As all eyes turn to the Democratic National Convention, Riverdale Avenue Books has released The Binge Watchers' Guide to the West Wing. The 10th book in Riverdale’s innovative Binge Watchers series looks back at the classic television show as it celebrates its 25th anniversary, as well as how the political ethics and situations can be viewed through today’s political prism.

Aaron Sorkin's political drama had an enormous influence on American politics. The show is a time capsule from the political moment after the Berlin Wall fell, but before 9/11. it also influenced political dramas including Shonda Rhimes' Scandal and even sitcoms such as Parks and Recreation.

This volume focuses on the first two seasons, examining how the television show explains political issues, scandals, and vision. The West Wing was a show about political optimism, something that just might be returning to the current political landscape with the nomination of Kamala Harris.

The author, Joshua Stein, Ph.D., said he has been working on this book for nearly a decade. “I wanted to write this book because The West Wing is an opportunity to explore what politics should be, and what it isn’t.” He also shared that he cut his political teeth by watching the show with his own father who worked on Al Gore’s Presidential campaign when Stein was a child and later ran for City Council in Oakland California. Stein added, “The West Wing…was the way my dad taught me about politics and values. The show was optimistic that politics could improve the lives of the most vulnerable in our society, provide for common good, and engage publicly with the moral issues of our time.”