The iconic humorist offers his take on the stranger-than-fiction (and stranger-than-fact) 2016 presidential election and its equally unbelievable aftermath.

The 2016 election cycle was so absurd that celebrated political satirist, journalist, and die-hard Republican P. J. O'Rourke endorsed Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. As P. J. put it, "America is experiencing the most severe outbreak of mass psychosis since the Salem witch trials of 1692. So why not put Hillary on the dunking stool?"

In How the Hell Did This Happen?, P. J. brings his critical eye and inimitable voice to some seriously risky business. Starting in June 2015, he asks, "Who are these jacklegs, high-binders, wire-pullers, mountebanks, swellheads, buncombe spigots, four-flushers and animated spittoons offering themselves as worthy of America's highest office?" and surveys the full cast of presidential candidates including everyone you've already forgotten and everyone you wish you could forget.

P. J. offers a brief history of how our insane process for picking who will run for president evolved, from the very first nominating convention (thanks, Anti-Masonic Party) through the reforms of the Progressive era (because there's nothing that can't be worsened by reform) to the present. He takes us through the debates and key primaries and analyzes everything from the campaign platforms (or lack thereof) to presidential style ("Trump's appearance -- indeed, Trump's existence -- is a little guy's idea of living large. A private plane! A swell joint in Florida! Gold-plated toilet handles!"). And he rises from the depths of despair to come up with a better way to choose a president. Following his come-to-Satan moment with Hillary and the Beginning of End Times in November, P. J. reckons with a new age: "America is experiencing a change in the nature of leadership. We're getting rid of our leaders. And we're starting at the top."

"Where are we going? Where have we been? P. J. O'Rourke casts his gimlet gaze on the circus of clowns-people foisted on us by the 2016 election -- and demands to know How the Hell Did This Happen?" -- Vanity Fair

• We started tracking this book on September 3, 2016.
• This book was $25.00 when we started tracking it.
• The price of this book has changed 246 times in the past 3,359 days.
• The current price of this book is $2.99 last checked 16 hours ago.
• This book is at its lowest price in the past year.
• The lowest price to date was $1.99 last reached on May 17, 2022.
• This book has been $1.99 17 times since we started tracking it.
• The highest price to date was $25.00 last reached on September 3, 2016.
• This book has been $25.00 one time since we started tracking it.

• Politics & Social SciencesPolitics & GovernmentUnited StatesFederal Government
• FrancePolitical
• FranceCampaigns & Elections

• Publication Date: November 20, 2018
• Text-to-Speech: Disabled
• Lending: Disabled
• Print Length: 243 Pages
• File Size: 83 KB