In 2005, Charles Firth travelled to the US and over a period of six months invented five fictional American characters, each of whom represent a different point of view in American politics, and sent them out into the real world to see how successful they would be.
Charles hypothesis was simple: whichever character got the furthest in America's fiercely competitive marketplace of ideas would be the victor. Would it be the conservative economist, the national security consultant, the left-liberal advertising executive, the working class white trash or the Muslim poet?
The result is a compelling tale of an Australian "outsider" (and his dubious acting skills) coming to grips with America, Americans and the American dream, by confronting real Americans with their own rhetoric. Along the way, you'll share in each character's hilarious triumphs and tragic setbacks and you'll share Charles frustration as he meets more and more real Americans who seem even more fictional than the people he has invented.
If you've ever wondered how far a conservative economist can go in the land of opportunity using Google, a fake email account and a really bad American accent, then you're a strange person - but this is the book for you. Charles Firth is a co-founder of The Chaser, Australia's longest running fortnightly satirical newspaper. His TV credits include The Election Chaser (2001), CNNNN: Chaser Non-stop News Network (2002-3), The Chaser Decides (2004) and The Chaser's War on Everything (2006). Charles has also worked as a writer/presenter on Australia's Triple M network, and co-written and edited five comedy books in The Chaser Annual series. Oh, and he's won a couple of Logies as well.
