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The timing of Ainsworth's book is impeccable. Appearing when the U.S. presidential primaries are dominating the news channels, the author's novel about a fictitious campaign, election, and initial actions of a powerful American president has built-in appeal to appetites already whetted by current events. That it has so many parallels to our existing political climate and personalities only adds to its lure. But this book is much more than the average timely offering that fades once the interest of the news media and public shift to other matters. It is the beginning of a much larger and sobering tale that describes just how quickly a nation that prides itself on its freedom can fall into bondage.
Republican presidential candidate M. Spencer Howell is a hard man to dislike. A happily married man of unimpeachable character and integrity, he inspires loyalty among all those who surround him. A military veteran with a firm desire to see America regain and then maintain its strength both domestically and abroad, his message speaks to a broad base of voters who are fed up with the weakness of the current Democratic administration headed up by President Hortense Preston whose approval rating at times dips below twenty percent. Understandably, some of Howell's ideas, such as his tough stance on immigration, worry those of a more liberal bent and spark waves of protests, but the general mood of the nation seems to have shifted to the right after four failed years of ineffective leadership in Washington. That same disenchantment seems to also indicate that both houses of Congress may soon be dominated by the Republicans.
Supporting Howell in his bid for the White House is a dedicated staff led by Jeremy Holt. Despite their unswerving loyalty toward the candidate, Holt and others on his team begin to have some misgivings about others associated with the campaign, especially the enigmatic Horatio Tremane, and are frustrated when they are deliberately kept in the dark about certain matters. Also worrisome is the fact that through the efforts of Howell's running mate General Zachary Taylor Morton and his advisor Tremane a large and nationwide volunteer militia answerable to Howell has been trained to provide crowd control, a move that brings to mind the Brown Shirts that supported Adolf Hitler. Additionally, the staff leadership has become aware of a powerful new weapon system that has been secretly under development for several administrations but that will soon be fully functional. As much as Holt and his colleagues trust Howell, what if something should happen to him and another leader with fewer scruples should take over the reins?
In this first volume of what looks to be a riveting and chilling trilogy, Ainsworth blends political machinations, romance, and international intrigue into an entertaining and well-written saga that fans of the television series West Wing will undoubtedly enjoy. Equally appealing are the author's obvious, if often unflattering, parodies of current political and social leaders. Yet perhaps the most important aspect of this novel is the point it raises about how easy it could be for a charismatic leader to gain near total control of the country by capitalizing on national dissatisfaction with a current administration's policies. The author's exploration of this frightening and thought-provoking scenario alone is worth the price of the book.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review