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America's Future #1
Republic
A few years in our future, Ken Murphy is a National Guard Colonel and senior manager at a factory in tranquil Highview, West Virginia. When the local economy is thrown into a tailspin by a plant shutdown, Murphy is thrown out of work, with no way to pay for medical care for his son.
In an attempt to prove they can operate on their own, the workers move in and occupy the factory. The government intervenes, escalating the labor dispute into a deadly conflict.
As the conflict intensifies, politicians on both sides refuse to back down or compromise, tipping the nation into a bloody civil war.
In an attempt to prove they can operate on their own, the workers move in and occupy the factory. The government intervenes, escalating the labor dispute into a deadly conflict.
As the conflict intensifies, politicians on both sides refuse to back down or compromise, tipping the nation into a bloody civil war.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2007
32 people are currently reading
387 people want to read
About the author
Charles Sheehan-Miles
46 books1,551 followersCharles Sheehan-Miles has been a soldier, computer programmer, short-order cook and non-profit executive, and is the author of several fiction and non-fiction books, including the indie bestsellers Just Remember to Breathe and Republic: A Novel of America's Future. Charles and his wife Andrea Randall live and write together in South Hadley, Massachusetts.
Find out more at http://www.sheehanmiles.com
You're also invited to join the Remember to Breathe Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/remem...
Find out more at http://www.sheehanmiles.com
You're also invited to join the Remember to Breathe Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/remem...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 20, 2012
A gripping tale that predicts civil conflict in the United States over the ever-expanding and increasingly oppressive powers and tactics of federal authorities in the name of security and counter-terrorism. If you live outside the USA then this book is interesting and thought-provoking. If you live in the States and are seeing first-hand the aggressive and illegal tactics employed by agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, then this book will scare the pants off you. This fictional account may one day come very close to the truth - things must come to a head eventually; either give up your rights and come quietly, or make a stand for your freedom, whatever the cost.
August 27, 2011
I’m a sucker for believable alternative histories, and what-if’s. All the review came back suspiciously and overwhelming positive for this book. Despite that, I figured that I had nothing to lose, and dove right in. This was my first Kindle download, and a free one at that.
Republic was written a number of years back, but remains eerily close to things that have happened in America up to a point. Facing economic ruin, and rising unemployment, Republic follows a number of characters in West Virginia after the shutdown of a major plant leaves an entire town out of work. The characters we follow are compelling, and on many levels on what escalates from a terrorist attack, to increasing protest, Homeland Security heavy handedness, and a ballot for West Virginia’s separation from the Union. We follow soldiers, everyman’s, congressmen, all neatly and believably woven together in each other’s fates.
The only gripe I might have on that level is that Department of Homeland Security are cardboard ‘bad guys’ by comparison. Even in the one scene where the DHS agent is facing down the leader of the West Virginia effort to secede, discussing liberties and loyalty to America, we don’t get a compelling sense at all that the Department is anything more than a means to an end in terms of the story. I guess someone has to be the bad guys.
The pacing is decent and the escalation keeps ramping things up to its inevitable conclusion. I should have seen the end coming, but it was a satisfying ending. I found myself asking at the end was what the rest of America was thinking and feeling, and to be honest, even the world. It’s something that isn’t touched on at least, but I didn’t find the novel lacking for it.
I went into this book with all the good reviews in mind, but also sharply aware of the books short fallings. Any review that has been less than shining has commented on the stiff writing, the awkward description and editing issues. I’d agree, and really think it’s a shame that it hadn’t been passed by a few more test readers or a few more editors. For me at least, these points alone stopped this from being a truly great book. We have a well woven, believable situation that is potholed along the way by too many technical issues that made me groan or wince, dragging me out of the story.
Don’t let that put you off checking it out though, if you’re looking for a book of this sort. In terms of believable and well plotted what-if’s this is up there with the best for me.
Republic was written a number of years back, but remains eerily close to things that have happened in America up to a point. Facing economic ruin, and rising unemployment, Republic follows a number of characters in West Virginia after the shutdown of a major plant leaves an entire town out of work. The characters we follow are compelling, and on many levels on what escalates from a terrorist attack, to increasing protest, Homeland Security heavy handedness, and a ballot for West Virginia’s separation from the Union. We follow soldiers, everyman’s, congressmen, all neatly and believably woven together in each other’s fates.
The only gripe I might have on that level is that Department of Homeland Security are cardboard ‘bad guys’ by comparison. Even in the one scene where the DHS agent is facing down the leader of the West Virginia effort to secede, discussing liberties and loyalty to America, we don’t get a compelling sense at all that the Department is anything more than a means to an end in terms of the story. I guess someone has to be the bad guys.
The pacing is decent and the escalation keeps ramping things up to its inevitable conclusion. I should have seen the end coming, but it was a satisfying ending. I found myself asking at the end was what the rest of America was thinking and feeling, and to be honest, even the world. It’s something that isn’t touched on at least, but I didn’t find the novel lacking for it.
I went into this book with all the good reviews in mind, but also sharply aware of the books short fallings. Any review that has been less than shining has commented on the stiff writing, the awkward description and editing issues. I’d agree, and really think it’s a shame that it hadn’t been passed by a few more test readers or a few more editors. For me at least, these points alone stopped this from being a truly great book. We have a well woven, believable situation that is potholed along the way by too many technical issues that made me groan or wince, dragging me out of the story.
Don’t let that put you off checking it out though, if you’re looking for a book of this sort. In terms of believable and well plotted what-if’s this is up there with the best for me.
April 6, 2011
'Republic: A Novel of America's Future' weighs the US Administration against the Constitution; the States against the Federal Government; the local police against the Department of Homeland Security; the National Guard against the US Army; Washington against West Virginia. The author asks which of them represents the 'real' America? And to which does the American citizen owe their loyalty? The answers may lead to a second US Civil War.
The story revolves around Ken Murphy, an Iraqi war vet, a Colonel in the West Virginia National Guard, plant manager, and respected family man, whose life is destroyed by events beyond his control. Woven within the tale, as a counterpoint to Murphy, is the life of Mike Morris, a young Army Captain, father, and unhappily married man, who unconsciously wreaks havoc on the lives of everyone around him.
The two mens lives are irrevocably changed when a small West Virginia town is left reeling from the deaths of five innocent people; the deaths being the tragic end to a series of events: a factory closure, an employee plant takeover, and the political reach of corporate power in Washington.
The book is difficult to categorize; futuristic but grounded in the real dichotomies of today's America it presents a plausible vision of America's tomorrow. It brings to mind Daphne du Maurier's 'Rule Britannia' but it's realism is starker given the current war on terror, foreclosure mess, labor demonstrations in Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan; and the State and Federal budget woes.
The story is thoughtfully told; the main characters well drawn; the flow steady if occasionally weighed down by descriptive detail. Overall, an original and thought provoking tale.
The story revolves around Ken Murphy, an Iraqi war vet, a Colonel in the West Virginia National Guard, plant manager, and respected family man, whose life is destroyed by events beyond his control. Woven within the tale, as a counterpoint to Murphy, is the life of Mike Morris, a young Army Captain, father, and unhappily married man, who unconsciously wreaks havoc on the lives of everyone around him.
The two mens lives are irrevocably changed when a small West Virginia town is left reeling from the deaths of five innocent people; the deaths being the tragic end to a series of events: a factory closure, an employee plant takeover, and the political reach of corporate power in Washington.
The book is difficult to categorize; futuristic but grounded in the real dichotomies of today's America it presents a plausible vision of America's tomorrow. It brings to mind Daphne du Maurier's 'Rule Britannia' but it's realism is starker given the current war on terror, foreclosure mess, labor demonstrations in Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan; and the State and Federal budget woes.
