Al Franken, Giant of the Senate

De: Al Franken

Narrado por: Al Franken

From Senator Al Franken - #1 bestselling author and beloved SNL alum -- comes the story of an award-winning comedian who decided to run for office and then discovered why award-winning comedians tend not to do that.

"Flips the classic born-in-a-shack rise to political office tale on its head. I skipped meals to read this book - also unusual - because every page was funny. It made me deliriously happy." -- Louise Erdrich, The New York Times This is a book about an unlikely campaign that had an even more improbable ending: the closest outcome in history and an unprecedented eight-month recount saga, which is pretty funny in retrospect. It's a book about what happens when the nation's foremost progressive satirist gets a chance to serve in the United States Senate and, defying the low expectations of the pundit class, actually turns out to be good at it. It's a book about our deeply polarized, frequently depressing, occasionally inspiring political culture, written from inside the belly of the beast. In this candid personal memoir, the honorable gentleman from Minnesota takes his army of loyal fans along with him from Saturday Night Live to the campaign trail, inside the halls of Congress, and behind the scenes of some of the most dramatic and/or hilarious moments of his new career in politics. Has Al Franken become a true Giant of the Senate? Franken asks readers to decide for themselves.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"The best political book of 2017."—Alex Shephard, The New Republic

"In this excellent, insightful memoir, comedian turned senator Franken recalls his unlikely path to public service...Franken is quite a raconteur, and he tells the story of his remarkable life and times with a sense of humor that is always irreverent and often self-deprecating."—Publishers Weekly

"This is a great book about politics. No joke...Compulsively readable [with] laugh-out-loud lines in every chapter."—Booklist Starred Review

"[AL FRANKEN, GIANT OF THE SENATE] may...be the funniest memoir by a sitting - standing, recumbent, squatting - U.S. senator. Scratch that 'may.' It surely is. This is a genuinely funny book, often hilarious...the Senate, and the country, would be the poorer without him. He's an American original."—Christopher Buckley, The Washington Post

"Admirably incautious...Franken has weaponized the gifts that proved so useful for comedy - a sharp eye, a sharper tongue, the ability to tease out the essential absurdity of a given situation and deliver the goods with maximum impact." —Mark Binelli, Rolling Stone

"In a breezy, funny, biting, and often earnest read, Franken pulls off what many of his congressional colleagues have failed to do: write...an interesting and honest memoir."—Sam Brodey, MinnPost.com

"A fun and compelling book. [Franken] uses self-deprecating humor to poke fun at everyone on either side of the aisle, and he gives readers insight into the daily workings of life in the Senate. His love of the people and the state of Minnesota is crystal clear."—Jeff Ayers, AP

"With this book, Franken is both resistance leader and family counselor...A hilarious guide to what happens when a comedian runs for Congress."—The Nation

Amusing, well written & enlightening

A must read if only for the chapters on Ted Cruz and on using humor in calling donors.

Excellent book!

Uplifting and reassuring in these troubled times to hear a politician speak candidly about their experiences and to realize that there are still compassionate ones out there. I was not familiar with his comedy or political career prior to hearing this book and still really enjoyed it.

Perceptive and funny

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it is a fascinating look at the Senate from a sitting Senator with an inside view of the transition from the Obama presidency to the Trump presidency.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Al Franken, Giant of the Senate?

His account of his work on the Judiciary Committee, and the research he and his staff do before hearings.

What does Al Franken bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He writes well, and has a gift for explaining legislative process in an engaging manner. At the end of the book, he encourages specific action by Americans who disagree with the current political climate of fear and dishonesty.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

It is reassuring to know that Senator Franken is in the Senate doing his job and urging others to do the same. It is encouraging that he now feels he can introduce humor into his political work again. I think Senator Franken's style of informed humor is an effective tool against pomposity, invented threats and "alternative facts".

Funny and oddly hope inspiring

Humorous stories, insightful on recent events and workings of the Senate and hopeful about future.

Life-long Republican... makes me think twice...

Love the spirit and brutal honesty of Senator Franken. Honestly makes you consider your place in this democracy in a dazzling, entertaining manner. Decency has never been more enjoyable.