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Parks and Rec
Lit'rally the Inside Story of America’s Great Underdog Sitcom
Brief Description
From New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, the definitive guide to beloved sitcom Parks and Recreation. Featuring exclusive cast and creator interviews and unparalleled insider knowledge. "Armstrong is an engaging writer, and her enthusiasm for the series is enormously contagious.... More fun than watching...
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Description
From New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, the definitive guide to beloved sitcom Parks and Recreation. Featuring exclusive cast and creator interviews and unparalleled insider knowledge.
"Armstrong is an engaging writer, and her enthusiasm for the series is enormously contagious.... More fun than watching Li'l Sebastian chow down on a waffle from JJ's Diner." - Kirkus
"Making Parks and Rec was fun, pure fun, achieved through joyous collaboration with an incredible collection of writers and actors and creative people. I miss it every day, and Jennifer Keishin Armstrong's book is as close as I (or anyone) can get to actually being there, working and laughing and making something we all loved so much." - Michael Schur, cocreator of Parks and Recreation
"What an incredible work. I was on the show for six seasons, and reading the book gave me an entirely new understanding and appreciation of Parks and Recreation. This book truly is a study on how Hollywood sitcoms are envisioned, engaged, and then enjoyed. It makes me even prouder to have been a part of it." - Jay Jackson (aka Perd), actor on Parks and Recreation
"This was such a joy to read and to relive my years working on Parks and Rec. Jennifer Keishin Armstrong created the ultimate companion guide for superfans—it meticulously chronicles the trials and tribulations that came with writing and producing this piece of TV history (and keeping it on air)." - Jen Statsky, staff writer on Parks and Recreation and cocreator of Hacks
"Armstrong's writing is as heartfelt as her subject, and she eloquently details the show's unlikely survival and its portrayal of an alternative work-life balance." - Library Journal
The insider account into the sitcom that barely survived its first season - but went on to become a modern classic.
When Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, creators of The Office, came together to write a new comedy, they wanted to create something that would celebrate the power of community. Leslie Knope, Ron Swanson and the rest of the Pawnee gang became the escape we all needed, balancing sharp political commentary with heart, optimism and top-notch comedy. But the road wasn't smooth, despite one of TV's most lovable casts.
Featuring exclusive cast and creator interviews and unmatched insider knowledge from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, Parks and Rec gives the untold story of how the iconic show came to be. With a foreword from Offerman himself, Armstrong gains access to new and exclusive interviews with Michael Schur, Greg Daniels, Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman, as well as other cast and crew members.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781529977936
Publisher: Ebury Publishing
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 09 April 2026
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Ebury Spotlight
Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 31.0mm
Width: 163.0mm
Height: 242.0mm
Weight: 538g
Pages: 320
About the Author
Jennifer Keishin Armstrong's writing takes readers behind the scenes of major moments in pop culture history and examines the lasting impact that our favourite TV shows, music, and movies have on our society and psyches. She has written eight books, including the New York Times bestseller Seinfeldia, When Women Invented Television, Sex and the City and Us, and So Fetch. Armstrong spent ten years on staff at Entertainment Weekly, where she reported from the front lines of Grey's Anatomy, 30 Rock, Lost, and The Office. Her writing has since appeared in BBC Culture, New York magazine, Billboard, and many other places. She curates and writes the Peabody Finds newsletter, featuring recommendations and media history, from the prestigious Peabody Awards in broadcasting. Her own newsletter, Culture Trip, explores the intersections between pop culture, spirituality, and politics. She lives with her partner in New York's Hudson Valley.
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