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The Internet President: None of the Above
--Winner "Cross Genre" Category 2018 American Fiction Awards--
[Audiobook narrated by Grammy-winning Stefan Rudnicki and award-winning Gabrielle De Cuir.]
Part action comedy, part political thriller, this unconventional story will keep you guessing.
"One of the most original and creative stories I have read in a very long time."
--Goodreads reader with over 1,500 ratings!
James Wong built a billion-dollar software company with childhood friend Maria Cortez, but a shady investor stole their company. In a video game, James would defeat the villain with a power-up. Maria tells him there aren't power-ups in real life, but James finds the ultimate power-up watching TV in a bar: become president. Making important life decisions in a bar, what could go wrong?
Could the most viral videos ever get a non-politician elected president? When James and Maria land their own reality TV show, they try to answer that question. They must uncover secrets about their company and themselves, as the world falls apart around them. It will take every ounce of Maria's strength and every crazy idea James can muster to get their company back. Can they survive the chaos of reality TV, the corruption of Washington, and the dark forces aligned against them?
What readers are saying:
"More funny moments than last 20 books I've read before this book."
"A thriller in every meaning of the word. If you enjoy action books at all, or if you just want some form of fictional closure on the baffling mess that was the 2016 election, I cannot recommend this book highly enough."
-- Official Review, Online Book Club (4 out of 4 stars rating)
"The story keeps you guessing and in the third act the intrigue and politics give way to a conclusion full of heart-pounding action."
"There's a surprise around every corner--be prepared to laugh, cry and for your heart to race."
"Thrilling pacing and breakthrough concepts leaves the reader seared in thought."
Background:
When I began writing the book in 2014, I was afraid that many of my ridiculous subplots, like a presidential candidate with his own reality TV show, were too hard to believe. Then Trump ran for president, and the book became more plausible by the day. When events similar to my book began to happen during the 2016 election cycle, it got so weird that I stopped reading the news. When I went back later to research the "Fact Versus Fiction" section after the ending, I found even more events similar to the book had happened.
[Audiobook narrated by Grammy-winning Stefan Rudnicki and award-winning Gabrielle De Cuir.]
Part action comedy, part political thriller, this unconventional story will keep you guessing.
"One of the most original and creative stories I have read in a very long time."
--Goodreads reader with over 1,500 ratings!
James Wong built a billion-dollar software company with childhood friend Maria Cortez, but a shady investor stole their company. In a video game, James would defeat the villain with a power-up. Maria tells him there aren't power-ups in real life, but James finds the ultimate power-up watching TV in a bar: become president. Making important life decisions in a bar, what could go wrong?
Could the most viral videos ever get a non-politician elected president? When James and Maria land their own reality TV show, they try to answer that question. They must uncover secrets about their company and themselves, as the world falls apart around them. It will take every ounce of Maria's strength and every crazy idea James can muster to get their company back. Can they survive the chaos of reality TV, the corruption of Washington, and the dark forces aligned against them?
What readers are saying:
"More funny moments than last 20 books I've read before this book."
"A thriller in every meaning of the word. If you enjoy action books at all, or if you just want some form of fictional closure on the baffling mess that was the 2016 election, I cannot recommend this book highly enough."
-- Official Review, Online Book Club (4 out of 4 stars rating)
"The story keeps you guessing and in the third act the intrigue and politics give way to a conclusion full of heart-pounding action."
"There's a surprise around every corner--be prepared to laugh, cry and for your heart to race."
"Thrilling pacing and breakthrough concepts leaves the reader seared in thought."
Background:
When I began writing the book in 2014, I was afraid that many of my ridiculous subplots, like a presidential candidate with his own reality TV show, were too hard to believe. Then Trump ran for president, and the book became more plausible by the day. When events similar to my book began to happen during the 2016 election cycle, it got so weird that I stopped reading the news. When I went back later to research the "Fact Versus Fiction" section after the ending, I found even more events similar to the book had happened.
- GenresFiction
625 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 18, 2018
About the author
P.G. Sundling
2 books16 followersP. G. Sundling is a life-long storyteller who shifted from screenplays to novels. He also worked in technology for twenty-four years, including at UCLA and multiple Fortune 500 entertainment companies, and was part of a team that won PC Magazine's Editor's Choice Award for Best Virtual Desktop. He writes full-time in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 16, 2022
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A total polemic. An eeeeevillll CEO executes a hostile takeover, fires the founder of the company, and sexually harasses his friend, who is cursed with beauty.
The founder uses his high tech knowledge to run for POTUS.
I'd call it comicbook like, but Superman is actually more believable.
A total polemic. An eeeeevillll CEO executes a hostile takeover, fires the founder of the company, and sexually harasses his friend, who is cursed with beauty.
The founder uses his high tech knowledge to run for POTUS.
I'd call it comicbook like, but Superman is actually more believable.
Did Not Finish
November 9, 2025I received my copy of this book via Goodreads giveaway, which has no influence on my review.
I really have no major quibbles with the book, other than I don't think I'm the target audience.
I like my characters to feel like humans (even when they're aliens, or rabbits, or undead), but these felt more like caricatures than characters. It felt like the jokes were trying too hard to land, and they just weren't (for me, at least).
I stopped at 8% in, but the book had been well edited to that point. This is possibly a case of, "It's not you, it's me."
DNFed at 8%.
I really have no major quibbles with the book, other than I don't think I'm the target audience.
I like my characters to feel like humans (even when they're aliens, or rabbits, or undead), but these felt more like caricatures than characters. It felt like the jokes were trying too hard to land, and they just weren't (for me, at least).
I stopped at 8% in, but the book had been well edited to that point. This is possibly a case of, "It's not you, it's me."
DNFed at 8%.
May 4, 2019
Interesting
I had difficulty reading this book because of the drama. Immature drama. Prepubescent drama. Then I came upon this at the start of a new chapter and thought this is "warning" Are you kidding me?
Warning: This chapter covers controversial topics: immigration and race relations. It recounts historical events and terminology that may be upsetting to some readers.
Oh dear Lord. Do you know that Chapter was the best one in the whole book. It gave facts, exposed cover-ups and government interference.
None is an idiot. MJ is the only one who seems to have her head on her shoulders. None made quite a mockery of the Presidency.
I am debating if I like this book or not. Yes, it was entertaining. I was glued to my kindle. But then there was the None factor where he was only interested in his love life. His actions bordered on prepubescent behavior throughout the book. He had a country to run. Not get laid.
Will I read the next book? Only if MJ is President. None needs to go back to coding.
I had difficulty reading this book because of the drama. Immature drama. Prepubescent drama. Then I came upon this at the start of a new chapter and thought this is "warning" Are you kidding me?
Warning: This chapter covers controversial topics: immigration and race relations. It recounts historical events and terminology that may be upsetting to some readers.
Oh dear Lord. Do you know that Chapter was the best one in the whole book. It gave facts, exposed cover-ups and government interference.
None is an idiot. MJ is the only one who seems to have her head on her shoulders. None made quite a mockery of the Presidency.
I am debating if I like this book or not. Yes, it was entertaining. I was glued to my kindle. But then there was the None factor where he was only interested in his love life. His actions bordered on prepubescent behavior throughout the book. He had a country to run. Not get laid.
Will I read the next book? Only if MJ is President. None needs to go back to coding.
August 21, 2019
This was one of the most original and creative stories I have read in a very long time, I really loved how it seamed to coincide with things that have actually happened in real life, the characters are all original and believable as though they just jump of the pages like your watching a movie, or seeing it happen in real life, the story has all sorts of twists and turns and keeps you involved in the story from the very first page, this is a book that I would highly recommend you read no matter what type of genre your normally into reading!! A Special Thank you to the author for giving me the opportunity to read this amazing story!
May 3, 2018
This book holds your attention through action, excitement, humor and even romance.That pretty much covers everyone’s tastes! There’s a surprise around every corner—be prepared to laugh, cry and for your heart to race. Childhood friends are co-owners of a company when they get the shaft. They enter the race for the Presidency and Vice Presidency. What will happen next? Do they win? Do the friends become lovers? Read it and find out! It’s fascinating and I couldn’t put it down. Looking so forward to reading the next book of the series.
October 3, 2018
This book starts with a candidate who approaches the presidential race with a very unusual strategy. The book then quickly thrusts the two main characters into a world of corporate double-dealing, political intrigue and fast-paced action. Sundling deftly moves his characters between genres. At one moment they may be knee deep in international affairs and in the next moving quickly to counter a corporate villain with access to devastating military technology. The story keeps you guessing and in the third act the intrigue and politics give way to a conclusion full of heart-pounding action.
July 10, 2018
Excellent read with chilling similarities to life
This book is complete fiction. But it's unintentional similarities to recent and current events is scary. Very believable. An excellent and thought provoking book. Funny in places, but it will make you think too. Best book I've read recently.
This book is complete fiction. But it's unintentional similarities to recent and current events is scary. Very believable. An excellent and thought provoking book. Funny in places, but it will make you think too. Best book I've read recently.
May 21, 2019
To be honest, I didn't get past the 3rd chapter. It was corny. It starts off with a sale of a company, and a tycoon swindles two start-up partners out of the company in a move that leaves them without money. I didn't get much further than that. It's definitely not my style of writing. I'm sure others who like this type of books would disagree.
April 26, 2018
Punchy, funny, highly improbable and yet strangely possible. I rarely read fiction these days but I will finish his book.
April 22, 2018
WOW! This book is all that and a bag of chips ;-) Once i started reading this book I couldn't put it down. Yep there are politics, but it NOT biased to either side. It really is about 2 best friends getting back their company that was stolen from them. They just go on a VERY different direction to get their company back. Its original, hilarious, thrilling, unpredictable , action packed, enticing, very entertaining and has romance! I truly enjoyed this book and it actually gave me some hope that such an idea could work. I will be rereading this til it can't load no more! Can’t wait for book 2
June 2, 2019
I received this book through Goodreads giveaways.
Lots of thoughts (too many perhaps) on politics and economics cleverly woven. There is even a clever explanation for lengthy exposition of ideas - the character is a nerd, what can you expect? Well, to be honest, I would hope for fewer classroom lectures, tighter editing (the book could be quite a bit shorter with no harm done), and some ebb and flow. I give it 3 1/2 stars for the plot.
Lots of thoughts (too many perhaps) on politics and economics cleverly woven. There is even a clever explanation for lengthy exposition of ideas - the character is a nerd, what can you expect? Well, to be honest, I would hope for fewer classroom lectures, tighter editing (the book could be quite a bit shorter with no harm done), and some ebb and flow. I give it 3 1/2 stars for the plot.
May 13, 2018
One of the best novels I have read in years.
Riveting. Funny. WITTY. Page turner. Suspense, action! Never a dull moment, and very ironic in similarities to current things happening with the American presidency. READ THIS BOOK.
You will LAUGH. And then wonder WTF?
Riveting. Funny. WITTY. Page turner. Suspense, action! Never a dull moment, and very ironic in similarities to current things happening with the American presidency. READ THIS BOOK.
You will LAUGH. And then wonder WTF?
May 13, 2019
Interesting read
May 23, 2019
Brilliant!
July 3, 2019
I received this book through a good reads giveaway (Thanks!). It wasn't something I'd typically read but I'm glad I gave it a try. The plot was very interesting, with how the world is changing and everything revolves around technology and the internet. The book had a little bit of everything, not just politics, which I liked! I gave a 3 star rating because I thought it could have been a lot shorter, some chapters seemed to drag on. But overall, definitely an interesting read!!
June 1, 2019
Thank you to author P. G. Sunderling for this Kindle copy of his book The Internet President: None of the Above. Thanks also to Goodreads for hosting the opportunity.
A fun read. A little too much for my taste and a bit too long, but a fun read. Silly, humorous at times, the underlying story mirrors the real world if you think about it - although a hard thing to do for most.
A fun read. A little too much for my taste and a bit too long, but a fun read. Silly, humorous at times, the underlying story mirrors the real world if you think about it - although a hard thing to do for most.
October 30, 2019
The Internet President: None of the Above by P.G. Sundling is book 1 of None of the Above Series. It is a fiction series. It is similar to some recent history. It has excitment,adventure, humor, and suspense. It keeps your interest. It will be interesting to see what the next book in the series brings.
I received a copy thru a Goodreads giveaways.
I received a copy thru a Goodreads giveaways.
April 27, 2022
DNF @ 31%
I’m really not in the mood to properly flesh out a review for this train-wreck just now, but I did take the time to take notes while I was reading it, so for now at least I’ll post the notes here in lieu of an actual review.
Summary:
1st act - Begins with Wong losing the billion dollar start up company he built because he didn’t get an adequate lawyer.
His car gets repossessed, so they go to a weird science-y bar to think over their options, where he sees some political ads and decides to that becoming president will make him powerful enough to take back his company. He goes viral in his introduction video for his candidacy and legally changes his name to complement his slogan/goals/“political platform”.
