My Fellow Americans

by Keir Graff

The United States in crisis - In the face of increasing terrorist attacks on his own soil, the president of the United States declares martial law and sits for a third term. His country simmers in suspicion and fear. In Chicago, Jason Walker, half Lebanese but thoroughly American, is detained, interrogated and tortured. In exchange for his freedom, he must turn spy for Homeland Security, but it soon becomes impossible to tell who are the good guys . . .

252 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

Keir Graff is the author of One Nation, Under God, My Fellow Americans, and, writing as Michael McCulloch, Cold Lessons. His short stories have appeared in a wide variety of publications. He lives in Chicago."

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There needs to be a rating for it was a good book, but I hated reading it.

The events of September 11, 2001 were frightening in and of themselves, but once the smoke cleared the political implications continued to alarm and upset many Americans. With the implementation of Homeland Security many began to question what an appropriate balance between freedom and safety should look like.
In My Fellow Americans, Graff examines how America might look and feel as a new military state. As an amateur photographer with an interest in architecture, Jason Walker is targeted by Homeland Security as a terrorist. After his innocence is determined, he is then coerced by Homeland Security to spy on the Lebanese Cultural Center, also suspected of terrorist activities. Unable to determine who he can trust, and concealing his activities from those he cares about, Jason’s life spirals out of control.

[1pace_emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to do this project for language arts. Pick a book with a contemporary issue. Now, about two thirds of my class chose to read books that had to do with bulling or drugs that ended with the main characters pulling themselves up by their bootstraps and it ends with sunshine and rainbows. Well I'm not a sunshine and rainbows kind of person. So on some recommendations I choose this book. And I'm glad I did. This book was really good. It called into question what really could have happened after 9/11 and the morals of what our country does to stop terrorism. The characters and their characterization are very different from the usual story and make the story very interesting. And the plot twists are unpredictable and it's not one of those books that you can guess the ending. All in all it was very good and I enjoyed it a lot. I would highly recommend it. It stands with the reality of life and gives you the ending that is needed, not what you want.

[Kate · Rating 1 out of 5]

A hackneyed Le Carre/Clancy rip-off dressed up in post 9/11 clothing. Boring, boring, boring. Publisher's Weekly wrote of this book "While many thoughtful observers have wondered whether the war on terror will cost the U.S. its soul, Graff barely scratches the surface of the challenging ideas his intriguing conceit presents."

I couldn't of said it better myself.

[Villa Park Public Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are almost always mixed ratings in our group - often because there is such a range of mystery/suspense styles. Readers who don't like conspiracy theories and ambiguity won't enjoy this book. (Note: most of us mystery readers admit to liking everything tied up neatly and the good guys winning - that's why we read mysteries).

Everyone appreciated Graff's knowledge of and affection for Chicago. Interstingly, the two things that seemed to bother the group the most were his use of full names for his characters and the acceptance of the lack of presidental elections. (No one questioned the hero getting kidnapped and tortured).

We're all looking forward to hearing Keir Graff speak at the Villa Park Public Library on Monday, February 6th at 7pm. His talk, " How I kept My Day Job and Became a Published Author" is part of the Inside Writing and Publishing - DuPage Branch - series. Everyone is welcome. Please register at the checkout desk by calling 630-834-1164.

[Kaite Stover · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best books I read in 2007. Very thought provoking. Suitable for book groups.

[Candy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scary but plausible ... Keir really knows Chicago, and it was fun to see his near future version of the city.

[Ken]

Spooky. It is what is happening in our country right now!