American Political Fictions

Through a discussion of diverse art and media such as apocalyptic thrillers, rap, and television, Swirski debunks the American political system, sieving out fact from a sea of bipartisan untruths. Engaging with close analysis and multiple case studies, this book forges a more accurate picture of contemporary American culture and of America itself.

“His new book, American Political Fictions, completes a trilogy of sorts on American politics and popular fiction, preceded by Ars Americana, Ars Politica (2010) and American Utopia and Social Engineering (2011). … the indispensability of his study, not only for literary, political, and American studies but also for any scholar looking at television, rap music, and even religious eschatology.” (Tero Eljas Vanhanen, Journal of American Culture, December, 2016)

“Well versed in both political and literary theories and contemporary developments, Swirski engages in an in-depth and rigorous discussion that sheds light on the myths lying at the heart of American politics by focusing on diverse art and media such as novels, music, film and television. … American Political Fictions offers a profound analysis by a deeply engaged and erudite scholar who examines the literature of politics in an entertaining and yet sharp and caustic manner.” (Chrysavgi Papagianni, European Journal of American Studies, October, 2016)

"One of the many remarkable things about this literary and political study is that it does not limit itself to identifying the myths underlying contemporary American politics and filleting them with verve, wit, and humor. ... [A] must-read of the year...[Swirski] spells out the potential solution to some of the political woes beginning notably with political apathy which plague the United States and many other Western democracies....[R]ecounted with the aplomb of a journalist tempered by the research habits of a historian." - The Montréal Review

"With characteristic verve and inventiveness, the prolific Professor Swirski analyzes popular art and literature taking aim at politics-as-usual. From rap to The West Wing, Joseph Heller to the Left Behind franchise, Swirski's deft critiques give fresh guidance for understanding and perhaps undoing the systemic inequities in our American dreams." - John Howard, Professor of American Studies, King's College London, UK

"By juxtaposing the fictions that come from our politicians with fictions that come from a wide range of popular and partisan artists, Peter Swirski proves that you cannot understand 'America' without a deep understanding of its political fictions. Swirski's combination of wicked wit and spectacular knowledge make this a dangerously fun book. And his familiarity with history, music, and metrics makes the chapter on rap alone worth the price of admission." - H. Bruce Franklin, John Cotton Dana Professor of English and American Studies, Rutgers University, USA and author of Vietnam and Other American Fantasies

"Peter Swirski has stepped up to the plate and smacked another ball over the centerfield fence. American Political Fictions: War on Errorism in Contemporary American Literature, Culture, and Politics is social and cultural criticism at its best. The book is original, insightful, unforgettable, and almost impossible to put down. I highly recommend it." - Robert W. McChesney, Professor of Communication, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA

"This brilliant, passionate, and thought-provoking book deals with the fantastic and unrealistic notions Americans had, and many still have, about themselves and their possibilities - as reflected in their political fictions and in other forms of popular culture. If you ever wondered about what happened to the 'American Dream,' Peter Swirski supplies the answer." - Arthur Asa Berger, Professor Emeritus of Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts, San Francisco State University, USA

"Peter Swirski shows his skills of a literary scholar while also taking on politics, history, and cultural (American) studies. He has done meticulous research and shows very wide reading. It is rare to find a book that can appeal to both the scholar and the general public, but this is what American Political Fictions achieves." - Mark Shackleton, University of Lecturer of English Philology, University of Helsinki, Finland

Peter Swirski is a Canadian scholar and literary critic featured in Canadian Who's Who. Specialist in American literature and American Studies, and Amazon's #1 Bestseller in Canadian Literary Criticism and American Literary Criticism, he is the author of fifteen award-winning books, including From Lowbrow to Nobrow (2005), Ars Americana, Ars Politica (2010), and American Utopia and Social Engineering (2011).