Online definitions:

Radical Chic: "The alleged adoption and promotion of radical political causes by celebrities, socialites, and high society. People who insincerely identify themselves as radicals while conducting upper-class lifestyles and committing themselves, in reality, to much more reactionary opinions."

Mau-mau: "To intimidate (someone, such as an official) by hostile confrontation or threats."

Flak catcher: "A slick spokesperson who can turn any criticism to the advantage of their employer. flack, flack catcher, flak. spokesperson, representative, interpreter, voice - an advocate who represents someone else's policy or purpose."

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Satirical intellectual Tom Wolfe wrote two connected biting essays, (or rather, a psycho-delicious orgy of words), in 1970 that rips apart the class divide and gives an inside observer's look at the workings and inspirations of The Black Panthers who were righteously focused on creating a revolution to cure poverty, end rascism, create equality, and feed their children.

The Radical Chic narrative opens in 1969 when Conductor Leonard and Felicia Bernstein, (STEIN!, not STEEN!), throw a party... (errr... a MEETNG) in their posh upper East side apartment to raise funds for the Black Panther Defense Fund. The Who's Who of the Radical Chic are there, and of course, a handful of reporters.

This brilliant political and society commentary sizzles it's way through the decades and manages to gain even more relevance as it goes. Wolfe has a wickedly good time namedropping with ease - from Otto Preminger to Panther Don Cox to Barbara Walters - like a hippie tossing flower petals into the wind; his tearingly accurate descriptions of people and policy are no holds barred and will thrill you to you toes.

The Mau-Mauing section dissects a visit to a legislators office by community organizers seeking aid and social-welfare reform. Does this sound like a dry read? It's not.

If you're picky about what you read, here is your book. ( )

Radical Chic: Mostly skewering the NYC elite. Secondarily showing off how smart he is. The primary stuff is dated and kind of nasty anyway. The secondary stuff has a few good insights, but the whole thing goes on for too long.

Mau-Mauing the Flak Catchers: It is a great title. In fact, the title is so great that the article is superfluous—it doesn't add anything. Wolfe didn't know anybody in San Francisco, so there isn't any backstabbing here. Just really repetitive quoting of black jive talk for fifty pages. There is an intro and an outro, but whatever. ( )

Radical Chic - seminal book on rich liberals
Mau-Mauing The Flak Catchers - radical blacks shaking down bureaucrats in NYC ‘60’s

critique of race relations (Black Panthers, Bernstein), excellent picture, sickening profanity, played section to L

Wolfe exposes the underbelly of race relations in a New York Cit filled with satire and biting humor. Many times Wolfe just stands back and lets the silly people hang themselves. ( )