The story is thoughtfully told; the main characters well drawn; the flow steady if occasionally weighed down by descriptive detail. Overall, an original and thought provoking tale.
July 9, 2013
I first found Mr. Sheehan-Miles through his romance series, The Thompson Series. As a member of his Facebook reader group, I became aware of Republic and Insurgent, and thought that as a "fan," it was my duty to give Republic a try. I honestly had no idea how much I would love it. It was breath taking and heart breaking and scary as hell. Perhaps made all the scarier by the fact that it *could* actually happen. The one thing I loved the most about it was the characters. They're so real. Their struggle and frustrations are things I could understand and sympathize with. Charles builds each character so that by the end of the book they are complex and completely believable, and have moved into the heart and soul. The story is so well written that I found myself truly involved, crying at the loss of people I truly felt like I knew. I've tried reading books with a similar theme in the past, and just couldn't get into them, but Republic just never stops. I was sucked into the story and finding myself supremely angry at the government, and having to remind myself that it was fiction. Before I had even finished Republic, I had purchased Insurgent because I *had* to continue reading this story.
Well done, Charles Sheehan-Miles. Well. Done.
Well done, Charles Sheehan-Miles. Well. Done.
July 30, 2013
I will start with the negatives, of which there are few. There was some clumsy editing, the characters seemed slightly over-emotional, and the ending was entirely too abrupt. That being said, I don't think the objective of writing a book should be to attain perfection; it should be to tell a good story, and to tell it well. Alas, I don't feel the negatives warrant revoking a star.
This book is very realistic in many regards. There are some parts where you question the potential for occurrence, whereas in other parts I found myself slightly uncomfortable at the plausibility. There are some very strong characters in the book. I, personally, wasn't a particular fan of the story line between the two infantry captains, but I'll live with it.
This book is, without question, a page turner. I found myself, at the end of this book, squirming to read the next book, 'Insurgent'!. A great story by a great writer, I would HIGHLY recommend this book to any American who wants to avoid run-of-the-mill garbage that is consistently pumped out by mainstream 'authors'.
.Bryce Touchstone
This book is very realistic in many regards. There are some parts where you question the potential for occurrence, whereas in other parts I found myself slightly uncomfortable at the plausibility. There are some very strong characters in the book. I, personally, wasn't a particular fan of the story line between the two infantry captains, but I'll live with it.
This book is, without question, a page turner. I found myself, at the end of this book, squirming to read the next book, 'Insurgent'!. A great story by a great writer, I would HIGHLY recommend this book to any American who wants to avoid run-of-the-mill garbage that is consistently pumped out by mainstream 'authors'.
.Bryce Touchstone
June 9, 2011
Was offered this book free from the author, but ended up buying it. I thought this was a great story and something we may actually see played out if we continue to let our government grow, unchecked. The only part that really troubled me, kind of a minor criticism, was I thought the author passed up the opportunity to expand the scope of the story by limiting the uprising to just one state, West Virginia. I live in the NW and with the exception of the Portland and Seattle, if Idaho seceded from the Union I could see it having a regional impact possibly pulling in surrounding communities and counties from neighboring states. Sheehan-Miles just seemed too focused on on one state. I also feel that there would be a much bigger rift in the military.
This book did open up an additional genre for me. Exploring other authors now, like Rawles and Tappan. Unlike this book, I am finding some of the other books not as well crafted as this. Would like to see more from this author.
This book did open up an additional genre for me. Exploring other authors now, like Rawles and Tappan. Unlike this book, I am finding some of the other books not as well crafted as this. Would like to see more from this author.
March 11, 2011
In all honesty I can say that this is the first military type book I've ever read and actually enjoyed. No sign of impossibly long and boring details and speeches made by so-called important people. I could easily relate to the characters and their flaws, no attempt was made to create them into almost god-like heroes and villains. I really appreciate that. Charles didnt beat around the bush when he wrote this novel. His writing style is short and to the point. No unnecessary details are included. Be warned that this book is emotionally charged. The almost abrupt epilogue only served to fuel my impatience to read his next book. I cried my eyes out by the time I finished reading this book. A "follow-up" on this novel, letting us know what happened to the survivors will be very much appreciated. I cant wait for his next book.
