O'Rourke, P.J.

Parliament of Whores: A Lone Humorist Attempts to Explain the Entire U.S. Government

ISBN: 0330319914
London, England: Picador, 1991. First UK Edition. Hardcover. Inscribed and signed by P.J. O'Rourke. “Freedom in capitalist society always remains about the same as it was in ancient Greek republics: Freedom for slave owners.” – Vladimir Lenin (1870–1924). The American government (a group of gormless shit-heels if ever there was one) as an institution has, a number of times, been likened to a plump sow suckling at the teat of neo-liberal capitalism; politicians shamelessly selling themselves to the highest bidders while the average american struggles to simply exist. These are not new or novel observations, in fact, these are criticisms that have been levied at the political institutions of the United States of America since at the very least the advent of the Industrial Revolution. Satirists from Twain (1835–1910) to George Carlin (1937–2008) have made these very observations, albeit more elegantly and with much more wit. Among these satirists is P.J. O’Rourke (1947–2022), the author of today’s curation. O’Rourke was, much like Hunter S. Thompson (1937–2005), a gonzo-journalist-extraordinaire, penning articles like “How to Drive Fast on Drugs While Getting Your Wing-Wang Squeezed and Not Spill Your Drink” (1979) and books like “Republican Party Reptile” (1987). “Parliament of Whores” is a biting takedown of Reagan-era politics—the age of hyper-capitalism, coked-up senators, the contras, and pearl-clutching conservatism. O’Rourke’s prose is often savagely funny, exuberant, witty, and scathing in its critique of American politics. Signed in thin blue ink on the title page an inscription reads: “To Lynda all the best, P.J. O’Rourke. London 9.9.92”. A previous owner (and the addressee of this inscription) signed her name in blue ink on the first endpaper: "Lynda Cole." Hardcover in unclipped U.S. Edition dust-jacket: First U.K. Edition, as stated on copyright page, Second Printing, as indicated by number sequence thereon. Book is in very fine condition with light smudging/staining to front and back covers and minimal wear to fine edges; Dust-jacket in very fine condition with miniscule wear to fine edges, otherwise substantially mint. Very Fine / Very Fine. [Item #5738]

Price: $400.00