UC Press book hits New York Times bestseller list after “Daily Show” spotlight

In early March, staff at University of California Press (UC Press) celebrated a major milestone: One of their titles reached No. 5 on the New York Times bestseller list following the author’s appearance on “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart.

A. Mechele Dickerson’s book, “The Middle-Class New Deal: Restoring Upward Mobility and the American Dream” (UC Press, Jan. 2026), explores the policies that helped build the middle class in 1950s America, and subsequent changes that have eroded economic stability for lower- and middle-income citizens. She also proposes novel ideas for how today’s leaders could help reverse these changes and rebuild the middle class. During the interview, Stewart described Dickerson’s ideas as “music to my ears.”

“Shoring up the fragile middle class is one of the most extraordinary challenges facing our country, and Mechele’s research reminds us that restoring it will take political will,” says Maura Roessner, executive editor at UC Press. “Her conversation with Jon Stewart gave a national audience the language to think critically about why the middle class continues to struggle, along with possible solutions.”

Mechele’s ideas resonated with those who watched “The Daily Show” episode. “Why isn’t this whole conversation being talked about more? Can we distribute this book to everyone?” one viewer commented on the show’s recording. Another shared, “I have looked high and low, for several years, for books that not merely diagnose the economic difficulties Americans confront but also propose possible solutions. This book does that.” A third added, “A copy of this book should be purchased for all of our representatives — local, state, and federal.”

Mechele’s scholarly peers also emphasize the value of her work. “This bold and ambitious book should be at the center of the conversation on what can be done to make the American Dream more realistic for the many — not just the few,” shared Dorothy Brown, author of “The Whiteness of Wealth: How the Tax System Impoverishes Black Americans—and How We Can Fix It,” on the book’s jacket. 

A debut five years in the making

UC Press’s publication of Dickerson’s book began with a connection sparked online. In 2020, Maura discovered Dickerson’s research on #LawTwitter and reached out.

“Mechele’s work on financial vulnerability and racial and economic disparities dovetailed perfectly with the kind of books UC Press is known for: rigorous, bold, and transformative,” Maura said.

They stayed in touch, but it wasn’t until 2024 that Mechele was ready to share her manuscript. In an accompanying note, she wrote, “It’s the book I wanted to write, rather than the book I had been writing.”

“That was such an insightful and vulnerable way to describe the writing process,” Maura said. “I was grateful she trusted me with it.”

Nearly two years afterward, Maura and Mechele met at the annual conference of the Association of American Law Schools in New Orleans to celebrate seeing the book in print for the first time. And, a month later — braving the “Great Snowicaine” of February 2026 — they reunited in the green room at “The Daily Show” to mark a shared career highlight.

“The books we publish make plenty of media splashes, but ‘The Daily Show’ was a whole new experience for me,” Maura says.

Though not everyone on the UC Press team who was involved with bringing the book to fruition was able to attend the New York screening, feelings of pride and accomplishment were shared across the country.

“When I watched Mechele’s interview, I wasn’t surprised by what a delight she was, or by the conversation. What surprised me was how I felt when I saw Jon Stewart pick up the book and hold up the cover that I had copyedited,” shared Production Editor Jeff Anderson. “It was real and concrete proof that my work makes a visible difference in the world. It made me so happy for Mechele and everyone else who worked so hard on the book, and proud of what I was a part of.”

“Opening the cover files I had archived some time ago, I felt a tingle of excitement,” recalled Book Designer and UC Press Art Director Lia Tjandra. “I added ‘New York Times Bestseller’ in bright yellow across the top of the front cover, then sent the updated file off to the printer. Only then did I pause, taking a breath to absorb the moment — this book, once just a project on my screen, now reaching readers far and wide.”

Championing UC’s mission, one book at a time

Maura has worked in publishing for 25+ years, with nearly 15 years at UC Press. 

“The best part of my job is scouting exciting new research and potential book authors — whether at conferences, online, or through my networks,” she says. “Our publishing programs align with UC’s vision and values, and I’m especially drawn to authors whose research tackles the structural inequities baked into our social systems. Since I focus mostly on law and criminology, there’s no shortage of that work.”  

Based at the Office of the President in Oakland, UC Press publishes 40 journals and about 180-200 books each year across the arts, sciences, humanities, and social sciences, with a strong focus on social justice. 

While many books resonate beyond academic audiences, few reach the visibility of a New York Times bestseller, says Holly Smith, UC Press’s sales and marketing director. “It’s incredibly difficult for any book to break through today with an increasingly distracted readership and an unimaginable four million-plus books published annually. Mechele’s success is a reminder of the enormous impact a scholar’s book can have when the right book meets the right moment — supported by a strong team and a bit of luck.”

That team includes Editorial Assistant Sam Warren, Production Editor Jeff Anderson, Marketing Manager Teresa Iafolla, Publicity Director Emily Grandstaff, Art Director Lia Tjandra, Production Manager Angela Chen, and Publishing Fulfillment Manager Christina Mott — all of whom played key roles in bringing the book to market.

“I am deeply grateful to UC Press for taking a chance on me and this book and creating a publication partnership that has been extraordinary,” said Mechele. “Every member of the UC team has been supportive of me and my vision, thoughtfully guiding me through each stage of the publication process. Their support has been so incredible that I’ve shed quite a few happy tears!”

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