In an attempt to gain Congressional approval for a top secret weapons system, Washington lobbyist ''''Bird'''' McIntyre and sexy Neo - Con wonkette Angel Templeton start a rumour that the Chinese secret service is trying to assassinate the Dalai Lama. Their outrageous scheme provokes a series of crises involving the White House, the CIA, and a strangely sympathetic and vulnerable Chinese president, with both countries veering perilously towards war. Buckley has drawn his most convincing and outrageous characters to date: Bird, failed novelist of amusingly awful Clancy - esque thrillers; Angel, combination Anne Coulter and Ayn Rand; Bird's demanding, equestrian wife, Myndi; Bewks, his feckless but endearing Civil War re - enactor brother; the mild - mannered Chinese President Fa and his devoted aide Gang, manoeuvring desperately against sinister Politburo hard - liners Minister Lo and General Han. Blending the skewering genius of ''''Thank You For Smoking'''' with Dr. Strangelove's dark comedy, ''''They Eat Puppies Don't They?'''' has something to offend - and amuse - everyone.