The Almanac of Political Corruption, Scandals & Dirty Politics

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American history is filled with era-defining misdeeds and tabloid-ready scandals that politicians seem to excel at. This unique compendium brings together 300 years of political wrongdoing, illustrating that today’s scoundrels are neither the first nor the worst. From high crimes to misdemeanors, it captures the colorful details of politicians’ foibles, failings, and astounding blunders. Among the stories are those of Ulysses S. Grant, the only president arrested, who received a ticket for racing his horse in Washington, D.C., and former New Jersey state senator David J. Friedland, who staged a scuba diving accident and served nine years in prison after being captured in the Maldives. The book also recounts Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s tape-recorded instructions for low-down political tricks and the bizarre tale of congressman Robert Potter, who castrated two men he suspected of having affairs with his wife, winning election while in jail but later being ousted for cheating at cards. Additionally, Texas congressman Henry Barbosa faced assault charges at seventy for attacking a man who called him a communist. Both shocking and hilariously funny, this book exposes the warts of American politics, offering hours of jaw-dropping and fascinating reading.