How To Test Negative

 

How To Test Negative;
and Why Washington Never Will!
A Book Written by Senator John Kennedy
A book review By Jim “Gymbeaux” Brown, October 28, 2025

The following paragraph is the last paragraph of the Forward; it is everything you need to know as to WHY you should read this book!  I am from Louisiana and Senator Kennedy has become my hero for his humor and how candidly he speaks on all topics, nothing is off-limits!  He reminds me of the old cartoon character Foghorn Leghorn who also used quips to get a point across.  You can read the last paragraph as it was written or you can read it below as none other than Foghorn Leghorn would have said it according to ChatGPT.  Either way, I hope it tweaks your interest enough to read the book.  

I say, I say now boy, listen up! This here book, son, this book is for folks who might, I say might get a chuckle—or maybe shed a tear—learnin’ about a few of the misadventures, I say experiences, that ol’ rooster here has had struttin’ ‘round that fancy coop they call the United States Senate. Some of ‘em are funny, some of ‘em ain’t so much—like a fox in a henhouse, ya never know what’s comin’ next!

Now don’t go thinkin’ senators are a bunch o’ young chicks—they’re all over forty, son, and some of ‘em been sittin’ on that roost so long their feathers done turned gray! Keep readin’, boy, you’ll see what I mean soon enough. (That means keep readin’, ya hear?)

This here book’s also for them curious folks—probably not too many of ya—who want to know just how this ol’ senator rooster came to be the way he is, why he crows when he crows, and why he scratches where he scratches. It’s about sayin’ what others just think but don’t have the gumption to say out loud.

It’s about the mighty weapon called candor, son—that’s honesty with spurs on it—and that’s somethin’ most folks up in Washington, D.C. only flirt with at cocktail parties. And I’ll tell ya one more thing—this book’s hopin’ to light a fire under ya, to make you bold enough to speak your mind and ruffle a few feathers doin’ it. Sometimes makin’ the right folks mad is the only way to know you’re tellin’ the truth.

Hopefully Foghorn has lit a fire beneath you to read Senator Kennedy’s book.  You will discover as I did, the book is written very much like how we have become accustomed to hearing him when he speaks.  Every page contains one-liners worth remembering and worthy of quoting. 

Whether you like Attorneys or more specifically Senator Kennedy who happens to be an attorney or if you like neither, you will probably like him by the time you finish reading Chapter 4.  

The first part of the book describes Kennedy’s history, his education, how he developed his beliefs and character and how he became involved in politics.  It is an interesting story and it may come as a complete surprise to you.  At times, he comes across as a Foghorn Leghorn type character but there is a wealth of information enhanced through education hidden beneath his oftentimes humorous responses.  Senator Kennedy holds back no punches! 

The book provides an insight as to how the U. S. Senate works or doesn’t work and why.  I found the book to be a page turner, very had to put down and well worth the read! 

Who should read this book?  Anyone interested in politics or how the U. S. Senate works or doesn’t work.

Would I read it again?  Probably not but will use it as a reference book.

Would I give the book as a gift?  Most definitely, regardless of a person’s political affiliation because it is an eye-opener as to how the U. S. Senate and politics in general work.