By Lisa Neff

Contributing writer

Would anyone disagree that with some intervention by the rainbow coalition in D.C., Stephen Colbert’s Comedy Central persona could become the epitome of gay Republican?

Colbert has style and wit. He’s a smart dresser and a clean dude. He just needs to soften the politics a tad—just a tad—to connect with Log Cabin Republicans.

And maybe he needs to work out harder to look more like the Colbert Hulk on the jacket flap of his new book, “I Am America (And So Can You!).”

If you can’t pick up a book, plant your tongue in your cheek and read with a smile and a wink, don’t pick up “I Am America.”

If you enjoy a good laugh, then believe what critic Stephen Colbert says about author Stephen Colbert’s book: “A great read. I laughed, I cried, I lost 15 pounds! I cannot recommend this book highly enough.”

Readers will especially get some guffaws out of the chart on “Things That Are Trying to Turn Me Gay” and the diagram on how to tell if a man is gay or straight. www.hachettebookgroupusa.com

Fact is: Already feeling behind in the 2008 political season? “The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2008” contains a quick, easy guide to absorb rundown on what you can expect this year, what you forgot last year and even what you forgot many, many years ago. Since this most reliable book was introduced in 1868, more than 80 million readers have purchased a copy. It is the best-selling American reference book of all time, and for good reason. Where else could you quickly find out how much money people in the United States spent last year on frozen pizza and beer and get a disaster-by-disaster account of aviation accidents of the past 70 years. www.worldalmanac.com

Maybe the worst is over: Some readers probably think the new “Worst-Case Scenario Almanac of Politics” has arrived about eight years too late. But no, this book, co-written by Worst-Case writer David Borgenicht and political consultant Turk Regan, looks back on the most scandalous, dangerous, incompetent people to seek power and charts their most lavish palaces, bloodiest coups and stupidest declarations. It’s funny and factual, tantalizing and tragic. www.chroniclebooks.com

On the other hand: Know thy enemy is one of those golden rules of politics and life. You can judge “The Jesus Machine” by its subtitle, “How James Dobson, Focus on the Family and Evangelical America are Winning the Culture War.” And maybe, from reading, you’ll get an idea how to turn the tide of that war. “The Jesus Machine,” by reporter Dan Gilgoff, is the first book to examine Focus on the Family as the cutting edge of the larger evangelical movement, as it works to become the voice of mainstream America.

Live free and knit: You might have heard something about a vote having taken place in New Hampshire recently. The Granite State treasures its “First in the Nation” status in the presidential primary schedule. At the New Hampshire Historical Society’s museum store in downtown Concord, consuming citizens can find a new line of accessories—colorful hand-stitched coasters, luggage tags and dog collars—commemorating the Jan. 8 election. Shoppers can chose from a variety of emblems—New Hampshire’s Old Man of the Mountain, the partisan donkey and elephant, and the state. www.nhhistory.org

Quick takes: “Takeover” by Charlie Savage is an investigation into how the Bush/Cheney administration has seized vast powers for the presidency to permanently alter the constitutional balance of American democracy.

“What A Party! My Life Among Democrats: Presidents, Candidates, Donors, Activists, Alligators and Other Wild Animals” from Terry McAuliffe—with aid from Steve Kettmann—offers a bird’s eye view into the world of Democratic kingmakers. The view of Congress and the Clintons is that of one of the most prolific fundraisers of our time.

In his eighth book, “Broken Government,” John W. Dean, Richard Nixon’s former White House counsel, finds fault with GOP management and its core conservatives for the current state of the U.S. government.