The Duke of D.C.: The American Dream

by James Allen Moseley

In this comic parody, Ray Almaviva is minding his own business when the FBI wrongly accuses him of fomenting insurrection. Before they can nab him, he and Ilsa Guilford-Schlitz, an avid researcher, are zapped back to the year 1776, when they help Ray's madcap ancestor, Don Raimondo, hijack the Spanish Treasure Fleet and supply the gold that helps America win the Revolutionary War. The grateful Founders confer upon him the title of Duke and deed him the Duchy of Almaviva on the north bank of the Potomac River. When the three are zapped back to the twenty-first century, the FBI scoops Ray up. Ilsa and Don Raimondo swing into action and rescue Ray by proving his legal and long-forgotten rights to all the land on which the District of Columbia now sits. It's a standoff! Ray and his growing number of populist friends and foreign allies defy the mighty forces of a Federal Government gone rogue. Can the world once more be turned upside down? Can there again be a new birth of freedom? And can love still really come to two patriots in such trying times?

Genres: Fiction

254 pages, Paperback

Published August 29, 2023

Reviews

[Viclari · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Duke of D.C. by James Allen Moseley is a timely and imaginative read. The book dives into the heart of America's political grounds, painting a picture that is both fictional and eerily similar of our current time/state. Ray is our protagonist, who has a spirit that i found to be familiar, especially in the political figures we see in the news today.

I found the plot flowed nicely, weaving elements of time travel, comedy and revenge with some catchy dialogue that gave a very real feel to individual scenes.

In my opinion The Duke of D.C. felt like being on an emotional rollercoaster, which blended real-life political tension with fiction and plenty of humour. While it may not be for everyone, those of you who appreciate a mix of banter, political intrigue and thrills with a dash of the bizarre will enjoy it as much as i did, I'm sure of that. Recommended

[Carrieax · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Duke of D.C.: The American Dream, a humorous parody by James Moseley, with Ray Almaviva as the protagonist who is unjustly accused by the FBI of inciting insurgency. This is a funny and well-written book that is both entertaining and amazingly somewhat intriguing. Ilsa Guilford-Schlitz, a researcher, and he are sent back to 1776, when they help Don Raimondo in hijacking the Spanish Treasure Fleet and providing gold for the Revolutionary War. The time-travel element is hilarious here and is the foundation of the story. The Founders bestow the title of Duke and grant him the Duchy of Almaviva. When the FBI apprehends Ray, Ilsa and Don Raimondo save him by establishing his legal rights to the property on which the District of Columbia presently stands. Irreverent, with a solid story, fast pace, and simply a great read, this book is highly recommended.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parody.
This book is a complete parody of government and people who call themselves "patriots". A couple time travels to 1776 where they find that a relative has been granted a duchy of all of DC, and since it was ratified pre-Constitution, the person is granted sovereignty over this area of Washington.
If you take the book as pure imagination and humor, it is fine, but otherwise, its political bent is nonsense. I just can't make fun or laugh at anything associated with the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

[Lenor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Duke of D.C.: The American Dream, is completely a fictional read, to be more accurate, a political fictional short read. And very entertaining, kind of a parody in my opinion. This book is everything one has ever dream to happen to them, go back in time and change things to be in a better position in the future. So this book is about a man, Ray Almaviva, who is wrongfully accused of something by the FBI, something he didn’t do, while trying to escape he and a woman Ilsa Guilford-Schlitz go back in time to the year 1776; there they plan on changing the past to get ahead of this problem, I won’t spoil this for you but is truly a light read and very entertaining.

[Kelly Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Duke of D.C." by James Moseley is much-needed comic relief and a great time-travel political thriller that reveals the ridiculousness of politics in Washington, D.C.

The novel is a fascinating "what if" that delights with the fanfare of the Founding Fathers, musical numbers with dancing, conspiracy, and fast-paced action. It's a cross between Hamilton and The Princess Diaries.

It has an intricate plot and is an easy read that is hard to put down. I recommend it to those who love our country's history and the Constitution and to those who love a great little love story.

[Swati Tanu · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story makes you wonder: Can people change the world again? Can love happen even when things are crazy?

The story is about a guy named Ray Almaviva who gets in trouble with the FBI for something he didn't do. But then, something crazy happens, and he and a lady named Ilsa get sent back to the year 1776. There, they help Ray's ancestor, Don Raimondo, do something wild - they steal gold from the Spanish and give it to America to help them win a big war.

But, when Ray and his friends come back to our time, the FBI catches him! Good thing Ilsa and Don Raimondo have a plan. They show that Ray has old rights to a big piece of land where Washington D.C. is today. Now, Ray has a lot of power and friends who want to challenge the government.

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