Big Babies

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

In this collection of essays written since 1986, CNN Crossfire host Kinsley, a former columnist for the New Republic, deftly deconstructs the foibles and folkways of those inside the Beltway. His rough theme-and an explanation of the book's awkward title-``is one of annoyance at the fatuous populism that dominates American politics.'' Thus, in pieces not only for the New Republic but also for Time and the Wall Street Journal and others, he muses on ``the constipated egalitarian vision'' of women wishing to integrate exclusive private clubs, dissects the convoluted explanations of politicians who ``regret'' smoking pot and dismantles the Bush campaign claim that Gov. Bill Clinton raised taxes 128 times. A liberal centrist who offers thoughtful, if not passionate, defenses of abortion rights and affirmative action, Kinsley is particularly strong on issues of law and economics: one of his best essays analyzes the buzzwords behind Supreme Court appointments. This book is not a manifesto but a witty, meditative guide to recent political controversies. Given his recent appearances in the New Yorker (reproduced here), perhaps Kinsley is moving from deadline punditry to meatier critiques. (Oct.)

Library Journal

Fighting from the left flank on CNN's nightly Crossfire program, Kinsley is also a print pundit for the New Republic, Time, the Washington Post, and other national publications. This collection of his commentary dating from 1986 through early 1995 showcases his incisive, ironic interpretation of the national political scene over a turbulent ten years. Many of the columns address issues still dominating public debate: affirmative action, term limits, political correctness, etc. The theme linking Kinsley's selections is reflected in the title: the "Big Babies" are the voters, who demand tax cuts, increased services, and smaller government, all the while self-righteously denigrating the politicians for pandering. Good reading for those interested in witty and thoughtful opining.-Pamela R. Daubenspeck, Warren-Trumbull Cty. P.L., Warren, Ohio

Booknews

The babies of the title are American voters who, the left-leaning pundit says, complain bitterly about politicians but at bottom are themselves to blame for our current democratic discontents. They join many other targets--three presidencies and several campaigns, the conservative political climate, and even some non- political topics--in this collection of Kinsley's essays from the past 10 years in The New Yorker, Time, The New Republic, The New York Times, and elsewhere. Lacks an index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Mary Carroll

Kinsley may be the Rodney Dangerfield of punditry: much of the Left sees him as a centrist, while conservatives and neocons on CNN's "Crossfire" attack his wild-eyed radicalism. In fact, Kinsley is an old-fashioned liberal: smart, rational, measured in his assessments, open to compromise. (Only juxtaposition to true believers like Buchanan and Sununu can make him seem extreme.) "Big Babies" gathers 100-plus Kinsley commentaries written over the past 10 years--from late Iranamok to early Newtonianism: most are from the "New Republic"; others are from "Time", the "New Yorker, Wall Street Journal, New York Times", and "Washington Post". Though politics and government dominate, Kinsley also takes on movies and TV, publishers' blurbs, and the price of art masterpieces. If the collection has a theme, he suggests, it's "annoyance at the fatuous populism that dominates American politics" ; Kinsley insists that citizens who "make flagrantly incompatible demands . . ." "are" to blame for American democracy's current discontents [and] are, in short, big babies." The collection's chronological format is far from ideal, but Kinsley's often penetrating comments are worth pursuing.