I am really excited to bring you guys this next Author/Reader Discussion Giveaway!!
This one is a prize pack -
along with a Taft 2012 campaign poster and pin!!
In order to stimulate discussion,
Quirk Books has agreed to give away 5 copies to US residents
(sorry guys, no international this time!)
HE'S BACK. AND HE'S THE BIGGEST THING IN POLITICS.
He is the perfect presidential candidate. Conservatives love his hard-hitting Republican résumé. Liberals love his peaceful, progressive practicality. The media can’t get enough of his larger-than-life personality. And all the American people love that he’s an honest, hard-working man who tells it like it is.
There’s just one problem. He is William Howard Taft . . . and he was already president a hundred years ago. So what on earth is he doing alive and well and considering a running mate in 2012?
A most extraordinary satire, Jason Heller’s debut novel follows the strange new life of a presidential Rip Van Winkle: a man who never even wanted the White House in the first place, yet finds himself hurtling toward it once more—this time, through the media-fueled madness of 21st-century America.While you're deciding, check out the campaign video:
This contest will run through December 21st.
Winners will be announced here and via email on December 22nd.
Here's how to enter:
1 - Comment here by telling us which of our past presidents you would vote back into office (dead or alive) and why.
2 - Agree to participate in a group read book discussion that will run from January 15th - 29th over at TNBBC on Goodreads. Jason Heller has agreed to participate in the discussion and will be available to answer any questions you may have for him.
*If you are chosen as a winner, by accepting the copy you are agreeing to read the book and join the group discussion at TNBBC on Goodreads (the thread for the discussion will be emailed to you before January 15th).
Good luck!
Wow - I heard about this book from my library and thought what an interesting premise especially since different eras require different solutions.
ReplyDeleteI would vote FDR back into office as one of the primary issues Americans are facing now is jobs and FDR implemented programs that benefited the country and people.
beachlover20855[at]yahoo[dot]com
Wow. What a great question. I think I would re-elect Abraham Lincoln. His compassion and true care for this country make him a truly novel president, something we need today. He was able to make difficult choices in the face of overwhelming criticism and then paid the ultimate sacrifice. No, he wasn't perfect, but I admire his leadership qualities.
ReplyDeleteI would be happy to be involved in the discussion of this book on Taft. It would be good to learn more about him.
Donna Safford
dsafford001@yahoo.com
clinton brilliant man with so much to offer.I will participate.lomazowr@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI would pick Kennedy.It seemed the future was full of promise back then until it wasn't....I would love to participate in the discussion
ReplyDeletecolleen_bernardo@comcast.net
I would love to participate in the book discussion. I'm torn between two presidents that I'd love to see elected in these modern times, either Thomas Jefferson or Abraham Lincoln. Thomas Jefferson because of his intellect and participation in the forming of our nation. Abraham Lincoln because of his intellect and ability to stand up to his opponents.
ReplyDeleteJenifer Samaha
orazcajen@gmail.com
I would vote for Bill Clinton because he managed to get rid of our financial crisis and made a surplus in his budget, which was squandered by the Republicans. I am dying to read this novel and participate in the book discussion!
ReplyDeleteCheesy as it might sound, I would say George Washington. I think with the way the US is hurting right now, what we need is somebody to unite, rather than divide, across the political spectrum, and somebody who people could look to to restore their faith in government. The ideas he discussed in his Farewell Address also seem especially pertinent now -- the dangers of partisan politics and sectionalism, and the call to "cherish public credit" by not spending excessively but to remember the importance of taxes as revenue, no matter how inconvenient or unpleasant -- "It is essential that you should practically bear in mind, that towards the payment of debts there must be Revenue; that to have Revenue there must be taxes; that no taxes can be devised, which are not more or less inconvenient and unpleasant."
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely be in for the discussion, I've enjoyed the other ones that I've been able to be a part of.
Jessica M.
jmartinez0415 [at] gmail [dot] com
I would pick Andrew Johnson. We need a good unionist with no support from either party, a sour temperament, and the entertainment of a good impeachment trial surely could not be undervalued.
ReplyDeleteI could certainly be wrong.
I'd certainly look forward to a rousing Taft discussion.
This sounds like an intriguing book. I would certainly enjoy the reading and discussion if I were to win a copy. I would like to see Ronald Reagan come back as president. Although there were some immediate changes in his term that brought difficulty to my family, the remaining years brought a great turnaround in the economy and job market. It was probably the best time in my adult life for me economically and carried into the Bush and Clinton presidency.