March 27, 2011
It was an interesting look at what could happen - government run amok and radicalism ruling the day, but ultimately there was no real conclusion - the major conflict was resolved, but the reader is left to wonder if it made any difference. Perhaps that was intentional, as life often is that way. The characters were fairly well developed and the author did a good job of building the reader's sympathy for them. But even here, there is much left unresolved. It does make one reflect on the direction our nation is headed, though, and that is important.
July 31, 2011
I just picked this book up on a whim, and tore through it in two days' time. Based on an interesting premise, that the unconstitutionality of the powers assumed by a particular federal agency becomes apparent to the citizens of a state in the union, who demonstrate their objection by voting to secede from the union, Sheehan-Miles takes us on a fast-paced trip through the resulting events. Well-written, filled with well-drawn characters, this book presents some chilling scenarios that the author makes seem all too great a possibility in the American republic of the 21st century.
April 4, 2012
Republic is Charles Sheehan-Miles’ second novel, and it’s an outstanding read. The book opens with a short prologue, and then puts us into the main action, three years later. Ken Murphy is a widowed single parent and middle manager at Saturn Microsystem’s plant in Highview, West Virginia. The plant, recently acquired by a corporate raider, is suddenly shut down, despite being profitable. The factory is by far the largest employer in town, and several hundred people are suddenly laid off with no notice, little recourse and no sympathy. Most people discover that the plant is closed when they pull up to a newly-installed fence, guarded by an armed state trooper. Chapter 1 ends with Murphy thinking that “desperate people do desperate things.”
This is immediately followed by a devastating terrorist bombing in Arlington, Virginia, which quickly involves the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the infantry company commanded by Captain Mike Morris. While Morris’ troops secure the site, DHS conducts a heavy-handed investigation into the bombing, consisting of rounding up Arab males. Back in Highview, the desperate townspeople decide to retake the plant. DHS shows up with armed helicopters and a SWAT team. Shots are fired, and a hundred workers are hauled away as suspected terrorists.
To say that things deteriorate from there is probably an understatement. Sheehan-Miles has delivered a nail-biting suspense thriller, and I can’t discuss much more of the plot without giving it away. I can talk about his outstanding writing and quite scary worldview.
The author extrapolates from our current fetish with terrorism and ham-fisted approaches to it, leading to an America where DHS agents photograph people attending ordinary civic events, and warn them that their mere presence might be construed as a terrorist act. Heaven forbid one is actually suspected of being a terrorist – a summary arrest is the least of one’s worries. It’s also a world where the forces of globalization, greed and special interest politics are hollowing out America. In Republic, corporations and the rich aren’t paying much in taxes, so common people’s tax rates go up and government services go down.
Sheehan-Miles does a great deal of work to avoid cardboard characters. His heroes, like Ken Murphy, aren’t perfect, nor does everybody agree as to the solution to the problem, even in the stricken town of Highview. His villains, especially the corporate raider Nelson Barclay, are a bit two-dimensional, but that may be a limitation from the lack of time on stage.
The book moves with the pace and inexorability of an express train, and not one word is extraneous. For example, Ken Murphy is also in the National Guard, a Lieutenant Colonel commanding an armor battalion. We’re told this early on, and it plays a critical role in the plot.
I highly recommend this book to anybody who enjoys thrillers, suspense or even current affairs. When you start reading, get comfortable, because you won’t be able to put it down. But this book isn’t just literary popcorn – you’ll be thinking of the issues and characters long after the book is finished. Republic is a damn good book, and Charles Sheehan-Miles should be proud of it.
