Customer Reviews

2006: The Chatauqua Rising

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Two thoughts occurred to me as I finished Jack Cashill's superb novel,"2006: The Chautauqua Rising." First, that I had just read a superb novel. Second, that it didn't seem possible this compelling and entertaining "who-done-it" could be anyone's first novel. "How-did-he-do-it?" is my question.

"The Chautauqua Rising", set in Western NY, paints a vivid picture of the region and a mildly disturbing picture of the political landscape of an America comfortably and purposefully drifting towards socialism. Comfortable, at least, for those who don't get in the way. In 2006, you really don't want to get in the way, especially of the CDA--the Children's Defense Act-- a legislative vehicle for D.C. politicos to tell America just what is best for our children. Or is it "their" children?

"The Chautauqua Rising" eerily blurs the lines of fiction and reality. The actual "rising"--an Irish term for insurrection-- is a small but crucial political upheaval spearheaded by five distinctl and memmorable characters. The upheaval is intended to give back to Americans the right to make basic choices about their everyday life, choices that have been given up in the name of security and vague promises of helping "the children."

This entirely plausible story, peppered with extra helpings of intrigue and suspense, centers around a Boston Globe sports writer, TJ Conlon. TJ is a pretty happy guy. Happy that is until he receives a telephone call (a higher calling?) that changes his comfortable, single-guy, live-in girlfriend, sportswriter's life. His father, Jack Conlon, the owner/publisher of a string of small newspapers in Chautauqua County, New York, has been found dead. Suicide.

This disturbing call forever changes TJ's plans for a simple, albeit unexplored, relatively undisturbed existence. Returning to his boyhood home to bury his father, TJ embarks on a tumultuous 8 month journey during which he unearths much information and wisdom concerning his father's death, himself, American politics, history and love. The insight and ease with which Cashill writes about these matters is sheer intellectual delight.

Returning to his boyhood home , TJ meets many acquaintances of his deceased father, and his transformation begins. He doesn't just inherit the newspapers. He inherits a mystery, a mystery involving his father's death as suspected by a small group of passionate friends. This group possess information that could explain darker motives behind the presumed suicide.

While reading this excellent work, I marveled at Jack Cashill's masterful juxtaposition of the electorate's complacency and the raw political power and ambition of those political figures that feed their bureaucratic lust on this well-documented sloth. Masterful because it is dead on accurate and vital to explaining problems TJ and his country face. Finally, a newspaperman who does his job!

Without revealing too much, there is a conspiracy in "2006: The Chautauqua Rising." But please allow the author this fact: Conspiracies do occur. Powerful people do scheme. Ethics and morality are not always practiced by those with power and who are desirous of more. The only way to uncover a good, old-fashioned conspiracy is to do good, old-fashioned investigative work. Jack Cashill reveals a deep appreciation and understanding of fact-finding and police work. TJ would make Columbo proud.

What ultimately makes this novel so compelling is, of course, several wonderfully conceived, interesting and diverse main characters. TJ, Siona Wallace (a folk singer and divorced mother separated from her young son by force of "law"), Father Lemanski (a Catholic priest), Ike Cornplanter (an American Seneca Indian) and Strong Samuel (an Amish farmer). All are bound together by a love of their country, its traditions and Constitution. All are determined to fight the good fight--the struggle against the codification of a political correctness that incorrectly and harshly usurps basic freedoms.

With all the talk of legacies, "2006: The Chautauqua Rising" explores the legacy of a father and our founding fathers. Cashill, through his knowledge, patience and skill, leads the reader to reflect upon these legacies and their lessons, all the while providing first-class entertainment. Bonus.

Finally, "2006: The Chautauqua Rising" reveals a never condescending and sincere respect for genuine romance, women, minorities, religion and...Al Gore. What kind of a label can be put on that?

I'll try one: "Must read."

Jack Cashill has crafted an elegantly drawn, eminently readable story of epic proportions. His rich characters are placed within a believable framework which expands current political trends to their frightening conclusions. The moment that you open the book, you are drawn into a puzzling mystery which quickly expands to illustrate the consequences of ignoring current popular beliefs. To wit: SUVs are no longer available, tobacco products are available only with a prescription or from Native Americans, totalitarian programs are framed as being "for the children." Even if you have no interest in politics or trends, the mystery story itself is so well crafted that it will draw you into its intricate, well written structure. Fans of good writing, and those who are politically alert will both appreciate and enjoy this well told tale.

When it comes to conservative nonfiction, Jack Cashill is a serious heavyweight. "Hoodwinked", "First Strike", and "Ron Brown's Body" are all well-researched, thoughtful exposes of alleged conspiracies and liberal scallywags. "2006: The Chautauqua Rising" is his first try at fiction, and he pulls it off with aplomb. As the title would suggest, it is 2006, Al Gore is president, and "progressive" politics have run amok. Under the veil of "Is it good for the Children?", civil liberties are crushed like granola and SUVs fill the junkyards as America is molded in an image fitting of Noam Chomsky or Al Franken. Steven King watch out - these are scary thoughts indeed.

