No Way to Treat a First Lady

A Novel

By: Christopher Buckley

Narrated by: Tim Matheson

Length: 6 hrs and 15 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, DC.

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 Taylor Buckley (P)2002 Random House Inc., Random House Audio, a Division of Random House Inc.

Critic reviews

"The political humor is first-rate as usual, as Buckley has plenty of fun with the slimy, silly mess that is Beltway politics...should keep Buckley on the A list of American satirists." (Publishers Weekly)
"Unspeakably and endlessly funny. Unless you're a former president....Wicked humorist Buckley shoots fish in a barrel and makes them dance." (Kirkus, Starred Review)

truely a great novel

I love this book. It is well thought out, exceptionally well written, original, witty and cleaver. It's so good that I actually bought a copy for my Mom. Definitely worth your time, especially if you are overly stressed out and need a good laugh.

Funny, Engaging and Thoroughly enjoyable!

I have been an Audible Member for over 6 years now and have listened to over 300 books. This is definitely one of my top 3 favorites. Expertly read and very engaging. You will definitely not be disappointed with the witty banter and fast story line. I even stayed up till 1 AM one night just to finish listening to the book.

I could not stop listening

I listen while traveling in traffic. This book is so hilariously intriguing , that I found it hard to pause and go to work - so I finished it in the parking garage, wiping my tears and two hours late for my first appointment

Excellent Word Play

Chris Buckley's No Way To Treat A First Lady is an excellent example of a book with technical flaws that can be easily forgiven because the storytelling is so good and the dialog so great. Starting with a fun premise and expanding outward to a terrific conclusion, the book moves along at a breakneck pace. Be careful about listening while driving. My wife and I listened while driving to Alabama and ran off the road twice we were laughing so hard. I thoroughly recommend this book.

Underwhelming

Enjoyable, but predictable and forgettable. Not in the league of recent others I've listened to eg Water for Elephants and The Hunger Games.

Fun Story

This book languished in my library for a long time. I'd have listened much sooner if I had known it would be such fun. I enjoy sarcastic humor, and there is plenty in this book. I even laughed out loud a few times.

If you are looking for a fun, quick listen with some plot twists, I'd suggest giving this book a try.

So Preposterous it's Believable.

The book is so tongue in cheek that I don't know how the narrator could keep a straight face (not explode in laughter). It is also so preposterous as to be almost believable. A well told, well read and funny listen.

No Way to Treat a First Lady

very witty and believable personalities. i enjoyed the ride and was suprised by the ending.

Don't worry, you won't crash while listening

This is an amusing book. Not so funny that you will worry about losing control of your car, but with several laugh-out-loud passages. The premise is a little strained, but well worked. Good enough to spend the time on.

Fun listening

Tim Matheson's reading was very entertaining. Brought the characters to life. We listened to this on a long car trip with another couple. We all kept wanted to get back into the car, so we could hear what happened next.