Publicani [Paperback]

Zak Maymin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 23, 2008

We can argue about spreading the wealth, but what about spreading the intellect? Be warned - it's already happening..... "This is a great story on its own, but somewhere between its numerous plot twists, its thrills, its emotional highs and lows, it inspires us to recognize that fighting for individual liberties today ought to be our greatest priority in life for a free tomorrow. I love the book and highly recommend it." Mary Crean, Yankee Institute for Public Policy, Chief Development Officer. ..... A perfect gift if you want your friend to reflect on whether the government should be allowed to take something from one person and give it to another. .... "Publicani is ... a story with strong characters and a fascinating plot that spans the globe with politics, intrigue, a bit of science fiction and a bit of kabbalistic mysticism that are all woven together into a credible novel that at the end is compelling and satisfying. " Rob Kall, publisher, OpEdNews.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace (May 23, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1438221231
• ISBN-13: 978-1438221236
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,231,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Judaism > Sacred Writings > Kabbalah

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Genre-Bender, April 15, 2008

By 

Sam Gutmann (Brookline, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Publicani (Paperback)

Thriller, science fiction, satire, plea for human dignity and liberty, mysticism, novel about families: you can answer All Of The Above, but you can't stop turning the pages. Again and again as I read this book, I said to myself, This could never happen here. But each time it was with less conviction, until I was left asking, How close are we already to losing the freedoms that matter above all else?

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating twist on eminent domain, a futuristic political thriller from start to finish, February 18, 2008

By 

Randall D. Clapp "Randy Clapp" (Connecticut) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Publicani (Paperback)

An all-to-real political thriller that transports today's government into the future as they place societal desires over individual rights. If you think government has a legitimate role to redistribute our wealth and property as they do today, then why not the rest of your assets, why not your intellect. Maymin portrays a future where medical technology allows government into your brain where they can redistribute intelligence to those less fortunate. Don't worry, the government says it won't hurt and they won't take more than they need.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars redistribution of the intellect?, March 27, 2009

By 

Carl A. Cervini "web admin www.hadenough.us" (sedona, az) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Publicani (Paperback)

[...]

Dystopian nightmare is an understated insult to the gem that is Publicani. Taking cues from The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein, the intellectually challenging non-fiction work The Second Messiah by Christopher Knight and Robert Lomas, and the inspiring Anthem by Ayn Rand; Publicani is eerily prescient given the troubles we are facing today. Publicani takes the noxious concept of "the redistribution of wealth"; applies it to current trends in biotechnology, and asks "what if?"

As a student of Objectivism, I will graciously sidestep the mystical component of the story, and say that there are few novels of any consequence today that challenge the current trends in the U.S. towards cultural and economic Marxism. Publicani does so in triplicate and for that it is a challenge to the nonsense that clogs the best sellers lists.

Zak Maymin's Publicani is the first novel I've come accross in a long time that didn't bore me, piss me off, or leave a bitter taste in my brain. For that it is a welcome retreat from the disaster that is spreading out of the Capitol and my bank accounts. It is also a Shofar's call to arms for those who still cherish liberty and believe that a person's life, his property, and his mind is his own