On Politics by H L Mencken
"Has the art of politics no apparent utility? Does it appear to be unqualifiedly ratty, raffish, sordid, obscene, and low down, and its salient virtuousi a gang of unmitigated scoundrels? Then let us not forget its high capacity to soothe and tickle the midriff, its incomparable services as a maker of entertainment."---from 'On Politics' With a style that combined biting sarcasm with the "language of the free lunch counter," Mencken shook politics and politicians for nearly half a century. The political arena afforded Mencken a special opportunity to showcase his talents. He despised pretentiousness and hypocrisy and found numerous, easy targets among politicians. But while he could be merciless in attacking local and national leaders, Mencken always interspersed his scathing commentaries with entertaining exaggerations and high humor. This collection of seventy political pieces drawn from Mencken's famous Monday columns in the 'Baltimore Evening Sun' during the twenties and thirties shows the "Sage of Baltimore" at his satirical best. While social attitudes may have changed, the value of Mencken's words on American politics offers us a timeless perspective.
H. L. Mencken was born in Baltimore in 1880 and remained a lifelong resident. Opinionated and controversial, his column for the Baltimore 'Sun' earned him a national reputation. He died in 1956.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780801853425 |
| ISBN 10 | 0801853427 |
| Title | On Politics |
| Author | H L Mencken |
| Series | Maryland Paperback Bookshelf |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Johns Hopkins University Press |
| Year published | 1996-07-30 |
| Number of pages | 377 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |