by Dana Milbank
First published 2007
Dana Milbank ventures into the strange world that exists within Washington's Beltway, where a peculiar species called Homo politicus conducts their daily rituals. This Washington Post columnist applies an anthropological lens to examine the alien customs of political creatures whose behavior baffles ordinary Americans. Milbank documents their mating practices, which bear no resemblance to romantic love, and their rigid hierarchy where status symbols include wooden eggs from White House Easter celebrations. He reveals how their sacrifice ceremonies work when scandals emerge, noting that guilt matters less than rank when selecting victims. The author names specific individuals as he targets pompous, foolish, and dishonest members across all tribes: Democrats, Republicans, journalists, and government workers. His sharp observations cut through the coded language and mysterious taboos that govern this isolated culture. Every disturbing story Milbank tells actually happened, making his portrait of Washington's political class both comedic and alarming.
Genres: american, political-science, politics, non-fiction, 21st-century, academic
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, social-commentary
Setting: Washington, Beltway
Period: 21st-century
290 pages · Kindle Edition · Crown