Republic: A Novel of America's Future [Paperback]

Charles Sheehan-Miles (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2007

The surprise dystopian bestseller

From an author described as "one of America's criminally neglected authors," Republic is a surprise bestselling dystopian novel (more than two years on the Amazon Alternate History bestseller list) described by readers as "breath-taking," "riveting," and "haunting."

Republic: A Novel of America's Future

Ken Murphy is a 45 year-old National Guard Colonel and senior manager at a computer chip manufacturer in quiet Highview, West Virginia. In this future history featuring frightening parallels to our present, the local economy is thrown into a tailspin when the plant is suddenly shut down, even as the nation is thrown into turmoil by a deadly domestic terrorist attack.

Karen Greenfield, a young captain in Murphy's National Guard battalion, faces a devastating choice: how does she serve the Constitution she swore to protect when the danger comes from the federal government itself? After witnessing the senseless death of a co-worker, she begins to question the foundations of everything she has ever believed.

Murphy must fight for healthcare for his terminally ill son. As he tries to save his son's life, and Greenfield struggles to serve the ideals she believes in, they are dragged into a deeper conflict between the forces that are ripping our nation apart.

Editorial Reviews

Review

... vital, gripping, convincing ... compelling enough you fear you're doing something subversive simply by reading ... an engrossing read.... -- The Podler Book Review, June 7, 2007

...Charles Sheehan-Miles is an exceptional writer... -- Midwest Book Review, September 2007

...a taught, page-turning read ... unexpected, devastating, breath-catching, haunting end will leave you reeling... -- Crystal Reviews, July 2007

...the blogosphere has gone wild over this book... It might scare you into doing something...for the nation, and for your future. -- Pulitzer Prize winning journalist John Hanchette, Niagara Falls Reporter, July 2007

Nail-biting...this book isn't just literary popcorn - you'll be thinking of the issues and characters long after... a damn good book. -- Chris Gerrib (Author of The Mars Run), POD People, June 13, 2007

This novel of America's future may be prophetic...It will disturb you...It should. -- Kenneth J. Bernstein, Daily Kos, June 25, 2007

a fast, well plotted action story...can not put down -- Out in Jersey Magazine, August 2007

About the Author

Charles Sheehan-Miles served in combat with the 24th Infantry Division during the 1991 Gulf War, and was decorated for valor for helping rescue fellow tank crewmen from a burning tank during the Battle at Rumayla. He is a former President and co-founder of the National Gulf War Resource Center and later was executive director of Veterans for Common Sense.

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Cincinnatus Press (May 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979411424
• ISBN-13: 978-0979411427
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (119 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #834,551 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Charles Sheehan-Miles has been a soldier, computer programmer, short-order cook and non-profit executive. He is the author of several fiction and non-fiction books, including the indie bestsellers Just Remember to Breathe and Republic: A Novel of America's Future.

Charles can be found on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/CharlesSheehanMiles and on his blog at http://www.sheehanmiles.com

You're also invited to join the Remember to Breathe Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/384693288275181/

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 47 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Freedom Under Attack July 15, 2007

By Viviane Crystal TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Reviewing this novel on July 4th, a day in which Americans celebrate independence and freedom, is supreme irony indeed!

Imagine a future when car-bomb terrorism has hit the Pentagon, when the economy is "tanking" due to the exportation of industry to other countries, and civil rights are nonexistent because of the Federal government's investigations into possible terrorist cells and plots. Ten years ago, maybe this would be pure fiction; today in 2007 it's not!

So it is that this author has captured and depicted in fictional form a scenario that continues to unfold. An entire community in West Virginia, Harpers Ferry, is devastated after a microsystems plant closes and lays off all personnel except those who will agree to work in the plant's new Indonesian location. Protest runs amuck when the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) violently enters the scene, and deaths on both sides follow. The latter begins to arrest many people of Iraqi descent and any who protest this illegal, unconstitutional path.

In the midst of all this havoc, Ken Murphy, an Iraq War veteran who has lost his wife in a senseless killing, now faces unemployment and loss of medical benefits desperately needed for his terminally ill son. Events spiral out of control as DHS raids continue and citizens are moving toward declaring West Virginia's secession from the U.S.A. government.

Officers and soldiers are caught up in a growing reactionary spate of shootings and arrests approaching civil war, with fatal consequences that inflame rather than quell discontent. Anyone in the way of federal action is now the "enemy" or a "traitor."

Charles Sheehan-Miles has penned a novel in which the line between fiction and reality is so very, very thin! Republic is a taught, page-turning read that will leave any half-thoughtful person asking many questions about law, terrorism, dissent, and constitutional rights for everyone involved in such a plausible scenario. And if it's not that real to you, the unexpected, devastating, breath-catching, haunting end will leave you reeling and wondering for sure!

Unreal but oh so very real and therefore potent and credible fiction to be read by all!

Incredible job, Charles Sheehan-Miles

Reviewed by Viviane Crystal on July 4, 2007

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars GRIPPING August 7, 2007

By W. Zollo VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Imagine a police state where you can be held strictly for being the wrong race; where your civil liberties are thoroughly disregarded, and now, visualize that place is America and you'll have a minute appreciation of what Sheehan-Miles' novel REPUBLIC is about.

A plant closing in a small town in West Virginia desolates its population with lay-offs, causing orderly protesting that sets off a shocking and all too (could-be) realistic chain of events for one Ken Murphy and his family, the state of West Virginia and the Federal Government.

Sheehan-Miles' writing and character development is stunning, riveting and thoroughly suspenseful and a work of fiction that feels all too factual. This is a book of the very best kind: one that is both entertaining whilst making its reader question the very situations surrounding us daily.

Un-put-downable.

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A thrilling page-turner that will make you think June 17, 2007

By Seth Pollack

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

In Republic, Sheehan-Miles tells a thoughtful and provocative story in way that makes you turn the page and stay up late reading. Based on interesting and well developed characters and a fast paced plot, this book sends a wake up call to the American people about the costs of war not understood by incompetent political leaders who use fear to consolidate power. The result is a scary but all too realistic look into America in 2020.

But instead of beating up his readers with polemics about complex issues like the erosion of civil liberties and the outsourcing of American jobs this book tells its story in a way that is accessible and relevant to people who don't have the time or patience to be involved in politics. Told from the perspective of real Americans dealing with real issues you can't help but be entertained and informed.

Based on his own military experience, the author writes in a realistic and simple prose and pace that is reminiscent of Tom Clancy and Harold Coyle with a harder punch and more important message. Think "The Hunt for Red October" meets "Catch 22" with the populist political message of SiCKO, Ross Perot and John Edwards all wrapped up in one great read.