The Founders' Plot

by Frank M. Victoria

Clarion Reviews – Five Stars: … an
intriguing and rich novel. The char-
acters, dialogue, and plot will
entertain readers…to the end.

Kirkus Reviews: … for a fictional
account of a contemporary political
dispute, this is a competent if not
inspiring option.


When California Governor Michael J. DiGrasso pushes through a tough immigration law, the Supreme Court declares it unconstitutional, but the decorated Vietnam veteran refuses to accept the ruling. This ignites a clash between federal, state, and judicial power that threatens to jar the country’s political and justice systems. And it leaves the governor’s long-time friend, President of the United States, Martin W. Ballard, with the decision of whether to federalize the California National Guard to enforce the Court’s order.

Tension increases when Elizabeth Stern, a savvy member of the opposition party tries to ram through a new immigration law that will pass judicial review. An expert in back-room legislative machinations, she’ll go to any length to force the governor to obey the Court decision, and her devious maneuvers throw DiGrasso’s personal and professional life into turmoil.

One subplot involves DiGrasso’s close personal friend, Congressman Manuel Mendoza, who is indicted for taking bribes. Another concerns two Mexican families in the country illegally and the tragedies that befall them because of the new immigration law.

The unfolding of these interwoven events creates a tense, fast-paced thriller that parallels the current tumult over illegal immigration and the on-going debate on Constitutional interpretation that will leave readers craving for the eventual outcome.

Genres: Fiction

254 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2012

About the author

Frank Victoria was born and raised in Chicago, a city rich in industry and ambitions and many of his ideas were molded by its brand of politics and immigrant culture. He served in the Marine Corps, which left an imprint of just how much he could do and helped create the persistence needed to earn his BA in Journalism from Northern Illinois University.

It took him nearly eight years to get the degree because he repeatedly had to interrupt his studies with full-time work to pay for his expenses. He toiled on the docks loading and unloading freight, moved furniture, worked construction, was a cabbie, a shoe salesman and a factory worker. The payoff: Time in the ivory tower setting balanced by a nitty gritty education in the real world.

After college, Frank started as news and feature writer for trade magazines and distinguished himself in his more than twenty-year career. He eventually became Editorial Director of three magazines covering the oil marketing industry, one of which, National Petroleum News, was the top publication in that market. He won seven local and national awards for writing and magazine design.

By 1990, Frank was ready for a change. So, he went back to school to earn his teaching certificate and for sixteen years taught American history and government in the Chicago Public Schools. Talk about an education…

In 2007, Frank retired from teaching and launched his imagination onto the page in the form of his first novel, The Founder’s Plot, which tackles the very contemporary issues of immigration reform, states’ rights and the proper role of federal courts.

Frank now lives in the Chicago suburb of Oak Lawn with his wife of thirty years, Gloria. He is currently working on two more novels, two screenplays, and a non-fiction book on what ails American education.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike DiGrasso, newly elected Governor of California, signs into law a tough immigration bill to keep illegals out and to find those illegally living in California and deport them. The US Supreme Court has said it is unconstitutional. DiGrasso defies the Supreme Court and keeps the law as is. His political opponents try to come up with a bipartisan law as well as votes to override his veto. Along the way we see illegals living in California and the effects on their families as well as the effects of the law on the Governor's family. Will the Governor continue his path on this law? What consequences will happen?

I enjoyed this book. There was no part of the story I did not want to know about. It is very timely with immigration laws then the Supreme Court acting like the legislature. I liked that the Governor's family did not support his choices. I also liked seeing the impact on Julio and Carlos' families. Some of their children were born in the U.S. while the parents and older children were here illegally. I felt bad for these families. Julio loses a lot. Carlos also loses but not as much. I liked Carlos' wife, Marisol. She was strong.

Seeing the deals and threats made behind the scenes was interesting. Dirty tactics are used to get what some want. I never expected the ending. I was shocked.

I would read this author again.

