Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis for October 15, 2015
October 14, 2015
October 16, 2015
Transcript:
Goat: What are you reading?
Rat: 'Killing Patton' by Bill O'Reilly.
Goat: Interesting. What are some of his other works?
Rat: 'Killing Kennedy'. 'Killing Jesus'. 'Killing Lincoln'.
Goat: I sense a theme.
Rat: The man has a gift!!
I cordially dislike Bill O’Reilly.I haven’t read any of these titles.But a fairly consistent thread in the published reviews (even from liberal sources) is that they are engagingly written, fun to read. They are often called riveting and compared to can’t- put-‘em-down novels. Some have been challenged on historical matters.But for me it comes down to this: Whether I want to read about Jesus or Patton or Lincoln or anyone else, Bill O’Reilly certainly would not be my starting point. More books have been written about Jesus than any other figure. More about Lincoln than any other American. I strongly suspect that if I read and ranked all of them, Bill’s offerings would be languishing near the bottom.Even those who read widely don’t have time to read everything. A little discernment goes a long way in deciding what to read… or not.
Could be the worst book ever published with everybody, even the author, saying no one should bother with it and Rat would still proclaim it one of the best books out their if it had kill or killing in the title.
A legendary story that so perfectly fits the character of the people involved that it is true whether it happened or not…..Clare Boothe Luce and Dorothy Parker approached a revolving door simultaneously. Luce stepped to the side and said, “Age before beauty.” Parker smiled at her, stepped through the door, and answered, “Pearls before swine.”
It’s true that O’Liely has nothing to add about these historical figures other than that they all died to keep taxes low for their followers. What it is about is getting his worshipers to buy another book that will go on the shelf unread.
You should give credit to his co-author, a history professor who did check the facts pretty carefully and probably put in most of the work on the book, leaving only the “style” for O’Reilly to fill in. The first commenter is off the mark: “Killing Patton” is historically accurate. That’s why it actually has only three or four pages about the alleged conspiracy to kill him. They say at that point, “We’re not conspiracy theorists”and since there’s very little evidence for a conspiracy it only takes three pages to give it all.
not that i’ve bothered reading them, but a reviewer recently said the 1st few were ok, but not the most recent in series. he suggested"killing" the series at this point
Amazing, that nearly all the respondents here seemingly have not read his books or watch his show but are sure that they (the books) inaccurately portray history and are sure that he propagates lies. Please, back it up with facts.
Killing Patton is a good read. I am not well qualified to comment on it’s historical accuracy, but I found nothing that seemed suspicious. If you’re looking for a conspiracy-theory book about Patton’s death (which was caused by an automobile accident that would have been nearly impossible to arrange), you’ll be disappointed; it lightly touches on the conspiracy theories, but that’s only a few pages in a massive book.
The biggest surprise in the book was the cover picture. It destroyed my image of Patton in the 1970 film. Patton actually looked nothing at all like George C. Scott, but quite a lot like Robert Mitchum, especially in the eyes. (The Wikipedia article on Mitchum says that he turned down the Patton role. Rod Steiger was offered the role first, so Scott was at least the third choice.)
There’s a co-writer on these tomes who almost certainly actually does all the writing. O’Reilly’s name is only on these so the sheep-like fans of his will buy them without thinking twice.
BE THIS GUY about 9 years ago
A gift for screwing up history.
Bilan about 9 years ago
Did he write the new Steve Jobs movie too?
Sherlock Watson about 9 years ago
A much better book: The Oh Really? Factor by Peter Hart.
jimmjonzz Premium Member about 9 years ago
I cordially dislike Bill O’Reilly.I haven’t read any of these titles.But a fairly consistent thread in the published reviews (even from liberal sources) is that they are engagingly written, fun to read. They are often called riveting and compared to can’t- put-‘em-down novels. Some have been challenged on historical matters.But for me it comes down to this: Whether I want to read about Jesus or Patton or Lincoln or anyone else, Bill O’Reilly certainly would not be my starting point. More books have been written about Jesus than any other figure. More about Lincoln than any other American. I strongly suspect that if I read and ranked all of them, Bill’s offerings would be languishing near the bottom.Even those who read widely don’t have time to read everything. A little discernment goes a long way in deciding what to read… or not.
