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Fictional Presidents’ Inauguration Speeches

[Movie still from Independence Day, 20th Century Fox]

We have seen fictional presidents do everything from single-handedly defeating terrorists to saving the world from aliens, but rarely do we get to witness the one act they all must have performed at some point — their inauguration speech.

Posted by Lauren Thoman

Recommended Reading List While You Wait in Line to Vote

On Election Day, some people are lucky enough to have a flexible schedule – popping in and out to vote quickly during a quiet time or sorting out early voting. Yet for others, taking time out to vote requires proper preparations, like packing snacks, clearing an indefinite amount of time, and mentally preparing to wait. Bringing a book is key. We have some suggestions on books to bring with you, from escapism to books which demonstrate our democracy at its best.

Regardless of which book tickles your fancy, what matters is joining that line to exercise your right to vote and having a say in the country’s future. So get in line and read up!

Posted by Nick Beard

What’d I Miss? #Quirk4Ham

Hamilton: An American Musical has taken the world by storm. The music! The lyrics! The acting! The singing! The rapping! The story! The show was so good that I literally left the theater wondering if musicals have been forever ruined for me.

The show is historically accurate (mostly). And, if you are like me, you desperately want more. And, while I can’t offer you more songs, I can offer you more information and background—in the form of Quirk books. Read on to find out “What’d I miss?" Hint: We tell you what Thomas Jefferson was doing while he was “kicking ass as the ambassador to France.”

Posted by Brett Cohen

A Walk with Hillary

The DNC is here, and with it comes a whole slew of political figures and celebrities and incredible speeches. The woman of the hour? Hillary Rodham Clinton. As luck would have it, Quirk was fortunate enough to get an exclusive with the presidential nominee—in paper doll form. Here’s a recap of Paper Doll Hillary adventuring around Philly.

Posted by Christina Schillaci

Craziest Things That Have Happened at Political Conventions

I'm waiting to see if something outlandish happens before the end of the Republican National Convention. Not violence in the streets—but a political spectacle of the type that used to run the engine of national elections in this country. Because, you see, Virginia, there actually used to be interesting presidential nominating conventions in America, not merely pre-fabricated media opportunities for candidates with canned messages.

Since their inception in the early 1830s, national conventions were intended to be expressions of our collective psyche and temperament. Sure, most candidates were picked in smoky back rooms, but the will of the people was felt as a force to be reckoned with. Back then, up to 90% (in some cases) of eligible voters actually went to the polls.

And conventions were the nexus of their hopes, dreams, fears, and passions.

Posted by Joseph Cummins

October 2015 Book Giveaways

Survive election year with Hilary Rodham Clinton Presidential Playset and Anything for a Vote

Check out where you can request copies below. Giveaways will run until October 31st. 

Posted by Julie Leung