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War Anthem
The era of Black revolutionaries ended in the 1970's right? So thought Jason Diggs, successful political speechwriter, lawyer and advisor in the rough and tumble world of local Washington, D.C. politics; but when the city boils over in tensions over gentrification and an election that might lead to the city's first white Mayor in a century, nothing will ever be the same again. ??War Anthem depicts the fall of a Black political dynasty due to the forces of gentrification and is an elegy to the golden days of "Chocolate City" when D.C. was the "Colored Man's Paradise." At the beginning of the novel, we meet Jason Diggs, scion of a famed Black political dynasty who appears destined for leadership in his native Washington, D.C. Handsome, refined, well educated and just a bit full of himself, Jason Diggs seems to have it all. He's popular, successful, and is a rising political star, but when his mother dies after a long illness, strange events are set in motion, which illuminate a dangerous and mysterious underworld, which threatens to destroy the city and his future. ??As Jason learns his true destiny the nation's capitol begins to dissolve into disorder. Jason is at the center of the storm and decisions that he makes could change the course of cities across America forever. Through Jason's eyes we get a glimpse into the hidden world of local D.C. politics and a look at the forces of change sweeping urban America.
481 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 2010
3 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Keith Andrew Perry
1 book15 followersA native Washingtonian, Keith spent over 20 years in D.C. politics as an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, Democratic Committeeman, Mayoral appointee, political strategist and candidate. He is the former Chief of Staff to Councilmember and former four term D.C. Mayor Marion Barry and served as Treasurer for former Mayor Sharon Pratt's victorious campaign. He is an alumnus of Morehouse College and Howard University School of Law and was selected as a winter 2009 fellow of the Center For Black Literature at Medgar Evers College. His non-fiction has appeared in the National Minority Business magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 14, 2023
War Anthem written by Keith Andrew Perry is a political thriller set in Washington, D.C. The story follows Jason Diggs, a young black man who is the scion of a powerful political dynasty. Jason is a rising star in the Democratic Party, but his world is turned upside down when his mother is murdered. Jason soon finds himself caught up in a web of conspiracy and intrigue, and he must use all of his skills to stay alive and clear his name.
This is a fast-paced, suspenseful novel that explores themes of race, politics, and revenge. Perry's writing is sharp and incisive, and he does a great job of creating a believable and suspenseful world.
My impressions of this book are as follows: I think the characters are well-developed and believable; the plot is complex and suspenseful; the themes are thought-provoking and relevant to today's society; and the writing is clear and engaging.
Overall, War Anthem kept me entertained and engaged. This is the author’s debut novel. I highly recommend it.
This is a fast-paced, suspenseful novel that explores themes of race, politics, and revenge. Perry's writing is sharp and incisive, and he does a great job of creating a believable and suspenseful world.
My impressions of this book are as follows: I think the characters are well-developed and believable; the plot is complex and suspenseful; the themes are thought-provoking and relevant to today's society; and the writing is clear and engaging.
Overall, War Anthem kept me entertained and engaged. This is the author’s debut novel. I highly recommend it.
October 1, 2010
War Anthem, A Review
From the evocative use of language to the stirring plot, this novel provides an insightful analysis of human behavior and politics.
The rich emotional life of the main character, Jason Diggs, is the backdrop for a description of historical events few have known of before now. From the rise of Washington, D.C.'s Black intellectual class to the development and implementation of DC Home Rule, the writer, Washington, DC lawyer Keith Perry, chronicles the dazzling changes which occurred in Washington from the late 1950's to the present time.
War Anthem takes an unblinking look at the superficial value systems and shortcomings of the Black middle class, much like E. Franklin Frazier's Black Bourgeoisie. However, Mr. Perry also makes a largely positive and optimistic critical analysis of the way in which unique challenges and opportunities were confronted by Black Washingtonians.
Many DC political figures will recognize themselves on the pages of War Anthem. From the late Dave Clark and Walter Washington to Marion Barry, the personalities and behavior patterns of well-known individuals are clearly described. Without exception the writer treats individuals characters with respect and kind detachment.
Like all good literature, War Anthem tells more than one story. This book is a beautifully-written memoir about coming of age in Washington, D.C. as a fully conscious, self-aware Black male who understands the leadership responsibilities placed on gifted individuals.
"I understood how death changes both the future and our understanding of the past.
Gray images flashed before me of mother's heroism during her illness and I considered the vacuum she was leaving behind. Had I been a weaker man, I might have passed through this time immune to my suffering, spurred by some grief induced amnesia; but like my mother, it was my privilege to consciously endure."
Mr. Perry amplifies many archetypal themes in War Anthem, and in so doing provides a great service for us all. His achievement in this book is that he has woven a magnificent human tale regarding rites of passage and manhood with a story of political intrigue and municipal history. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and I most assuredly recommend it as a piece of literature which I suspect will soon be required reading for young men matriculating through colleges all over the world.
Julianne Robertson King
From the evocative use of language to the stirring plot, this novel provides an insightful analysis of human behavior and politics.
The rich emotional life of the main character, Jason Diggs, is the backdrop for a description of historical events few have known of before now. From the rise of Washington, D.C.'s Black intellectual class to the development and implementation of DC Home Rule, the writer, Washington, DC lawyer Keith Perry, chronicles the dazzling changes which occurred in Washington from the late 1950's to the present time.
War Anthem takes an unblinking look at the superficial value systems and shortcomings of the Black middle class, much like E. Franklin Frazier's Black Bourgeoisie. However, Mr. Perry also makes a largely positive and optimistic critical analysis of the way in which unique challenges and opportunities were confronted by Black Washingtonians.
Many DC political figures will recognize themselves on the pages of War Anthem. From the late Dave Clark and Walter Washington to Marion Barry, the personalities and behavior patterns of well-known individuals are clearly described. Without exception the writer treats individuals characters with respect and kind detachment.
Like all good literature, War Anthem tells more than one story. This book is a beautifully-written memoir about coming of age in Washington, D.C. as a fully conscious, self-aware Black male who understands the leadership responsibilities placed on gifted individuals.
"I understood how death changes both the future and our understanding of the past.
Gray images flashed before me of mother's heroism during her illness and I considered the vacuum she was leaving behind. Had I been a weaker man, I might have passed through this time immune to my suffering, spurred by some grief induced amnesia; but like my mother, it was my privilege to consciously endure."
Mr. Perry amplifies many archetypal themes in War Anthem, and in so doing provides a great service for us all. His achievement in this book is that he has woven a magnificent human tale regarding rites of passage and manhood with a story of political intrigue and municipal history. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, and I most assuredly recommend it as a piece of literature which I suspect will soon be required reading for young men matriculating through colleges all over the world.
Julianne Robertson King
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews