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25th out of 135 books
—
88 voters
Republic (America's Future #1)
by
Charles Sheehan-Miles (Goodreads Author)
From an author described as "one of America's criminally neglected authors," Republic is a surprise hit described by readers as "breath-taking," "riveting," and "haunting." Ken Murphy is a 45 year-old widower and senior manager at a computer chip manufacturer in quiet Highview, West Virginia. The local economy is thrown into a tailspin when the plant is suddenly shut down....more
Paperback, 344 pages
Published
August 15th 2007
by Cincinnatus Press
(first published May 15th 2007)
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Apr 20, 2012
Nathanael Boehm
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Nathanael by:
Stephen Collins
A gripping tale that predicts civil conflict in the United States over the ever-expanding and increasingly oppressive powers and tactics of federal authorities in the name of security and counter-terrorism. If you live outside the USA then this book is interesting and thought-provoking. If you live in the States and are seeing first-hand the aggressive and illegal tactics employed by agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security, then this book will scare the pants off you. This fictional...more
Republic Captivates Both Senses and Sensibilities
Republic: A Novel of America’s Future written by Charles Sheehan-Miles is a fictional dramatic work that will have readers taken captive by the tale. Within the pages of this story are the lives of characters that could be one’s neighbors or self. Sheehan-Miles has taken possible present-day scenarios and created a future for the United States that reads like newspaper headlines with the depth and heart of the people involved with the happenings....more
Republic: A Novel of America’s Future written by Charles Sheehan-Miles is a fictional dramatic work that will have readers taken captive by the tale. Within the pages of this story are the lives of characters that could be one’s neighbors or self. Sheehan-Miles has taken possible present-day scenarios and created a future for the United States that reads like newspaper headlines with the depth and heart of the people involved with the happenings....more
'Republic: A Novel of America's Future' weighs the US Administration against the Constitution; the States against the Federal Government; the local police against the Department of Homeland Security; the National Guard against the US Army; Washington against West Virginia. The author asks which of them represents the 'real' America? And to which does the American citizen owe their loyalty? The answers may lead to a second US Civil War.
The story revolves around Ken Murphy, an Iraqi war vet, a Col...more
The story revolves around Ken Murphy, an Iraqi war vet, a Col...more
Civil war is not the way to go. Particularily if you are a small state, not prepared and have little support from anyone around you.
West Virginia in this tale has suffered an increasing number of indignities by the federal government. In this case a crony of the President closes the major employer in a small WV town and plans to move it overseas. After the people of the town reject that decision, even going to the point of breaking into the plant and pretending that things were okay, the favorit...more
West Virginia in this tale has suffered an increasing number of indignities by the federal government. In this case a crony of the President closes the major employer in a small WV town and plans to move it overseas. After the people of the town reject that decision, even going to the point of breaking into the plant and pretending that things were okay, the favorit...more
I’m a sucker for believable alternative histories, and what-if’s. All the review came back suspiciously and overwhelming positive for this book. Despite that, I figured that I had nothing to lose, and dove right in. This was my first Kindle download, and a free one at that.
Republic was written a number of years back, but remains eerily close to things that have happened in America up to a point. Facing economic ruin, and rising unemployment, Republic follows a number of characters in West Virgin...more
Republic was written a number of years back, but remains eerily close to things that have happened in America up to a point. Facing economic ruin, and rising unemployment, Republic follows a number of characters in West Virgin...more
Nov 15, 2011
Stephen Collins
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fiction-and-suchlike,
read-2011
Seriously, seriously good. And almost frighteningly prescient.
Many of the events in Republic feel much like late-2011 US under the #occupy movement - an over-powerful DHS, a massive and growing disenfranchised populace, heavy-handed government controlled by special interests.
Thoroughly recommended. You seriously MUST read this book.
Many of the events in Republic feel much like late-2011 US under the #occupy movement - an over-powerful DHS, a massive and growing disenfranchised populace, heavy-handed government controlled by special interests.
Thoroughly recommended. You seriously MUST read this book.
Republic is Charles Sheehan-Miles’ second novel, and it’s an outstanding read. The book opens with a short prologue, and then puts us into the main action, three years later. Ken Murphy is a widowed single parent and middle manager at Saturn Microsystem’s plant in Highview, West Virginia. The plant, recently acquired by a corporate raider, is suddenly shut down, despite being profitable. The factory is by far the largest employer in town, and several hundred people are suddenly laid off with no...more
In all honesty I can say that this is the first military type book I've ever read and actually enjoyed. No sign of impossibly long and boring details and speeches made by so-called important people. I could easily relate to the characters and their flaws, no attempt was made to create them into almost god-like heroes and villains. I really appreciate that. Charles didnt beat around the bush when he wrote this novel. His writing style is short and to the point. No unnecessary details are included...more
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I thought this book would be different from what it turned out to be. I thought it would be uplifting and have a successful ending. Perhaps there is a second book or perhaps there could be no "happy ending." I found it to be discouraging, showing the futility of fighting the government. The deaths related to the uprising were realistic, but disappointing none-the-less. The one redeeming quality, in my mind, was the fact that it personalized those courageous people who are willing to die for thei...more
I just picked this book up on a whim, and tore through it in two days' time. Based on an interesting premise, that the unconstitutionality of the powers assumed by a particular federal agency becomes apparent to the citizens of a state in the union, who demonstrate their objection by voting to secede from the union, Sheehan-Miles takes us on a fast-paced trip through the resulting events. Well-written, filled with well-drawn characters, this book presents some chilling scenarios that the author...more
This was s good read. The ending was a bit abrupt. There were two characters whose fates were not accounted for. There were also some events that were not fully explained. This was written from one side, it would have been interesting to have a bit more insight into the DHS and where there motives came from. The source of the motives can be assumed, but it would have been nice to learn the facts. This book can serve as a warning to readers. If someone believes his or her power is more important...more
This is not the typical type of book or story that I like. But the characters were so real I could see them and cried for them. I could see how and why the fiction could be real if we are not careful. I hated some of the characters. Like President,HDS agents. their misuse of power.I cared for a lot of the characters and none had a happy ending with so much death around them. the book was well written and I could not put it down. It wrung out my emotions. How greed and power can corrupt is scarry...more
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, since I don't usually read military fiction. It took a few chapters to really get into it, but it was a pretty good book. It was written from multiple points of view, so it was difficult to remember who all the characters were at first. But once you get further into the story, you don't even notice. Aside from a few grammatical errors that not many people would notice, I enjoyed the story. I do wish the author had explained what happened to a few of t...more
You pay 70% of your income to the government in taxes. Governmental agencies are running rampant, violating your rights as an American. People you love a care for are being hurt and even killed by these actions. What would you do?
This is the premise that Mr. Sheenan-Miles gives us in the book "Republic" And he does a fine job at portraying a not so different than now America. While the story line is good, the book does fall short in some aspects.
I felt that the characters lacked some depth. Som...more
This is the premise that Mr. Sheenan-Miles gives us in the book "Republic" And he does a fine job at portraying a not so different than now America. While the story line is good, the book does fall short in some aspects.
I felt that the characters lacked some depth. Som...more
Charles Sheehan-Miles, Republic (Cincinnatus Press, 2007)
What happens to America if things continue on the way they have been over the past six years? Charles Sheehan-Miles offers one possible scenario in Republic, and it's both plausible and horrifying. A few years from now, the Department of Homeland Security has grown into a monolithic beast that is, for all intents and purposes, all-powerful, and the President of the United States is in their pocket. Various small-scale terrorist attacks occ...more
What happens to America if things continue on the way they have been over the past six years? Charles Sheehan-Miles offers one possible scenario in Republic, and it's both plausible and horrifying. A few years from now, the Department of Homeland Security has grown into a monolithic beast that is, for all intents and purposes, all-powerful, and the President of the United States is in their pocket. Various small-scale terrorist attacks occ...more
Was offered this book free from the author, but ended up buying it. I thought this was a great story and something we may actually see played out if we continue to let our government grow, unchecked. The only part that really troubled me, kind of a minor criticism, was I thought the author passed up the opportunity to expand the scope of the story by limiting the uprising to just one state, West Virginia. I live in the NW and with the exception of the Portland and Seattle, if Idaho seceded from...more
It was an interesting look at what could happen - government run amok and radicalism ruling the day, but ultimately there was no real conclusion - the major conflict was resolved, but the reader is left to wonder if it made any difference. Perhaps that was intentional, as life often is that way. The characters were fairly well developed and the author did a good job of building the reader's sympathy for them. But even here, there is much left unresolved. It does make one reflect on the direction...more
I'm listening to it on podio.. so far its great but the audio is inconsistent. Female voices are created by raising the pitch and the recordings occasionally crack and bark or burp...
