Political Suicide - Hardcover

Erin McHugh is a former publishing executive and the award-winning author of more than twenty books of popular nonfiction, trivia, and history. She has written for Bloomberg News, TimeOut New York, and GreenSource, and is a contributing writer at Better Homes & Gardens. She lives in New York City.

“Those who think the current electoral season resembles a circus will enjoy this entertaining collection of incredible misdeeds by contemporary and long-gone politicos.”
- Publishers Weekly

“Just when we thought the world of politics couldn't go more off the rails, along comes Political Suicide, a brilliant time capsule of solid proof that America has had a long history of elected officials who have been expert at sinking their own careers―in every possible way.
A rollicking, jaw-dropping antidote for these 'oh no s/he didn't!' times.”
- Jonathan Capehart, Washington Post opinion writer and MSNBC contributor

“An important, sad, and very funny book. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will understand American history in a new way.”
- Susan Cheever, bestselling author of 'Drinking in America: Our Secret History'

“If you need a little light relief from the current political campaign, consider this book by Erin McHugh, whose background in history and trivia serves her well here.”
- Washington Life

“Erin McHugh takes us on a fun, fascinating tour of the political graveyard, with a look at the most horrifying and hilarious gaffes, bad ideas, and gotcha moments of the last 200 years.”
- Kerwin Swint, author of 'Mudslingers: The Twenty-Five Dirtiest Political Campaigns of All Time'

“Compulsively readable, at times hilarious, at times cringe-worthy. From prostitute dalliances to pistol duels, American politics has, as McHugh reports it, quite a colorful and bewildering history.”
- South Coast Today

“A thoroughly captivating take on America's rich parade of rogues, scoundrels, and buffoons. Never before has a chronicle of corruption high and low caused me to laugh out loud. History and hijinks might be ‘political suicide,’ but Erin McHugh knows that this combo also makes for a rip-roaring read.”
- Janine R. Wedel, author of 'Unaccountable: How Elite Power Brokers Corrupt our Finances, Freedom, and Security'

“Dynamite. I highly recommend it for the history lover in your life.”
- John Fugelsang