Tomorrow Might Be Different

by Mack Reynolds

An old religion to fight the new Russians. What would the world be like if the Russians discovered a way to win the capitalistic game, and began dumping inexpensive quality goods on the market? In such a future America and Europe and turning into second-rate powers as their industries go bankrupt. The world is falling under the wheels of the Soviet juggernaut. But America will not give up without a fight! There's one way to retaliate. The only way. Introduce a little religion into the Soviet Union - a very special religion... In this wildly inventive novel, Mack Reynolds explores an ingenious plan to keep the profiteering forces of new-style communism under control - and the unexpected consequences.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

140 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Dallas McCord "Mack" Reynolds was an American science fiction writer. His pen names included Clark Collins, Mark Mallory, Guy McCord, Dallas Ross and Maxine Reynolds. Many of his stories were published in "Galaxy Magazine" and "Worlds of If Magazine". He was quite popular in the 1960s, but most of his work subsequently went out of print.

He was an active supporter of the Socialist Labor Party; his father, Verne Reynolds, was twice the SLP's Presidential candidate, in 1928 and 1932. Many of MR's stories use SLP jargon such as 'Industrial Feudalism' and most deal with economic issues in some way

Many of Reynolds' stories took place in Utopian societies, and many of which fulfilled L. L. Zamenhof's dream of Esperanto used worldwide as a universal second language. His novels predicted much that has come to pass, including pocket computers and a world-wide computer network with information available at one's fingertips.

Many of his novels were written within the context of a highly mobile society in which few people maintained a fixed residence, leading to "mobile voting" laws which allowed someone living out of the equivalent of a motor home to vote when and where they chose.

Reviews

[Liedzeit Liedzeit · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the not too distant future Russian Tourists are everywhere. Because communism has been a success and the government is just rich.
So our American hero invents a new religion that introduces love of your own country among other things. In the end the Russians even adopt it to get rid of the Chinese.
Good Reynolds. But he should have elaborated on his new Religion for the Intelligent Man today.
Some nice sex, I am surprised.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Dystopian novel, but of a kinder bent. Mack Reynolds is the Master of this sub-genre. His views on the nanny-state are softened by a very liberal viewpoint of acceptance for one's fate and making the best of what there is. These are books I occasionally go back and re-read.

[SciFi Pinay · Rating 3 out of 5]

An alternate reality on what the world may look like if Russia was the superpower and the USA wasn't. So, the US attempts to fight back with -- religion! In under 200 pages, it tackles global socioeconomics, politics, theology (and sex!) and philosophy, sprinkled with a sub-plot raunchy rom-com and Spanish/Russian cuisine (yummy tapas and paellas!), not to mention it predicted online school classes as the norm. A dig into any deceptive/hypocritical organized institution e.g. a new government-backed religion about "moderation in all things" (IMO I thought this was reasonable since it's supposed to work for modern times, but I start to question how much I really know about the concept of "moderation"). Enjoyed this more than I expected but the ending was anticlimactic and wouldn't mind it to be a bit longer. However, a lot of thought-provoking discussions such as:

"When you Americans, and the others, were allowing their best brains to go into advertising, entertainment and sales, and whatever, we were devoting our best brains to science, engineering and technology." (...ouch! A critique on lopsided priorities?)

[Kay Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I loved the reverse take on history. And how the Russia's think down on the americans. I love the Idea of the 3D Camera! Please someone invent that! The characters are interesting the look int the culture and society is well developed. I did find it started to lag near the middle towards the end but, *no spoilers* The ending is amazing! It made me laugh and was worth the entire book!

[Hayley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this little gem of a book to be completely hilarious. I’m not sure if it’s meant to be ironically satirical but I found it that way. As with a lot of Science fiction novels there are a few grains of truth mixed in. To summarize the plot, it’s about a guy who creates a fake religion to save America from economic ruin inflicted by Russia. If you are looking for a quick read that hits a little too close to home, this would be it.

[Chris Stephens · Rating 3 out of 5]

From what I would call the a past master of economic/political science, science fiction another thought provoking gem, if you are looking for great writing (style etc) not so much, but for ideas and possible realities Mack Reynolds was a master. Surprisingly this has some pretty hardcore sex in it though, why other than to sell books I am not quite sure, but if your teen is reading it Jack and Jill do more than run up the hill.

[L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

weird, wild stuff

[Katelyn Phillis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turned out to be a fun quick read. Thought the concept was so ridiculous and Cold War fear driven (it was) but was amused nonetheless.

[Oliver Maddrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read. An obscure mid 70s sci-fi fixated on the cold war. Nothing much to say here - it's fine and an interesting time capsule.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the ending ngl

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mack Reynold's at his best, with a satirical story about what might have happened if the Soviet Union had become a real worker's paradise. Russian tourists are swarming all over the west, spending money acquired by dumping advanced and inexpensive goods on western markets and enjoying their long vacations. American and European manufacturing can't compete and their economies are tanking.

Enter Mike Edward's, can a religion created by cynical agnostic with the aid of the FBI, save the US and the rest of the western allies from the Communist tourist hordes? And while there's a fair amount of the male gaze and some sex in this book, it's needed for the story.

While dated in writing style, Reynold's was one of the few leftist hard SF authors of the 60-70s. One of his better books and still worth reading.

[Simon Hedge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mack Reynolds posits some radical ideas of where communism and capitalism might end up in this lightly ironic cold war tale of religion as a weapon. I seriously doubt the economic models used to create the scenario of the wildly successful Soviet complex almost unwittingly bringing western manufacturing to its knees makes any 'real world' sense, and Reynolds was probably fully aware of that. But it is a very short novel with little room for detailed explanations of fiscal policies and instead focusses on being a decent little page-turner.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit more than 3 stars. Interesting speculation of different Soviet evolution. Seems dated in post-Soviet era, but I suppose it could happen with other country. Some ideas, but more towards light reading.

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a very, very, very strange book. I don't know what else to say about it.

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting ideas - bit dated now