Project President
Bad Hair and Botox on the Road to the White House
- Publisher: Nelson Books (Thomas Nelson)
- Published: 2010
FritzSearch.com earns a commission on purchases made through Bookshop.org links.
Publisher's Description
Project President is a hilarious romp through American electoral history. From short, fat, bald John Adams' wig-throwing tantrums during the 1800 election to Abraham Lincoln's decision to grow a beard in 1860; from John F. Kennedy's choice to forgo the fedora at his inauguration to John Kerry's decision to get Botoxed for the 2004 race; from the Golden Age of Facial Hair (1860-1912) to the Age of the Banker (1912-1960); from Washington's false teeth to George W. Bush's workout regimen, Project President tells the story of America's love affair with presidential looks and appearance, why that often matters more than a politico's positions on the issues, and what might well be coming next. "I'm constantly citing the power of dress. It's semiology: our clothes send a message about how we want to be perceived, and where is this more powerful and evident than in elected offices. In Project President, Ben Shapiro captures presidential semiotics with a potent narrative and deft analysis. It's simultaneously fascinating and hilarious!" - Tim Gunn Project Runway, Liz Claiborne, Inc. "Ben Shapiro takes a romp through American history and shows how personality--and even haircuts--have elected or defeated presidential candidates. It's a tour through history that fans of both parties will enjoy-and can learn from." -Michael Barone Resident scholar, American Enterprise Institute Senior Writer, U.S. News & World Report Co-author, The Almanac of American Politics "Presidential politics has always been more superficial than we'd like to admit. With a stylish and likeable touch befitting a strong candidate, Ben Shapiro takes us deep into the shallowness that has shaped American history." -Jonathan Alter Newsweek "Shapiro deftly explains how height, hair and handsomeness can affect a candidate's campaign as much as issues. A fun, informative read." -Glenn Beck Nationally syndicated talk show host Host of CNN's The Glenn Beck Show "A hilarious and illuminating journey through America's centuries-long fascination with presidential image-making. Whether you're left, right, moderate or apathetic, this lively book will get you ready for the packaging of the '08 races." -Jim Hightower "This is a perceptive, witty-sometimes hilarious-look at the realities behind the faces and the facades, the slogans and the character assassinations, of each presidential campaign from George Washington to today - with much for us to ponder for tomorrow." -Sir Martin Gilbert Official biographer of Winston Churchill "An entertaining and illuminating romp through the politics of symbolism and personality in our presidential politics. If you're thinking of running for president, read this book before you spend a dime on a political consultant." -Rich Lowry National Review COLMES: Who do you want [for the Supreme Court]? ANN COULTER: Thank you for asking. I want Ben Shapiro. COLMES: Ben Shapiro. ANN COULTER: Yes. He just finished his first year at Harvard Law, 21 years old. COLMES: You mean for a date or for the court? ANN COULTER: No, for the court. He's my candidate. He's very bright. He's already written one best-selling book. (CROSSTALK) COLMES: You want to put a 21-year-old guy on the court? ANN COULTER: Twenty-one, and he's just finished first year of Harvard Law. COLMES: So you want someone who's going to be on the court for 50, 60 years? Is that - is that the whole idea? ANN COULTER: No, I just happen to like Ben Shapiro. Hannity and Colmes Fox News Channel July 8, 2005
Endorsements (13)
“You may think that it doesn’t matter to you what color a guy’s hairplugs are, but Shapiro shows that there are seven crucial image factors that can predict who will occupy the White House in 2008.What a fun book!”
“Great fun from a promising young observer of the political scene. Washington meets Hollywood.”
“Witty, insightful, surprising, and consistently entertaining, Ben Shapiro’s irreverent history of Presidential image-making will delight both political junkies and the bemused general public.”
“An entertaining and illuminating romp through the politics of symbolism and personality in our presidential politics. If you’re thinking of running for president, read this book before you spend a dime on a political consultant.”
“Think Hillary Clinton’s hair doesn’t matter? Think again. As Ben Shapiro demonstrates in Project President, image is everything in politics. Devastatingly witty and unendingly informative, Project President traces America’s fascination with presidential image-making all the way back to George Washington—and charts the trends forward for the 2008 race. A must-read!”
“Ben Shapiro’s new book, with good humor and style, makes the case that the right image isn’t always the best thing to have while seeking the Presidency, but it is way ahead of whatever is second. So, wash out your hair gel, take off your make-up, settle down in your bathrobe and explore how candidates and their opponents create portraits than can change the tide of history. Just don’t be photographed looking that way if you ever want to be president.”
“Don’t let Ben Shapiro’s irreverent wit and page turning anecdotes fool you. This is a massively researched, much needed, important work of modern history. This exposes our increasingly arcane system for choosing a president. As they say, ‘The devil is in the details.’”
“Ben Shapiro’s amusing romp through American history has a serious message: Image has always mattered in presidential politics, and yearning for an imaginary good old days gets us nowhere.”
Dr. Marvin Olasky
“It takes a wise historian to know that small details can make up a more edifying tableau than the big picture. It takes a perceptive historian to know which details are most edifying. And it takes a good writer to present the details in a manner both witty and memorable. Congratulations to Ben Shapiro on all three accomplishments.”
“Image, image, image! Ben Shapiro shows that elections have been that way from the start, but in our age of media manipulation, with candidates packaged like deodorant, we can be (and have been) sold a bill of goods. Shapiro’s witty, dark comedy will make you laugh, but it should make you cry.”
“Ben Shapiro is one of the rising young stars in the conservative firmament, and Project President is yet another proof that his writing, his wit and his exhaustive research will be paying off for the conservative coalition for many years to come.”
“Project President is laugh out loud fun. It’s a welcome read during a glum political season. If you want to get to know Abe, Ron, Bill, Jimmy, and Dick up close and personal, this is the book for you.”
“Ben Shapiro’s political analysis, always thoughtful and provocative, puts him in the very small circle of young writers whose work will shape our historical view of current events for decades to come. As part of the new vanguard of historians, Shapiro’s Project President is an important book, and a delightful read from start to finish.”
See something wrong on this page? Report a problem