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Election 2064 #1
Election 2064: Book One
"History doesn't repeat itself. It outdoes itself."
- Acton Granger, 54th President of the United States.
Nearly five decades from now, America is finding its legs again after years of bitter conflict. Civ-2, as the Second Civil War came to be known, turned many of the nation's cities into battlefields and took millions of lives. Early in the 2060 campaign, Reformation League candidate Acton Granger made an unprecedented concession – in the tradition of Washington and Adams at the nation's outset, he would forego a running mate and offer the vice presidency to his chief rival, whomever that may become. It was a gesture of unity that rocketed Granger to victory. Still stinging from defeat, the Conservative League’s Elijah Schroeder chose to swallow his pride and accept Granger’s offer, alienating his own supporters and political allies in the process.
Now two years into their fragile partnership, the 2064 campaign looms, and Elijah learns his selection was more complicated than the call for healing he and the country were led to believe. He must decide whether to continue toiling as a false symbol of harmony or turn against the man who is now his boss and leader of the free world.
Meanwhile, other national figures emerge with their own designs on the election, from the Freedom League’s rebellious darling Shelby Monroe to the Progressive League's technology mogul Ben Allen, who could become the country’s first gay president.
As each contender charts their strategies and campaigning begins, a terrorist attack – orchestrated by a new, terrifying weapon – rocks the nation and turns all of their candidacies upside-down. That is, all of them but one.
This is the first volume in the Election 2064 series.
- Acton Granger, 54th President of the United States.
Nearly five decades from now, America is finding its legs again after years of bitter conflict. Civ-2, as the Second Civil War came to be known, turned many of the nation's cities into battlefields and took millions of lives. Early in the 2060 campaign, Reformation League candidate Acton Granger made an unprecedented concession – in the tradition of Washington and Adams at the nation's outset, he would forego a running mate and offer the vice presidency to his chief rival, whomever that may become. It was a gesture of unity that rocketed Granger to victory. Still stinging from defeat, the Conservative League’s Elijah Schroeder chose to swallow his pride and accept Granger’s offer, alienating his own supporters and political allies in the process.
Now two years into their fragile partnership, the 2064 campaign looms, and Elijah learns his selection was more complicated than the call for healing he and the country were led to believe. He must decide whether to continue toiling as a false symbol of harmony or turn against the man who is now his boss and leader of the free world.
Meanwhile, other national figures emerge with their own designs on the election, from the Freedom League’s rebellious darling Shelby Monroe to the Progressive League's technology mogul Ben Allen, who could become the country’s first gay president.
As each contender charts their strategies and campaigning begins, a terrorist attack – orchestrated by a new, terrifying weapon – rocks the nation and turns all of their candidacies upside-down. That is, all of them but one.
This is the first volume in the Election 2064 series.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 13, 2017
59 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Scott McDermott
2 books6 followersScott McDermott lives in Virginia Beach with his wife and two furballs. You can find him on Twitter @DudeWhoWrites
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 20, 2017
Really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next installment to come out! Politics and sci-fri are not normally my favorite genres to read, but this story was engaging and kept me hooked with lots of action and quite a few surprising twists. Highly recommended!
November 12, 2017
This is quite a story. I’m inclined to call it dystopian because it has a lot of the elements of that genre, specifically a political slant that looks at a current direction some are advocating or trying to take the country and projects the slippery slope of going too far that way. In this case that direction is using what’s often described as “big data” to predict how voters will react to certain things and politicians positioning their campaigns based on that. (Google “Robert Mercer” if you’re interested in learning more about this.) However, dystopian usually implies the opposite of a utopia, a world you wouldn’t want to live in. The US in 2064 when this story takes place is no utopia, but it isn’t a dystopia either. But the questions and concerns it raises if you read between the lines aren’t much different from what you’d expect in the dystopian genre. Maybe it’s dystopian lite as well as being a political thriller set in the not-so-distant future.
Those tuned in to the current political landscape will spot other similarities in this future world the author has imagined. But there are also some significant differences that are interesting food for thought, for example there have been changes that have happened, moving from a two-party system to a multi-party system with the parties called “leagues.” How politicians and voters react due to the recent second Civil War and some changes in the political divisions in the country (there are now something like 75 states) are a few of the changes.
Overall, I found this story a satisfying and thought-provoking read in the same way a well-done dystopian novel might be, but also with the same intensity that would come from a good political thriller. If you like one or the other, this should do. If you’re a fan of both genres, what are you waiting for? My only complaint is the cliffhanger ending which has left me wondering when book two will be out. I’m ready now.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
Those tuned in to the current political landscape will spot other similarities in this future world the author has imagined. But there are also some significant differences that are interesting food for thought, for example there have been changes that have happened, moving from a two-party system to a multi-party system with the parties called “leagues.” How politicians and voters react due to the recent second Civil War and some changes in the political divisions in the country (there are now something like 75 states) are a few of the changes.
Overall, I found this story a satisfying and thought-provoking read in the same way a well-done dystopian novel might be, but also with the same intensity that would come from a good political thriller. If you like one or the other, this should do. If you’re a fan of both genres, what are you waiting for? My only complaint is the cliffhanger ending which has left me wondering when book two will be out. I’m ready now.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
June 9, 2017
Review Number 144:
This review is on Election 2064: Book One by Scott McDermott. This is the first book I have read by this new author.