This is immediately followed by a devastating terrorist bombing in Arlington, Virginia, which quickly involves the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the infantry company commanded by Captain Mike Morris. While Morris’ troops secure the site, DHS conducts a heavy-handed investigation into the bombing, consisting of rounding up Arab males. Back in Highview, the desperate townspeople decide to retake the plant. DHS shows up with armed helicopters and a SWAT team. Shots are fired, and a hundred workers are hauled away as suspected terrorists.
To say that things deteriorate from there is probably an understatement. Sheehan-Miles has delivered a nail-biting suspense thriller, and I can’t discuss much more of the plot without giving it away. I can talk about his outstanding writing and quite scary worldview.
The author extrapolates from our current fetish with terrorism and ham-fisted approaches to it, leading to an America where DHS agents photograph people attending ordinary civic events, and warn them that their mere presence might be construed as a terrorist act. Heaven forbid one is actually suspected of being a terrorist – a summary arrest is the least of one’s worries. It’s also a world where the forces of globalization, greed and special interest politics are hollowing out America. In Republic, corporations and the rich aren’t paying much in taxes, so common people’s tax rates go up and government services go down.
Sheehan-Miles does a great deal of work to avoid cardboard characters. His heroes, like Ken Murphy, aren’t perfect, nor does everybody agree as to the solution to the problem, even in the stricken town of Highview. His villains, especially the corporate raider Nelson Barclay, are a bit two-dimensional, but that may be a limitation from the lack of time on stage.
The book moves with the pace and inexorability of an express train, and not one word is extraneous. For example, Ken Murphy is also in the National Guard, a Lieutenant Colonel commanding an armor battalion. We’re told this early on, and it plays a critical role in the plot.
I highly recommend this book to anybody who enjoys thrillers, suspense or even current affairs. When you start reading, get comfortable, because you won’t be able to put it down. But this book isn’t just literary popcorn – you’ll be thinking of the issues and characters long after the book is finished. Republic is a damn good book, and Charles Sheehan-Miles should be proud of it.
January 23, 2008
Charles Sheehan-Miles, Republic (Cincinnatus Press, 2007)
What happens to America if things continue on the way they have been over the past six years? Charles Sheehan-Miles offers one possible scenario in Republic, and it's both plausible and horrifying. A few years from now, the Department of Homeland Security has grown into a monolithic beast that is, for all intents and purposes, all-powerful, and the President of the United States is in their pocket. Various small-scale terrorist attacks occur, then a big one on the Pentagon, and the DHS identifies a terrorist cell in rural West Virginia-- or are they really terrorists? On top of this, a financier moves a chip manufacturing plant overseas, devastating another small West Virginia town. One of West Virginia's Congressmen is trying to stop his state bleeding red ink, but the corrupt Governor, goaded on by a radical activist, decides that it's time to take matters into his own hands.
Sheehan-Miles' first book, Prayer at Rumayla, still stands as one of the best vanity-published novels I've ever had the pleasure to come across. Now that he's backed up by an indie joint (who have also re-released Prayer at Rumayla, for those who don't want to have an Xlibris title on their shelves), one can only expect him to get better, and that seems to have happened here. Sheehan-Miles has mastered the dark art of telling your story and letting the message bleed out through the cracks, which many more established authors haven't yet figured out how to do. That alone would make this a readable book, but on top of it, he's got a cracking story as well. I did knock off points for one godawful sentence that occurs in the midst of the book's climax (you'll know it when you get to it), but either way, I unhesitatingly recommend this one. It's got just about everything you could want in a book like this-- constant tension punctuated with moments of action, frustrating (and frustrated) interpersonal relationships, a desperately bleak outlook on what it means to be American in the post-9/11 age, and above all, solid writing skills to get everything across in the most effective way possible. Charles Sheehan-Miles is one of America's criminally neglected authors; get to know his stuff. You won't regret it. *** ½
What happens to America if things continue on the way they have been over the past six years? Charles Sheehan-Miles offers one possible scenario in Republic, and it's both plausible and horrifying. A few years from now, the Department of Homeland Security has grown into a monolithic beast that is, for all intents and purposes, all-powerful, and the President of the United States is in their pocket. Various small-scale terrorist attacks occur, then a big one on the Pentagon, and the DHS identifies a terrorist cell in rural West Virginia-- or are they really terrorists? On top of this, a financier moves a chip manufacturing plant overseas, devastating another small West Virginia town. One of West Virginia's Congressmen is trying to stop his state bleeding red ink, but the corrupt Governor, goaded on by a radical activist, decides that it's time to take matters into his own hands.