[Paul James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, fast paced story about a Governor's challenge to the U.S. Supreme Court. It is informative in the sense that the reader realizes that the Supreme Court rulings are not the 'final answer' that many think. It also shows how the ruling on immigration affects average people, uprooting their lives and causing rifts among family members. I highly recommend this to everyone.

[Readers Choice · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Founders' Plot" by the author Frank Victoria is a gripping read. The main character of the story is Michael J. DiGrasso. He is a retired army officer. Michael has recently been elected as the Governor of California but because of the past events, he felt as if he doesn't deserve this position.

Mike is running a campaign and has announced to the public that he is working to bring a strict immigration law so that illegal migrants can't enter the states. Elizabeth Stern warned Mike that immigration is a federal issue but Mike was determined to focus on it. Mike wanted to prevent undocumented immigrants from entering California and deport those who are already living there.

Mike's daughter felt her dad is too difficult and stubborn about the immigration bill. Read this story to know what will happen next.

Those who are fans of political fiction should get their hands on this book. The writing style of the author is nice. There is a tense atmosphere in the story and that kept me excited to know what would happen next. The backdrop setting is done well by the author. The political drama is at the peak and that made it a gripping read.

[bookhaven__ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Founders' Plot" is an enthralling political drama. Mike DiGrasso hooks readers right from the start. A retired army officer, Mike has recently been elected as California's Governor. Determined to stop undocumented immigrants from crossing into California and to deport those already there, Mike's stringent immigration policies create a storm of controversy.

His tough stance strains relationships, including with his daughter, whose boyfriend is Mexican. Despite warnings from Stern that immigration is a federal matter, Mike forges ahead. What fate awaits the Mexican families living illegally in the state? Will the new immigration laws complicate life for everyone?

This book is a riveting read. It vividly portrays the influence of political power and its far-reaching effects. The plot is packed with unexpected twists and action, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The author excels in crafting compelling dialogue. This book not only entertained me but also inspired a deeper exploration of immigration laws. I am truly impressed by the author's extensive knowledge and research.

[J.D. Schechter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unfortunately, it's only fiction

A governor with the backbone to do what most dare not dream, and the only illegals worth serious mention are the 'good' ones, not the vast majority of parasites. Also continues the fiction that children of illegals born here are citizens

[Glenda Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read, very current topic deals with immigration and difficult decisions to effect an outcome. I'll stop there to avoid spoilers.

[Scott Moreland · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE it! The author has such a dazzling way of keeping you engrossed with words.

[Virginia Myers · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am about half way through this book. It is certainly timely and about a current struggle as both of our political parties try to find a satisfactory approach. It is also about a situation that many of us argue about - is the Supreme Court guilty of sometimes making legislation instead of deciding judicial issues. I, for one, have never investigated the detail in our Constitution about the purpose of the Supreme Court. So this will educate me; but I am worried so far about whether I am being propagandized for some political motive. I hope not. I will keep reading and see how I feel at the end.

***

This book is a puzzle to me. It left me with several questions.

It left me with a question about why the author wrote it. Did she write it as a “documercial” for a political purpose? Did he weave a story around hot bed subjects that he hoped to call attention to? Is the issue that is chafing him the immigration issue or the over-stretch of the Supreme Court? Or both? And actually, the issue of gun control apeared as well. The book surely did highlight current issues; but, I did not spend my money to buy the book in order to be brain washed and if that was the purpose of the book, it should have been written as a nonfiction expose. Right now I feel as if I had been tricked into spending my money to buy propaganda when I thought I was buying an entertaining novel.

I love historical fiction and as I read descriptions of the book, it sounded like it would be something I would like. The fact is, however, that I read to be entertained while scratching the itch I have to learn more about historical facts. This book would fit what I like if I had ended up learning some additional knowledge of history. This book did not give me any new information – it made me aware that I lacked real facts about what the Constitution says about the real job of the Supreme Court but it did not provide me those facts. There are several books that I have read recently that accomplished that by having dual stories – one in the past and one in contemporary times. I would also suggest that the actual words of the Constitution about the Supreme Court be added to the book as an Afterword. Then I could have flipped back to it as I read about the hardships of the characters in the book.

