French Revolution. The mental pictures Coulter paints left me physically sick but I couldn't stop reading. My niece had to pull the book out of my hands in order to get lunch. I left her eating with her uncle and walked back to the bookstore to finish the chapter. Am buying the book Saturday when I have some cash.
Edited on Jun 17, 2011 at 9:30amMay '11
Re: Ann On
As one who has migrated from "the other side" in the wake of the age of Obama, I never thought that I would be reading a book by Ann Coulter but her bold polemic is a balm for my angst over where this country is going. I have for the moment put it aside to finish Stanley Kurtz' Radical-in-Chief which I feel is filling in some major blanks as regards the present Administration and the present Democratic party. I admire Ann Coulter. It takes serious guts to put yourself out there in that way. I could not do it.
May '10
Re: Ann On
Southern Pessimist:
She needs to get over her crush with Chris Christie, however. She is too influential to succumb to cheap theatrics and style over well thought out conservative principles.
Yes. I saw her on one of the interview shows (O'Reilly?) the other day and had this same thought. I love watching Chris Christie YouTube videos as much as the next conservative, but how much do we really know about what principles drive him on all the issues? I do not understand why she is so insistent about him.
Dec '10
Re: Ann On
Just started it. It seems more scholarly than her others. Enjoying it so far.
Oct '10
Re: Ann On
Coulter did scratch the surface on the subject of mob mentality. The statements made were correct on most points. Save one shortfall, she places the mob in purely political context in her work here. As this is prefaced on current news, one would like to have heard her provide a more in depth dissertation on the subject.
Perhaps she is not clear on the concept of human behaviours and causations.
Ann Coulter does bring much to light in concept, save in this case. scapegoating sells books... She could do better a service than that..
May '11
Re: Ann On
I have it on order with Amazon, as well a few others, here is my Summer Reading List.....
"Demonic: How the Liberal Mob Is Endangering America"
By Ann Coulter
"Righteous Indignation: Excuse Me While I Save the World!"
By Andrew Breitbart
"Reckless Endangerment: How Outsized Ambition, Greed, and Corruption Led to Economic Armageddon"
By Gretchen Morgenson
"The Secret Knowledge: On the Dismantling of American Culture"
By David Mamet
I hope I get the time to read them all!
Edited on Jun 16, 2011 at 10:31pmDec '10
Re: Ann On
I'm with Stu. I'd love to read it, but I'm trying to decide if I should go for "Demonic" or "Righteous Indignation" or even Mamet's new book. Where to begin?
May '11
Re: Ann On
Michael, just do like I did and order them all! :) Don't partake in the recession! Cheers!
Oct '10
Re: Ann On
Ah!! The abridged audio book on Audible is narrated by Ann herself! But the unabridged isn't! Ugh! I'll have to get both!
Aug '10
Re: Ann On
I pre-ordered it on Amazon (to add to my collection which only excludes "High Crimes and Misdemeanours").I got it on Wednesday and have read the first couple of pages but I'm struggling with a novel and I just know if I go any further into it the novel will be cast aside forever.Plus I know I have something scintillating to reward me when I finish the novel. On the broader issue of AC's standing I think she and Steyn are miles ahead of the rest. She is funnier but can't seem to help going over the top once in awhile (9/11 widows a case in point).But she had Edward's number long before the rest-remember the phone-in by poor Elizabeth Edwards challenging her for being so mean to her John? Another edgy one was her reference to Ted Kennedy, like Terry Schiavo, living on a liquid diet.Her weekly column comes out around 11pm Wednesday, Irish time, and I am waiting hungrily with my iPad.BUT THERE'S NO LINK FROM RICOCHET!!! (I go via Drudge). So she is not among the sites you like-a grievous omission.
Jan '11
Re: Ann On
Just curious: why are you "struggling" with a novel? Is it some major literary work that you feel all educated people must read?
I usually give a novel 50 pages to engage my attention. If I'm not having fun by then, it goes back to the library. (Nineteenth century novels get 100 pages, because they tend to start with the life histories of the protagonist's grandparents.)
May '10
Re: Ann On
I just ordered it; heard her on Prager's show a few days ago. The SIX people liberated from the Bastille comment is what got me to order it, even though it's third in my read queue.
I love the radio commercial for the book that's airing. The announcer very seriously says "demonic." I wonder how many laugh-filled takes it took to make that spot.
May '10
Re: Ann On
It's another great work by Coulter. I highly recommend.
Jun '10
Re: Ann On
Ann is under-appreciated as a researcher. I have learned so many serious and important historical things from her books Slander and Treason and Godless. The most interesting for me is Treason because it deals with so many things of the Cold War that I needed to either nail down or to understand better. Also, she got a lot of help from M. Stanton Evans, a genius and un-sung hero of the country.
She has a great and easy to read writing style. As good as it gets for this type of polemics.
I am looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for the promo, Andrew.
Oct '10
Re: Ann On
I read a sample on my kindle. To be honest, I cannot get past her vituperative snideness. I think she has something valuable to say but her asides are too distracting. This is the reason I don't read anything she writes - the presentation overrides the material. I am still contemplating finishing this book as the subject matter is fascinating - does she taper off after a bit or is it the same thru to the end?
I am reading Mahmet's book AND 'Last exit to Utopia' and I think 'Demonic' would fit well with these. We'll see.
Jan '11
Re: Ann On
I just finished "Demonic" and recommend it highly. She nails the Democrat Party again and again as the unprincipled, malignant force that it is.
It is Ann's best yet. If you read it with a highlighter for all of the apercus and bon mots you will run out of ink.
"Demonic" corrects conventional history about The Southern Strategy, political violence, the essential natures of the American and French Revolutions, and political messianism.In an incredible example of timing, the book even details the history of Paul Revere's Ride, totally backing up the recent statement by future President Palin.
Only one thing is left out, so I'll say it for Ann Coulter:
Elect no Democrat anywhere, ever.
Edited on Jun 17, 2011 at 9:54amAug '10
Re: Ann On
Margaret Ball
Just curious: why are you "struggling" with a novel? Is it some major literary work that you feel all educated people must read?
I usually give a novel 50 pages to engage my attention. If I'm not having fun by then, it goes back to the library. (Nineteenth century novels get 100 pages, because they tend to start with the life histories of the protagonist's grandparents.) · Jun 17 at 6:33am
Hi Margaret, I'm giving this one -" The Finkler Question" ( Howard Jacobson) -an extra effort because it has a strong Jewish theme and it won the prestigious MAN Booker prize which is a big deal on this side of the pond.Unfortunately, the prize is a bit like the Nobel Peace Prize or Best Movie Oscar- I've thrown aside two recent winners out of deep boredom.I'll stick with it for now and keep Demonic on the bedside table as a reward.( How did Amadeus win Best Movie, or BO win the Peace Prize?).