Dan Glickman - Laughing at Myself: My Education in Congress, on the Farm, and at the Movies

Praise for Laughing at Myself

I have known Dan and his family for many years and this book reflects the humor, dedication, and common sense that Dan has brought to his years of public service. Dan has the ability to make one smile or laugh. That may be a good guide in how to get things accomplished in these turbulent political times.

NANCY Kassebaum Baker , former US senator, Kansas

Laughing at Myself is a drama and comedy with laugh-out-loud moments. With his gifts of creativity, energy, and humor, Dan Glickman gives unique examples of successfully finding solutions for intractable problems like fighting hunger and malnutrition at home and around the world. Dans humor and storytelling skills helped us cope with these dire issues, just as they keep the reader immersed in this book. He does not shy away from sensitive issues, and he puts a high value on character, principle, moderation, and listening to otherseven naked demonstrators disrupting his press conference in Rome.

Catherine Bertini , former executive director, UN World Food Program, and distinguished fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Dan Glickmans memoir reveals the essence of who he is: self-deprecating, passionate, optimistic, purpose-driven, principled, and living proof that you can accomplish a great deal of good in the world as a political centrist who values listening over talking. His personal journey and the lessons he learned along the way in Kansas; Washington, DC; and Hollywood make for an entertaining, at times surprising, and always fascinating readand will hopefully inspire and challenge a new generation of would-be changemakers to revive the art of constructive partisanship and compromise.

Howard G. Buffett , farmer and philanthropist, chairman and CEO of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation

Its been Dans wit and wisdom that has taken him from Wichita to Washington. But its also been his decency, his ability to work across political spectrums, and his awareness and ability to understand the power of humor to often diffuse, distract, and always delight that has truly defined his success.

James Carville , Democratic political strategist

The skeletal components of an exceptional leader and public servant are a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone. Those of us fortunate to know and work with Dan Glickman admire him greatly because he has all three. This book is clear confirmation of that and is a great read.

Tom Daschle , former US senator, South Dakota

Our nation these days desperately needs more leaders like Dan Glickmanpeople whose values are deeply rooted and have a sense of humor about themselves. This book explores the secrets to his success and should serve as an inspiration to those who want to be as respected and beloved as he has been.

Walter S. Isaacson , author of Steve Jobs and Leonardo da Vinci

Dan Glickman is the definition of a dedicated public servant who puts country and service ahead of personal benefit. This book is a great chronicle of his life and experiences and gives us an insight into the values he brought to each of his opportunitiesfrom the excitement of his first victory for Congress to his work in the Clinton cabinet and to the coveted position of the head of the Motion Picture Association. He celebrates his immigrant heritage and the strong religious beliefs that were passed on from his grandparents and parents. Typical of Dan, he shares his journey by poking fun at himself and reminds us of how humor and humility go a long way toward getting us through even the most challenging moments. Most of all, Dan reminds us of the importance of decency and the compromise that is needed to support a working democracy. There could not be a more timely reminder of how important compromise and flexibility are to addressing the challenges we have as a country, and his lifelong belief of the importance of reaching out across the aisle to get things done. The book should be a must-read for our next generation to remind them that it is possible to get things done if we respect the process of give-and-take and build relationships based upon respect and good will.

Margery Kraus , founder and executive chairman of APCO Worldwide

In my Washington career, I was often asked why I enjoyed a strong sense of humor. My response was that the alternative was jumping in the Potomac. My friend Dan Glickman in Laughing at Myself makes the same point, particularly in these crazy times. I have known Dan for over forty yearshe was my classmate in Congress, we worked together in the Clinton administration, and as the children of immigrants we share the same values and beliefs. He is a good man and this book tells you why.

Leon Panetta , former secretary of defense and cofounder of the Panetta Institute for Public Policy

Secretary Dan Glickman has long brought good humor, common sense, happiness, and a strong expression of his Jewish identity to Capitol Hill, the administration, Hollywood, and now to all of us through his new book. Hailing from a tiny Jewish community in Wichita, Kansas, he conquered Washington and Hollywood. And now he will also capture your heart and help you laugh and smile. In these trying times, we all need more good memories, smiles, and laughs. There is nobody better to help us with that than Dan Glickman. King Solomon taught in the Jewish scriptures that a constant joyous heart is a good thing. Dan has that, and he shares it with us here. Everyone always leaves meeting him happier than they were before. Picking up this book and finding out why is easy; putting it down will be much more difficult.

Rabbi Levi Shemtov , executive vice president of American Friends of Lubavitch and founder and president of the Capitol Jewish Forum

My Education in Congress,
on the Farm, and at the Movies

Dan Glickman

University Press of Kansas

2021 by Dan Glickman

All rights reserved

Published by the University Press of Kansas (Lawrence, Kansas 66045), which was organized by the Kansas Board of Regents and is operated and funded by Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, the University of Kansas, and Wichita State University.

All photos courtesy of the authors collection, unless otherwise noted.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Glickman, Dan, author.

Title: Laughing at myself : my education in Congress, on the farm, and at the movies / Dan Glickman.

Description: Lawrence : University Press of Kansas, 2021.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020042476

ISBN 9780700632138 (cloth)

ISBN 9780700632145 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Glickman, Dan. | United States. Congress. HouseBiography. | United States. Department of AgricultureOfficials and employeesBiography. | Motion Picture Association of AmericaBiography. | LegislatorsUnited StatesBiography. | Cabinet officersUnited StatesBiography. | KansasBiography.

Classification: LCC E840.8.G55 A3 2021 | DDC 328.73/092 [B]dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020042476.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data is available.

Printed in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The paper used in the print publication is acid free and meets the minimum requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials Z39.481992.