How to Test Negative for Stupid: And Why Washington Never Will
4.8 | 10,029 ratings
Price: 22.04
Last update: 02-03-2026
Top reviews from the United States
- Amazon CustomerKennedy showcases his intellect, humor and common sense approach. Great read!Loved this short read! I am a big Kennedy fan. I find him smart, funny and folksy. I enjoy the way he uses quips to support his views and how he maintains decorum and respect. I don’t think I have heard him yell or raise his voice. I learned so much more about him in this book. He is wicked smart but speaks plainly and is willing to speak his mind to anyone, including President Trump. I enjoyed learning more about Senate process and his earlier career in Louisiana. I particularly loved the last chapter where he shares his views on China, transgender women in men’s sports, immigration, race and crime. I am an Independent and not a Republican….and I fully agreed with his thoughts on these subjects which seemed fully rooted in facts and just plain common sense. I highlighted this phrase in the epilogue, “I believe in personal responsibility, the rule of law, equal opportunity, merit, respect for human dignity, and faith in human progress.” These are values and beliefs I hold instilled by my immigrant parents who believed that America is the greatest country in the world. My father is gone 24 years and I often think he must be turning in his grave over some of the events since he passed. Keep up the great work of excellent communication, questioning and holding folks accountable, sir!
- Richard B. SchwartzThe Senate's Most Engaging VoiceThis is not an actual “book” book. It is a partial autobiography, a set of observations, anecdotes and reflections and a statement of political principles (for the most part, tried and true conservative boilerplate).
What makes it special is JK’s voice and his candor. The candor reveals itself in his willingness to name names when he tells political anecdotes and the voice is one of a country lawyer who specializes in hilarious similes and metaphors. He is not, of course, a country lawyer but he plays one in the senate, one with a spectacular sense of humor and a gift for the well-turned phrase.
He did a degree at Oxford (after a bachelor’s at Vanderbilt and a law degree at U-VA) and he describes the food there are something akin to plasterboard that’s been boiled in fish-tank water. He also notes that Louisianans love to eat things that are usually removed by exterminators from peoples’ backyards.
The bottom line is that this is a wonderful read and a must-read for all of JK’s Facebook fans who enjoy watching him question “experts” or aspirants for government jobs for which they are ill-qualified.
Readers will come away with a sense of the actual taste of a day amid the denizens of the Senate, delivered by someone with a very special attitude and voice for its depiction.
(Side comment: it has been said that his special voice is tactical and, in some ways, strategic. Because of his age and his brief time in the Senate he is unlikely to be around long enough to attain the committee chairmanships that are reserved for those with the greatest longevity. Hence, he draws political juice from his voice, which is unique, compelling and extremely entertaining.) - barbara williamsLove, love this book .Wonderful read. So informative and interesting. What a wonderful person Senator Kennedy is. He tells it like it is. We need more people like him, smart, interesting, honest and so much humor. Most of all his deep faith that God will take care of all of us. Buy this book , read it and pass it on .
- MsBWKWJExcellent readingIn a televised interview, Kennedy said that his book is not a policy book, but it is a “story book.” He is quite the storyteller— I’d liken his storytelling technique as similar to that of Mark Twain or Will Rogers. The book is hilarious as he frames his observations and opinions as only he can. Yes, there are ample opportunities to giggle while reading this book, yet when he deals with serious issues —those that deserve not to be made light of — his meaning is crystal clear. I recommend this book. It is easy to read and it is well worth the price of purchase and the time to read it. But if time is short … I recommend that everyone read the final chapter which he calls “Speed Round.” Don’t look for the humor in this chapter. Here, Senator Kennedy highlights his position on several contemporary topics like how he sees the relationship between America and China, America’s crime crisis and its relationship to justice, transgender participation in girls’ sports and in women’s spaces. These are serious topics and it’s clear that Senator Kennedy sees them as such. I’m thinking of buying several copies to gift to relatives and friends who would appreciate Kennedy’s point of view to modern US government.
- palmerGreat read- funny yet very informativeI love Senator Kennedy’s quick wit and how he can put a fine point on so much of the absurdity in DC. I loved reading his book and learning how he became a Senator, his views and his moral compass. This is a fun yet enlightening book to read. Fast read!!
My husband and I both loved the book. We would highly recommend it to anyone who has grown up in or around the district and has been involved even remotely with government. It just confirms what so many of us have seen. - BobGreat Book!!!This is a great book!!! Senator Kennedy has a way of simplifying complex issues with a perfect blend of humor. I made five pages of hand-written notes from this book. I read a lot and don't remember taking the time to make so many notes. Senator Kennedy is smart and knows how to convey his intelligence without offending others. I would love to see him as President someday. He has demonstrated an ability to communicate common-sense solutions in a way that reduces the nonsense from partisan haters. Our country needs more leaders like him.