What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedVice
Film · 2018
If you loved Vice, start with Veep (Armando Iannucci, 2012) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 1 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Vice across media.
If Vice captivated you, explore these works that strip away the polished veneer of American power to reveal its raw, often cynical, inner workings.
Books on the same thread
Bush
Jean Edward Smith · Book · 2017
Explores: Executive decision-making, Faith-based leadership, Foreign policy failure.
Much like Vice, this biography peels back the layers of the George W. Bush administration, grounding the high-stakes political maneuvering in the personal decisions that shaped a controversial legacy.
Burr
Gore Vidal · Book · 1998
Explores: Unreliable narrator, Political intrigue, Legacy and reputation.
If the manipulative rise of Dick Cheney in Vice intrigued you, you will appreciate this deconstruction of Aaron Burr, another figure whose reputation was forged through intense political intrigue.
A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership
James Comey · Book · 2018
Explores: Leadership, Ethics, Integrity.
This memoir provides a direct, insider perspective on the ethics and leadership struggles within the federal government, echoing the tension between personal integrity and systemic power depicted in Vice.
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Doris Kearns Goodwin · Book · 2005
Explores: Political Strategy, Leadership Under Pressure, Political Reconciliation.
While Vice focuses on the shadows of the executive branch, this book offers a masterful study of cabinet dynamics, showing how political genius can navigate the pressures of governance.
Series on the same thread
Veep
Armando Iannucci · Series · 2012
Shares 3 threads with Vice: Bureaucracy, Political Satire, Dark Comedy.
For those who enjoyed the sharp, biting satire of Vice, this series delivers a similar look at the absurdity and incompetence often hidden behind the halls of American political power.
Podcasts on the same thread
Bag Man
Rachel Maddow, MS NOW · Podcast · 2023
Explores: corruption, political scandal, accountability.
Just as Vice exposes the corruption within the executive office, this podcast uncovers a forgotten bribery scandal that highlights the systemic failures and lack of accountability in American politics.
Pivot
New York Magazine · Podcast · 2026
Explores: corporate accountability, power dynamics, market trends.
Fans of the analytical approach to power dynamics in Vice will find this podcast’s unfiltered commentary on the intersection of corporate influence and government policy both insightful and engaging.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Vice based on the real political career of Dick Cheney?
Yes, Vice depicts the political life of Dick Cheney, focusing on his transition from the CEO of Halliburton Co. to becoming the running mate of George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential election and his subsequent use of power.
What roles did Dick Cheney hold before becoming vice president in Vice?
In Vice, Dick Cheney possesses an extensive résumé that includes serving as the White House chief of staff, the House Minority Whip, and the Defense Secretary prior to being selected by George W. Bush as his running mate.
Does Vice cover the 2000 presidential election?
Yes, the plot of Vice centers on the 2000 presidential election where George W. Bush wins by a narrow margin after choosing Dick Cheney, the CEO of Halliburton Co., to serve as his Republican running mate.
How does Dick Cheney change the world in Vice?
After George W. Bush wins the 2000 election, Vice shows Dick Cheney utilizing his newfound power as vice president to influence and reshape both the United States and the world during his time in office.