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julibug86's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyed this more than I probably should. It threw Taft into the year 2012 and had him causing a frenzy. I'm glad they didn't take the annoying road and fill up chapters with his wonder at the modern inventions; instead, he just accepts that Jersey Shore is entertainment in 2012. Overall, a quick read that would have been quicker if I hadn't had the urge to start googling everything about the real life of President Taft (he did not disappear and instead acheived his great goal of being a supreme court justice, awww). Anyway, entertaining overall.
housedesignerking's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Taft manages to ‘come back’ in this political satire by awakening on the White House lawn. The President is clearly Barrack Obama, but for obvious reasons, the author only mentions his race. Once modern day scientists do a DNA test and determine it is indeed the real William Howard Taft, the former president begins exploring what he can of Earth in the year 2012. Eventually, he decides to run for President. If he wins, it would be his second term as he’s only had one.
The author mixed reality with fiction in this satire. The end result, in my opinion, is a a completely genius plot that I would’ve never considered. Additionally, I feel the urge to research into the real ‘Wm Howard’ as he is sometimes referred to in the book. The author also did a very good job with utilizing Twitter, writing believable reactions to this situation in the beginning, as well as all of the political aspects.
Edit 7/17/2019: There are two issues with this story. One, it never actually explains how WH Taft was able to time travel; and two (personal feelings), the author decided to have Taft have sex with a woman he doesn't even know. For that, I reduce the rating down to 3 stars from its original 5.
austinburns's review against another edition
4.0
Nice little book. Could have been longer, I would've liked to have stayed with the characters a bit longer.
emily_van's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting little think piece. Worth a read if you already love politics, although Taft essentially seems like a stand in for Heller to say what he thinks about issues. quick read, decent plot, and a fun idea.
srlemons42's review against another edition
4.0
I really, really liked this book. I felt it was unique and inventive, with only a few minor issues that can probably be blamed on it being the authors first novel. This is definitely one I will re-read, and will lend to others to read!
sharonfalduto's review against another edition
Sort of a political satire, with a lot of heart--Wm Howard Taft, in this book, disappeared on Woodrow Wilson's election day rather than living until 1930 (yes, I wikipedia'd). He reappears from the dead, or sleep, or whatever, in 2011 and inspires a whole new political movement--the Taft Party--who are impressed with his supposed old world values.
eli99's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
It was an interesting to read this book 10 years after it's release and think about how social media would likely play an even bigger role if written today. Overall, it was fun and light hearted. A really quick read. It just had a lot of repetitive jokes.
dananner's review against another edition
4.0
No wonder Americans had devolved into such a petty, sarcastic lot. They no longer had to look each other in the eye.
I don't know much about Taft's presidency, but this book comes at a great time in our history. Can you imagine it? A Republican with Progressive values? My, how the party has changed.
The book does go into a little history of the time so you can understand where and when Taft is coming from and how he relates to existing a century later. And how confused we are!
Heller writes a few speeches for Taft that actually resonated with me. Chapter 29 is probably my favorite:
As a satire it really speaks to what's wrong with our current election year and how disconnected Americans have become from each other, and our food. There's a running gag about GM foodstuffs throughout the book that becomes a plot turning point near the end. I won't spoil it for you.
If you have a long weekend, or an hour or two a night, this book is quite the fast-paced romp and can be read quickly. The "interactive" bits were a bit distracting for me, but you can follow the "campaign" online with twitter, facebook, and the main site taft2012.com
I don't know much about Taft's presidency, but this book comes at a great time in our history. Can you imagine it? A Republican with Progressive values? My, how the party has changed.
The book does go into a little history of the time so you can understand where and when Taft is coming from and how he relates to existing a century later. And how confused we are!
Heller writes a few speeches for Taft that actually resonated with me. Chapter 29 is probably my favorite:
Spoiler
from page 240 "If there is a problem with America today&em;as I see it&em;it is that we look for self-worth in consumption, rather than in the pursuit of personal achievement. I may seem a hypocrite for pointing out such a finger, for I have obviously engaged in quite a bit of overconsumption myself! Nonetheless, it is true. We cannot fill the void in our souls by stuffing ourselves with physical comfort; we can fill it only by striving to achieve excellence." The speech goes on and Taft is accused of being a Socialist by someone who refuses to understand his clear speech.
As a satire it really speaks to what's wrong with our current election year and how disconnected Americans have become from each other, and our food. There's a running gag about GM foodstuffs throughout the book that becomes a plot turning point near the end. I won't spoil it for you.
If you have a long weekend, or an hour or two a night, this book is quite the fast-paced romp and can be read quickly. The "interactive" bits were a bit distracting for me, but you can follow the "campaign" online with twitter, facebook, and the main site taft2012.com
acinthedc's review against another edition
4.0
An amusing, quick read that explores what would happen if President William Howard Taft suddenly appeared today. Heller imagines Taft would be a spark for a movement hungry for politicians to speak frankly and honestly, act morally and in the interest of the people, and return to an earlier, simpler time. As soon as Taft appears in the present day he knows he doesn't fit in, yet the fun in this story is the journey he takes to come back to this initial conclusion and the effect he (or the idea of Taft) has on people along the way.