Billionaire industrialists Sheldon and Richard Haft have an agenda, and they are accustomed to manipulating any system they choose to achieve their goals. When they decide that the U.S. government isn’t serving them or the nation well, they take their machinations to the next level. To the very highest level, in fact. What if the brothers were to take a chunk of their considerable fortune and fund the Angels of Democracy, a group of Good Samaritans near the Mexican border, transforming it into a paramilitary force capable of changing society?
Their untraceable, behind-the-scenes deals yield chaos on the nation’s southern border, upheavals at the highest levels of government, and a new America which reflects their values and vision. Impossible, right?
Mark Spivak is an award-winning writer specializing in wine, spirits, food, restaurants and culinary travel. He is the former wine columnist for The Palm Beach Post, and since 2001 has been the Wine & Spirits Editor for the Palm Beach Media Group. He is the author of two non-fiction books: Iconic Spirits: An Intoxicating History (Lyons Press, 2012) and Moonshine Nation (Lyons Press, 2014), and two novels. His political thriller, The American Crusade, was released by TCK Publishing in April, 2019.
The imagined story of the impeachment of a President. The story is thinly disguised as an alternate history of the Obama administration. Specifically, the conjuring up of a catastrophe (the illegal immigration of Central Americans) by the Koch brothers, eventually leading to the end of the Obama administration. The author uses different names for characters and countries, but it is easy to see who he is referring to. Obama, Biden, the Koch brothers, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan; I found the pseudonyms to be distracting and pointless. The story itself was engaging. It takes a current problem (illegal immigration) and expounds on it. However, the supposed tone deafness of Obama was unrealistic. The lack of intelligence assumed by various Federal agencies in ferreting out the plot seems to be plausible only in right wing circles. This could have been a really thought provoking book, if only it did not rely so much on right wing conspiracy theory so much.
If you like political intrigue, you’ll be fascinated with Impeachment, Mark Spivak’s latest foray into the byzantine, sometimes Machiavellian world of American government with all its machinations.
Hard on the heels of The American Crusade, a barely fictionalized take on the aftermath of 9/11, Impeachment is another dystopian treatment of the political sphere. The title would seem to skip a couple of presidential terms and focus on the attempted removal of Donald Trump from the White House. But there was no skipping: The book segues from the administration of George W. Bush to his successor, Barack Obama, who was Senator Khaleem Atalas in Crusade.
In Impeachment, the primary theme is the corrupt influence of money on the political process. The 2010 Citizens United case, in which the Supreme Court banned limits on political campaign contributions by corporations and labor unions, is a thread that runs throughout. Concomitantly, two brothers, Sheldon and Richard Haft, among the wealthiest industrialists in the country, use their immense resources to effect political and social change that conforms with their right-wing agenda. Now who might this pair be in real life? Think about a homonym for a popular soda pop and an illegal drug.
The Haft brothers work behind the scenes in recruiting an unwitting patriotic and charitable organization to form the Angels of Democracy, which voluntarily will assist the U.S. Border Patrol in curbing illegal immigration at the Southern border. The two men behind the Angels have no idea of the catastrophe that will ensue from their activities, a chaotic situation that spells enormous trouble for the well-meaning President Atalas. Along the way, the agent for the Hafts finds it easy to bribe the head of a Hispanic organization to put out the message to his followers that Atalis’ plan for dealing with the immigrants is contrary to their interests. Tension builds as speculation on the ultimate outcome grows.
Much of the narrative unfolds in the form of political speeches and news reports. Author Mark Spivak, who apparently is a former newspaperman, may have missed his calling as a political speechwriter.
Meanwhile, he delights in revealing to readers the real, often earthy personalities behind the formal personas of politicians. And that, along with the delineation of an admixture of the conniving ways in which some conduct government business while others are more ethically and compassionately oriented, may be the strongest appeal of Impeachment. Its biggest contribution is likely a portrait of government rendered less in blacks and whites than in shades of gray.
Impeachment: A Novel by Mark Spivak has all the elements of an entertaining, engaging and quality novel. It is smartly written and immediately pulls the reader in and takes them on a journey that ranges from the fictional thinking in the oval office, winding through the halls of justice to a revolutionary path located in the Southwest part of the United States.
The writing is very imaginative and yet very realistic as it seems like it parallels the very upheaval that is being experienced in the political arena in the United States during recent years.
The basic premise is billionaire brothers, who are accustomed to having their own way, are focusing on the direction that America seems to be headed. They wish to usher in the winds of change and alter the course of the United States. They are positioned in such a way to facilitate this change and are willing to support the actions needed by investing their financial resources to make sure that their goals are realized. The end result may involve Article 1, section 2 of the Constitution of the United States of America.
