Our Government (satirical dialogues)

Our Government is a collection of satirical dialogues and sketches by James M. Cain published in 1930 by Alfred A. Knopf as part of The American Scene series.

[1][2] The collection presents a wide range of contemporary topics and stereotypes that satirizes federal, state and local governments, but with a limited narrative scope.

[7] From 1929 to 1931, Cain wrote sketches concerning various characters and locales for the Mercury and the World that were widely read in New York, Publishers Houghton Mifflin and Alfred A. Knopf expressed interest in his work.

Most of the pieces originally appeared in The American Mercury, but were retitled in the Knopf publication to comport with the government theme.

His 1929 short story “The Taking of Montfaucon” based on his experience in France during World War I was also included.