Ask the Author: William Cooper
“I’ll be answering questions about my new book this week,”
William Cooper
Answered Questions (23)
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(view spoiler)[I get what you mean. Your writing makes people think without pushing them. When you write, do you try to challenge readers’ views, or just open space for reflection? (hide spoiler)]
William Cooper
Good question: i try to do both. A good book challenges our way of thinking about the world and, also, creates space for thinking deeply.
William Cooper
Thank you Michael! You put your finger on something and i do think it is very important to consider the role of accountability for those in power. It's essential for world leaders to be thoughtful with how their decisions impact the world.
William Cooper
Thanks, Mond, for the question. Yes, my novel can be thought of as a tool for exploring accountability. I think literature can be both: refining our understanding of justice and also as a way to reflect on the world we live in. These two overlap, of course.
William Cooper
Thank you Cynthia!
William Cooper
Haven't actually started my next book yet, but considering a series--maybe next can be The Trial of Donald J. Trump or The Trial of Elon R. Musk. What do you think?
William Cooper
Thanks for sharing this Cynthia.
William Cooper
Sounds like important civic work Cynthia. Keep it up!
William Cooper
Thanks Paulino. I'm afraid you will have to read the book to learn what happens at Rumsfeld's trial. :)
Dave Schoettinger
Why are federalism and democracy perceived to be mutually exclusive?
Aug 13, 2025 08:36AM · flag
Aug 13, 2025 08:36AM · flag
William Cooper
That's a great question. In America, federalism is a key part of our democracy. Great to have views from other countries here on goodreads.
That's a great question. In America, federalism is a key part of our democracy. Great to have views from other countries here on goodreads.
...more
Aug 13, 2025 08:58AM · flag
Aug 13, 2025 08:58AM · flag
William Cooper
Thanks Afshin. Yes, there are. In the novel "President Rumsfeld" starts a war with Iran. It doesn't go well, to put it mildly.
Afshiin Behvand-Nejaad
Awesome! Now I'm even more pumped to read the novel. Right now I'm halfway through "A Quiet Life" and loving every page of it.
Awesome! Now I'm even more pumped to read the novel. Right now I'm halfway through "A Quiet Life" and loving every page of it.
...more
Aug 12, 2025 12:56PM · flag
Aug 12, 2025 12:56PM · flag
William Cooper
That's awesome, great to hear.
That's awesome, great to hear.
...more
Aug 12, 2025 03:52PM · flag
Aug 12, 2025 03:52PM · flag
William Cooper
Thank you for your readership, Michael. Glad you liked it! And appreciate the note about the website; it appears to be working correctly now.
William Cooper
These are great recommendations, Michael. Am familiar with some, not others. Thank you.
William Cooper
This is great Cynthia. Thanks for sharing. I don't recall seeing that before.
William Cooper
Yes, please do. Thank you very much.
William Cooper
Great question Rick. The biggest factor for making How America Works ... And Why It Doesn't a success is getting the book into people's hands. Happy readers are the best salespeople. Goodreads Givaways are a great tool for this.
Cynthia Marcolina
Yes! I passed on 9 copies to friends & local politicians.
Jun 08, 2025 03:01PM · flag
Jun 08, 2025 03:01PM · flag
William Cooper
That's a great question, Cynthia. You are not alone--many people are dissatisfied with the two-party political system. To me, while the system could be improved, there are still stark differences between what the two parties stand for, and ample room to participate and improve the system over time. Keep your head up!
J. C. White - Author
William, do you believe the real divide lies between the two political parties themselves, or between the individuals within them? From where I sit, I
William, do you believe the real divide lies between the two political parties themselves, or between the individuals within them? From where I sit, I see remarkably little difference among the people I know on either side. Strip away the noise of the extremes, and most folks are far more alike than the parties, or the pundits, want to admit.
Yes, each party broadcasts a set of ideological aims, often shaped by its most radical voices. But those voices don’t speak for the majority. And it’s time the majority reminded their parties of that.
