During each edition of Countdown, Olbermann has a segment called "The Worst Person in the World," in which he gives out bronze, silver and gold medals to the people who demonstrated that day just low humans can sink morally, socially or politically; think Bernard Goldberg with integrity or News of the Weird with attitude. He already has 120 pieces, which well combine with a brief intro (1000 words) on his methodology in choosing the worst people, as well as his thoughts on just what is wrong with them; an epilogue of about the same length in which he chooses a worst in show; plus any follow up material when applicable. For example, after Olbermann called out Rush Limbaugh for his remarks about Cindy Sheehan, he blogged that the transcript of those remarks were expunged from Limbaugh's site, posted the text of Limbaughs remarks and noted other ramifications of Limbaughs remarks. The selections could be organized chronologically, by theme, or by type of winner, but this we won't know until we spread out all 120 in front of us.

Recent gold-medalists include: Robert Novak, Tom Cruise, Paula Jones, Brit Hume, Paul Eibler (president of Take Two Interactive, which makes Grand Theft Auto), Liz Beattie (British schoolteacher who wants to eliminate failing grades), the organizers of a water-gun tournament in NYC, pitchers Kenny Rogers and Livan Hernandez, Councillor Lim Kit Sing of Hong Kong, Amber Frey, Ann Coulter, Victoria Gotti, Geraldo Rivera, and FEMA spokesperson Mary Hudak, plus a half-dozen idiot criminals.

"For his first book as a newsman, the smart, sarcastic host of MSNBC's nightly newsmagazine program Countdown with Keith Olbermann has compiled nearly one years' worth of his wickedly righteous Worst Person in the World feature. Of course, when he says 'worst,' Olbermann isn't talking about Hitler; these specimens-including Tom Cruise, OJ Simpson and Ann Coulter-are 'the mortal enemies of honesty and dignity, of selflessness and class.' Though the peppery host often pillories the merely stupid or ridiculous behavior of regular Americans and celebrities, the recurring theme is corporate, political and media malfeasance of every stripe. FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, school boards around the country, Rush Limbaugh and George Bush all make multiple appearances. But the real star of the book-not counting Olbermann himself-is his ratings rival Bill O'Reilly (their shows air at the same time), who gets taken to task again and again. Depending on your politics, you're either going to love or hate the fierce, progressive Olbermann, and his printed rants aren't nearly as cathartic as they are when delivered in his confident, mocking boom, but this collection makes a fine book for flipping." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Olbermann presents a brash and scalpel-sharp appraisal of the depths to which humans can slide socially, politically, and morally — and what fun it can be to find out.

The stinkers, the rascals, the reprobates. . . and the just plain dumb.

(Yes, Bill, he's talking about you.)

Geraldo Rivera. The Coca-Cola Company. Victoria Gotti. Tom Cruise. Various members of the Bush administration. All have earned the dishonor of "Worst Person in the World," awarded by MSNBC's witty and controversial reporter Keith Olbermann on his nightly MSNBC show Countdown with Keith Olbermann. Now, he brings all his bronze, silver, and gold medalists together in this wildly entertaining collection that reveals just how twisted people can be— and how much fun it is to call them out on it.

From tongue-in-cheek observations to truly horrific accounts, Olbermann skewers both the mighty and the meek, the well-known and the anonymous for their misdeeds, including:

Ann Coulter, for, among other things, calling Muslims "ragheads" in a speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington

Barbara Bush, for making a generous donation to the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund earmarked exclusively for the purchase of computer software . . . software sold by her son, Neil

The staff of Your World with Neil Cavuto, for the story about the murders of Iraqi civilians that was accompanied by the on-screen graphic: "All-out Civil War in Iraq: Could It Be a Good Thing?"

Olbermann also reports on some of the recent fallout from his awards, such as the controversy with John Gibson and the mysterious disappearance of remarks about Cindy Sheehan on Rush Limbaugh's Web site. Plus, he reveals the winner of the most coveted award of all: "Worst in Show."

A collection of top-ranked stinkers, rascals, and reprobates, plus a few just-plain-dumb folks, as seen and shared on MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann

Controversial, outspoken, and wildly entertaining, Keith Olbermann hosts a popular nightly newscast on MSNBC. A key feature of Olbermann's unique and witty countdown of the day's top stories is his daily award for The Worst Person in the World. Honorees range from dumb criminals to the likes of Tom Cruise, Amber Frey, Geraldo Rivera, the Coca-Cola Company, assorted members of the Bush Administration, and FEMA spokesperson Mary Hudak. Bill O'Reilly of Fox News has a bumper crop of gold medals. From sports figures to schoolteachers, no one is exempt from Olbermann's ire. One hundred and twenty of these incisive presentations, featuring bronze, silver, and gold medal recipients, have been packed into this tongue-in-cheek treatise on the past year's events. Along with actual transcripts, Olbe rmann shares his methodology for selecting the winners from the vast pool of possibilities presented by each day's news. Finally , he selects his top pick for the worst of show and reports some of the fallout from his awards, such as the mysterious disappearance of certain remarks from a transcript on Rush Limbaugh's Web site after Olbermann called them out on Countdown. In the style of Jon Stewart, Bill Maher, and Al Franken, Keith Olbe rmann's The Worst Person in the World presen a brash and scalpel-sharp appraisal of the depths to which humans can slide socially, politically, and morally and what fun it can be to find out. Keith Olbermann (New York, NY) is a veteran broadcaster who may be best known as the anchor of ESPN's SportsCenter from 1992 to 1997. He has also hosted primetime news programs and anchored the World Series broadcast, and received the Edward R. Murrow Award for his coverage of the events of 9/11.

Keith Olbermann is host of Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC. A veteran broadcaster, he was the co-anchor with Dan Patrick of ESPN's SportsCenter from 1992 to 1997, when they wrote The Big Show. While there, he helped launch ESPN2 and ESPN Radio Network. Olbermann is the recipient of numerous distinguished awards in radio and television broadcasting, including the Edward R. Murrow Award for his coverage of the events of 9/11. He has hosted primetime news programs, anchored the World Series broadcast, and written for dozens of publications, including The New York Times, Newsweek, Time, and Sports Illustrated.