Novel idea: a novel about the Iowa caucuses coming Jan. 24

Iowans have lived with the Iowa Caucuses for more than 40 years, but Iowa author Zachary Michael Jack may be the first to write a serious — and seriously funny — novel about them.
Part political spoof, part earnest call for electoral reform and one unforgettable campaign tale, Corn Poll: A Novel of the Iowa Caucuses has earned rave reviews since its October release from Tall Corn Books, the North Liberty-based imprint of Ice Cube Press. A Cedar County native, Jack brings his seven-city tour to the North Liberty Community Library Jan. 24 at 1:30 p.m. for a reading and book-signing of a novel ideal for political junkies and political cynics alike.
David Yepsen, The Des Moines Register’s former chief political columnist, says this timely novel provides “a nice break from the grind of campaign news…Beyond the spoofing of characters you’ll recognize, there’s a warm hope for something better in our political system.” The novel has been favorably compared to Joe Klein’s Primary Colors, and Jane Smiley’s Moo.
“Corn Poll is a hoot and a holler for political reform,” says Tim Walch, director emeritus at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library. “This book will make you laugh and then think. In fact, what Zachary Michael Jack has to say might just make a difference in…the Iowa caucuses…and wouldn’t that be a good thing?”
Dean Borg, host of IPTV’s Iowa Press says, “Corn Poll is an engaging story…. an insightful, behind-the-scenes peek at presidential candidates and the media personalities covering the campaign drama.”
Jack, who lives in rural Jones County and hails from an Iowa Heritage farm, is making a return visit to the North Liberty Community Library. Most recently, Jack has made a name for himself as a political commentator and essayist, presenting at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library, the Iowa Conference on Presidential Politics, and the Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies. Jack is the author of more than 20 books, and serves as a professor in the writing and leadership studies programs at North Central College. His fiction has earned national runner-up honors in its class in the Foreword Reviews book-of-the-year competition. In November, Foreword Reviews awarded Corn Poll: A Novel of the Iowa Caucuses its coveted five-star rating, and named the book its National Book-of-the-Day in January.
Jack’s reading begins Sunday, Jan. 24, at 1:30 p.m. at the North Liberty Community Library at 520 West Cherry Street. The reading is free and open to the public.