Give War a Chance

“Give War a Chance” is a masterclass in mordant political satire, cementing P. J. O'Rourke's reputation as one of America's most hilariously provocative writers. A #1 New York Times bestseller, this collection sees O'Rourke unleash his signature cranky conservative wit on a range of post-Cold War absurdities. With irreverent dispatches from his coverage of the 1991 Gulf War, he offers unforgettable takes on Saddam Hussein's chemical weapons ("He's got chemical weapons filled with . . . with . . . chemicals.") and the devastation of Kuwait City ("It looked like all the worst rock bands in the world had stayed there at the same time."). Beyond the battlefield, O'Rourke skewers the death of communism, expresses his profound frustration with what he perceives as sanctimonious liberals, and casts a critical, yet uproarious, eye on the burgeoning plague of celebrity culture, noting, "You can't shame or humiliate modern celebrities. What used to be called shame and humiliation is now called publicity." Described as "like S. J. Perelman on acid," the book offers a volatile brew of one-liners and sharp social commentary, presenting a seemingly mocking surface that belies a deeper, serious engagement with the absurdities of human conflict and culture. It remains a definitive work of political humor.