The Art of the Political Putdown:
The Greatest Comebacks, Ripostes, and Retorts in History, 2020
Purchase book on Amazon
The Art of the Political Putdown is a book of over 300 witty verbal jabs and ripostes from politicians around the world, all of whom share a common sharp tongue. Liberal or conservative, humor can be a powerful weapon in any politician’s arsenal, and political journalists Chris Lamb and Will Moredock have seen their fair share of quips, witty remarks, and sarcastic pleasantries.
To wit:
The 18th century political reformer John Wilkes was in a heated exchange with John Montagu, the Fourth Earl of Sandwich, who shouted “I do not know whether you will die on the gallows or of the pox (venereal disease).”
Wilkes replied, “That sir, depends on whether I embrace your Lordship’s principles or your Lordship’s mistress.”

PRAISE:
“If you’re pining for truly classic zingers, check out an elegant little book titled ‘The Art of the Political Putdown,’ by Chris Lamb and Will Moredock. They’ve combed through the vast history of contentious political rhetoric to compile more than 300 of the best lines – from Macedonian King Archelaus to New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.”
-The Washington Post