The book did show that nothing comes for free. So when you attempt to make changes, you need to be aware that the ripple impact will be hurtful to somebody somewhere. The book provided a solution to a real problem but the price was dear. I am in total agreement that while legal immigration allows our country to benefit from the influx of brains and brawn of new citizens, that legal immigration needs to be managed properly and entry by other means has to be prevented. I am pretty ignorant about whether our management has been good, bad, or fluctuating between the two; but I am quite aware of the problem we now have because we have allowed so many illegals into our country for so long that our boat is about to sink. To try to do something now (unless we are willing to close our eyes to the trauma which will be created for many people who are here because we closed our eyes for such a long period of time) is almost too big to get our arms around. We do have a problem and we cannot call it “their” problem; it is “our” problem.

I almost felt so “used” that I was on the verge to stop reading the book, just to express my resentment but the fiction portion of the book in the last ¼ made me want to finish it so I would find out what happened. Now I have the warm feelings of “all is well that ends well” but even then I feel real life might not have ended with such a neat conclusion. So – my resentment would have resulted in a minus 1 rating but I raised it to a 1 based upon my interest in the characters at one point in the book.

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Soon, we will have the serious immigration law I promised during my campaign.’

Michael DiGrasso, the newly elected California governor, pursues the passage of an immigration law aimed at preventing ‘illegals’ from entering the state, finding those already in California and returning them to their countries of origin. The law is passed, and is declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, but Governor DiGrasso refuses to accept the ruling.

‘I will not obey the Supreme Court ruling regarding this state’s immigration law, because it has no right to adjudicate on legislative matters.’

There is a strong possibility that the resultant clash between federal, state and judicial powers will impact on the country’s justice and political systems. Just what is the proper role of the federal courts? And how will President Martin Ballard, a long-time friend of Michael DiGrasso, respond?

Elizabeth Stern, one of the opposition members, proposes a new immigration law that will pass judicial review. She wants Governor DiGrasso to obey the Supreme Court’s decision, and isn’t above a little blackmail to achieve her objective.

‘Defying a Supreme Court decision reflects badly on our entire legislature, our entire state.’

As the politics plays out, there are others in the community – including two Mexican families - directly affected by the changes proposed. There is also a group of radical political activists keen to undermine Governor DiGrasso and comfortable using violence to do so. Where, and how, will it end?

‘Sometimes you can’t compromise, sir.’

While on one level, the novel is about abstract concepts and impersonal collective decisions, it’s the impact of those concepts and decisions on individuals and families that brings the novel to life. For those people, it is probably irrelevant whether the relevant law is federal or state. Mostly I enjoyed this novel for its depiction of quite complex and seemingly intractable issues. At times I felt that a slower development of some of the various storylines would have better served the story, and that sometimes character development was sacrificed to action.

Globally, immigration (whether legal or not) is a particularly topical issue at present. Balancing the needs of people and meeting the requirements of the rule of law is challenging, and can be heartbreaking.

Note: I was offered and accepted a copy of this novel for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[PacaLipstick Gramma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.

I have mixed feelings about this book. I think the story was extremely well written, the characters very real, and it was also a bit of a history lesson, as well as an inside view as to how politics may operate. But for me personally, it was just ok. If I could rate this book on content value only, I think it deserves 5 stars.

For ME ~ I am aware there is a lot of political back-scratching, favors called in, "I'll do for you, if you do for me", and way more to politics than I would want to imagine. But at times I felt bogged down by this in the book. BUT ~ the author is extremely knowledgeable about the back door of politics and provided insight for those who are interested in what goes on behind closed doors. And all the detail he provided was imperative to the entire story line.

