Al Franken, author of the notorious Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and the current best seller Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them, is one of today's most honest, hilarious and bold writers. Not bad for a guy who started out as half of a comedy team that most people have long since forgotten (remember Franken and Davis, anyone?). Franken, now a top author, public speaker and Emmy-winning comedic genius, shares in his newest book, Oh, the Things I Know, some of his wisdom and insight into just what makes a person a real success, or, at the very least, a real happy failure.

Teaching life lessons to the unwashed masses ain't easy, folks, but Franken serves up a funny and fierce blend of personal experience and unabashed candor when discussing such delicate things as hating our first jobs, being screwed by politicians, wanting to retch at the sight of our spouses, choosing a non-abusive nursing home, and other such intruiging tidbits. The intention of this book is to help us avoid the many mistakes Franken has made, and upon making them anyway (which we all know we will), getting out of our messes with as much tact and grace as possible.

The chapter titles range from "Oh, Just Looking At Your Spouse Will Make Your Skin Crawl" to "Oh, The Bad Investments You'll Make" to "Oh, The Drugs You Will Take." My favorite chapter is "Oh, The Weight You Will Gain." I read it and immediately ran and beat my copy of The South Beach Diet against the wall. And then there's "Oh, The Orgasms You'll Have" and its counter-chapter, "Oh, The Orgasms You'll Fake (for the ladies)." Get the picture?

But amidst all the hilarity and laughs, Franken tosses in some real observations about life, experience, hopes and dreams, success and the quest to understand our own often foolish behavior. Despite all the "Oh's" he warns us about, there is always an element of hope and positivity to complete the picture. As the subtitle of the book states, you may not find success, but you'll sure be one happy loser, especially if you follow Franken's advice and learn from his mistakes.

The book is a very quick read, and left me a bit wanting in the end. Not that Franken's humor and wisdom disappointed me. I just felt it was all over way too soon. Kinda like the sex he talks about in one of his chapters.