OReilly - Keep it pithy: useful observations in a tough world

Also by Bill OReilly

T HE OR EILLY F ACTOR : T HE G OOD , THE B AD , AND THE
C OMPLETELY R IDICULOUS IN A MERICAN L IFE

T HE N O S PIN Z ONE : C ONFRONTATIONS WITH THE P OWERFUL
AND F AMOUS IN A MERICA

W HO S L OOKING O UT FOR Y OU ?

T HE OR EILLY F ACTOR FOR K IDS : A S URVIVAL G UIDE FOR
A MERICA S F AMILIES ( COAUTHORED BY CHARLES FLOWERS )

T HOSE W HO T RESPASS : A N OVEL OF T ELEVISION AND M URDER

C ULTURE W ARRIOR

A B OLD F RESH P IECE OF H UMANITY

K IDS A RE A MERICANS T OO

( COAUTHORED BY CHARLES FLOWERS )

P INHEADS AND P ATRIOTS : W HERE Y OU S TAND
IN THE A GE OF O BAMA

K ILLING L INCOLN

K ILLING K ENNEDY

Copyright 2013 by Bill OReilly

All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Crown Archetype, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.
www.crownpublishing.com

CROWN ARCHETYPE with colophon is a trademark of Random House, Inc.

Portions of this work were previously published in the following Broadway titles: Bold Fresh Piece of Humanity (2008), Culture Warrior (2006), The OReilly Factor (2000), The No Spin Zone (2001), and Whos Looking Out for You? (2003).

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data is available upon request.

eISBN: 978-0-385-34663-4

Jacket design by Michael Nagin
Jacket photograph by Visco Hatfield

v3.1

First up: Call me clairvoyant, but I know what youre thinking. Another book from OReilly? We have to read yet another book from this guy?Let me quickly say that this book is not mandatory. This is not something completely different like my works of history. No, Keep It Pithyis a literary highlight reel that may help you in your life. I really hope it does.

Over the past twenty years, I have written millions of words. Bloviating doesnt even begin to cover it. Eleven bestsellers, thousands of newspaper columns, a daily talking points memo on television, and so on. On my tombstone I want these words inscribed: He finally stopped talking.

Many publishers have asked me to simply reprint my past stuff. Ive always said no. Thats because some of what Ive written is obsolete. Dated. Not relevant to anything anymore. That happens because life passes quickly and seasons change, to say the least. What was fascinating five years ago may be very boring right now.

But some of what Ive put down on paper is worth another look, especially my predictions about the age of Barack Obama. Back when I wrote the bookCulture Warrior, I knew little about the man. And what I wrote inCulture Warriorhad nothing to do with him as a human being. But it did have to do with his mind-set and how his secular-progressive (S-P) point of view was gaining steam in America. Looking back, I see that I am nearly an oracle in this area. Its interesting to read today what I saw in the fictional future that I created years ago. Its also somewhat frightening.

In this book we look back but we also update everything, allowing you to incorporate some of the views Ive stated into your own lives should you choose to do that. The only way things will get better in America is for sane people to win the debate. Keep It Pithywill help you do that, and it will also clarify things that may be perplexing you at this moment. As usual, I will be blunt and, I hope, entertaining at the same time.

It is especially important for younger Americans to understand what the deuce is happening in their country and how to deal with it so that they can prosper and help America at the same time. Fortunately, I think I have accomplished that in my own life, and I want to impart some guidance so that you can do the same thing. The opening headline is obvious:Keep it pithy!Well tell you exactly why in the pages of this book.

It continues to amaze me that so many of you want to hear and read what I have to say. Its really the ultimate compliment, and I take your interest very seriously. I would never want to let you down in any way. I owe you honesty, clarity, and my best work. I think this book will reflect that. Please let me know by email if it does not.

Finally, I owe a big thanks to my pal Charles Flowers, who has helped me compile the book. You may have seen the name. Flowers has worked with me from the beginning of my literary career and coauthored the bookKids Are Americans, Too. Charles is an interesting story. A southerner with a liberal sensibility about life, he is an educator and a man of letters. He and I are about as opposite as two Americans can get. But we both share a passion for the traditions of the country and for problem solving. And I think over the years I have somewhat convinced Charles that the no spin, pithy approach to disseminating information is the way to go. He cant admit that to his salon-type friends because theyd stone him. However, Charles has reaped other rewards among my fans. They love him at Peppinos, one of the best Italian restaurants on the planet.

In this book, Charles and I have selected some of my best stuff and have presented it in a way that is designed to help your life. It is another journey that we hope you will enjoy. And one final thing: Please keep in mind that in order to move forward, you have to look backward. We all must understand what has happened in our lives, in the country, and in society in order not to repeat mistakes and, most important, so that we can find the most moral path to happiness and prosperity.

Life is short. No time to waste. Here nowthe pith!