American Political Humor: Masters of Satire and Their Impact on U.S. Policy and Culture [2 volumes]

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Description

This two-volume set surveys the profound impact of political humor and satire on American culture and politics over the years, paying special attention to the explosion of political humor in today's wide-ranging and turbulent media environment. Historically, there has been a tendency to regard political satire and humor as a sideshow to the wider world of American politicsentertaining and sometimes insightful, but ultimately only of modest interest to students and others surveying the trajectory of American politics and culture. This set documents just how mistaken that assumption is. By examining political humor and satire throughout US history, these volumes not only illustrate how expressions of political satire and humor reflect changes in American attitudes about presidents, parties, and issues but also how satirists, comedians, cartoonists, and filmmakers have helped to shape popular attitudes about landmark historical events, major American institutions and movements, and the nation's political leaders and cultural giants. Finally, this work examines how today's brand of political humor may be more influential than ever before in shaping American attitudes about the nation in which we live.

Reviews

This readable and enjoyable resource offers one of the best overviews of characters, television shows, authors, illustrators, and stand-up comics who have held up fun-house mirrors to critique the US body politic. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers. * Choice *
Students of politics, journalism, and culture, as well as political mavens, will benefit from the scope, expertise, and viewpoints here. * Library Journal *
The two-volume set is a useful addition to the American history, humor, and politics sections of public and college libraries. * Booklist *

Author Bio

Jody C Baumgartner is the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Professor of political science at East Carolina University.