Subsequently, a fringe group is formed. These activists take on the name of the Angels of Democracy and begin to weave their integrated plan of action near the border of the United States and Mexico. The aim and goal is to use this formed group into a paramilitary force that will enact the change that these brothers envision.
Impeachment: A Novel by Mark Spivak is a terrific read and very spellbinding. Given the events of the day, my attention was certainly captured with the title and was not disappointed in the way that the book is written and the story line unfolded.
I was hoping for a good follow on to The American Crusade, which I found to be a very absorbing story. Impeachment greatly surpassed expectations. It is even better, probably Spivak’s best effort to date.
I don’t want to get into too much of the plot but it is a real “inside baseball” look at how politics actually works behind the scenes in this day and age. Two billionaire brothers with an agenda start a sequence of events, not traceable back to them, that look harmless enough but take off and disrupt the government right up to the presidential level. It is a fast paced thriller where the action and intrigue don’t stop for a minute.
I was quickly drawn into this book. It is very well written and the speeches and news reporting throughout the book are particularly realistic. It’s the type of read that you don’t put down easily because you really want to see what’s going to happen next, and you develop a growing horror that in today’s world something like this could actually happen. Highly recommended.
Impeachment by Mark Spivak is the political thriller that has been looking forward to reading. Sheldon and Richard Halt, extremely wealthy brothers, are use to running things where they are from. Watching America go in a direction contrary to their desire, they enter the political loop that allows them to see behind the scenes. This only drives them to start their own movement, Angels of Democracy. Can they influence others for good, or will we see another political drive for power and fame?
I enjoyed Impeachment, especially since Mark Spivak gives this political thriller more of a right-winged perspective, which is seldom seen. The story will grab you from the beginning as restricted information unfolds into a master plan the brothers did not see. Their desire to see change is admirable, but realizes they need to keep steps ahead of their advisory. Politics is a touchy subject in our country right now and many would love to see changes made without hidden agendas and favors swapped by politicians.
"Impeachment" by Mark Spivak is one of those stories where readers know it is a work of fiction, but can still see some relevant truths from real life. The two billionaire brothers, Sheldon and Richard Haft, started to realize that the political world was not doing what they wanted. So, being extremely rich (and possibly bored?) they did what other billionaire brothers would do: They set out to pay for change. And boy, they did find it. I ended up liking this book more than I thought I would. I am not usually into books heavy in politics, but this story made it bearable. I am not up to snuff on all previous presidents or anyone high up in the government, but I did get a vibe of certain events that have actually happened that might have influenced parts of the story. I loved the details and the story-telling, and also the characters and the plot. I would recommend this story because, while being a political fiction, it was still entertaining. Loved it!
Impeachment: A Novel by Mark Spivak is not surprisingly quite relevant in this political age. The intersection of big corporate money and politics is not a new phenomenon but seems to pervade politics with rising influence in the current atmosphere. Spivak takes this undercurrent and turns it into an interesting story where billionaire brothers seek to influence and change or simply destroy a president. Part political commentary and part engaging fiction story, this riveting book will keep your interest while you immerse yourself in the upheaval taking place. Immigration forms the foundation as the alternate history story evolves and pulls you along. Powerful people run amok just under the surface in most of politics and this book explores what could possibly happen, and what is likely happening, even now. A great read and one that seems particularly apropos in present times. Highly recommend.
Influence in politics at a new level of twisted logic
This is the story of two brothers who are among the richest people in the world. The combine net worth is over 80 billion dollars and they have considerable influence on the political field according to a recent Forbes magazine article. With a new idea, the brothers begin to fund a group of people based on the southern border and known as the angels of democracy. This group is set on changing society through the highest levels of government. Set as a political thriller, the story will grab your attention and keep you invested in the outcome from the first page. The characters are well developed and the scenes are descriptive. This is a page turner and I found the content to be entertaining and a great read. If you like the possibilities of a political thrill, this is the story for you. Check this one out folks it is worth the read.
Author Mark Spivak tells the story of Sheldon and Richard Haft, two billionaire industrialists who are bent on ensuring their agenda is passed. However, when a new government comes to town, they find that their agenda isn’t getting through as easily as it once did, something which angers them.
Eventually, they come across Angels of Democracy. They decide to try to invest in this group and transform them into a paramilitary organization. After doing so, they can then make them change society into what Sheldon and Richard desire. Over time, drastic changes are made, many of which negatively transform the country.
If you like political fiction stories, this is one to check out. Spivak writes with a captivating style and includes plenty of plot twists and memorable characters that add their own touch to this fascinating story. The book is a little long (it’s 231 pages) but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying it.
I love these types of stories. Political fictions have something catchy right from the start since they almost always include some elements that resemble reality. Richard and Sheldon, the protagonists here, decide to step out of their comfort zone and do something different, something that would have a direct effect on politics and society. The author has been able to craft an amazing piece of literature using clear language, even though political topics are the main ingredients and politics may sound difficult to grasp for some people. However, this is not the case. The storyline unfolds naturally and the author has resorted to the third person to achieve this end. The 48 chapters are easy to follow and straight to the point. The author’s concern about the political system can be glimpsed in the entire book.
