Surrounded by Idiots: Fighting Liberal Lunacy in America

Conservative radio talker and Fox News regular Gallagher celebrates his career, his views, and his beloved liberal-Democratic wife in this chatty, self-confident debut. "The left is trying to destroy the pillars of our great country," Gallagher says. After a foreword by Sean Hannity, regular listeners will expect—and enjoy—attacks on familiar targets: Bill Clinton, Michael Moore, the Dixie Chicks, animal-rights groups, Hollywood liberals, parents who won't spank their kids and immigrants who don't or can't learn clear English ("Heh-yo, Hoppy China, yoh ohrduh peez?"). One chapter describes Gallagher's heated interview with "smarmy, arrogant" pollster John Zogby, who wrongly predicted a John Kerry win in 2004. Yet the right-wing host spends as much time, and perhaps has more fun, with anecdotes from his life and career. "Breaking into talk radio" at 17, the South Carolina native won a New York City radio berth before going national. After 9/11, he explains, "it was liberating to view the world from the perspective of Us versus Them." Even more liberating was Gallagher's successful battle with fat—he explains how he lost, and has kept off, 70 pounds. (July)