HE'S BACK.
AND HE'S THE BIGGEST THING IN POLITICS.
He is the perfect presidential candidate. Conservatives love his hard-hitting Republic... read full description
AND HE'S THE BIGGEST THING IN POLITICS.
He is the perfect presidential candidate. Conservatives love his hard-hitting Republic... read full description
reviews
Jan 22, 2012
Jacob
rated it: 
The bathtub story. The goddamn bathtub story. William Howard Taft will never live that down. He vanished on the bitter day Woodrow Wilson took office and reappeared, enormous and dirt-caked, on the White House lawn nearly a hundred years later...and people are still talking about the time he got stuck in a bathtub.
What's a newly resurrected ex-President to do? Taft never wanted much in life--heck, he never even wanted to be President--but in this brave new world of bitter polit More...
What's a newly resurrected ex-President to do? Taft never wanted much in life--heck, he never even wanted to be President--but in this brave new world of bitter polit More...
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Feb 16, 2012
Georgette
rated it: 
This book was great. I like alternative history- because, well, it's alternative history. And I'm a nerd and like history. Anyway...
William Howard Taft- disappears while heading out to the White House lawn to hear Woodrow Wilson's acceptance speech....in 1912.. and never returns. All of a sudden, flash forward to 2012...and there's Taft! Back from wherever he was(it's never completely established, but that's part of the fun). To a completely new and unhinged(in his eyes, compared to 100 ye More...
William Howard Taft- disappears while heading out to the White House lawn to hear Woodrow Wilson's acceptance speech....in 1912.. and never returns. All of a sudden, flash forward to 2012...and there's Taft! Back from wherever he was(it's never completely established, but that's part of the fun). To a completely new and unhinged(in his eyes, compared to 100 ye More...
Feb 04, 2012
Joel
rated it:
Taft 2012 is part history lesson, part political commentary, part indictment of the food industry, and part quirky fantasy. Taken individually, each part would be interesting enough, but as a whole, they blend into an odd little tale about the people we choose to lead us.
The story centers around William Howard Taft, his unexplained disappearance in 1913 and his sudden reappearance in 2011. Far from being just an unwilling time traveler, Taft is a reminder to the populous of what the More...
The story centers around William Howard Taft, his unexplained disappearance in 1913 and his sudden reappearance in 2011. Far from being just an unwilling time traveler, Taft is a reminder to the populous of what the More...
Jan 28, 2012
Mike
rated it: 
On first impression you might be forgiven for thinking Taft 2012 is a cheap “tie-in” – a work destined for the bargain basement, and cunningly crafted to make a fast buck from the buzz surrounding the American presidential election. I will certainly hold my hands up right now and admit this was the first thought that crossed my mind when I read the blurb:
He’s back. And he’s the biggest thing in politics.More...
He is the perfect presidential candidate. Conservatives love his hard-hit
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Jan 25, 2012
Sapphyria
rated it:
I'm going to start right off and admit that I don't really get involved in politics. I'm currently enrolled in an Introduction to U.S. government class in college but that doesn't make me political in any sense of the word. However, the information provided by the Publisher of Taft 2012 piqued my interest in this novel.
William H. Taft.....The 27th president of the United States with a tenure from 1909 - 1913. He suddenly disappears on the day he is supposed to hand over the reigns t More...
William H. Taft.....The 27th president of the United States with a tenure from 1909 - 1913. He suddenly disappears on the day he is supposed to hand over the reigns t More...
Oct 24, 2011
Jacqie
rated it: 
I was ready to like this one- maybe even for the scifi book club? But no. The writing was clunky. Taft acclimated to 2012 after his hundred year (unexplained) nap far too well. His language wasn't quite different enough. And while I'm willing to believe that Taft has had his character assassins, this character was too perfect. He seemed to be just the mouthpiece for the author's "moderate" beliefs. I think the scene where Taft slept with a biker chick was supposed to be funny, b
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Feb 13, 2012
Paul
rated it:
This book, the first by Jason Heller, is an odd combination of Science Fiction and Alternative History. As Science Fiction it requires us to believe an impossible thing; that William Howard Taft vanished after his one term as president and reappeared on the White House lawn in 2011. In point of fact, President Taft lived out a full and useful life and died on March 8, 1930. The Alternative History of the novel is the reaction of President Taft to finding himself alive in the twenty-first century
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Jan 09, 2012
Karen
rated it:
This book was not what I expected, but that is not meant in a bad way as you can see by the 4 star rating.
The book is divided into 2 sections, 2011 and 2012. 2011 was all about Taft getting to know America again and 2012 was about his campaign.
This is Hellers first book and he did an excellent job writing it. I really enjoyed the information I learned in here about Taft (although there was some fiction) and I loved how the chapters were broken up with news show excerpts, twit More...