ReplyDeleteFrom Lynne B lrugg1224@aol.com
What perfect timing! The release of this book coincides with my burgeoning interest in our past presidents, so I look forward to reading it (chosen to participate in this discussion or not). My current "favorite" president is Grover Cleveland, who enforced ironclad limits on federal power, possessed a no-nonsense attitude, and whose strict adherence to the Constitution are all so desperately needed today. Second, I'd love to see how George Washington might go about restoring this nation's ideals...if he didn't first succumb to the inevitable heart-attack he'd surely have upon seeing how far away from those original ideals we've come in a mere 220 years.
ReplyDeleteSusan L.
susanlervold@gmail.com
I'm psyched to read this book! My favorite president is John Adams. He was instrumental to the founding of America, he had a wonderful relationship with his wife, he fathered a future president, and I don't think he gets the credit he deserves.
ReplyDeleteGrace at Feeding My Book Addiction
graceonorato at gmail dot com
When I think of the government these days I am reminded of Laurel and Hardy's signature sign off, "Look at the fine mess you've gotten us into." It would take a strong individual to get us out of the "pickle" we are in now. Being from Virginia I am very fond of our home grown Presidents...all eight come to mind. If I could only pick one who I felt could navigate us out of the situation we find ourselves in now I would say Thomas Jefferson. Why? Because Thomas Jefferson was able to make tough decisions and maneuver around the politics of his day to mastermind the addition of the Louisiana Purchase. He did what he felt needed to be done for the future of our country and he was a brilliant man. In my mind he had the brains to mastermind a solution to our current mess as well. If I am selected I would welcome the opportunity to participate in a discussion of this intriguing book.
ReplyDeleteCynthia
peacestaygold@aol.com
This sounds like an interesting book, for sure, and I'm game for the discussion. As far as a past president goes, FDR or Lincoln would be interesting to see in present day.
ReplyDeletesarahabein AT gmail dot com
LBJ, he knew how to work with Congress to get legislation passed and was able to keep the government running. It would also be interesting to see how one of the founding fathers would do but I think they would be horrified by what has happened to their country.
ReplyDeleteI would totally be down to read this and join in the discussion, as it sounds very interesting.
ReplyDeleteAs far as presidents go, Taft or Teddy Roosevelt, simply for their epic mustaches.
Or, if I'm being serious, I would actually go with FDR. I did a program this year called AmeriCorps NCCC, which is the modern-day version of FDR's CCC, which was established under the WPA by him. After getting the chance to change so many lives with my work around the upper midwest and seeing Congress once again trying to put all AmeriCorps programs on the chopping block, I feel as if FDR would be the one to prevent the ending of these wonderful programs if nobody else succeeded after how successfully he implemented the WPA and CCC. The CCC left its mark all over this country, and now AmeriCorps NCCC is, as well. That's something that should be continued for a long time and expanded upon further, especially now with the desperate need for more jobs being the ever-present demand of the American people.
sweetangell24@aol.com
i'd vote for bill clinton in any capacity because that man deserves as much ass as he can get
ReplyDeleteTheodore Roosevelt is the greatest president America has ever known. He managed to strike a perfect balance between effective leader and folk legend, having a strong hand in both America's domestic and foreign affairs. Under his administration the Food and Drug administration was created to place regulations on the meat packing industry which was in desperate need of reform. He saw himself as a representative of both blue and white-collar workers and thus sought to regulate big business so that the economic climate was fair for both, earning him his famous nickname of "trust bust".
ReplyDeleteAlthough he's often looked back on unfavorable for starting America's policies of involving itself in the affairs of other countries, he acquitted himself as a fine mediator, helping to resolve disputes in South America and beginning construction of the Panama Canal. Of course, our most enduring image of Teddy is as an avid outdoorsman and unrivaled bad-ass. If Theodore Roosevelt were a 1980's action movie star, he would be an even more manly amalgamation of Jean-Claude Van Damme and Chuck Norris.
I'm in with Thomas Jefferson - I like his personal beliefs and his overall view of how government would work. It's tempting to re-elect Bush II because of his overall great impact on standup comedy, but it's not really a good enough reason. You can contact me at sj1897@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteRonald Reagan he served 3 terms people loved him he introduced Reagonomics and he and Gorbachev brought down the Berlin wall
ReplyDeleteThanks to everyone who commented to win!
ReplyDeleteAnd for your repeated interest in our monthly Author/Reader discussions....
The winners of the TAFT 2012 prize packs are:
Sara (sarahabein)
Beverly (beachlover 20855)
Bookworm 56 (dsafford001)
Caity (sweetangell24)
Colleen (colleen_bernardo)
Email will be sent out shortly.
Congrats!!!!! And see you all at the Author/Reader discussion in january!