I am the author of the recently published election thriller
The 28th Amendment, which explores (among other things) the potential for conflict between entertainment and politics in a media-defined age -- i.e. what happens when an actor who portrays a fictional US President on television gets drawn into real-world politics?
Set during the 2020 presidential race,
The 28th Amendment will appeal to DU members, and especially Alabama DU members, for numerous reasons.
Aside from its generally left-leaning perspective, the book is a chilling parable of the Bush Administration’s relentless fanning and exploitation of our nation’s post 9/11 Osamaphobia. On another level, in the realm of non-fiction, the 28th Amendment is an actual proposed amendment to the US Constitution that would limit the amount of time and money candidates can spend on Federal general elections. Cf. www.amendment-28.com: click the right side for information about the amendment (real); click the left side for information about the book (fiction).
For Alabamans: one of the book’s major characters (a Democratic presidential candidate; good guy, of course) is a native of Reform (Pickens County) Alabama -- as is the author. And a big chunk of action takes place in Reform and at the airport in Northport, outside of Tuscaloosa. Reference is made to Joy Young’s, the Chinese restaurant in Birmingham from 1950s.
If there is a DU veteran who would be willing to write a review of my book for this discussion group, I would be happy to send you a copy for your use. Otherwise, for those of you who are curious about the book but don’t want to commit $17, the first chapter is available for free at the book’s web site (read the Author’s Note also).
Thanks!
neal@amendment-28.com