Sheehan-Miles' first book, Prayer at Rumayla, still stands as one of the best vanity-published novels I've ever had the pleasure to come across. Now that he's backed up by an indie joint (who have also re-released Prayer at Rumayla, for those who don't want to have an Xlibris title on their shelves), one can only expect him to get better, and that seems to have happened here. Sheehan-Miles has mastered the dark art of telling your story and letting the message bleed out through the cracks, which many more established authors haven't yet figured out how to do. That alone would make this a readable book, but on top of it, he's got a cracking story as well. I did knock off points for one godawful sentence that occurs in the midst of the book's climax (you'll know it when you get to it), but either way, I unhesitatingly recommend this one. It's got just about everything you could want in a book like this-- constant tension punctuated with moments of action, frustrating (and frustrated) interpersonal relationships, a desperately bleak outlook on what it means to be American in the post-9/11 age, and above all, solid writing skills to get everything across in the most effective way possible. Charles Sheehan-Miles is one of America's criminally neglected authors; get to know his stuff. You won't regret it. *** ½
September 3, 2012
Republic Captivates Both Senses and Sensibilities
Republic: A Novel of America’s Future written by Charles Sheehan-Miles is a fictional dramatic work that will have readers taken captive by the tale. Within the pages of this story are the lives of characters that could be one’s neighbors or self. Sheehan-Miles has taken possible present-day scenarios and created a future for the United States that reads like newspaper headlines with the depth and heart of the people involved with the happenings. Unaccustomed to delving into dramatic works as I am, my abrupt captivity within the tale was a complete and enthralling surprise.
The characters are many and varied, being well developed and realistic to the point of readers feeling the gut-wrenching depth of each portion of the tale. The two main lives focused on are that of Ken Murphy and Karen Greenfield, but these characters are only a portion of the lives that are included in this storyline. The tale focuses on a small town in West Virginia and the harsh realities each member of the town must face in a time of economic and personal hardships.
The plot is explosively captivating, leaving readers engrossed by the happenings; and torn between looking away to gain his or her composure due to the assault on one’s personal moralistic center and continuing on in the story to stand guard over those characters who have grown dear. Certainly, if one reads this novel, he or she must be prepared. Some will need a box of tissue close by, and then, later, be so horrified and heart-sick over the happenings, that anger will take possession, accompanied by the sadness, over the feeling that such a tale could easily be reality. I can assure that no one will read this novel without being made to think.
Republic: A Novel of America’s Future written by Charles Sheehan-Miles is a fictional dramatic work that will have readers taken captive by the tale. Within the pages of this story are the lives of characters that could be one’s neighbors or self. Sheehan-Miles has taken possible present-day scenarios and created a future for the United States that reads like newspaper headlines with the depth and heart of the people involved with the happenings. Unaccustomed to delving into dramatic works as I am, my abrupt captivity within the tale was a complete and enthralling surprise.
The characters are many and varied, being well developed and realistic to the point of readers feeling the gut-wrenching depth of each portion of the tale. The two main lives focused on are that of Ken Murphy and Karen Greenfield, but these characters are only a portion of the lives that are included in this storyline. The tale focuses on a small town in West Virginia and the harsh realities each member of the town must face in a time of economic and personal hardships.
