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HE'S BACK.
AND HE'S THE BIGGEST THING IN POLITICS.
He is the perfect presidential candidate. Conservatives love his hard-hitting Republican résumé. Liberals love his peaceful, progressive practicality. The media can’t get enough of his larger-than-life personality. And all the American people love that he’s an honest, hard-working man who tells it like it is.
There’s just one problem. He is William Howard Taft . . . and he was already president a hundred years ago. So what on earth is he doing alive and well and considering a running mate in 2012?
A most extraordinary satire, Jason Heller’s debut novel follows the strange new life of a presidential Rip Van Winkle: a man who never even wanted the White House in the first place, yet finds himself hurtling toward it once more—this time, through the media-fueled madness of 21st-century America.
It's 2012 and former President Taft wakes up within the White House gates, ambles over to a press conference and is shot. Positive identification means that there is a big shake up in Washington and there are lots of questions to answer. But, what about President Taft? What happened to him almost one hundred years ago? How will he cope with living in a totally different world? Jason Heller paints a wonderful picture of what it might be like if Taft showed up today. He presents real situations that fit into today's world, and brings President Taft to life with his words. You will discover things like; what happens when Taft finds real family; and what it be like to be his bodyguard, especially when he wants to take a road trip. You will also discover who the "Tafties" are. Come on, pick up a copy of "Taft 2012." You won't regret the moments of fun, joy, and sadness; and you might even enjoy the politics. I really enjoyed this book, perhaps more so because I was able to discuss the book with the author in "The Next Best Book Club" on Goodreads. The characters seemed very real to me, and I wish I could meet the Taft of this book. There was plenty to keep my attention as I watched the former President and those he contacted on a daily basis go through pretty normal reactions. I found it to be a quick, interesting read. Thank you to Jason Heller for joining our group to discuss his book, and to Lori (Super Mod.) and the others who joined the discussion. It was a pleasure!
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.RickFL
Posted April 1, 2012
Very well written, an instant classic for 2012.
If you're interested in politics and history, then this novel is for you! Blended with commentary about modern social-political reality and fantastical unreality, "TAFT 2012" is a must-read!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book, the first by Jason Heller, is an odd combination of Science Fiction and Alternative History. As Science Fiction it requires us to believe an impossible thing; that William Howard Taft vanished after his one term as president and reappeared on the White House lawn in 2011. In point of fact, President Taft lived out a full and useful life and died on March 8, 1930. The Alternative History of the novel is the reaction of President Taft to finding himself alive in the twenty-first century and his actions in response to this event. I feel that Mr. Heller succeeds masterfully at both portions of the task. Taft is remote and little known enough that the suspension of disbelief is easy to make. In a review of the history of Taft and his term of office I feel that his “Taft” is quite believable. I was pleased by the development of the novel and surprised by the plot twist. The resolvement by Taft was dramatic and, in my opinion, in character. If the novel had a flaw it was in its brevity. I felt that the section in which Taft encounters and adjusts to contemporary society could have been quite a bit longer. However, this may be based solely on my desire to see a good thing continue. This was a fine novel and I would encourage everyone to read it. It is my hope that the author favors us with many more.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.crazydave333
Posted July 12, 2012
An enjoyable book with an interesting premise, but not terribly memorable and the satire doesn't have quite the bite a political novel ought to. However, it's not a dour film and the author obviously had done his research on WHT. Might have been a killer political satire if Taft had gone up against Fox News or Monsanto, rather than their fictional proxies.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 8, 2012
This book had an interesting premise, and promised to be entertaining. It was very disappointing and I believe quite a lazy effort.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 20, 2012
I heard about this book on the radio and was mildly amused by the idea of bringing Taft back to life. But this book exceeded my expectations. It is entertaining, witty and smart. And much like Taft would, it tells it how it would be, if you woke up 100 years later. Great read, couldn't put it away!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 5, 2012
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.blueeyes53
Posted March 26, 2012
This book made you really think if Taft did come back, the author draws you still you feel like its true
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 12, 2012
Entertaining at times... funny at others.. really, well, quite weird at parts.. misses the mark overall.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 8, 2012
This is one of my favorte books I have read in a long time!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 8, 2012
If you like history and trying to fit it into today's world this is a MUST read for you. It has several different twists in the story line that keep you wanting to turn the next page. It was fun to read it.
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Posted February 19, 2013
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Anonymous
Posted November 14, 2012
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Overview
HE'S BACK.
AND HE'S THE BIGGEST THING IN POLITICS.
He is the perfect presidential candidate. Conservatives love his hard-hitting Republican résumé. Liberals love his peaceful, progressive practicality. The media can’t get enough of his larger-than-life personality. And all the American people love that he’s an honest, hard-working man who tells it like it is.
There’s just one problem. He is William Howard Taft...