2nd act - He ropes his brother into going on a road trip with his friend to legally apply for the candidacy.
3rd act - he wins the presidency (despite some others’ attempts to prevent it)
Thoughts:
Written in presesnt tense (ugh).
Begins from Maria’s point of view (which i didn’t expect given the blurb).
Reads easily enough (at least in the beginning); it’s not dense and the tone is fairly playful and informal.
Reads like it was set in the 90’s (evidence pending - some of the slang in chapter 1, the dated video game knowledge, the joke about making the man act like a dog that i used to see on tv in the 90’s/early 2000s, bad jokes, makes 3rd wave feminism seem strange and new, steampunk).
Offensive stereotypes.
By 1/3 of the way in it starts to read like a sociology text book because for every question asked James backtracks with a short history lesson, statistics and aphorisms to emphasize his point. After he wins it reads more like an econ text book.
In action scenes he cuts his sentences to be as short as possible and almost exclusively uses one line paragraphs to boost the impact by placing the reader more in the moment. It works well with his writing style which already favours shorter, simple sentences.
Too much colloquialism and jargon - it obfuscates what he’s trying to say sometimes.
Errors:
1. “He shoves a laptop and everything Maria took off him last night into his backpack”. (Pg. 38, ch.5)
2. “Someone has to protect you, while your avatar floats off in imagination land.” (Pg. 41, ch. 6)
3. “Dressed so formal, he looks out of place.” (Pg. 87, ch 20)
4. “Benefits corporations consider the impact of their decisions on society, not just shareholders.” (Ph. 142, ch. 31)
5. “Astrid groupies, her Glitter Girls, line the front rows on the faint hope they might see their goddess, a hope None dashed in the dressing room.” (Pg. 145, ch. 33)
Though I couldn’t get through it I decided 2 stars were fair because it could’ve been worse.
I’m really not in the mood to properly flesh out a review for this train-wreck just now, but I did take the time to take notes while I was reading it, so for now at least I’ll post the notes here in lieu of an actual review.
Summary:
1st act - Begins with Wong losing the billion dollar start up company he built because he didn’t get an adequate lawyer.
His car gets repossessed, so they go to a weird science-y bar to think over their options, where he sees some political ads and decides to that becoming president will make him powerful enough to take back his company. He goes viral in his introduction video for his candidacy and legally changes his name to complement his slogan/goals/“political platform”.
2nd act - He ropes his brother into going on a road trip with his friend to legally apply for the candidacy.
3rd act - he wins the presidency (despite some others’ attempts to prevent it)
Thoughts:
Written in presesnt tense (ugh).
Begins from Maria’s point of view (which i didn’t expect given the blurb).
Reads easily enough (at least in the beginning); it’s not dense and the tone is fairly playful and informal.
Reads like it was set in the 90’s (evidence pending - some of the slang in chapter 1, the dated video game knowledge, the joke about making the man act like a dog that i used to see on tv in the 90’s/early 2000s, bad jokes, makes 3rd wave feminism seem strange and new, steampunk).
Offensive stereotypes.
By 1/3 of the way in it starts to read like a sociology text book because for every question asked James backtracks with a short history lesson, statistics and aphorisms to emphasize his point. After he wins it reads more like an econ text book.
In action scenes he cuts his sentences to be as short as possible and almost exclusively uses one line paragraphs to boost the impact by placing the reader more in the moment. It works well with his writing style which already favours shorter, simple sentences.
Too much colloquialism and jargon - it obfuscates what he’s trying to say sometimes.
Errors:
1. “He shoves a laptop and everything Maria took off him last night into his backpack”. (Pg. 38, ch.5)
2. “Someone has to protect you, while your avatar floats off in imagination land.” (Pg. 41, ch. 6)
3. “Dressed so formal, he looks out of place.” (Pg. 87, ch 20)
4. “Benefits corporations consider the impact of their decisions on society, not just shareholders.” (Ph. 142, ch. 31)
5. “Astrid groupies, her Glitter Girls, line the front rows on the faint hope they might see their goddess, a hope None dashed in the dressing room.” (Pg. 145, ch. 33)
Though I couldn’t get through it I decided 2 stars were fair because it could’ve been worse.
July 30, 2020
I rated it 3 out of 4 stars on Online Book Club. See my full review here https://onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by...
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews