Patrick Jake "P. J." O'Rourke was an American political satirist, journalist, writer, and author. He wrote twenty-two books on subjects as diverse as politics, cars, etiquette, and economics. His works Parliament of Whores and Give War a Chance both reached No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list.

After beginning his career writing for National Lampoon, O'Rourke went on to serve as foreign affairs desk chief for Rolling Stone, where he reported from various global locations. He later wrote for numerous publications, including The Atlantic, The Daily Beast, The Wall Street Journal, and The Weekly Standard. He was also a longtime panelist on NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

The Forbes Media Guide Five Hundred, 1994, states, "O'Rourke's original reporting, irreverent humor, and crackerjack writing makes for delectable reading. He never minces words or pulls his punches, whatever the subject."