11.30.08
Army of the Republic by Stuart Cohen
Imagine that corporate America gains control of the United States. The government conducts elections on the Internet and manipulates the results. Unemployment is beyond depression levels. Agencies of the corporate government control television networks. Private companies own most of the water. A revolution begins and you are asked to take sides. Which side do you trust? That question face readers of Army of the Republic.
The scene of Stuart Cohen’s new novel is set in an America of the near future. The patriot act has expanded and the government has outsourced a large share of its responsibilities. We are still at war in the middle east, our military forces have grown, gas is not affordable, and most media and entertainment outlets are carefully manipulated. Civil disobedience festers and corporations fight back.
The novel has four narrators. First is Lando, an active member of the Army of the Republic (AOR). The AOR is a “radical” opposition group that uses violence as a primary tool. The second narrator is James Sands, CEO of Water Solutions, a corporation that controls much of the water in the country. The third narrator is James Sands’ wife Anne. Anne is a teacher who disapproves of her husband’s political activities. The fourth narrator is Emily Cartwright, a leading member of Democracy Northwest Network (DNN), a political action group that organizes against what they deem as offensive corporate or governmental activity.
Although Cohen’s novel is heavy in social and political intrigue, the characters are sympathetic and appealing. Lando is the lovable boy genius, well read in the lives of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the Constitution. Lando’s intentions are always admirable and necessary. Apart from his involvement in violence, he is the boy you want to marry your daughter.
Emily is the sweet girl next door. She is an attorney with high ideals who wants to defend the oppressed and peaceably correct the faults of the government. Slowly she falls in love with Lando.
James Sands is a nice guy whose search for success blinds him from the consequences of his actions. His narrow minded focus and paranoia develops into rifts with his wife and son. James is the picture of the “successful” business man whose ambition destroys his family relationships.
Anne Sands is James pretty and intelligent wife. A devoted wife and mother for many years, she fights with her husband to save him and her family.
Although the story is slow in the beginning, it soon rockets into gear and becomes an action thriller. The characters are well drawn and the political intrigue compelling. Once I passed the first chapter, I was hooked.
Army of the Republic is an excellent story of political manipulation, personal and family struggles. The social problems seem real and threatening. It is tough to not draw parallels with current American society. Thankfully this is only fiction.