Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right

“This collection will be of interest to (Smerconish’s) fans from satellite radio and cable TV and those who eagerly read the columns contemporaneously as he gave attention to a wide range of noteworthy topics with his signature warmth and direct, personal tone.”
—Booklist

“…brings together a representative selection from the 1,047 columns (Smerconish) has written over the past 17 years that cover politics, profiles, life, and miscellanea.... They make for enjoyable reading and remind us that journalism properly practiced requires a good deal of nerve, honesty, and insight, along with openness to dialogue and the determination not to live in a bubble…. By refusing to serve a doctrinaire, ideologically driven agenda, Smerconish’s columns and broadcasts are unlikely to be loved by purists on either side of the aisle.”
—The Daily Beast

This new paperback edition of Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers to the Right, collects 100 of Michael Smerconish's most memorable columns from the Philadelphia Daily News and the Philadelphia Inquirer. He reflects on American political life with his characteristic feistiness. With a new Afterword for each column, the author provides updates on both facts and feelings, indicating how he has evolved over the years, moving from a conservative political perspective to having more of a centrist view.

All author proceeds benefit the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center, a Philadelphia-based, private, nonprofit agency that provides behavioral health services to children and their families.