It's closer than you think.
Or fear.
One Nation Under God
by Vincent M. Wales
ISBN: 0-9741337-0-1
Trade paperback, 448 pages
$15.95 retail
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 2004 Book Awards |
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*** and *** Best Young Adult Fiction |
In the year 2021, eleven-year old Mary Christopher is the spunky daughter of the latest President vowing to return America to its righteous roots. Her mother is a well-known “family values” activist, and her "Uncle" Gene Sisco is head of the largest evangelical Christian organization in the land. Against the backdrop of an America where Christian fundamentalism has brought about tremendous change in Washington, Mary's is a conflicted coming-of-age story, in which she questions everything from her faith to her sexuality, and ultimately becomes one more victim of her father's repressive legislation.
Other figures in her life include: Jude, an atheist Mary befriends on the Internet; Vicki, the girl at camp for whom Mary develops confusing feelings; J. E. Cooper, the freelance reporter who labels Gene Sisco the most dangerous man in America; and Jefferson Paine, the mysterious figure behind the infamous Voice of Reason website, dedicated to challenging the Christopher administration at every turn.
The novel takes events from present-day and extrapolates them to a possible conclusion two short decades from now. The list of controversial topics in this fable is long, covering everything from radical education techniques to communal living, group marriages to the failings of religion. Yet, through it all, ONE NATION UNDER GOD maintains a positive world-view, a hope that our society might one day get its collective act together, before it's too late.
"[One Nation Under God is] a fresh look at the dangers of theocracy and the importance of a secular government."
- --Dan Barker, author of Losing Faith in Faith: From Preacher to Atheist, and public relations director of the Freedom from Religion Foundation.
"Although the oppression of dystopian novels like 1984 may seem exaggerated, One Nation Under God shows us that it's only a few steps away from where we are now. This book manages to be disturbing, educational, and entertaining at the same time. Now, when's the movie?"
- --Jennifer Hunter, author of 21st Century Wicca and Rites of Pleasure
"Reading One Nation Under God is like surfing through blogs and thumbing through electronic diaries. To embark on this communications venture (traversing the period from 2021 through 2030) is to eventually arrive face to face with our own society on Christian steroids, the author's picture of what might lie in store for America. Surely exploring the ramifications of a theocratic presidency is Wales' purpose, but is he prescient in showing it so close at hand?"
- --Paul Geisert & Mynga Futrell, founders of The Brights movement
"Not since The Handmaid's Tale have I been so spooked by a dystopian novel. One Nation Under God hits too close to home, especially for this Washington, D.C. native. But that's all the more reason to read Wales' book right now. Its heartfelt appeal for acceptance and diversity needs more advocates, before it's too late."
- --Loraine Hutchins, co-editor of Bi Any Other Name: Bisexual People Speak Out
"I couldn't put it down! In the tradition of Robert Rimmer and Ernest Callenbach, One Nation Under God is simultaneously funny, deep, light hearted, serious, and inspiring. It goes down easy and smooth leaving a satisfying glow. Anyone who yearns for a positive future will love this book!"
- --Deborah Taj Anapol, author of Polyamory: The New Love Without Limits
"Discerning what's real and what's arbitrary is a difficult personal task, whether it be about love, spirituality, or freedom. In One Nation Under God, Vincent M. Wales brings to light the process of unlearning and self-discovery that allows a person to find the truth for his/her own life. For those who are hard pressed to find art that illustrates and echoes their own searches and explorations, this book includes enough to begin to fill that need for reflection."
- -- Ryam Nearing, author of Loving More: The Polyfidelity Primer