Right Wing Nut House

With the writers talks collapsing in a heap of acrimony out in Hollywood (and Keifer Sutherland going to jail for the next 48 days) it appears that next month’s premier of 24 is going to be put off indefinitely.

But that doesn’t mean you have to suffer the pains of withdrawal from our favorite show. Sterling Publishers has just released a book guaranteed to give you your 24 fix and then some. Entitled Secrets of 24: The Unauthorized Guide to the Political & Moral Issues Behind TV’s Most Riveting Drama, the book will give you tremendous insight into how the show is seen as well as some extraordinary background on the show’s characters and settings:

Secrets of `24′: The Unauthorized Guide to the Politics, Moral Philosophy, and Technology Behind the Most Riveting Show in TV History uses this blockbuster series as a jumping off point to pursue real issues of relevance to our times–from whether torture is ever justified to whether individual rights should be sacrificed in the fight against terrorism. These are “big think” issues, complemented by a survey and analysis of the technologies and methods that drive the suspenseful plots. The illuminating collection combines original interviews and commissioned essays from leading political figures, cultural commentators, celebrities, and experts on technology, security, and terrorism with carefully selected anthologized op-eds and essays. It follows the wildly successful model the authors established with Secrets of the Code and their Secrets books–which have more than four million copies in print worldwide and have been on more than a dozen international bestseller lists, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Publisher’s Weekly, and USA Today.

Secrets of `24′ is an exciting, engaging, and informative read for everyone fascinated with the series–and an essential companion for understanding the show’s central concerns. It will be in stores just in time for the start of the show’s seventh season in January 2008, and the widely anticipated movie.

Yours truly was asked to submit an essay. It’s on page 50 and entitled “The Circles of Hell: Dante, Daniel Boone, Gary Cooper, and … Jack Bauer.”

A sample:

Bauer has transcended the entertainment world and become a political talisman; stroked by the right and bashed by the left, 24 has become the favorite guilty pleasure of the political class in America. Even many liberals confess their addiction to the show, despite Bauer’s enormously troubling use of torture and the cavalier way in which he disregards the constitutional niceties. And many conservatives, seeing Jack taking the fight directly to our enemies (along with maintaining a moral certitude that is both refreshing and emotionally satisfying), cheer their hero on as he battles evil.

Sound familiar? It should. Hollywood long has prospered making heroes of such men — although not quite in the same context. Jack could best be compared to the small town sheriff who finds himself up against the ruthless outlaw gang as Gary Cooper played in the classic western High Noon. Cooper’s portrayal of Marshall Will Kane, who must vanquish a gang of criminals bent on revenge on the day of his wedding, had many of the same points and counterpoints found in the character of Jack Bauer. It is the solitary nature of his fight – the man willing to do his duty against terrible odds – that brings to mind Bauer’s predicaments as Jack flies from the frying pan into the fire week after week, always coming out on top because in the end, good must triumph over evil.

The book features interviews with people like former DCIA James Woolsey as well as columnists like Frank Rich and of course, interviews with the stars about their characters.

I will have a review of the book in a few days but you can reserve your copy at Amazon by clicking on the link above.