'Dieter Declercq's main argument is that one of the important aspects of satire is its ability to help us cope with a frustrating reality. Satire helps us accept the facts that are troublesome and at the same time without our reach, that is, things we cannot change. At the same time, it helps us keep our opposition to this state of the world and not just give in and give up. The book is thus both a realistic critique of those who have hailed satire as a cornerstone of democracy and a way to overthrow despots, and a defense of satire as a means for both the artist and the public to maintain a state of mental health. In other words, satire is not saving the world, but it might save us. The book is truly interdisciplinary, with examples picked from recent popular culture, rather than Classic literature. The book is accessible and a brilliant introduction to the question of why satire has kept its popularity for more than 2000 years.'

Dieter Declercq is Lecturer in Film and Media Studies at the University of Kent, UK. Focusing in particular on the existential value of popular media (especially satire, comedy and cartoons), his research is informed by methodologies from analytical aesthetics, media studies, and medical and health humanities. His research has been published in numerous journals, including The Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism, ImageText, Ethical Perspectives, and Ethical Theory and Moral Practice.