Clinging with white-knuckled loyalty to beliefs that don’t truly belong to you, beliefs important only to a loud and narrow few, is how we’ve landed in this fractured state. It leads to alienating our own neighbors through name-calling and stoking fears that rarely, if ever, come to pass. We've heard the doomsday warnings so often, they’ve become background noise, like the ever-looming threat of nuclear war: real, yes, but hollow from overuse.
Fear has a short shelf life. And when it expires, all that's left is distrust.
If we want to pull back from the brink, we need to stop outsourcing our convictions to party platforms and start speaking up as individuals. Not as partisans. Not as echo chambers. But as people who still believe in common sense and common ground. I didn't want to preach, but...I fear irreparable backlash from too much "I'm anti-," and not enough "I'm for," when the earlier is not an honest nor realistic accounting of where American's are. I'm a bit like Cynthia, I think the two-party system is DOA. A moderate or centrist party should be formed, and lets just see how many radical this' or thats' we really have. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there's about 10% on each side. Can our political systems survive that kind of knowledge and transparency, or are we doomed to believe our neighbors are the boogey man forever? I think this is a question of the survival of our two-party system. ...more
Aug 05, 2025 09:19AM · flag
Yes, each party broadcasts a set of ideological aims, often shaped by its most radical voices. But those voices don’t speak for the majority. And it’s time the majority reminded their parties of that.
Clinging with white-knuckled loyalty to beliefs that don’t truly belong to you, beliefs important only to a loud and narrow few, is how we’ve landed in this fractured state. It leads to alienating our own neighbors through name-calling and stoking fears that rarely, if ever, come to pass. We've heard the doomsday warnings so often, they’ve become background noise, like the ever-looming threat of nuclear war: real, yes, but hollow from overuse.
Fear has a short shelf life. And when it expires, all that's left is distrust.
If we want to pull back from the brink, we need to stop outsourcing our convictions to party platforms and start speaking up as individuals. Not as partisans. Not as echo chambers. But as people who still believe in common sense and common ground. I didn't want to preach, but...I fear irreparable backlash from too much "I'm anti-," and not enough "I'm for," when the earlier is not an honest nor realistic accounting of where American's are. I'm a bit like Cynthia, I think the two-party system is DOA. A moderate or centrist party should be formed, and lets just see how many radical this' or thats' we really have. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that there's about 10% on each side. Can our political systems survive that kind of knowledge and transparency, or are we doomed to believe our neighbors are the boogey man forever? I think this is a question of the survival of our two-party system. ...more
Aug 05, 2025 09:19AM · flag
William Cooper
Great, thanks for sending. I will take a look.
William Cooper
Thank you S Jung. The book can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/How-America-Wo....
And thanks for the heads up on your book. I will check it out.
Best,
Will
And thanks for the heads up on your book. I will check it out.
Best,
Will
William Cooper
Hi Richard,
Thanks for the question.
I am ambivalent about the verdict. I strongly oppose Trump's candidacy for president and think he would be a big threat to the country if he were to win. I wrote about his here: https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/11/opinio...
But I also think he probably won't go to jail for long enough to prevent his presidency if he beats Biden (after sentencing and appeal). And this outcome may actually help Trump at the polls. His indictments made him more popular with voters.
I do know this: The whole scenario is unfortunate for the country.
What do you think?
Thanks for the question.
I am ambivalent about the verdict. I strongly oppose Trump's candidacy for president and think he would be a big threat to the country if he were to win. I wrote about his here: https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/11/opinio...
But I also think he probably won't go to jail for long enough to prevent his presidency if he beats Biden (after sentencing and appeal). And this outcome may actually help Trump at the polls. His indictments made him more popular with voters.
I do know this: The whole scenario is unfortunate for the country.
What do you think?
William Cooper
Thank you Angie. The ebook can be ordered now on the Amazon UK page and will be available in the US closer to the July 23 publication date. Appreciate the question.
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