Title: 2017: A Novel of Political Intrigue
Author: E. A. Stillwell
Publisher: Greenberry Publishing, LLC
ISBN: 978-1-947995-48-2
Pages: 416
Genre: Political
Reviewed by: Jason Lulos
Hollywood Book Reviews
Stillwell’s novel is a very compelling look at the intricacies of political conspiracy and left/right animosity. Although a work of fiction, its plausibility makes it all the more intriguing as it is seemingly presented as a “how to” book on getting a president elected by any means necessary. For political devotees, it’s a real page-turner and great food for thought about modern political secrecy.
Among a huge cast of characters, the story primarily revolves around Brad Jenkins, a professor of Middle Eastern Studies. Jenkins is, fittingly, a major player but also a pawn. One could argue that everyone is a pawn, to one extent or another, and that is a significant point the book makes. Everyone’s strings are pulled in some way. Jenkins is pulled but then willfully finds his way from professor/writer to the highest levels of the White House.
President Branch is a conservative, cowboy president, savvier than he lets on. He and his friends, Harry Reason and Michael Middleton conspire to set up Jenkins with Candy Reason, Harry’s daughter and President Branch’s national security adviser. A now married Candy Jenkins is a more suitable candidate to become America’s first female president. This relatively innocent plan of playing Cupid will lead to the uncovering of a huge political conspiracy involving catastrophic voter fraud in the presidential election.
In the process of their courtship, Candy and Jenkins form an association and think-tank to study and fight terrorism. Relationships are formed between these non-governmental entities as well as government elites, including the president. An extremely well-conceived leftist conspiracy is discovered. It is revealed that Democratic Congresswoman Barbara Pellegrino’s affair with Rob Lowen is both extramarital and part of an intricate plan to oust Branch and eventually make Pellegrino the first woman president. Jenkins, Candy, Branch, and a whole slew of compatriots (from D.C. to Jerusalem to India) must work together over the course of years to take back the government. They are determined to do so without the American public knowing it. Effectively, this is an attempt at two government takeovers, one following the other.
Stillwell shows the vast complexity of what a successful political conspiracy might entail. The right-wing political figures are the protagonists in this story but readers of different political persuasions will certainly argue about whether their counter-conspiracy is somehow more righteous than that of their liberal counterparts. Comparisons with the current political climate are bound to be made with such a book. 2017: A Novel of Political Intrigueis an intriguing political novel which provides great fodder for debate.