The book is divided into 2 sections, 2011 and 2012. 2011 was all about Taft getting to know America again and 2012 was about his campaign.
This is Hellers first book and he did an excellent job writing it. I really enjoyed the information I learned in here about Taft (although there was some fiction) and I loved how the chapters were broken up with news show excerpts, twit More...
Jan 07, 2012
Donald
rated it:
What would happen if President William Howard Taft—the 27th president of the United States—suddenly reappeared in modern day America? How would America react, and how would it affect the presidential race of 2012? Author Jason Heller tries to answer these questions in the comic novel Taft 2012.
This novel was fun while it lasted—unfortunately, it didn't last long. Clocking in at only 249 pages, it didn't explore enough of the possibilities that were possible, and in fact, the ending was More...
This novel was fun while it lasted—unfortunately, it didn't last long. Clocking in at only 249 pages, it didn't explore enough of the possibilities that were possible, and in fact, the ending was More...
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Feb 10, 2012
Brad
rated it:
For some reason, I always want to sing Queen's Flash Gordon theme song with Taft's name. "Taft...whoa-ohhhh...savior of the universe! <guitar riff>"
Anyway, the book: it was okay. Taft was a well-realized character for the most part, and they handled his whole "transportation to the future" thing pretty well. There were no elaborate scenes of him gawking over Google or airplanes or whatever (except for a funny scene with Wii Golf). And he felt appropriately o More...
Anyway, the book: it was okay. Taft was a well-realized character for the most part, and they handled his whole "transportation to the future" thing pretty well. There were no elaborate scenes of him gawking over Google or airplanes or whatever (except for a funny scene with Wii Golf). And he felt appropriately o More...
Jan 13, 2012
Dale
rated it:
A little book about a big man (Would you like a little sci-fi with your politics?)
Published by Quirk Books in January of 2012.
248 pages.
Okay, let's get the ridiculous part of the book out of the way. Yes, Taft 2012 is based entirely on a silly premise: What if William Howard Taft disappeared from history the day Wilson was inaugurated and arrived in the year 2011 and fired up everyone's imagination to run for president again in 2012? But, setting that aside, what if Taf More...
Published by Quirk Books in January of 2012.
248 pages.
Okay, let's get the ridiculous part of the book out of the way. Yes, Taft 2012 is based entirely on a silly premise: What if William Howard Taft disappeared from history the day Wilson was inaugurated and arrived in the year 2011 and fired up everyone's imagination to run for president again in 2012? But, setting that aside, what if Taf More...
Jan 05, 2012
G-Man
rated it:
Disclaimer: I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
The story begins with the interesting premise of William Howard Taft re-awakening in time for the 2012 election. Most of the book revolves around his difficulties assimilating to life 100 years in the future from the world he left behind, and seems to rely too heavily (pun intended) on his struggles with his weight and hunger. As a history buff, I would have preferred that this was a fact-filled tome that takes us into More...
The story begins with the interesting premise of William Howard Taft re-awakening in time for the 2012 election. Most of the book revolves around his difficulties assimilating to life 100 years in the future from the world he left behind, and seems to rely too heavily (pun intended) on his struggles with his weight and hunger. As a history buff, I would have preferred that this was a fact-filled tome that takes us into More...
Feb 12, 2012
Danny
rated it:
The first book in a long time that I've had a ton of fun reading. Not that I've been trudging through all the other books I've been reading, but this one was just a breath of fresh air. Exciting and unexpected.
What if William Howard Taft, after losing his re-election bid in 1912, disappeared completely from the public scene. His disappearance is a mystery until 2011 when he reawakens, apparently having fallen into a fitful slumber for 99 years. What would people do with a newly minte More...
What if William Howard Taft, after losing his re-election bid in 1912, disappeared completely from the public scene. His disappearance is a mystery until 2011 when he reawakens, apparently having fallen into a fitful slumber for 99 years. What would people do with a newly minte More...
Jan 20, 2012
Danny
rated it:
The first book in a long time that I've had a ton of fun reading. Not that I've been trudging through all the other books I've been reading, but this one was just a breath of fresh air. Exciting and unexpected.
What if William Howard Taft, after losing his re-election bid in 1912, disappeared completely from the public scene. His disappearance is a mystery until 2011 when he reawakens, apparently having fallen into a fitful slumber for 99 years. What would people do with a newly mint More...
What if William Howard Taft, after losing his re-election bid in 1912, disappeared completely from the public scene. His disappearance is a mystery until 2011 when he reawakens, apparently having fallen into a fitful slumber for 99 years. What would people do with a newly mint More...
