“Mark Stein once again holds a brilliant mirror up to American society and history, this time refracted through the lens of fringe presidential candidates, ranging from the profound to the pathetic. In humorous, incisive, and telling narratives, he shows us that two of our most enduring national traits are optimism and hope.”

—Mark Olshaker, coauthor of Mindhunter and Deadliest Enemy

“If ever there was a time to seriously consider the value of candidates who lampoon our electoral system, it is now during the presidency of Donald Trump. Outrageous claims, promises that can never be kept, and shameless, self-serving tactics to win attention at all costs—the candidates described in this book have done it all before. Perhaps if we had understood these candidates’ efforts, we wouldn’t have the current clown in the Oval Office. This book gives us the chance to reexamine our democratic traditions, and nothing could be more timely.”

—Gabriel Gomez, professor of education at Chicago State University and co-producer/director of the Drag In for Votes documentary on the presidential campaign of Joan Jett Blakk

Praise for Mark Stein’s previous work:

For How the States Got Their Shapes:

“What could easily be dismissed as popular trivia achieves a scholarly weight by the accuracy of detail and the insights into the cultural dynamics of state-boundary formation.”

—Geographical Review

For Vice Capades: Sex, Drugs, and Bowling from the Pilgrims to the Present:

“There is something amusing, but also intriguing, about seeing examples from history of people working themselves up into a righteous frenzy of alarm and condemnation about, say, juggling. . . . Protectors of the status quo who feel confident in their cause tend to reveal their own self-interest in blatant ways.”

—Scott McLemee, Inside Higher Ed

“Witty and opinionated insight on how ‘bad’ behavior can morph into, and out of, and back into favor over the course of time.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Mark Stein utilizes a humor-based approach to tracing the lengthy history of vice control in the United States.”

—Steven Block, Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Books

“Vice Capades exposes our racist and sexist history but reads like a Jon Stewart segment.”

—Marianne Noble, author of The Masochistic Pleasures of Sentimental Literature

“Mark Stein once again shines brilliant light on who we really are as a nation and people.”

—Mark Olshaker, coauthor of Mindhunter and Law and Disorder

“This is classic Mark Stein: funny and wise and full of verve. An erudite and fun read.”

—Bob Davis, coauthor of Prosperity

For Direct from Death Row, the Scottsboro Boys:

“A work of searing truth and staggering theatricality, this Midwest premiere of Mark Stein’s important, ingeniously conceived play—with a wonderfully warped use of traditional songs, plus original music and lyrics by Harley White Jr.—is a magnificent achievement.”

—Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

For American Panic: A History of Who Scares Us and Why:

“An informative tour through some of the country’s most notable spasms of fear.”

—Wall Street Journal

For Housesitter:

“Pound for pound there are more laughs to be had from [Housesitter] than one might expect . . . mainly due to Mark Stein’s nicely turned screenplay which is skillfully delivered by Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn.”

—Cinephilia

“Housesitter wins the cigar as the decade’s most imaginative screwball comedy.”

—USA Today