Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
The Best in Political Fiction
Listen
• 0:00
Seattle librarian Nancy Pearl
()
Cover of Robert Penn Warren's 'All the King's Men'
(
/
)
Cover of Larry Beinhart's 'American Hero'
(
/
)
Cover of Gore Vidal's 'Lincoln'
(
/
)
To prepare us for the long election season ahead, librarian Nancy Pearl has compiled a list of reading material for people who are interested in politics, but disgusted with today's political rhetoric. "We're heading into the silly season," Pearl tells NPR's Steve Inskeep. "There's going to be a lot of stuff that you're just going to wince when you hear it."
Support for LAist comes from
The solution? A list of smart, satirical, and scandalous works that offer an antidote to the ugliness of modern campaigns:
Democracy by Henry Adams: Published anonymously in 1876, Democracy is filled with characters based on some of the major politicians during the Reconstruction.
All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren: The 1947 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is often called one of the greatest –- if not the greatest –- political novels of all time. It is loosely based on the life of Louisiana politician, Governor Huey Long.
Advise and Consent by Allen Drury: This timeless 1959 novel offers a depiction of the inner workings of Congress.A Dangerous Friend by Ward Just: Just's novel comments on the dangers of entanglement in foreign politics -- in this case, Vietnam.
Echo House by Ward Just: A story that traces a political family dynasty from before the New Deal through the present.
Books that bring the concept of terrorism home: The American Ambassador by Ward Just and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré.
American Hero by Larry Beinhart: A dark romp through the underbelly of politics, American Hero was the basis for the film Wag the Dog.
Support for LAist comes from
Shelley's Heart by Charles McCarry: Dubbed "the American John le Carré," McCarry tells the story of an election stolen by a cabal of men through computer fraud.
Anthony Trollope's Palliser novels offer great British political fiction, including: The Eustace Diamonds and The Prime Minister.
For some of the best novels of biographical political fiction: Grant by Max Byrd, Lincoln by Gore Vidal, Burr by Gore Vidal, and Washington, D.C. by Gore Vidal.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. 9(MDA1OTI3MjQ5MDEyODUwMTE2MzM1YzNmZA004))
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist