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Title details for Political Suicide by Erin McHugh - Available

Political Suicide

Missteps, Peccadilloes, Bad Calls, Backroom Hijinx, Sordid Pasts, Rotten Breaks, and Just Plain Dumb Mistakes in the Annals of American Politics

by Erin McHugh
Lisa Flanagan
Audiobook
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A collection of entertaining and cautionary tales of political missteps in American history, from the birth of the nation through the present dayJust in time for the presidential election of 2016 comes Political Suicide, a history of the best and most interesting missteps, peccadilloes, bad calls, backroom hijinks, sordid pasts, rotten breaks, and just plain dumb mistakes in the annals of American politics.They have tweeted their private parts to women they're trying to impress. They have gotten caught on tape doing and saying things they really shouldn't have. They have denied knowing about the underhanded doings of underlings—only to have a paper trail lead straight back to them. Nowadays, it seems like half of what we hear about politicians isn't about laws or governing but is instead coverage focused on shenanigans, questionable morals, and scandals too numerous to count. And while we shake our heads in disbelief, we still can't resist poring over the details of these notorious incidents.In Political Suicide, the foibles of our politicians are brought from the tabloid pages to this entertaining—and cautionary—tale of American history.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    April 25, 2016

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781504692212
      • File size: 162532 KB
      • Duration: 05:38:36

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Lisa Flanagan delivers a workmanlike narration of these brief essays on the passing assemblage of buffoons that, according to the author, too often typify American politics. The unearthed hijinks are sensational by their very nature, but the NATIONAL ENQUIRER or TMZ style of the chapter headings seems cheap and artificial. Flanagan's narration is consistent and clear, and her appropriate pace holds the listener's attention. However, her warmly seductive voice isn't well matched to the sad, often desperate, and occasionally amusing peccadillos described herein, such as those involving Vice President Spiro Agnew and Washington DC mayor Marion Berry, for example. Each anecdote is brief and self-contained, which makes them work well for commuting or other short drives. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine
    • Publisher's Weekly

      February 15, 2016
      Those who think the current electoral season resembles a circus will enjoy this entertaining collection of incredible misdeeds by contemporary and long-gone politicos. McHugh (Like My Father Always Said) demonstrates that politicians didn’t always just argue endlessly, but occasionally settled political disputes permanently—with duels. She also proves that sex scandals in political circles are nothing new; in the 19th century, Daniel Sickles, a New York State assemblyman and later a U.S. Representative, was censured for taking a prostitute to the Assembly Chambers, acquitted after shooting his wife’s lover, and rumored to have had an affair with Spain’s Queen Isabella II. Embezzling is an enduring theme, including a 30-year $53 million scam in Reagan’s hometown, and there’s at least one jaw-dropping quote, a 1976 whopper from Earl Butz, Nixon’s secretary of agriculture. Elsewhere, McHugh briefly revisits the not-too-distant scandal when Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich tried to sell President Obama’s Senate seat. Readers will have to decide whether they agree with the author’s designation of “worst president ever.” Whether readers find this litany of political misdeeds mordantly amusing or simply depressing, the book does remind them that misbehaving politicians are not new. Agent: Chris Tomasino, Tomasino Agency.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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