The book begins with a Prologue dated April 14, 2063. A man is in the hospital with his wife at his side. We soon learn he is the 54th President of the United States and is gravely ill. His name is Acton Granger. His wife’s name is Doctor Susannah Harper. They met in similar circumstances many years ago in a hospital when Acton was wounded in the war. They fell in love and the rest, they say, is history.
Each Chapter is dated at different times during the President’s life, mostly during his campaign for President. The times are difficult. The country has just ended another Civil War (Civ-2) in which millions died. The two party system has been replaced with multiple parties, each representing a different philosophy of government for the country. Acton Granger is the leader of the Reformation league. He won the Electoral College and was just beginning to implement his programs when he fell ill for no apparent reason.
The country is divided, polarized. Sound familiar? Parties, or Leagues as they are called now, compete against each other for government rule during elections. In order to win, Leagues must cooperate with each other to win the Electorate. Acton Granger promised something unusual during his campaign. If he won, he would choose the runner up “in the tradition of Washington and Adams” for the second highest office in the nation. Thus, Elijah Schroeder of the Conservative League became Acton Granger’s Vice President.
This story is unusual in the sense it mirrors the current political situation in the United States, but extrapolates what might happen in the near future if things do not change. The parallels are striking as the story unfolds. The characters get caught up in conspiracy and intrigue that threaten the lives of all involved and the future of the nation.
I give this book Five Stars because the story is bold in concept, unique and original with exceptional plot twists and storyline. The writing style and dialogue are excellent, fast paced and easy to read; hard to believe this is a debut author. The futuristic technology used to determine polling results, candidate publicity, reading panos, weapons and other devices is realistic and believable. The story ends as it started with a set of new questions to be resolved. I look forward to reading the sequel to find out what happens next.
Keep reading good science fiction and let me know when you find an interesting novel or author.
This review is on Election 2064: Book One by Scott McDermott. This is the first book I have read by this new author.
The book begins with a Prologue dated April 14, 2063. A man is in the hospital with his wife at his side. We soon learn he is the 54th President of the United States and is gravely ill. His name is Acton Granger. His wife’s name is Doctor Susannah Harper. They met in similar circumstances many years ago in a hospital when Acton was wounded in the war. They fell in love and the rest, they say, is history.
Each Chapter is dated at different times during the President’s life, mostly during his campaign for President. The times are difficult. The country has just ended another Civil War (Civ-2) in which millions died. The two party system has been replaced with multiple parties, each representing a different philosophy of government for the country. Acton Granger is the leader of the Reformation league. He won the Electoral College and was just beginning to implement his programs when he fell ill for no apparent reason.
The country is divided, polarized. Sound familiar? Parties, or Leagues as they are called now, compete against each other for government rule during elections. In order to win, Leagues must cooperate with each other to win the Electorate. Acton Granger promised something unusual during his campaign. If he won, he would choose the runner up “in the tradition of Washington and Adams” for the second highest office in the nation. Thus, Elijah Schroeder of the Conservative League became Acton Granger’s Vice President.
This story is unusual in the sense it mirrors the current political situation in the United States, but extrapolates what might happen in the near future if things do not change. The parallels are striking as the story unfolds. The characters get caught up in conspiracy and intrigue that threaten the lives of all involved and the future of the nation.
I give this book Five Stars because the story is bold in concept, unique and original with exceptional plot twists and storyline. The writing style and dialogue are excellent, fast paced and easy to read; hard to believe this is a debut author. The futuristic technology used to determine polling results, candidate publicity, reading panos, weapons and other devices is realistic and believable. The story ends as it started with a set of new questions to be resolved. I look forward to reading the sequel to find out what happens next.
Keep reading good science fiction and let me know when you find an interesting novel or author.
March 8, 2017
McDermott delivers a political sci-fri thriller that reminds me of a Crichton novel. And I loooove Chricton.
His attention to detail not only to the political processes, but also how technology might operate in the future adds validity to the story.
The character development was thorough and engaging, allowing the reader to easily keep up with multiple story lines.
I simply cannot wait for the next installment of this series!
His attention to detail not only to the political processes, but also how technology might operate in the future adds validity to the story.
The character development was thorough and engaging, allowing the reader to easily keep up with multiple story lines.
I simply cannot wait for the next installment of this series!
June 22, 2017
I love politics and I love science fiction set in the near future so I was excited to dive into this novel. And I wasn't disappointed...it's a fast paced thriller with strong characters and lots of action. And best of all, it really makes you think about what may lie ahead for our country. Definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
June 18, 2019
Dystopian sci-fi set in future U.S. is magnificent!
Outstanding writing about the U.S. after an event brings us a new way of communicating, gathering news & a new political system. The lengths people go & the emotions that propel them to pursue their goals are thought provoking! Already downloaded book two!
Outstanding writing about the U.S. after an event brings us a new way of communicating, gathering news & a new political system. The lengths people go & the emotions that propel them to pursue their goals are thought provoking! Already downloaded book two!
September 20, 2017
Can't wait for Book 2
Well written and plotted, I have been looking for a good political read and found it here. I am really looking forward to the next installment.
Well written and plotted, I have been looking for a good political read and found it here. I am really looking forward to the next installment.
March 2, 2017
It was a great book. Hopefully it's not a glimpse of elections yet to come :). I am definitely looking forward to future books in the series.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews