"If enough people read it, America can rediscover its soul in this novel." --Jim Hightower, national radio commentator, columnist and best-selling author of Thieves in High Places In this dark, wickedly funny and surgically insightful book, we descend into the abyss from which the soul of America struggles to escape. In a novel reminiscent of a Kurt Vonnegut classic, author Abraham King takes us into a schizophrenic society where the marketplace defines truth and morality, where the prerogatives of the corporate "person" supplant the rights of mortal men, and where religiosity is routinely mistaken for spirituality. In the pages of The Soul of America we meet Montague Millstone, the archetypal megalomaniac, so obsessed with power and acquisition that he creates his own version of immortality by substituting artificial organs in his great mahogany desk for the failing organic ones in his own body. We meet the sinister deal maker and ultimate provocateur, Conrad Doyle; Lyman Hall, the delusional revolutionary, whose stockpile of weapons exceeds that of many small nations; and Don the Junk King, the mysterious flea market vendor whose presence is more frequently felt than seen. In this hyper-efficient, "pay or die" world, funerals provide convenient political fundraising opportunities, competing religions fight for market share, and a flesh-eating computer virus threatens civilization. Only a human sacrifice can save mankind from self-destruction. "I have made liberal use of hyperbole, exaggeration and caricature," says Abraham King. "My intention is to challenge preconceived notions and media images, twisting stereotypes and sometimes upending them. With its populist perspective, this novel will appeal to anyone who feels excluded from or abused by the political and economic decision-making processes that control our lives. It takes precise aim at the power players who manipulate these processes, at the governing elites who pay lip service to the notion of the public good, and at the omnipotent, immortal corporation that serves and protects the ruling class. Incisive, eloquent, thought-provoking - it is an all-American satire with a spiritual undertone. Those who read it will never forget it.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"A great read . . ." -- Thom Hartmann, national radio commentator, author and columnist
"An Orwellian romp through America . . . sharp, penetrating wit . . . a well-written page turner . . . and very funny." -- Jerry Balcerak, Editor & Publisher, The Connection
"Great book . . . I loved it . . . If you liked The Librarian or Jonathon Foer’s Everything Illuminated, you’ll like this . . ." -- Rob Kall, editor and publisher, OpEdNews
"If enough people read it, America can rediscover its soul in this novel." -- Jim Hightower, national radio commentator, columnist and best-selling author of Thieves in High Places
"An amusing, insightful ride . . . filled with memorable characters and page-turning events . . . an exciting and admirable undertaking." --Harvey Wasserman
"An Orwellian romp through America . . . sharp, penetrating wit . . . a well-written page turner . . . and very funny." -- Jerry Balcerak, Editor & Publisher, The Connection
"Great book . . . I loved it . . . If you liked The Librarian or Jonathon Foer’s Everything Illuminated, you’ll like this . . ." -- Rob Kall, editor and publisher, OpEdNews
"If enough people read it, America can rediscover its soul in this novel." -- Jim Hightower, national radio commentator, columnist and best-selling author of Thieves in High Places
"An amusing, insightful ride . . . filled with memorable characters and page-turning events . . . an exciting and admirable undertaking." --Harvey Wasserman
From the Publisher
We are in the midst of a second "gilded age". The nation’s capital is awash in corporate cash. Our representatives view their terms in office as little more than stepping stones to the big money on K Street. Consumers have replaced citizens. And "establishing justice" and "promoting the general welfare" are all but forgotten constitutional concepts.
Against this backdrop, author Abraham King takes us on a wonderfully funny journey into The Soul of America. Drawing on decades of corporate managerial experience, Mr. King explores the financial relationships and chicanery that undermine honest, open, democratic government. Powerful and provocative, this dark satire delivers a sharp and timely critique of a dysfunctional system, but leaves the reader with hope that reason and compassion will ultimately prevail over ignorance and greed.
With its populist perspective, this novel will appeal to anyone who feels excluded from or abused by the political and economic decision-making processes that control our lives. It takes precise aim at the power players who manipulate these processes, at the governing elites who pay lip service to the notion of the public good, and at the omnipotent, immortal corporation that serves and protects the ruling class.
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More About the Author
Abraham King is the pen name of Jeff Bakke. He grew up in western New York where he spent his adolescent years roaming the streets with other young hooligans. In spite of his juvenile delinquency, he managed to complete high school and joined the United States Air Force shortly after graduation.
Following four years of military service, Bakke attended Clarkson University where he earned a degree in accounting. He embarked on a career in business and although he claims he didn't sell his soul to his corporate masters, he did rent it out for awhile.
Finally shedding his corporate garb, he began hustling works of art and music in order to generate income. He traveled extensively throughout the country and settled briefly in North Carolina, Arizona, Florida, Iowa and Georgia. It was in Savannah, Georgia that he completed work on The Soul of America.
Bakke now lives in Portland, Oregon.
Following four years of military service, Bakke attended Clarkson University where he earned a degree in accounting. He embarked on a career in business and although he claims he didn't sell his soul to his corporate masters, he did rent it out for awhile.
Finally shedding his corporate garb, he began hustling works of art and music in order to generate income. He traveled extensively throughout the country and settled briefly in North Carolina, Arizona, Florida, Iowa and Georgia. It was in Savannah, Georgia that he completed work on The Soul of America.
Bakke now lives in Portland, Oregon.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of best political satires in the last twenty years.,
By
This review is from: The Soul of America (Paperback)
I just finished reading Abraham King's The Soul of America and had to just sit and wonder. This is one of those books that will keep you spellbound until the very last page. To call it a page turner is an understatement. I defy anyone to willingly put this book down in the last hundred pages.Mr. King has written a novel that anyone concerned with the future of America should read. King has cleverly created composite caricatures of all the major right wing players from the government, to the business world, to organized religion, and paramilitary groups, and woven them into a story that could be in our not too far future. All the while poking fun at these groups and individuals that will have you laughing out loud. The Soul of America is certainly a satire. And as with all satires there is an underlying moral to this story. But it is subtle and surprising. Your view of the entire book may change in the last few pages. Mr. King is Ayn Rand without the preachy philosophy and if she had a sense of humor.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book. I loved it until it hurt,
By
This review is from: The Soul of America (Paperback)
Great book. I loved it until it hurt, since it tells a lot of truths about the tragedy America is being subjected to by rightwingers. I get a lot of uninvited books sent to me. I give them a few pages and if they don't grab me, they're toast. This one grabbed me like the DaVinci Code did, and I had to finish it.If you liked The Librarian, or Jonathan Safran Foer's Everything Illuminated, there's a good chance you'll like this tongue in cheek political adventure. The subtle ending took me by surprise, but after a little thought, it was very realistic.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wake up America!!!,
This review is from: The Soul of America (Paperback)
If this satire of life in America today doesn't wake you up, you must be dead. It's hard to laugh at the truth, and this book makes you do just that. Mr. King tells it like it is, even if we don't like it. It's sad some people won't understand what this book is all about!!!Even if you don't agree with his ideas, you have to look at his point of view and consider the consequences of the future.
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