No Way to Treat a First Lady

A Novel

By: Christopher Buckley

Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Christopher Buckley, the best-selling author of the comic classics The White House Mess and Thank You for Smoking, returns to the funniest place in America: Washington, D.C.

Elizabeth Tyler MacMann, the first lady of the United States, has been charged with killing her philandering husband, the President of the United States. In the midst of a bedroom spat, she allegedly hurled a historic Paul Revere spittoon at him, with tragic results. The attorney general has no choice but to put the First Lady on trial for assassination.

The media has never warmed to Beth MacMann (her nickname in the tabloids is “Lady Bethmac”), and as America girds for a scandalous, sensational trial, Beth reaches out to the only defense attorney she trusts, Boyce “Shameless” Baylor, who charges $1,000 an hour and has represented a Who’s Who of scoundrels: murderous running backs, society wife-killers, Los Alamos spies, and national security sellouts.

Why Boyce Baylor? Because Beth loved him once, when they were law students. Boyce wanted to marry her, but Beth chose the future President instead. Now, after all these years, Boyce has a second chance. To what lengths will a shameless lawyer go to win the Trial of the Millennium and regain the love of his life?

Buckley has been described by the Los Angeles Times Book Review as “one of the best and surest political humorists in America” and by Entertainment Weekly as “a superb writer of politically incorrect satire.” No Way to Treat a First Lady is flat-out hilarious. And furthermore, it’s a love story for our time.

Don't miss Christopher Buckley, Steve Martin, and other humorists discussing their craft at the New Yorker Festival.

©2002 Christopher Buckley (P)2002 Books On Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A wild romp of silliness and irreverence that's sure to please political junkies." (Booklist)

"This clever, gleeful satire...sets a high comic standard." (The New York Times)

"Unspeakably and endlessly funny. Unless you're a former president...Wicked humorist Buckley shoots fish in a barrel and makes them dance." (Kirkus, starred)

"The lurid sexual excesses of the late 90's provide plenty of comic fodder for Buckley's latest satire, which doubles as a legal thriller…The political humor is first-rate as usual, as Buckley has plenty of fun with the slimy, silly mess that is Beltway politics. This is one of his better efforts, which should keep Buckley on the "A' list of American satirists." (Publishers Weekly lead review)

Best Ending Ever

I've listened to this book multiple times and sill laugh outloud. Great story performed flawlessly. Written *20* years ago and still totally reflective of American politics.

Loved my second Buckley book

Would you listen to No Way to Treat a First Lady again? Why?

Yes, the lighthearted look at serious yet preposterous situations makes it not just a good listen, but also a pleasant one that put me in a good mood.

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

The tone was good for the material, slightly dry but acknowledging the humor.

Any additional comments?

I have only recently started reading Christopher Buckley. This was second one after Boomssay, which inloved. The combination of humor, serious yet ridiculous topics, a smart wit, and good characters make his books a real treat and I will be reading all of them.

There are often occasions when I want to read something humorous yet smart. Other options for these occasions are Carl Hiassin, Tom Robbins, Christopher Moore. Buckley isn't really like these authors but he fills a similar need for me.

Incredibly hilarious!

Very well written. Buckley managed to keep me in stitches throughout the entire story. I will be sure to read and/or listen to more of his novels. The narrator did an excellent job as well.

Must be a guy thing

I bought this book based on the reviews saying how funny the text. I found the book intriguing, humorous and very very well written.

Although I liked the plot of a philandering dead president at the hands of a first lady who often threw objects at her husband. Not at one point did I laugh out loud hysterically.

Now my boyfriend entered the room and listened to a few minutes and he couldn't stop laughing. I couldn't hear the book he was laughing so loud and frequently. Very annoying.

The humor reminds me of Carry On Jeeves and The hitchhiker's Guide series. Mush more modern and entertaining.

I gave it 5 stars because it is so well written and I will probably read another from the author.

Pick this if you need a laugh

This is one of the most humorous contemporary books I’ve listened to. I imagine that it would be even more enjoyable if you like trial novels (which I usually do not). The satire holds up throughout the novel, and Grover Gardiner is a great narrator – He pulled off the reading without “going over the top” which I find often happens in audio versions of satire.

A wonderfully funny courtroom thriller

I couldn't stop listening to this and initially kept bursting into laughter. In the grocery store; the gym...
And then, the story's pace picked up steam like a runaway train heading for the side of a mountain. I highly recommend this.

very funny

very funny

Very Funny Parody

Lampoons law and politics. Delightful.