by Phil Mason
First published 2012
Phil Mason compiles the most embarrassing verbal blunders from contemporary political figures across Britain and America. The collection spans the coalition government era in the UK and the 2012 American presidential campaign, capturing moments when politicians failed at their supposed specialty: communication. Bush, Obama, and Palin represent the American side, while Brown, Cameron, and Clegg demonstrate British political stumbles. Mason organizes these gaffes, slips, and mental lapses into a comprehensive survey of modern political communication failures. The book also incorporates the impact of Wikileaks on political discourse. These verbal missteps reveal politicians shooting themselves in the foot through their own words. Mason presents figures ranging from the merely confused to the outright shameless, creating a record of political communication at its worst. The collection serves as both entertainment and a way to hold politicians accountable through their own stated desire to be judged by their words.
Genres: humor, political-science, politics, non-fiction, 21st-century, communication
Vibes: fast-paced, intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: accountability, communication-failures
Setting: America, Britain, UK
Period: Coalition Government Era, 2012 American Presidential Campaign
288 pages · Kindle Edition · Robson Presslc