Kind&Kinder about 9 years ago
I only enjoyed him when Jon Stewart would fuss with him on The Daily Show. And when Colbert would play with him on The Colbert Report.
knight1192a about 9 years ago
Could be the worst book ever published with everybody, even the author, saying no one should bother with it and Rat would still proclaim it one of the best books out their if it had kill or killing in the title.
whiteheron about 9 years ago
He didn’t do it, he only wrote about it….sort of.
juicebruce about 9 years ago
One should taste the “Stew” first, then decide if it is good or bad……….
WaitingMan about 9 years ago
How-to books?
jimmjonzz Premium Member about 9 years ago
A legendary story that so perfectly fits the character of the people involved that it is true whether it happened or not…..Clare Boothe Luce and Dorothy Parker approached a revolving door simultaneously. Luce stepped to the side and said, “Age before beauty.” Parker smiled at her, stepped through the door, and answered, “Pearls before swine.”
Sisyphos about 9 years ago
—And don’t forget Killing Reagan! But, to be fair, O’Reilly has also written numerous other books that aren’t about “Killing…” anyone. Read on, Rat!
kaffekup about 9 years ago
It’s true that O’Liely has nothing to add about these historical figures other than that they all died to keep taxes low for their followers. What it is about is getting his worshipers to buy another book that will go on the shelf unread.
wingalls about 9 years ago
I’d buy this book: “Killing Bill O’Reilly” by Anybody.
drbeth about 9 years ago
@wingalls. Comment of the day, BRAVO!!!! And I agree.
dre7861 about 9 years ago
O’Reilly’s next book is called “Killing Historical Accuracy in Order to Sell More Books to His Gullible Fans.”
Michael Beeson Premium Member about 9 years ago
You should give credit to his co-author, a history professor who did check the facts pretty carefully and probably put in most of the work on the book, leaving only the “style” for O’Reilly to fill in. The first commenter is off the mark: “Killing Patton” is historically accurate. That’s why it actually has only three or four pages about the alleged conspiracy to kill him. They say at that point, “We’re not conspiracy theorists”and since there’s very little evidence for a conspiracy it only takes three pages to give it all.
DebUSNRet about 9 years ago
OMG the Bernie & Hillary supporters here!
abbybookcase about 9 years ago
not that i’ve bothered reading them, but a reviewer recently said the 1st few were ok, but not the most recent in series. he suggested"killing" the series at this point
ksu71 about 9 years ago
Amazing, that nearly all the respondents here seemingly have not read his books or watch his show but are sure that they (the books) inaccurately portray history and are sure that he propagates lies. Please, back it up with facts.
route66paul about 9 years ago
All mentioned have been responsable for killing numerous Americans.
Number Three about 9 years ago
Has Rat ever read “To Kill a Mockingbird?”
I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve never read that book before.
But I’ve heard the title countless times.
xxx
markmoss1 about 9 years ago
Killing Patton is a good read. I am not well qualified to comment on it’s historical accuracy, but I found nothing that seemed suspicious. If you’re looking for a conspiracy-theory book about Patton’s death (which was caused by an automobile accident that would have been nearly impossible to arrange), you’ll be disappointed; it lightly touches on the conspiracy theories, but that’s only a few pages in a massive book.
The biggest surprise in the book was the cover picture. It destroyed my image of Patton in the 1970 film. Patton actually looked nothing at all like George C. Scott, but quite a lot like Robert Mitchum, especially in the eyes. (The Wikipedia article on Mitchum says that he turned down the Patton role. Rod Steiger was offered the role first, so Scott was at least the third choice.)
DenO Premium Member about 9 years ago
FYI: The book profits are given to multiple charities. O’Reilly has said many times that he does not profit from the books.Haters gonna hate.
GulliverArkham about 9 years ago
A gift for putting his name on books written by ghost writers.
TMO1 Premium Member about 9 years ago
There’s a co-writer on these tomes who almost certainly actually does all the writing. O’Reilly’s name is only on these so the sheep-like fans of his will buy them without thinking twice.
Cherry about 4 years ago
I read killing Patis at first…
DragonNerd almost 4 years ago
To kill a mockingbird