In an age when Jon Stewart frequently tops lists of most-trusted newscasters, the films of Michael Moore become a dominant topic of political campaign analysis, and activists adopt ironic, fake personas to attract attention—the satiric register has attained renewed and urgent prominence in political discourse. Amber Day focuses on the parodist news show, the satiric documentary, and ironic activism to examine the techniques of performance across media, highlighting their shared objective of bypassing standard media outlets and the highly choreographed nature of current political debate.

Saitre and Dissent redefines what it means to agree to disagree and so is a worthy addition to the literature on contemporary satire and poliltical humor.

In this compelling new book, Day manages to not only persuasively argue why political satire has gained such a foothold in our popular culture, but also convincingly argues why it matters. July 2011

Satire and Dissent is an intriguing dissection of concourse in American society today and its impact on the the politics of the people.June 2011

Amber Day is Assistant Professor of Performance Studies in the English and Cultural Studies Department at Bryant University.