The plot is explosively captivating, leaving readers engrossed by the happenings; and torn between looking away to gain his or her composure due to the assault on one’s personal moralistic center and continuing on in the story to stand guard over those characters who have grown dear. Certainly, if one reads this novel, he or she must be prepared. Some will need a box of tissue close by, and then, later, be so horrified and heart-sick over the happenings, that anger will take possession, accompanied by the sadness, over the feeling that such a tale could easily be reality. I can assure that no one will read this novel without being made to think.
September 12, 2012
Civil war is not the way to go. Particularily if you are a small state, not prepared and have little support from anyone around you.
West Virginia in this tale has suffered an increasing number of indignities by the federal government. In this case a crony of the President closes the major employer in a small WV town and plans to move it overseas. After the people of the town reject that decision, even going to the point of breaking into the plant and pretending that things were okay, the favorite bogeyman of the far Right (and the far Left), DHS, storms the place and kills some of the occupiers. Things go downhill from there....
The characters introduced are likable and, since most of them are military people, quite relateable to me. The author constructs situations where I as a Army NG Officer am forced to sit back and think what I would do in a similar situation (the most notable was the Army CPT intervenes when DHS agents randomly round up all middle-eastern males over 13 by kicking in doors and dragging them out).
Events slowly escalate to the point where WV makes the decision to secede and the author plays out the eventual result of that action (of a state poorly prepared, with little munitions and fuel, no real outside support, forces that are in shreds due to desertions due to torn loyalties, and facing the the Active Duty Armed Forces). A solid read that kept me turning the page to see how it played out.
West Virginia in this tale has suffered an increasing number of indignities by the federal government. In this case a crony of the President closes the major employer in a small WV town and plans to move it overseas. After the people of the town reject that decision, even going to the point of breaking into the plant and pretending that things were okay, the favorite bogeyman of the far Right (and the far Left), DHS, storms the place and kills some of the occupiers. Things go downhill from there....
The characters introduced are likable and, since most of them are military people, quite relateable to me. The author constructs situations where I as a Army NG Officer am forced to sit back and think what I would do in a similar situation (the most notable was the Army CPT intervenes when DHS agents randomly round up all middle-eastern males over 13 by kicking in doors and dragging them out).
Events slowly escalate to the point where WV makes the decision to secede and the author plays out the eventual result of that action (of a state poorly prepared, with little munitions and fuel, no real outside support, forces that are in shreds due to desertions due to torn loyalties, and facing the the Active Duty Armed Forces). A solid read that kept me turning the page to see how it played out.
December 25, 2011
This was s good read. The ending was a bit abrupt. There were two characters whose fates were not accounted for. There were also some events that were not fully explained. This was written from one side, it would have been interesting to have a bit more insight into the DHS and where there motives came from. The source of the motives can be assumed, but it would have been nice to learn the facts. This book can serve as a warning to readers. If someone believes his or her power is more important than the good of the country then we the people could be in trouble. We don't want to be caught napping.
February 28, 2013
I thought this book would be different from what it turned out to be. I thought it would be uplifting and have a successful ending. Perhaps there is a second book or perhaps there could be no "happy ending." I found it to be discouraging, showing the futility of fighting the government. The deaths related to the uprising were realistic, but disappointing none-the-less. The one redeeming quality, in my mind, was the fact that it personalized those courageous people who are willing to die for their country, or what their country could be. I also found myself thinking that this might be a future scenario for us if our country continues on its downward spiral.
March 27, 2011
A challenging and thought provoking novel in which you will question your entire political thought process. Charles Sheehan-Miles brings us REPUBLIC, a novel that takes the human condition and changes it at the core. All that we’ve known and all that we are can become up rooted with the best intentions, but at what cost to our Constitutional rights. It was once said that the political parties would bring the downfall of the United States, and this novel gives us a glimpse of what tomorrow may bring.
