Foresight

by R. Gregory Lande

Nadene anxiously opened a letter from the Foresight Education Committee. With a sigh, she quickly scanned the contents and frowned as the document’s impersonal tone demanded mandatory training. In a near-future dystopian world, government authorities decided that human memories, emotions, and pain were barriers to social progress. With the accidental discovery of a chemical substance government leaders now had the means to shape society. In this post-apocalyptic world, two families grapple with the government’s proposal to administer the chemical to their children.

257 pages, ebook

Published December 22, 2021

About the author

R. Gregory Lande, DO is a graduate of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine. After receiving his medical degree, Dr. Lande joined the US Army and completed a twenty year career in recognition of which he received the Legion of Merit Award. Following his military service Dr. Lande's active professional career turned to successive state, federal, and private work at all levels including administrative, clinical, academic, and research activities. Dr. Lande specializes in adult psychiatry, forensic psychiatry, and addiction medicine. Dr. Lande is a past president of the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine and continues to actively support their mission. In addition to his medical career, Dr. Lande is an independent history scholar. His interest in historical research focuses on the human side of America's Civil War era and his latest book, "Spiritualism in the American Civil War," is a continued effort in that direction. Previous books include the "Psychological Consequences of the American Civil War", "The Abraham Man: Madness, Malingering, and the Development of Medical Testimony", and "Madness, Malingering & Malfeasance: The Transformation of Psychiatry and the Law in the Civil War Era". A sampling of journal articles include "Felo De Se: Soldier suicides in America's Civil War in Military Medicine", "The court-martial of Sergeant George W. McDonald in the Maryland Historical Magazine", and "Civil War Nostalgia in the Annals of Florida Conference of Historians". A sampling of Dr. Lande's medical authorship can be found at ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0072-3538.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

People who are giving this 5* are clearly friends/ relatives. Mostly, only have rated books by this author with no other books, friends, or followers.

I skimmed after I hit 50% (read on kindle). The first chapter is promising: when your kid turns 10 months, you have to make a decision for them that will effect the rest of their lives. There are "naysayers" (who disagree with the govt) who get arrested.

Chapters 2-6 explain the history of: USA is at war with some Eastern entity, presumably for a while. So many pages wasted on description. The husband works for the military and discovers that some people have something in their urine that is disqualifying them from fighting.

Chapter 7 explains chapter 1.

The entire book could have been 2 chapters, condensing 2-7 into one chapter.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author enters a very competitive field with major contributors headlining the space. I gravitate towards newer authors and as such took a chance on Foresight. This book was not at all what I expected. This is not a complex novel with multiple characters that require a reader to keep a scorecard but instead examines the lives of two families as they grapple with a decision that could permanently affect their children's lives. Set against the backdrop of a cataclysmic war, Lloyd, one of the major characters, makes an accidental discovery of a chemical substance that eventually changes the course of the war. While the war is of some importance it serves as a vehicle to study Lloyd and how the chance discovery is eventually co-opted and exploited by government authorities. Foresight carefully develops the characters with touches of tenderness and mystery. Foresight is an interesting study of human behavior in what could be a factual scenario - although it is science fiction. Like me, take a chance - you will not be disappointed.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw the mixed reviews and hesitated. I have only so much time to read a book and look to the reviews to help me refine my choices. I decided to take a plunge and read the book and was glad I did. I was expecting a dystopian novel which this is, but the character development and the dilemma the characters find themselves in was intriguing.

[Roland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read with rich character development.

[Alfred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two central characters really stand out in this part mystery, romantic, and scifi story.
I hope the author continues working with Lloyd and Nadene!