A friend is looking for a book with a political theme that she can use in a writing class. It can't be a book that is too directly related to the upcoming elections, so nothing written by Obama, McCain, or Clinton. It should be fairly short (around 300 pages or less) and accessible to first-year college students who are under-prepared.
So, fun, short, and political.
Here's a preliminary list:
Profiles in Courage.
Election, Tom Perrotta
Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail, Hunter Thompson
Lord of the Flies
Primary Colors, Joe Klein
The Boys on the Bus, Timothy Crouse
Any other ideas?
"Why Not Me" by Al Franken. May not be exactly what you are looking for, but I enjoyed it.
Posted by: MH | April 08, 2008 at 10:06 PM
You can never go wrong with "Parliament of Whores." What is scary is how much of the book isn't dated (especially the chapter on agricultural policy), even though it's going on 20 years old.
Posted by: Dr. Manhattan | April 08, 2008 at 11:30 PM
The Complete Yes Minister and Yes Prime Minister by Jonathan Lynn and Antony Jay.
Lysistrata by Aristophanes
Posted by: Lucy | April 08, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Jess Walter, Citizen Vince -- an ex-low level brooklyn criminal put in witness protection in 1980 Spokane votes in his first presidential election.
Posted by: j | April 09, 2008 at 03:18 PM
Try "Nixon Agonistes" by Gary Wills. Although pub. in 70(re pub.79) it remains perhaps the finest all-in-one-place analysis ever of a political campaign. Analysis of techniques
employed still apply--great meld of history-
theory-practice-pol. philosophy in general.
For breadth, scope and detail it is still the best. Plus both intelligently written and
entertaining at the same time--no small feat.
Posted by: virgil xenophon | April 09, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Anything by P J O'Rourke: I'd particularly recommend "Parliament of Whores" and "Eat the Rich." Also, the extended essay on the trip down the Volga with the American peace group in "Republican Party Reptile."
Posted by: SamChevre | April 10, 2008 at 10:21 AM
SC,
I think the Nation Volga cruise piece is called "Ship of Fools." It's one of my favorites.
Posted by: Amy P | April 10, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I'd second Lucy's suggestion. At least let the students watch one episode. Sly, funny, and perfectly written. Mrs Thatcher's favourite TV show.
Posted by: harry b | April 10, 2008 at 08:28 PM
How about "The Queen"? You have the conflict between the queen and Tony Blair, with the queen representing restraint, duty and tradition, and Blair mediating between her and the raw passion of the British public.
Posted by: Amy P | April 10, 2008 at 09:03 PM