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If i could give half stars I'd give 2.5 stars. It was a really interesting read, lots of escalating politics and drama. It was a heavy read, bit more than what I was expecting, possibly because I listened to it while working. I need a 'pick-me-up' sort of book.
___
If i could give half stars I'd give 2.5 stars. It was a really interesting read, lots of escalating politics and drama. It was a heavy read, bit more than what I was expecting, possibly because I listened to it while working. I need a 'pick-me-up' sort of book.
I received this book for free from bookbub.com. The title was interesting so I ended up choosing this book. I like history books and even though it was a fictional book I found parts of the book eerie. The author incorporated actual historical events into the book. I enjoyed the book but towards the end it was a long ending. The war and the end of story was not really what I was hoping for. Over all the book was about a three star.
I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting read. It draws you in and keeps you turning the page. Overall, I liked the characters and the set up of the story and I would recommend it for anyone that wants a good read.
1 like · like · see review
Brilliant, simply brilliant- from prose to plot to characterizations, Republic: A Novel of America's Future by Charles Sheehan-Miles is a unique reading experience that will enthrall lovers of good story-telling and thrilling plots.
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
RICK FRIEDMAN
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
1 like · like · see review
A surprisingly good read. A very believable scenario, especially in today's political climate.
Interesting it was written in 2007 before the current administration took office, yet much of it sounds familiar.
Interesting it was written in 2007 before the current administration took office, yet much of it sounds familiar.
A challenging and thought provoking novel in which you will question your entire political thought process. Charles Sheehan-Miles brings us REPUBLIC, a novel that takes the human condition and changes it at the core. All that we’ve known and all that we are can become up rooted with the best intentions, but at what cost to our Constitutional rights. It was once said that the political parties would bring the downfall of the United States, and this novel gives us a glimpse of what tomorrow may br...more
1 like · like · see review
One of the best speculative fiction stories that I have read. If you cannot relate and fall for the characters in this story then stone resides in your chest.
Fun story, hard not to put down a book that portrays a scenario where US goes to civil war in the future
I originally listened to this in a serialised podcast format and enjoyed it so much that I have also read it.
I thought the book was well written and the author was able to develop the characters to the point where you can relate to them and the situations that they are in...what struck me about this novel is that the storyline is developed with enough realism that it is acutally disturbing thinking about all the "what ifs" and if our society could (or is) following a similar path...I really enjoyed reading the book
1 like · like · see review
Author Sheehan-Miles tells of insurrection in America, brought on by above the law actions by Dept. of Homeland Security. This novel shows a progression from small disputes to the brink of civil war, with personal stories intertwined. If you are a writer, you can learn from this book. Look for the problems and solutions should quickly come to mind.
Pretty good, but depressing. I need some very fluffy reading after this book.
Review of member giveaway eBook
Set in the near future in an increasingly oppressive America. This tells the story of a chain of events leading up to a state seceding from the USA and the ensuring civil war. Told from multiple view points with well drawn characterisation and gripping plot lines this was a very interesting and well written novel.
I enjoyed this enormously and would recommend it highly.
Set in the near future in an increasingly oppressive America. This tells the story of a chain of events leading up to a state seceding from the USA and the ensuring civil war. Told from multiple view points with well drawn characterisation and gripping plot lines this was a very interesting and well written novel.
I enjoyed this enormously and would recommend it highly.
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Charles has been a soldier, nonprofit executive, short order cook, IT manager and run a restaurant. He doesn't believe in specialization. He currently works as a communications and outreach specialist for a law firm representing disabled veterans. Charles lives in Bethesda, Maryland.
More about Charles Sheehan-Miles...
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