From this apocalyptic background, Cashill spins a fast paced and entertaining tale of the power of democracy in its purest form - an ultimately refreshing story of the silent majority standing united and declaring "we're mad as hell, and we're not gonna take it anymore." In undisguised homage to Ayn Rand's John Gault, Cashell's western New York state takes its leadership from the equivocal John Freeman, the inspiration for an unlikely alliance of Amish, Seneca Indians, Catholics, and independent thinkers in rebellion against a federal government unhinged. Written back in pre-9/11 2000, with six-years of supposedly conservative control of Washington notwithstanding, it is eerie just how much of Cashill's warnings and prognostications ring true in the real 2006. Sure to infuriate those keeping their Kerry/Edwards bumper stickers intact and certain to delight the National Review crowd, this is nonetheless insighful fiction - well crafted and enjoyable. If you can keep an open mind, regardless of your politics, you'll find Jack Cashell a thoughtful and thought provoking author.

2006: The Chautauqua Rising is an interesting mix of fact and fiction. Al Gore is projected into the White House and many characters are thinly veiled public figures. This was cleverly written as a "who-done-it" and romantic thriller, but the author did a magnificent job focusing on some important personal rights issues of our day that could evolve into much more serious issues by the year 2006. Independents and libertarians will love this book.

Jack Cashill's realistic political adventure makes engrossing reading. Unlike the many cookie-cutter political thrillers that are based on far-fetched scenarios, Chautauqua projects current trends into a totalitarian - but believable - future. Cashill uses his extensive experience and skills in the media and politics to communicate an understanding of how people on all sides think. He conveys to the reader his love and of America. Once I started reading, I was hooked.

This was an entertaining look at what could easily happen, if government regulations continue to spread. A great book, especially for those of us who have lived in this region our whole lives. Not a challenging book to read, but it does make you think. Really enjoyed it and highly recommend it to anyone, especially to those in the Chautauqua area!

My feelings for this book are not based solely on the story line. The story itself kept you guessing and you never knew where it was going to end up. If you're into mysteries and like to try to figure out the 'who-dunnit', then you will enjoy this book.

However, if you're also looking at it in order to get a picture of the people who live in this region, then please don't read this book. It is an inaccurate and misrepresentative view. I know this because I am one of the people that he refers to as "rugged, eccentric breed hardened by the isolation of such brutal winters." I travel those very roads that he attempts to take you on, the "unplowed" road is never that. Living in the Snow Belt region of the state makes sure that you're DOT people know how to do their job correctly and efficiently. I also happen to work at the Chautauqua Institution where the "Rising" takes place. Please let me inform you now, we have never and will never have razor wire around our fences. Cashill paints a distorted picture of my corner of the state, along with the people.

"He wondered how they endured." Well, I can tell you that we endure very well. The Amish get along well with their "English" neighbors and in fact do a lot of business outside of their Amish community. They don't call each other by nicknames, such as Strong Samuel. They celebrate the Sabbath once a week, designating a different home each week for their meetings.

There are many other details that he shows his ignorance of the location by inaccurately describing. I would be very surprised if he spent a lot of time in my area doing research for the book. So, if you're going to read it, please remember that it's a work of fiction. If you want to read an excellent book about the Chautauqua Institution, I highly recommend "Three Taps of the Gavel." This will give you the complete history of the Institution along with pictures of the grounds and a better understanding of our area.

What do you get when you cross a Gen-X newspaper-man, a female folk singer, a Seneca Indian, a polish Catholic priest, an Amishman, and an elusive mystery character? Maybe just the great American restoration.

Ripped directly from today's headlines, Jack Cashill gives us a not-so-fictionalized view of the future in 2006: The Chautauqua Rising. Sport utility vehicles have been outlawed, smoking is illegal, and Al Gore is President. Most Americans seem to value their safety more than their freedom.

TJ Conlon, assuming ownership of his father's newspaper chain after an apparent suicide finds himself in the middle of a conflict. The government has passed the Children's Defense Act - a bill mandating schooling with Masters-level state-certified teachers for all children 19 and under. This decision brings together an unlikely collaboration between Chautauqua's Amish community, Seneca Indians, and Catholics.

Part murder mystery, part political thriller, part love story...the novel has something for everyone. By the end you'll be cheering along with the book's heros, "God bless John Freeman!"

Just wanted to say that Mr. Cashill has written a great novel. I found it difficult to put down and really loved the ending--a real shocker. My wife also loved the book and noted that was the best book she has read since I talked her into reading Atlas Shrugged several years ago.

Once I started reading the book, I could not put it down, it took me less than one day to finish it. My wife has now read the book and loved it just as much as I did.

Here is a book of fiction that is written as a mystery with enough twists and plots to keep you guessing. It takes you on a trip of intrigue that covers and deals with political corruption, media bias, apathy of our nation even in the wake of injustice, love, Patriotism, The Constitution, Moral Truths (not just beliefs), and God. This thought provoking book looks at our country's present and future in the shadow of the anarchists and atheists who are trying to take our nation away from us. Have the political parties and our government been taken over by the liberal left extremists, or is there still hope for our nation? This book was written before the 2000 Presidential Election. With the election of Bush in 2000 and 2004, this book could, and probably should be re-titled "2012: The Chautauqua Rising".

This is not only a must read for Christians, Patriots, and all others seeking moral truths in the current trends to block the