Mr. Victoria has chosen a very political hot button, addressed it, and presented it with the premise that our Supreme Court is not the be all, end all. I think that the government thinks that they are the ultimate in defending and upholding the laws of this country, but they can be, and are they are wrong sometimes. The challenge taken on by the California governor (in this book) was a politically charged issue. I appreciated how the author presented it and defined why the Supreme Court over stepped using real cases from our history.

For those who are interested in politics, I think was an excellent story and well written, and will recommend it.

[John Vibber · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me this novel soon turned into a polemic about judicial overreach. This is a reaction not a criticism. The read was entertaining. The Founders’ Plot does to Constitution law what The Da Vinci Code did to Christianity. Both have a smoke and mirror effect based on cleverly selected evidence. I enjoyed disagreeing with this book’s central argument. If anyone is seduced by the book’s premise, I suggest you Google the “trail of tears,” or try to imagine how the new proponents of nullification would react if a State outlawed firearms then exempted itself from judicial review.

[Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads. Thank you!

This was a very well written and researched book. It was a good history lesson, plus a glimpse of the inside workings of the government, and all that comes with it, all the backstabbing, backroom deals, makes for an interesting backdrop.

With all that is going on in the government today, with immigration being up on the list, this book makes you stop and think, regardless of your stance on immigration.

Thank you for an interesting read, and hope to read more by this author.

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a book that I would not normally pick up at a book store, but as a giveaway I figured I would give it a shot. This book is very well written and something that makes you think. Though I would have liked to see more character stories, then all the politics talk, I really learned more about our government and political actions that go on every day. Though this book took me quite a while to get through, due to the fact that I had a hard time getting into it, I really enjoyed reading it and was very happy to recieve it as a giveaway.

[Quentin Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Founders Plot a governor decides to use the issue of illegal immigration to bring about a change in the traditional power of the Supreme Court. If it was not written in the Constitution should the high court have that power that it had taken for itself years ago? The book looks at how the new California law affects various groups from the opposition party, illegal immigrants, and even the governor’s family.

It is a well written and interesting book and one that gives some history lessons along the way. A very good read and one that makes one think.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

California Governor Michael DiGrasso takes on the judicial system in his quest to enact very strict immigration laws. Follow the backstabbing, backroom deals, political intrigue, and the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Constitution. The politicians will stop at nothing to win. Follow along the destructive path they leave behind and see if the people's voice is really heard.

Fast paced look at the affect government and politics have on individual’s lives.

[J. Ewbank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Victoria was a welcome one for me to read. It developed characters that you began to know and the plot of the book was certainly different and unique. I enjyed reading this book and will look for others by the same author because he really handled this one very well. Mystery or political buffs will enjoy this one.

J. Robert Ewbank author 'John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" and "To Whom It May Concern"

[Amy Mcgibbon Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fast read for me, I couldn't put this down until the end! Politics can seem dehumanizing to me, and Mr. Victoria's portrayal of every-day folks dealing with an unsettling and uprooting issue really touched me.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as a Goodreads' Giveaway. I normally would not choose a political theme, but I ended up enjoying this page-turner. Mr. Victoria writes well and employs the use of timely subjects to keep up the pace in his book. I'd recommend it.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a slower read for me than most but only because of the political aspect. I loved his style of writing and how smoothly the story went and would recommend to anyone who has a political leaning. I have already given to someone else to read and they are engrossed and loving it!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how the author uses real cases and the Constitution law in the story. I just could not stop turning my pages because it was just getting better and better.

[Candace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a first reads giveaway. This book was not what I would normally pick up but I definitely appreciated the intrigue and the timeliness of the subject matter.

[Victoria Abel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a free book I got from Goodreads. It was a quick read, easy to follow. Reminder of how nasty those in politics can be.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very well written, and it will make you think were you stand on immigration. I look forward to reading his other books.

[Preacher · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was pretty predictable. I bought it but I will be getting rid of the book. Had some exciting parts but MEH overall.