March 17, 2011
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, since I don't usually read military fiction. It took a few chapters to really get into it, but it was a pretty good book. It was written from multiple points of view, so it was difficult to remember who all the characters were at first. But once you get further into the story, you don't even notice. Aside from a few grammatical errors that not many people would notice, I enjoyed the story. I do wish the author had explained what happened to a few of the characters (I won't say who), but I suppose that was done for a reason.
March 15, 2011
This is not the typical type of book or story that I like. But the characters were so real I could see them and cried for them. I could see how and why the fiction could be real if we are not careful. I hated some of the characters. Like President,HDS agents. their misuse of power.I cared for a lot of the characters and none had a happy ending with so much death around them. the book was well written and I could not put it down. It wrung out my emotions. How greed and power can corrupt is scarry. I was given the ebook in exchange for honest review.
April 23, 2011
Review of member giveaway eBook
Set in the near future in an increasingly oppressive America. This tells the story of a chain of events leading up to a state seceding from the USA and the ensuring civil war. Told from multiple view points with well drawn characterisation and gripping plot lines this was a very interesting and well written novel.
I enjoyed this enormously and would recommend it highly.
Set in the near future in an increasingly oppressive America. This tells the story of a chain of events leading up to a state seceding from the USA and the ensuring civil war. Told from multiple view points with well drawn characterisation and gripping plot lines this was a very interesting and well written novel.
I enjoyed this enormously and would recommend it highly.
April 13, 2011
I thought the book was well written and the author was able to develop the characters to the point where you can relate to them and the situations that they are in...what struck me about this novel is that the storyline is developed with enough realism that it is acutally disturbing thinking about all the "what ifs" and if our society could (or is) following a similar path...I really enjoyed reading the book
February 14, 2013
I received this book for free from bookbub.com. The title was interesting so I ended up choosing this book. I like history books and even though it was a fictional book I found parts of the book eerie. The author incorporated actual historical events into the book. I enjoyed the book but towards the end it was a long ending. The war and the end of story was not really what I was hoping for. Over all the book was about a three star.
March 12, 2011
Brilliant, simply brilliant- from prose to plot to characterizations, Republic: A Novel of America's Future by Charles Sheehan-Miles is a unique reading experience that will enthrall lovers of good story-telling and thrilling plots.
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
August 17, 2011
It took me a few months to read this (thanks to the author for the giveaway) because I read too many books at a time. But what was with that ending!? So Ken Murphy got the death penalty or am I confused? And where did his daughter go? Throughout this book I kept thinking this would make a good movie.
November 15, 2011
Seriously, seriously good. And almost frighteningly prescient.
Many of the events in Republic feel much like late-2011 US under the #occupy movement - an over-powerful DHS, a massive and growing disenfranchised populace, heavy-handed government controlled by special interests.
Thoroughly recommended. You seriously MUST read this book.
Many of the events in Republic feel much like late-2011 US under the #occupy movement - an over-powerful DHS, a massive and growing disenfranchised populace, heavy-handed government controlled by special interests.
Thoroughly recommended. You seriously MUST read this book.
July 14, 2013
One does not have high hopes for low price Kindle books, but this one is really well worth reading. Remarkable bit of social realist portrayal of the insecure position of even relatively well paid and skilled employees in the USA at a time of economic crisis and increasing political repression. Reading about the father's plight with a disabled child makes you glad we have the NHS.
January 5, 2011
A surprisingly good read. A very believable scenario, especially in today's political climate.
Interesting it was written in 2007 before the current administration took office, yet much of it sounds familiar.
Interesting it was written in 2007 before the current administration took office, yet much of it sounds familiar.
March 9, 2011
I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting read. It draws you in and keeps you turning the page. Overall, I liked the characters and the set up of the story and I would recommend it for anyone that wants a good read.
September 11, 2009
One of the best speculative fiction stories that I have read. If you cannot relate and fall for the characters in this story then stone resides in your chest.
March 14, 2011
I originally listened to this in a serialised podcast format and enjoyed it so much that I have also read it.
July 23, 2011
Pretty good, but depressing. I need some very fluffy reading after this book.
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