An enthusiastic political novel that will keep you hooked throughout the 48 chapters. The award-winning author, Mark Spivak has framed the plot with such clarity that the fiction blends well with reality. What happens when two billionaires intend to influence the political system for their own benefit is the entire theme; the book slowly unfolds into many thrilling events that arrest every reader’s interest. It’s enthralling to watch how the author unapologetically mocks the current political system, with strong writing and an engaging plot. I must say the characters are strongly crafted, most of the time it appears to reflect light on what is real and that truly ignites the senses of the reader. “Political fiction thrillers” like this are truly intriguing and spellbinding. A must-read for anyone who is fascinated by the political genre.
I think this whole story takes on a different flavor depending on your outlook on life. I thought it almost satirical at times but then a few people I know might say I am a skeptical non-trusting personality. Sometimes we see satire in everything. I must be honest about the genre (s) of this book...There were times I caught myself beginning to slip in and out of them. Sometimes I could have sworn I was reading fiction and at others I was reading a real-life non-fiction book. Some of this was caused by very realistic scenes and overall descriptive writing. At other times I caught myself hoping with all my heart that the big money politics and the dialog was fictional. Somehow this all fell together in an exceptionally good political thriller. Well-written and hard to put down.
It's been a while that I haven't read a political book and reading this book Impeachment by Mark Spivak gave me a different reading experience. The book is packed with political intrigue that I see in the real world most of the time. Reading this book kind of reminded me of the things that are happening these days and it couldn't be denied that the story of this book is spot-on reality-based.
The writing style of the author was good, however there are times when I get a bit lost due to the political terms that I haven't encountered before. Other than that, it was a pretty good book with a unique plot and unforgettable characters. I loved the series of events happened in this book especially how it all turned out in the last parts.
Impeachment is a great political novel written by Mark Spivak, a talented American author. It is precisely about American politics that the plot is about. Two wealthy industrialists are determined to achieve their goals and would destroy any political authority to do so. The chaotic and dramatic scenes are so well described that fiction and reality becomes blurred. Although the dialogues are fast-paced, every detail has been put into play for a reason. The storyline unfolds with suspense and mystery creating, in this way, an absorbing thriller. It is written for an adult audience and I would say that whether they are into politics or not they are going to be immersed in the plot anyway. I enjoyed reading it very much and I would strongly recommend it!
At the top of the scale. This is a novel that presents some millionaires, the enormous power they have and how they manipulate people and the system to achieve their objectives. Taking advantage of a militant group who has clear aims but not money, these powerful people find the way to develop their plans without being left exposed.
Although this is a fictional novel, I felt as I was reading about historical true events or about facts that may be happening nowadays. It captured my attention from the beginning, but I think that I would have enjoyed it more if it had been a bit clearer and more organized. All in all, I recognize the excellent job the author did creating the characters.
Impeachment is a novel by Mark Spivak that tells the story about billionaire brothers who are accustomed to having their own way using influence money. This novel is a political one, but if you are not a fan of politics, it is very easy to understand and gives a bigger picture of what is actually happening when it comes to money and power. The characters are amazing, they are written with so much accuracy that readers would think it is a real story, but it is not. Spivak did his research because I ended up learning a lot about the political American system just by reading this book. It is filled with drama and manipulation, so I kept wondering what would happen next. A really good book!
The characters in this novel are reminiscent of recent history…a parallel universe and the perfect story for 2020 where though nothing seems to fit, all comes together in a perverse, familiar political way.
In this day and age, the idea of political operatives masterminding a plot to upstage a sitting president is not outside the realm of the imagination. Spivak’s characters are true to life as are the structures in which they operate. Press reports and reporters are used successfully to forward the narrative of the story. An understanding of government and its innerworkings make this story a little too true to life. Well woven, intriguing, and a quick read.
“Impeachment” is a political fiction written by Mark Spivak.
What I liked about this novel is that it mocks reality: although it is a fiction, I found certain aspects which are (intentionally?) similar to reality.
The story is about two brothers and business partners that own a billionaire company and who are used to buying everything -and everyone- they need in order to satisfy their whims. In one opportunity, the brothers go too far. Playing God might turn out to be dangerous for the entire country.
Although I often find political novels a little bit boring, this one is worth reading. I recommend it to adults who are eager to find a good weekend read.
