Star-Spangled Crown: A Simple Guide to the American Monarchy

by Charles A. Coulombe

For 240 years, most Americans have identified our country with its government as the embodiment of “Freedom” and the nation itself. Take away the Constitution, Congress, and presidential elections, and not only liberty but the United States themselves would vanish. Or would they? We have a government that imposes social change from above at breakneck speed, while each presidential election seems to offer even more pathetic choices than the one before. Many are scratching their heads and wondering – not just “where are we going?” but “how did we get here?” Is our governmental system itself – the leading symbol of the American way of life – heading for a meltdown? And if it is, what – if anything – shall be left of our country? Star-Spangled Crown is a book that comes to us from over a century in the future. That feared meltdown has already occurred – but these United States survived the loss of the presidency. Erected on the ruins of our current regime, a Monarchy has emerged; contrary to all of our 21st century notions, it is a thoroughly American institution. How it functions – as and where all governments, including our present one must function – is the subject of the book. Star-Spangled Crown is not a call for radical change. It is an invitation for serious thought about the realities of civil life that we as a people have spent more than two centuries ignoring or avoiding at our ultimate peril. What values shall our society express? Who makes those decisions? By what right do they do so? What is America really – or, as our 22nd century author might say, what are the United States? Star-Spangled Crown offers one set of answers from a possible future – but above all, it calls on you to ask the questions in the present.

Genres: Politics, Catholic

228 pages, Paperback

Published August 31, 2016

About the author

Roy-Charles A. Coulombe is an American Catholic author, historian, and lecturer. Coulombe is known for his advocacy of monarchism.

Reviews

[Noah Calcagno · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems almost unimaginable that the United States would ever become a monarchy, but this book nonetheless presents the idea as attractive and interesting.

Further, it subliminally argues the superiority of monarchism and the effects a righteous King can have on the population.

[Ian S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diving into this book without any background, I was pleasantly surprised to see it was a fictitious setting of a potential America about a century into the future. While I’ll always stand behind Old Glory, the author puts forward and interesting idea of a what if of an American king.

[Rich · Rating 5 out of 5]

What fascinating ideas, exploring a future that could be. The author immerses you in an historical fiction, set in the future. While we are raised in a culture strongly prejudiced against any suggestion of an American monarchy, Mr. Coulombe welcomes you into his vision, and gently persuades in a way that makes it not only reasonable, but laudable.

As a liturgical, traditional Christian, I enjoyed the subtle tweaks to the calendar, for example, lighting the national Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve (until Candlemas.)

With my interests in education, I enjoyed the author's subtle promotion of Classical Education.

This was a delightful, fun, and fast read. It's sad to step back into reality, now that I've finished the book. God save the King!

[Joshua Vaillancourt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read. In certain places, I could almost hear the author laughing as he was writing. There is just enough whimsy at times to make it feel like an extended episode of Off the Menu (which is a compliment). Incidentally, anyone who has enjoyed the author's work, should check out his podcast, it's fantastic.

[Scottiemilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this imaginative and adroitly written take on the possibility of a crown in America's future. The paper on which the book is printed feels very nice in hand as well.

[Michael Marpaung · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part fiction, part political science, this book is a thought exercise on how a monarchy would work in the United States. Here's the set-up: in an alternate world where Donald Trump was never president, a madam president (never mentioned by name, but you know who it's supposed to be) went insane and shot-up her entire cabinet before she was eventually killed by the cops. The US Military stepped in to restore order, and eventually decided to crown a king. Don't take that scenario too seriously. As I said, the point of this book is to explore how an American monarchy would work. And Mr. Coulombe did a masterful job on that.

Clarification: This book was actually published before the 2016 US Presidential Election, so it is an 'alternate world' only by accident. Even so, I find it fun to think of it in that way.

[Dave Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful history of the future

Mr. Colombo has done it again. Unlike his many histories, this one is speculative, although one wishes it were factual. As usual, well-written, and obviously near and dear to Mr. Coulombe's heart. Thank you for this book.