Fools' Names, Fools' Faces

Ferguson views his role as a freelance journalist to be ""provocative, succinct, and uncompromising"" and he is exactly that in these 32 essays reprinted from the New Republic, the Wall Street Journal and other publications. In this funny, invective-filled look at the ""talking heads"" of American culture, he pulls no punches as he describes being a guest with alleged presidential paramour Gennifer Flowers on the Rolanda talk show; critiques Don Imus's infamous standup routine before President Clinton at the journalists' annual Gridiron Dinner; observes Newt Gingrich's exercise of power on his first day as Speaker of the House; and skewers Robert McNamara over his belated Vietnam confessions. Ferguson, an editor of the conservative Weekly Standard, takes a mordant look at Washington politics that will not go unnoticed in the upcoming campaigns. (Oct.)