A compelling novel Mark Spivak has penned a compelling and action-packed novel. “Impeachment” narrates two brothers´ life and the way they cope with their fortune to change society. It has a very interesting plot full of surprises, chaos, and craftiness among brothers. I was glued to the pages for one afternoon. The characters are complex, well-developed, and very dynamic which make the plot more vivid and entertaining. This is possible with the author´s exquisite writing style. At some point, throughout the reading, I felt identified with one of the brothers, and at some other point, with the other. This novel is a definitely a must-read story. I highly recommend it!
Searching in my head and trying to remember, I think I had never read a novel where current affairs and political problems looked so real, as in this one. I really liked this intriguing work of literature, where reality and fiction are mixed in a unique way. “Impeachment” is a compelling novel written by Mark Spivak. This work of fiction tells the story of Sheldon and Richard Haft, two brothers used to manipulating the system for their own benefit. But everything changes when they run into the Angels of Democracy, a group of Good Samaritans. Chaos and many problems await these brothers. Without doubt, I highly recommend this reading very much.
“Impeachment” written by Mark Spivak, is a political novel that was really captivating as soon as I read the prologue. I liked how the author set the time and place, making it easy for readers to imagine the exact moment when things are happening. I would have liked it to be a bit longer, I felt I read it non stop and finished it quite quickly. It is the story of two brothers, Sheldon and Richard Haft, who are used to manipulating the system and when things are not as they want, they plan to finance a group into a paramilitary force who can change society. I recommend reading this novel because it is really enjoyable.
I think it is quite appropriate that author Mark Spivak mentions in the book cover that this is “a Novel”. While going through its pages, many times I thought I was reading a newspaper or a political analysis. The line between reality and fiction is sometimes really thin. “Impeachment” is definitively a fiction but it has so many realistic and well described scenes that it made me doubt. Actually, I sincerely hoped that this wonderful political thriller was not too inspired in real facts, because of the troublesome and intricate plot! Anyhow, the writer did an excellent job establishing a witty tone and a sometimes satirical atmosphere for the engaging story.
I was going on vacations and a good friend of mine recommended me this book as I always enjoy a good read, and I was definitely not disappointed with this one. Impeachment literally had me on the edge of my seat the whole time I was reading it. This book has an excellent plot, great characters and realistic events, that make readers feel like they are reading a real-life story. I found myself saying, just one more chapter, then the next thing I knew was that I've been up all night reading! Mark Spiva definitely knows how to write a good story and I look forward to reading more from this incredible author very soon!
“Impeachment” is an amazing thriller book. I really liked the original idea because it involves a lot of themes. It tells the story of Sheldon and Richard Haft, two billionaires, who met a group called the Angels of Democracy and manipulated them to incite chaos that reached the government in order to change society. I loved the "can't-put-it-down" feeling of the tense plotline and the twists that make me want to take the book everywhere I go. This is the type of novel that masterfully incites panic into me, I mean, worrying about the characters and desperately needing to know what happens next. The author makes reading really fun and that is why I highly recommend this masterpiece.
Although a book should not be judged by the cover, it was what made me choose this read. Impeachment is a middle length book written by Mark Spivak, award winning author.
This novel is very well written; it has clear well developed characters and dialogues that are really believable. The author did a great job here with all that. Moreover, his narrative is light and I felt like I could keep on reading for hours.
Reading about SHeldon and Richard was really interesting; their personalities and ambitions were really well depicted. I recommend reading this novel without a doubt.
For those who love a detailed political story, this book will be a draw. The imagined power of big money in politics and well placed contacts in the political realm is slightly terrifying and yet given the world today, totally imaginable. That being said, this was not a book I enjoyed. If I wasn't committed to getting my feedback percentage up on Netgalley, I would have marked this as a DNF. The book started with laying a completely parallel political system to the Obama White House in 2012. I found this premise a little bit lazy. I also didn't love the style- there was no constant narrator or perspective to the story and no characters to root for. I also found that all of the pieces of the plan falling into place so seamlessly was just a bit too good to be true. I give it one star.
I received an ARC from Netgalley and Blacklight Press in exchange for my honest review.
"I looked forward to this book after reading Mark Spivak's last novel, The American Crusade, and I wasn't disappointed. The novel is very relevant to today's events, and gives a behind-the-scenes look at the way the system really works. I thought that immigration was a great point of focus. I particularly liked the insights into the Haft brothers' manipulations---I'm sure all of it is probably true, although I hate to think so. All in all, this is a great read and highly recommended."
I didn't realize this book would be so relevant to current events and the political climate. It was an easy/ fast read and I really wanted to see how everything played out. It is a great reminder we need to stay informed and not react to sensationalism. Where power and money are concerned, there are always people both trying to manipulate the system (and this case our vote). We like to think personally we're too smart for this, but that's most likely naive.
*disclosure: I worked closely on this book while in production at Blacklight Press, an imprint of City of Light Publishing*
Though I’ve resigned from my position as partner, I’m proud to have worked with this author, and many others, to release this book as part of the launch of the Blacklight Press imprint