| | The stuff of dreamshopes, fears, and longingsrepresents universal subjects to which everyone can relate. Dreams take on a new cultural currency in this collection of dream-poems, one for each American president. Exploring power, as well as its limits and possibilities, linguistics instructor Charles Barasch plays no favorites, making light of the sense of entitlement and self-importance that afflicts too many politicians. Fun to read, humorous, and laced with events of historical interest, each poem gives a dose of insight into the presidents life and his relationships with others, including his family, allies, and rivals. Where contemporary people or important references to American historysuch as slavery and the Indian warsoccur, notes explain and contextualize them within the poems meaning. Published during an election year, this book offers a well-timed look at politicians, some much-needed laughs at leaders who take themselves too seriously, and a fun platform from which readers can start to explore the lives of those who, for better or worse, have led America. |