Dec 29, 2011
Alex
rated it:
Taft 2012 is a fun read for fans of THE DAILY SHOW and THE COLBERT REPORT. The novel is politically biased against both Republicans and Democrats, but with a decidedly Progressive bent. Jason Heller does an excellent job of telling the fish out of water fantasy, but his revisionist history (i.e. Taft disappears instead of becoming Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Orson Welles' CITIZEN KANE is instead PRESIDENT KANE, etc) takes some suspension of disbelief, but once you get into the middle o
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Feb 12, 2012
Robin
rated it:
A quick, fun read (I got it done in a weekend). The story moves along quickly enough but leaves you wanting more. The premise of a man who disappeared 100 years ago appearing out of nowhere is a fun idea, but he seems to assimilate the changes in technology and society a little too easily.
I liked the excerpts between chapters, but feel that the author could have fleshed out the story a little more. I would have liked to see more of his learning and assimilation as part of the story, More...
I liked the excerpts between chapters, but feel that the author could have fleshed out the story a little more. I would have liked to see more of his learning and assimilation as part of the story, More...
Jan 10, 2012
Roberta
rated it:
Thank you for the book I won through the Goodreads giveaways. This book has a clever premise: In an alternate reality, twenty-seventh president of the United States, William Howard Taft disappeared in 1913 and now he is back. The author doesn’t waste time explaining the how or why the time travel occurs but jumps right into the situation that everyone believes Taft is back and a tea party like group wants him to be president again. There is a bit of a commentary on how Washington politics wor
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Jan 16, 2012
Jenna
rated it:
A Review From Someone Who Doesn’t Follow Politics
When I was offered a review copy of Taft 2012 from Quirk Press, I said, “Yes, of course.” I enjoy all of their books. They have sass, imagination, and laughs.
But I don’t follow politics… Hm - I’m actually the type of person to walk away from a conversation at a party if it turns to debates, election polls, the state of the economy, etc. I also leave the room if my husband turns on one of the many political talk shows.
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When I was offered a review copy of Taft 2012 from Quirk Press, I said, “Yes, of course.” I enjoy all of their books. They have sass, imagination, and laughs.
But I don’t follow politics… Hm - I’m actually the type of person to walk away from a conversation at a party if it turns to debates, election polls, the state of the economy, etc. I also leave the room if my husband turns on one of the many political talk shows.
More...
Feb 11, 2012
Mimi
rated it:
Seems like Presidential alternate-reality fiction has been popular lately as in the past year or so I have read about Abraham Lincoln as a vampire hunter, JFK as a survivor...and now William H. Taft as a potential candidate in the 2012 elections!
This was a 21st century version of Rip Van Winkle, this time with President Taft sleeping away his post-presidential years, making his reappearance, unchanged, in 2011/12. Although I would have liked to know what forces were at play in Taft's More...
This was a 21st century version of Rip Van Winkle, this time with President Taft sleeping away his post-presidential years, making his reappearance, unchanged, in 2011/12. Although I would have liked to know what forces were at play in Taft's More...
Jan 22, 2012
Donna
rated it:
It's 2012 and former President Taft wakes up within the White House gates, ambles over to a press conference and is shot. Positive identification means that there is a big shake up in Washington and there are lots of questions to answer. But, what about President Taft? What happened to him almost one hundred years ago? How will he cope with living in a totally different world? Jason Heller paints a wonderful picture of what it might be like if Taft showed up today. He presents real situations th
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Feb 03, 2012
Sari
rated it:
William Howard Taft disappears right before the inauguration of his successor and somehow time-travels 99 years into the future and ends up running for President. Crazy? Yes. Original? Completely. I thought this book was terrific.
I'm not much into politics, but this book is more the study of a man than a man's campaign. Interspersed are snippets of talk shows, internet activity and all kinds of craziness, but this book works. It's full of humor and humanity, and Taft became a man fo More...
I'm not much into politics, but this book is more the study of a man than a man's campaign. Interspersed are snippets of talk shows, internet activity and all kinds of craziness, but this book works. It's full of humor and humanity, and Taft became a man fo More...
Nov 10, 2011
Andrea
rated it:
The conceit of this novel is that Taft, having fallen into some kind of Rip VanWinkle state on his last day in the White House, has reawakened and must learn how to live in the U.S. of the 21st century. Of course, he gets involved in politics and becomes the voice of political moderation and reason so needed in modern America. The first parts of the book, when Taft must cope with the grief of losing his "life" and making a new one are entertaining, but I felt the point could have bee
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Feb 16, 2012
Michael
rated it:
Given the current debacle of the Republican nomination for someone to stand toe to toe against Obama, this book is a timely delightful tale of 'what-ifs' of having the 27th US president doing a Rip Van Wrinkle and waking up in the present and contemplating old school politics in new clothes.
