Charade: The True Story of the Coronavirus Crisis

by David Marcus

In March 2020, a pandemic plunged the world into the chaos of an unprecedented global shutdown.

But the chaos behind the scenes was far worse — and more alarming — than anyone realized.

David Marcus, the New York correspondent for The Federalist and a popular writer for the New York Post, draws from exclusive interviews with high-level White House and Trump administration sources to reveal what really happened during one of the strangest upheavals in the world's history--and what it means for the future of America.

Marcus's on-the-ground coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic reveals how an invisible agent forever changed our politics, technology, education, and parenting and fueled a race-related explosion of protest and violence that would dramatically transform the American conscience.

With the world on pause, stunned and isolated Americans were left asking one question: "How did this happen, and when will it end?"

The author of more than 40 coronavirus-related articles and a viral sensation after his May 20th call to reopen New York, Marcus makes use of firsthand accounts, government records, and endless examples of uncorrected news media mistakes to show that the great American lockdown of 2020 was the most spectacular charade of all time.

Genres: Politics

256 pages, Hardcover

Published March 2, 2021

About the author

David Marcus was born in Ireland to Lithuanian Jewish parents. His dual heritage was reflected in his work, including three novels and several collections of short stories and poetry. As well as his own writing, he fostered the talent of other writers as literary editor for The Irish Press (where he ran the "New Irish Writing" page from 1968 to 1986) and as editor of 30 anthologies of Irish short stories and poetry. He was married to the author Ita Daly.

Reviews

[Marcela · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Marcus is a journalist that actually looks back at the timeline of events that took place over the last year. He delves into the actions taken by people in control and debunks many of the "truths" we were told. It's a book that should be read to at least get a different perspective on the last year so you can make up your own mind instead of just believing the party line.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree completely with the premise of this book and appreciate what the author attempts to do here. COVID will always be synonymous with LIES to me, lies that devastated our country far more than the virus itself. What lies am I talking about? Well, this book highlights many of them.

Unfortunately, I found the presentation of the material in this book rather awkward and random, and I seriously wonder if the author employed an editor. The book contained so many grammatical errors, dangling prepositions, and missing words that I almost didn't finish.

However, his conclusion chapter is one of the best I've read about the underpinnings of the dilemma, the part deeper than petty politics and masks. How did our society shift so profoundly from individual liberty to so-called safety at all costs? No doubt, this shift to devaluing individual liberty didn't happen overnight at the onset of a pandemic but has been spreading undetected for years in our institutions and media. The COVID crisis simply brought the transformation to the surface and showed how far we have travel down the road. It seems our collective society will no longer address the most basic human question: what happens when we die? Instead, we grant society/government the job to preserve life indefinitely. This is not a job they are qualified to execute.

Like the author wisely points out: "What is a public health crisis? It is whatever those in power say it is."

[bob osgood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

David Marcus is a journalist. He writes straight and to the point. A great reads and a behind the scene look. On what happened. I highly recommend it.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The worst part of the Covid pandemic is not the disease itself but our reaction to it--not only the government, but also the people themselves who gave up their freedoms so willingly. But the most important part of this book is the conclusion chapter--a must read even if you don't read the rest of the book.

[Glenn Franco Simmons · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some insights that many of us shared. My advice: The author should check himself into a drug/alcohol rehab clinic immediately. His mention of drug and alcohol uses are disturbing. I'm sorry. That's the most I gained from this book.

[Zabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

We all need to read this….puts on paper many things I’ve silently been thinking. Can’t wait for you to shine a spotlight on these vaccines!

[Don Domine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enlightening

[Dave Driver · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Must Read

Whether you end up agreeing with Marcus or not, Charade is an extremely well-written book that must be accounted for.