Synopses & Reviews
Jack Bauer for President: Terrorism and Politics in 24 looks at the way 24” reflects, distorts and comments upon our modern political landscape. 24” is one of the most gripping, dramatic and addictive shows on television, but how much of it is realistic? And what does the show have to say about modern politics and foreign policy in Americas fight against terrorism?
The book takes on the shows images of terrorism, government and politics, as well as the ethics and effectiveness of counterterrorism practices. Does it take a terrorist to fight a terrorist? How much do the people” have a right to know in life-threatening circumstances? How effective do we really want our heroes to be?
Addressing these issues and enriching the 24” viewing experience are authors prominent in fields ranging from philosophy, psychology, political science and counterterrorism. Each contributor was so passionate about the show that we did not have to resort to the threat of electrical wires, heart defibrillators, chemical injections or old-fashioned bone breaking to get our information!
Synopsis
This collection of essays sheds some light on the underlying issues in
24, one of the most gripping, dramatic, and addictive shows on television. With contributors drawn from fields including philosophy, psychology, political science, and counterterrorism, the essays reflect, distort, and comment on our modern political landscape. Using our current political climate to enrich viewers’ experience of
24, this book addresses how much of the show is realistic and what it has to say about modern politics and foreign policy in America’s fight against terrorism. Essays look at issues including the show’s images of terrorism, the ethics and effectiveness of the characters’ counterterrorism practices, the portrayal of government and politics on the show, whether it takes a terrorist to fight a terrorist, how much “the people” have a right to know in life-threatening circumstances, and how effective we really want our heroes to be.
About the Author
Richard Miniter is the author of two New York Times–bestselling books, Losing Bin Laden and Shadow War, and is an internationally recognized expert on terrorism. He lives in Arlington, Virginia.