They Eat Puppies, Don't They?

In an attempt to gain Congressional approval for a top secret weapons system, Washington lobbyist "Bird" McIntyre and sexy Neo-Con wonkette Angel Templeton start a rumour that the Chinese secret service is trying to assassinate the Dalai Lama. Their outrageous scheme provokes a series of crises involving the White House, the CIA, and a strangely sympathetic and vulnerable Chinese president, with both countries veering perilously towards war. Buckley has drawn his most convincing and outrageous characters to date: Bird, failed novelist of amusingly awful Clancy-esque thrillers; Angel, combination Anne Coulter and Ayn Rand; Bird's demanding, equestrian wife, Myndi; Bewks, his feckless but endearing Civil War re-enactor brother; the mild-mannered Chinese President Fa and his devoted aide Gang, manoeuvring desperately against sinister Politburo hard-liners Minister Lo and General Han. Blending the skewering genius of "Thank You For Smoking" with Dr. Strangelove's dark comedy, "They Eat Puppies Don't They?" has something to offend - and amuse - everyone. Praise for Christopher Buckely: "One of the funniest writers in the English language." (Tom Wolfe). "A Benchley with WordPerfect." (John Updike). "An effervescent joy." (Joseph Heller).