Product Description: Today's political pundits express shock and disappointment when candidates resort to negative campaigning. But history reveals that smear campaigns are as American as apple pie. Anything for a Vote is an illustrated look at 200-plus years of dirty tricks and bad behavior in presidential elections from George Washington to G. W. Bush. Highlights include:
1836: Congressman Davy Crockett accuses candidate Martin Van Buren of secretly wearing women's clothing: 'He is laced up in corsets!' 1912: Theodore Roosevelt is shot in the chest while preparing to give a campaign speech, then proceeds to deliver it anyway: 'I don t know whether you fully understand that I have just been shot, but it takes more than that to kill a bull moose!' 1960: President Harry Truman advises voters that 'if you vote for Richard Nixon, you might go to hell!'
Arriving a full year before the 2008 presidential election, Anything for a Vote is a valuable reminder that history does repeat itself, that lessons can be learned from the past (though they usually aren't), and that our most famous presidents are not above reproach when it comes to the dirtiest game of all political campaigning.
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Rating: - Excellent, fast-paced read
This was an excellent read of a book. Not only was it very interesting to read about our nation's history and all its dirty deeds, but it was very eye opening to see that we are still the same dirty politicians that we were back in the 1800's. It was a very quick read, with pictures of that certain election and a "sleaze-o-meter" that told you how bad that election was. It also gave an interesting quote at the beginning so you could get a feel for how that election went.I would recommend this book, especially for high schoolers, because it will easily grasp their attention and some of the pictures might be of interest to them. Cummins adds wit and humor to his novel, which you sometimes don't expect in a history or nonfiction book. It is a great way for students to learn about their history and while for some of the more "mature" readers it will be a little obvious, for the majority it should prove a worthwhile book.
Rating: - Entertaining but....
The book is entertaining and has a lot of great facts, but it misses the mark on a few too many simple facts. For example, it says that Calvin Coolidge became the President by winning the 1924 election; ignoring that he became President when Harding died. It also identifies Robert Kennedy as a Senator from Massachusetts, when in reality he represented New York.
Rating: - Very entertaining pop history
I enjoyed this book mostly because it offers some interesting perspective on the 2008 primaries. Turns out all of the most common attacks ("You're too old to be pres!" "You're not Christian enough to be pres" etc) have been used again and again over the past 200 years. As the author says, these kinds of attacks are as American as apple pie, and this book shows which candidates have used them. The illustrations help to liven up what could potentially be a dull subject. If you're a cable news junkie, you'll like this book.
Rating: - Timely
Joe Cummins has hit on an incredibly timely subject. He covers it in an animated and insightful way. This is a must read and a perfect holiday gift. I am giving it to my father for sure.
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- Excellent, fast-paced read
- Entertaining but....
- Very entertaining pop history
