Review written by Motivational Humorist, Chicago based Irish keynote speaker Conor Cunneen

GREAT PRESIDENTIAL WIT: (I WISH I WAS IN THAT BOOK)

A COLLECTION OF HUMOROUS ANECDOTES AND QUOTATIONS

AUTHOR: BOB DOLE

Let’s assume you are a humorous speaker or an inspirational funny speaker who is seeking new material to light up that speech you promised when you told your event planner that you were funny and insightful and motivational speaker. (That is a lot of references to funny, inspirational humorous keynote speaker in one sentence –Ed.)

You look through the local bookstore seeking inspiration and Voila!  - Great Presidential Wit by Senator Bob Dole. This book will solve your problems but should be taken sparingly. Introducing his book of Speeches, Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) said it should be dipped into and not consumed in one sitting. The same logic applies to this fine set of anecdotes from Bob Dole. Not all the anecdotes are particularly humorous and quite a few of them are comments about the respective presidents rather than comments made by the man in the White House.

Dole's effort to rank the most humorous presidents gives the book a certain appeal. His top four in order are Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Theodore Roosevelt. The rather lengthy material he provides on Lincoln does not in my opinion justify his ranking. It is very difficult to appreciate humor from another era and while there is not much doubt that Lincoln was a superb raconteur (particularly in his earlier days), suggesting he was the funniest occupant of the White House is just another example of the rose tinted glasses so many people put on when writing about this admittedly great president.

Dole's book suffers from a regular problem with `collections.' A lot of the very good material would benefit from better context. Reagan and LBJ were wonderful storytellers and either man might have made it as a humorous, funny or even motivational keynote speaker, but their material is best enjoyed in quality biographies of either man where you can get a better appreciation of the men. Best anecdote in book - LBJ corrects voter who thinks Johnson was born in a log cabin to which the big Texan replied. `You've got me confused with Lincoln. I was born in a manger.' Ba-Boom.

An enjoyable library piece.

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Are you looking for a keynote speaker who is funny? Are you looking for an Irishman who also happens to be a funny business or motivational speaker who just happens to be deadly serious about his craft? If the answer is “Why yes, I am looking for a thought-provoking, but funny, inspirational speaker who can get my audience feeling really good about themselves,” well all I can do is echo the emotion of that well known resident of Bedrock, Mr. Fred Flinstone and say “Yabadabadoo.”

Enough of the blarney! Pick up that phone, dial 630 718 1643 and you will either get me (Conor Cunneen) at the end of the phone or hear my lyrical Irish brogue wishing you Top o’ the Morning! (Yup, even if it is in the afternoon). My Brand Promise is E4: Energize, Educate, Entertain AND Easy to work with which numerous clients endorse I keep. I’d like to make and keep that promise for you.