Superstoe

by William Borden

Several carefully masterminded national crises, crop failures, livestock epidemics and a limited human plague have caused a U.S. governmental crisis. In the name of patriotism, former university professors Paxton Superstoe, Benjamin Adams and Lazarus Furth launch a madcap scheme to take over the government and put Superstoe in the White House. The country, indeed the world, will never be the same again. "Superstoe" is a delightfully whimsical tale of the complete revamping of the American political and social scene.

Genres: Humor, Politics

385 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968

Reviews

[DoctorM · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the great comic political novels of the last century... In short--- the classics and philosophy faculty of the Univ. of North Dakota seize control of the U.S. government and establish a properly Platonic and Aristotelian regime. Black comedy at its best--- wickedly hilarious, subtly cruel, and very much worth finding.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of drinking and dialectic, not as much cold and snow as I thought I remembered in the North Dakota setting. I understand why I enjoyed the book so much as a teenager in 1968 or 9, having just read Plato for the first time. The philosopher kings take over, or do they, hmm. Interesting diversion, hardly dated even though old.

Within a short time after reading this, I had lost all confidence in utopian ideas, but that probably will be more clear after my review of Thomas More's Utopia. My memory may have failed me, but we shall see.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely funny work of political and sociological black humor. A group of eccentric and ruthless professors from middle America decide to take over the USA and reform it.

The book is packed with clever, amusing ideas, some of which have filtered into popular culture - for example, although it was written before the Internet was developed, it portrays nationwide electronic voting on referendums via something very much like the internet.

[Cyril]

Name Misspelled should be SUPERSTOE