The Ass That Went to Washington 1968 George Koether ~ political satire by associate of Ludwig von Mises

Title: The Ass That Went to Washington

Author: George Koether
Illustrator: Margot Johnson

Description: Inscribed by Koether on verso of ffep. First Edition. Cranberry-colored cloth boards with black lettering on spine. Endpapers fully illustrated. Interior is clean and unmarked. Dust jacket has a couple coffee spots on the rear panel; not price clipped ($3.95); in an archival mylar sleeve. 78 pages. Oblong, 7 x 10 inches.

A pseudo-children's book. This witty fable concerns an ass named Stubby who learns that he can talk and think, and begins solving socio-political problems and going on public affairs talk shows. After a while he heads to Washington where he becomes known as Statesman and eventually elected president. Published November1968 (right after the presidential election), there are references to Vietnam, Cuba and Castro, Guantanamo, the Russians, the Federal Reserve and the gold standard, the Supreme Court, taxation, farm surpluses, frivolous government spending and waste, toll roads, a balanced budget, and the usual partisan rancor between the Republicans and Democrats. Though written with a conservative/populist slant (Koether was a strong advocate of the free market school of economics espoused by Ludwig von Mises), this amusing and creative tale should even appeal to some liberals.

George Koether (1907-2006) was a journalist, speechwriter, businessman, lecturer, economist, member of the Mont Pelerin Society, and a longtime friend of Ludwig von Mises.

Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Fine
Jacket Condition: Very Good

Publisher: Arlington House
Place: New Rochelle, New York
Year: 1968

Keywords: Margot Johnson, Austrian Economics, von Mises,