Book reviews, as a general rule, cover the entire book. However, the case of Al Franken's latest book "The Truth With Jokes" one should handle the book and its' contents with care. Hence, with the toxic nature of the book [a liberal term used to describe incoherent thoughts scribbled in crayon on little pieces of paper and bound together] In A Word felt it necessary to start and end our review with merely the front cover.
The front cover of "The Truth With Jokes," is your basic book cover material and seems relatively capable of taking a few harsh throws against a wall in disgust. It should be noted, however, that we believe it highly unlike the front cover will withstand the punish it would surely receive during a complete reading of the entire book [Disclaimer: In A Word is certainly not advocating such a venture, please read "The Truth With Jokes" at your own risk].
Unfortunately, after the basic sound nature of the material used to construct the book, we are proud to note the presentation of the book diminishes quickly. The title could certainly use a little creativity. It would seem Franken has chosen to use cliques as a gimmick to rope in his readers, somewhere along the lines of: "Git R Done" and "You might be a redneck." With any luck Franken's 15 minutes of fame should be up at about the same time as Larry the Cable Guy.
To compound the horridness of the title, Franken once again has made the mistake of putting his extremely ugly face on the cover. Has the American consumer not endured enough this year? Why must you torture us, Mr. Franken? Surely your wife has mentioned your utter homely appearance as one of countless reasons why she is sleeping with the pool boy. In A Word would like to offer any one of the following adjectives to describe Franken's mugshot, please choose your favorite - all will apply: appalling, dreadful, frightful, horrible, shocking, grave, ominous, clumsy, gawky, or limpish.
Finally, in a lame attempt at humor, Mr Franken puts this little nugget on the cover "How Bush beat Kerry with a campaign of fear." Oh, stop please...your killing me...your going to make me pee my pants. The wit; it hurts the brain. Franken is clearly on a different comedic plane then me, and he can stay there if he pleases.
Of course, the only fear used against the American voters was simply reminding them that if they didn't vote for Bush...Kerry would be President. Record voter turnout ensued, need we say more?
Unfortunately, In A Word can not recommend the reading even the front cover of "The Truth With Jokes." It is suggested for the good of your blood pressure you divert your eyes when walking past the bargain bin in Barnes and Noble [which is where this book will be in a few weeks], and save yourself the anguish of possibly catching a glimpse of Franken's face.
Postscript:
Unlike with our review of "In Cold Blood," In A Word can neither confirm or disprove the existence of gay porn in within the pages of "The Truth." However, it is possible by simply looking at Franken that you could infer that he could be a homosexual...not that there is anything wrong with that.
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