It was always going to be a fantasy but it plays up on the elements of people hankering for the 'olden days' where politics were a lot simpler (and tax rates impossibly low). There are clever post-m More...
It was always going to be a fantasy but it plays up on the elements of people hankering for the 'olden days' where politics were a lot simpler (and tax rates impossibly low). There are clever post-m More...
Feb 13, 2012
Corry
rated it:
It made me laugh. It made me cry. It kept me up past my bedtime.
Taft 2012 is a wonderful novel. The characters are real and genuine, the pacing is quick, and the prose is delightful. I read this novel primarily in a coffee shop--I couldn't put it down long enough to go home--and people kept coming up to me asking what I was reading. From grimaces to surprised "ha's" to outright laughter to fighting back tears, this is a book that delivers. As the Publishers Weekly revie More...
Taft 2012 is a wonderful novel. The characters are real and genuine, the pacing is quick, and the prose is delightful. I read this novel primarily in a coffee shop--I couldn't put it down long enough to go home--and people kept coming up to me asking what I was reading. From grimaces to surprised "ha's" to outright laughter to fighting back tears, this is a book that delivers. As the Publishers Weekly revie More...
Jan 29, 2012
Nick
rated it:
I read an advance copy of this one to prepare for the interview I had with Jason Heller for my podcast Machine Readable. Taft 2012 is a welcome jump in quality from publisher Quirk Books, publisher of books like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Mr. Heller manages to balance a great light satirical tone throughout the novel while dropping historical facts that don't bog the narrative down. Taft comes off as quite the likeable guy because Mr. Heller decides to focus on character rather than the
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Dec 21, 2011
Aidan
rated it:
Taft 2012 is an enjoyable, quick read that manages to walk the difficult line of discussing political issues without feeling too preachy. Heller takes a science fantasy stable, a person out of time trying to adjust to life in their future, and executes it nicely, pointing out some of the more ridiculous elements of modern day life.
It is in those 'discovery' sections that I found the novel to be at its most compelling. Taft discovering molecular gastronomy, Wii Sports and Google were More...
It is in those 'discovery' sections that I found the novel to be at its most compelling. Taft discovering molecular gastronomy, Wii Sports and Google were More...
Jan 24, 2012
Lori
rated it:
from publisher
Read 1/15/12 - 1/23/12
4 Stars - Strongly Recommended
Pgs: 249
Publisher: Quirk Books
Think a fictional book featuring a political figure just isn't your bag? Think again! Jason Heller smacks the White House on its ass and makes it his little bitch in his recently released debut novel Taft 2012.
This sweet little satire starts with Taft's unexplained appearance on the muddy White House lawn in 2011, where he seems to have just awak More...
Read 1/15/12 - 1/23/12
4 Stars - Strongly Recommended
Pgs: 249
Publisher: Quirk Books
Think a fictional book featuring a political figure just isn't your bag? Think again! Jason Heller smacks the White House on its ass and makes it his little bitch in his recently released debut novel Taft 2012.
This sweet little satire starts with Taft's unexplained appearance on the muddy White House lawn in 2011, where he seems to have just awak More...
Feb 18, 2012
J.
rated it:
I've been using the same two words to describe this book to people since the second I finished reading chapter 1: utterly charming. This is a charming novel, by which I mean to say it's cute, but not sickeningly so, and witty, but not overly wrapped up in wordiness. Heller's writing here reminds me of Spinelli when he's hitting on all cylinders (which is 98% of the time). In fact, were it not for a semi-racy after-sex scene, and a single f-bomb, I'd say this was a perfect middle-grades novel. HI
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Feb 13, 2012
Mary aka Wordsmith aka Meezie
rated it:
A quirky premise that stretches the imagination but if you are able to slip yourself inside of it, not a wasted trip. This book first caught my attention, for more personal reasons. I'm immersed in genealogy at the moment, and Taft is my kin. The first few chapters left me agog, reading Heller's characterization of Taft as this witless buffoon, never amounting to much, a joke to his country, an embarrassment to his family. But ha! The joke was on me. Because Taft fell asleep on a very critical d
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Feb 03, 2012
Agnes
rated it:
I received my copy of Taft 2012 from the publisher, and it was definitely a book I was really looking forward to. Did I enjoy it overall? Yes, I did. However, I can't help but feel that it could have been better executed.
The story is that of William Howard Taft, former president, who wakes from a 100 year slumber to discover that politics as usual are not quite what they were when he was in office. It's no surprise that the media jumps all over the story, which leads to Taft touring th More...
The story is that of William Howard Taft, former president, who wakes from a 100 year slumber to discover that politics as usual are not quite what they were when he was in office. It's no surprise that the media jumps all over the story, which leads to Taft touring th More...
