Why We Don't Suck

September 15, 2017
The loudly outspoken comedian and actor's latest book is sure to offend some readers, but many more will find plenty of food for thought while also getting in a good laugh. Leary (Denis Leary's Merry F#%$in' Christmas, 2012, etc.) opens with a disclaimer for those "Sensitive Readers," whose sensibilities may be offended by the strong language and sharp wit. Readers willing to wade into the author's truthful, occasionally raunchy account of the current state of affairs in America will not be disappointed. Few escape Leary's penetrating gaze. In this lively antidote to the more serious tomes tackling the current state of affairs, the author takes nearly everyone to task for their particular stance or prejudice in this. His take on the Electoral College is spot-on, as are his many rants about Democrats and Republicans alike. "Trump promised to drain the swamp. He didn't. He just filled it up to overflowing with his rich friends and family members," writes Leary. "Just like Hillary would have done. And each tribe still drenches our electronic devices on a weekly basis, continuing the political turmoil with ridiculous partisan bullshit." The proliferation of guns, our TV-and-celebrity-soaked culture, the pharmaceutical industry, religion, white supremacy: all come under the author's scrutiny, with often hilarious, albeit sometimes-scattered results. Leary's ribbing of social media, complete with fake tweets from famous individuals, is particularly amusing. He also devotes space to praise those individuals who have made a difference in his life and the wider world. While Leary offers up strong quips aimed straight at millennials, the author concedes that although it may be difficult to pass the torch to the next generation, it should be a time for hope. "From every angle one can ogle," he writes, "you guys seem to have an enormous grasp on science, math, business, and the arts. A constant flow of ingenious ideas and outstanding execution. Not to mention talent." A fun and thought-provoking romp through politics and popular culture.

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October 9, 2017
Actor and comedian Leary (Why We Suck) is predictably profane and unbridled in this collection of caustic political diatribes—“It took less than one decade for us to go from a family of bipartisan patriots to a feuding bunch of asinine finger pointers.” His riffs on gun control and Trump’s Make America Great Again slogan harken back to his gruff stand-up persona. He is at his acerbic and clever best later in the book, when he dispenses with equal-opportunity bashing and goes where his comedic instincts take him. At times Leary relies on oversimplified stereotypes (“Libertards versus Conservadicks”) and forces solutions to advance his political thesis (“Let’s literally turn the election INTO a contest”). He finds plenty of ripe targets for mocking through an exploration of America’s national cursing habits and hypothetical tweets from earlier presidents (Thomas Jefferson: “What happens in the Big House stays in the Big House #OnceYouGoSlave”). He shares hilarious backstage stories about meeting Rod Stewart and Ron Wood (the stage crew replaced their cups of vodka with water before their wives came back stage) and Beyoncé (who mistook him for singer Bryan Adams), and wearing one of Keira Knightley’s dresses. Leary succeeds in conveying his unique brand of twisted optimism.