Following the success of the first Politically Inspired (2003) — which Kirkus declared "a deeply impressive collection" — Stumbling and Raging: More Politically Inspired Fiction offers another stirring anthology of mostly unpublished fiction and illustrated stories inspired by the political events of our time. Through a broad range of voices and styles, from both new and established authors, the pieces in this second edition examine the current politics surrounding children, culture, fear, desire, and war, all through the poignant medium of fiction. Contributors include Aimee Bender, Audrey Niffenegger, Jim Shepard, Dave Eggers, Courtney Angela Brkic, and Ben Greenman, among others. Royalties will support progressive candidates in 2006.

"Elliott returns (after 2003's Politically Inspired) with another anthology of mostly unpublished fiction from both famed and unknown authors, notably Dave Eggers, Sandra Cisneros, Neal Pollack and Audrey Niffenegger. Ranging in tone from incredulous to furious, from hopeful to stricken, these short fictions and illustrated stories explore the political and social culture of America and Middle Eastern societies in a post-9/11, post-004 election world, with varying degrees of success. Standouts include the graphic shorts — Lauren McCubbin and Stephen Elliott's 'Survey of Impact,' documenting one shared night between American 'human shields' camping out in an Iraqi power plant, and Eric Orner's 'Morning Martyrs,' in which a 2015 government, run by evangelicals, hires bureaucratic social workers to kill women who can be proven to have had an abortion. Jim Shepard's sly, almost tender 'John Ashcroft: More Important Things Than Me' speculates about Ashcroft's early life, to surprising effect; Amanda Eyre Ward's 'Motherhood and Terrorism' follows the complicated lives of American wives of diplomats living in Saudi Arabia. The anger and hope are leavened by a healthy and much-needed dose of sarcasm. Royalties will support progressive candidates in 2006." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"A superb collection, without a single dud. Grab it." Kirkus, Starred Review

"[T]he contributors to Politically Inspired manage to strike a wide range of often sophisticated notes." San Francisco Bay Guardian

"[The] political ramifications of childhood and culture, desire and destruction, fear and war are acerbically and luminously rendered in literary presentations of startling ingenuity." Booklist

"It may be fictional, but in today's climate, the truth is probably filthier." The Village Voice

"This book is wonderful — a Sears catalog of pomposities and delusions ridiculed and forgiven." James Whorton, Jr., author of Frankland and Approximately Heaven

Following on from the success of Politically Inspired in 2003 comes Politically Inspired, Still. These short stories have all been influenced by today's politics and are a collection from today's well known and emerging writers. Each of the short stories offers a new perspective on today's politics of fear, desire, and destruction. Some of this year's contributors are: Anthony Swofford ? Jarhead Aimee Bender - The Girl In The Flammable Skirt Andrew Sean Greer - The Confessions Of Max Tivoli Ann Packer - The Dive From Clausen Pier Audrey Niffeneger - The Time Traveler's Wife Peter Orner - Esther Stories Chris Abani - Graceland David Amsden - Important Things That Don't Really Matter