Remember "The Preppy Handbook?" It was essentially a field guide, published in 1980, to teach prospective preps how to dress, talk, look and think. Enter "The Liberal Handbook." Progressive publication "The Nation" has long been the voice of liberalism in the United States (since 1865, in fact), and it has now compiled its first how-to book. "The Nation Guide to the Nation," a comprehensive lifestyle guide to finding left-leaning small businesses throughout the country, was published in January and is now being feted at book release parties across the states.
Whether you're looking for an independent bookstore, a left-of-center coffeeshop, a food co-op or even an ahead-of-the-curve cemetery, at home or on the road, "The Nation Guide to the Nation" will take the guesswork out of trying to figure out if that barista just happens to be a closeted fascist. You'll also have at your fingertips an exhaustive list of the "top protest songs, political films and left-wing murder mysteries of all time."
Chicago will get in on the forward-thinking fun this Saturday, Feb. 28 with a Living Liberally event at No Exit Cafe in Rogers Park. The party will celebrate "liberalism in Chicago" with speakers (Rick Perlstein, the author of the best-selling book "Nixonland" and Tracy Van Slyke of the Media Consortium), comedy (James Fritz, Carrie Callahan and the Accountants of Homeland Security), comedic experimental folk music from Lauren Maul and political cartoons by Matthew Filipowicz (of "The Huffington Post" and Headzup.tv). The event kicks off at 7PM, and food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Sean Penn would be proud.
