Book Review: Don't Mess with Travis by Bob Smiley

Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books (May 8, 2012)

I recently read Don't Mess with Travis by author Bob Smiley.  The book is an entertaining read for anyone with an interest in politics, no matter where in the political spectrum that they fall.

This is Smiley's debut novel and he has done a fine job creating characters that pay homage to the likes of Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George Soros, Glenn Beck, etc.  His novel tells the story of Ben Travis, a right-wing member of the Texas State Senate who becomes the Texas governor after both the governor and lieutenant governor die in a tragic car crash.

After Travis takes the oath is where all the fun takes place.  Smiley doesn't just lampoon the present state of American politics, he takes it to a whole new level as Gov. Travis calls for the state of Texas to secede from the Union.  This puts Travis at odds with President Michael Leary, who can only be described as "a golf-obsessed, progressive egomaniac with spotty leadership skills."

Leary is from Massachusetts so don't be blamed if all of a sudden you hear the voice of Denis Leary in your head!

While it is more likely that conservatives will enjoy this book more than liberals and moderates, that does not mean that liberals and moderates should not read it.  Don't hold the fact that Bob Smiley once worked as a research assistant for William Buckley, Jr. against him.

Stop what you are doing and click on the Amazon link right now!  Because, in all honesty, DON'T MESS WITH TRAVIS!