Button Man

By Paul Blumenau Lyons

Book Overview

During the scorching hot summer of 1988, Michael Dukakis leads George Bush senior in the polls. And while political conventions, campaigns continue to be in session, Hawk and the rest of the "button gang" sell their buttons first to Democrats in Atlanta, then Republicans in New Orleans. As always, the gang sells to either side of any persuasion, offering a unique underview of the American political process, amoral hucksterism, and a corrupted form of capitalism.

Sought after by loan sharks and his girlfriend's Ginsu-wielding ex-husband, Hawk is a witty and likeable character full of street smarts and unmatchable survival instincts. His story explores trust-and trust betrayed, along with the ethics of the street-and ethics compromised. Hawks tale is one of an edgy outsider's will for survival and love.

Drawing from a side of politics and capitalism rarely seen by the general public, Button Man, with its unnerving violence and biting wit, is reminiscent of the worlds of Elmore Leonard, Nathaniel West, William Kennedy, and Quentin Tarantino.

Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade, Yucca, and Good Books imprints, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in fiction--novels, novellas, political and medical thrillers, comedy, satire, historical fiction, romance, erotic and love stories, mystery, classic literature, folklore and mythology, literary classics including Shakespeare, Dumas, Wilde, Cather, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1634505425
• ISBN13: 9781634505420
• Release Date: October 2015
• Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Well Crafted Picture of Life from Behind the Boards

Behind the button boards of street vendors, that is. Life is pretty basic when you're selling on the streets. Money arrives in sporadic spurts, depending on the event. Unfortunately, the main man gets most of it. Add to this a bad gambling habit, and the button man isn't going to last long. As a former New York resident, Lyons does a good job of giving the reader some sense of this chaotic life surrounded by other suspicious, untrusting, but interesting characters. The protagonist only leaves his nowhere lifestyle when forced to, leaving the reader with the sense that he just might make it operating on his own in the future - or not. Back Bay Boston Basement