McCain: The Myth of a Maverick

I was upstairs yesterday typing on an article that is kicking - my - ass when I heard a big clunk, something hitting the ground after being pushed through the mailslot. Well, any excuse to get up from my chair...

I saw it was a box from Amazon, and assumed it was this, when actually, it was McCain: The Myth of a Maverick, by my buddy Matt Welch, whom I truly adore. Who wrote this book about nine times faster than I'm able to write mine, and whose book party is tomorrow night at the LA Press Club.

A few months ago, I was drinking with William Langewiesche, and I told him, he was one of my three favorite writers.

"Who are the others?" he asked, and when I said, Joan Didion and Matt Welch, he sort of made a little face and said, "Who is this Welch guy?"

Go find out for yourself.

Comments

[Curtis]

I caught a glimpse of it on Matt's blog and I will certainly get the book.

Matt is a writer I respect for his integrity. In some respects his offered works far exceed what he's given short viewing of.

Some time back I offered the suggestion in Cathy's World that Matt should take hold of the reins of the LATimes and I was not actually kidding, but I was kidding about the conglomerate I was "assembling" to make that happen. (Sort of...)

I've read what he's written and I am all the better for that. I'll read his book about McCain and I expect it won't be different than the fine work he's done before.

Matt's very good.

[Michael J. Totten]

If Matt Welch were the editor-in-chief at the LA Times I would pay money for a subscription. Right now I don't read it for free on the Internet. They were smart to hire him, but it isn't enough, at least not yet.

[Curtis]

This is an off-shoot from your point, Michael.

I read an article recently that made some pointed comments about how so many seemingly in support of truthful analysis from Iraq & Afghanistan are not somehow cognizant about the fact that the best reporting isn't actually funded by some outfit -- it's actually done from the pockets of those who really believe the search for truth to be more important than the certainty of their knowing how to pay for it.

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I hold the two Michaels, Totten & Yon, in high regard for this. I do believe they will both be rewarded for their earnest efforts in the field.

[Amy Alkon]

The book is fantastic.

Party was great except for your absence, Rommelwomann!

In upsetting news (except that I'm happy for Matt) he is leaving the LAT and moving to D.C. with his fab wife Emmanuelle. He's got a big editorship back at Reason. Luke Ford posted the news on the 22nd.

[nancy]

Yay for Matt and Emmanuelle! But sad for you, Amy. Geez, darlin', our crowd down there is shrinking...