June, 2004 [Hardcover]

Laurence W. Britt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1998

Overview More and more Americans are questioning the news media, so much so that news programs, such as The NBC Nightly News, have been prompted to turn the cameras on themselves. If the trend of news coverage for entertainment continues what will America be like in the future? June, 2004 is new thriller based on today's headlines. John T. Retlin is America's new President, and he possesses unprecedented charisma and media appeal. So he is able to exert such influence over the TV news media and its corporate ownership that most Americans don't even notice our democracy slipping away. The author explores the most troubling issues on Americans minds. Among them are increased voter apathy, a deteriorating political culture, the American obsession with and worship of celebrities, and the media's powerful influence in shaping public opinion.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 356 pages
• Publisher: Wayne Brathwaite Pub (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1884962203
• ISBN-13: 978-1884962202
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,318,236 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Page turning view into a possible dark future, November 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: June, 2004 (Hardcover)

A novel of political intrigue set less than six years in the future. U.S. President John T. Reltin, a charasmatic figure supported by right wing groups was elected in 2000 as a reaction to the severe world wide depression. His actions to fight the depression are constitionally questionable but go unchallenged. The broadcast media, owned by a few large conglomerates favorable to Reltin, generally toes the party line. Only the print media, most notably the New York Times, has managed to remain above the political influence, but it is threatened by hostile takeovers. As the story opens, trouble is brewing in Cuba. Aided by U.S. troops, Cuban Nationals have assassinated Castro and have taken control, installing a pro-U.S. puppet government. In the meantime, a U.S. based committee to save democracyis is on trial for treason. A Justice Department defector comes to the New York Times with documents proving the bogus nature of the case. While under the care of the Times, a "Black Ops" attempt to assassinate the defector is made but is botched setting off a chain of events leading to overwhelming proof of criminality in the White House. Spearheading the move to inform the American people of government malfeasance is protagonist Ed Watson, a crack reporter and national affaris editor for the Times. In June, 2004, Britt handles the formula adeptly and keeps the plot moving and generates a healthy measure of suspense. To his credit, Britt gambles and wins with a finale that runs contrary to our expectations that things generaly work out in the end. In fact, he clearly indicates that things will not work out at all unless we finally take to heart the Jeffersonian ideal that democracy must be maintained by vigilance against those who would undermine it. June, 2004 is a worthy effort that provides the kind of page turning good read we expect. Its message will probably be deplored by those who love Rush Limbaugh, but if your a centrist or anywhere left of that, this alone could make it worth the purchase price.

Paul Ferguson, Syndicated News Service

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thoughtful political thriller., December 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: June, 2004 (Hardcover)

JUNE,2004 is a compellimg story that meets all the criteria of an excellent novel. It has a brisk pace and includes an array of believable characters. Britt adds to the intensity of the story by moving the reader through a variety of events condensed into a one week time frame. Using a chronological format, the author keeps the readers interest high amidst the fast paced detail essential to the story line. The format employed by Britt to conclude the novel may not please all readers but it provides for a gripping and fascinating conclusion. Overall, this is an important and insightful book that is eminently readible- a real page turner.It also compels the reader forward and forces one to think about issues that constantly need to be considered in a democratic society.

4 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars It's fiction alright -- but not what I consider alright fiction., January 23, 2006

By 

Patrick Jones "Contontos" (San Dimas, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: June, 2004 (Hardcover)

I have to confess that I didn't make it to the half way point through this book before I put it down for keeps. I found it difficult to stay with the story line mostly because of too many too obvious attempts to more than hint at real-life players and circumstances. It becomes tedious and distracting.

If you dislike the aforementioned players passionately enough you'll probably enjoy the book -- though why anyone would pay for fiction on such a theme is beyond me to guess when you can get it for free from any of myriad print media and Internet websites. On the other hand, if you're just looking for good fiction, 'June, 2004' is not that.