Books like Orwell's 1984 were written to give us a frightening reality of what might happen in the future if things go unchecked. John Twelve Hawks wrote in the first books of his series a world that is a frightening reality of what might happen in the future if things go unchecked.
Now Maud Muller has written a frighteningly real world that is so amazingly true to life, you surely hope somewhere there aren't a Founding Five planning and plotting and controlling...
When Barry Goldwater lost the 1968 election, a group of five wealthy ultraconservatives banded together with the purpose of 'forming a more perfect union' in their own image. The plan was when one of the Five died, another, equally 'worthy' would take his place...They would be the power behind the guise of democracy, of the 'land of the free'.
Travel with me now to 2035. The Founding Five is literally the most powerful covert entity on earth - they, through subtly guiding the right people in the right positions of power, have torn away most of the vestiges of modern civilization. It is frightening.
The United States is now a Christian-based country, where non-Christians do not have a voice. When you are born, you are assigned a cyberspace identity and a permanent email address. You are monitored. If you are in ill health, or have some disability, or obese, you receive next to nothing in terms of healthcare. These people go to public hospitals where there is a possibility you won't come out of them - the staff knows there is a big price for organs - for the rich and powerful - and somehow, a broken nose may be a life-threatening event...
Joshua Freeman (who is half -Jewish but his parents changed their name and do not acknowledge that part of themselves in order to be part of the system) stumbles on the conspiracy and slowly he starts to piece the pieces together. He becomes 'one of them' to glean more information. He meets an innocent young woman, Elizabeth Whalen, who has come to a Christian Confederation Conference - and they are attracted to each other. But another has also seen Elizabeth, the Reverend John Gables, High Minister of the Christian Confederation, and he wants her...
So blends this amazing story of the few powerful controlling a nation that prided itself as being 'free'.
Ms. Muller has written a book that makes you think, fume, and feel surely this kind of corruption couldn't possibly happen in our country...or could it? An 'oh my gosh' ending puts this book over the top.
A great read, especially for those into political science - and interesting in this particular time of presidential primaries...will make you think...

4.0 out of 5 stars something for all persuasions, December 23, 2007

Maud Muller has delivered a thoughtful book on what could happen to America if it slips further to the right. She bases this on a premise that back in 1964, after Barry Goldwater's defeat, five Republicans got together a figured out a way to rule America, regardless of who wins future elections: privatization.

If you're a conservative, you're gonna love the first six chapters. But you won't like the next couple: a liberal-slanted view on what happened to Clinton in the 90's. But you'll be back in full swing for a few more chapters after that, nodding along, as Muller sucks you into the vortex of moral decay and corruption.

On top of the political overtones, Muller tells a love story between a deeply spiritual Elizabeth Whalen and an undercover liberal Joshua Freeman. Whalen's spiteful marriage to the top-dog conservative Grables is Freeman's impetus to expose the Founding Five, and this triggers a wave of betrayal, murder, sacrifice, and redemption.

(Come to think of it, Whalen's and Freeman's story is a bit like Whittier's "Maud Muller" poem of what-might-have-been. Hmmm.)

And when it's all over, the reader will wonder if this could really happen. Some of the ideas are intriguing: the failure of social security and medicare leading to a national healthcare plan; the Patriot Act growing into a Weapons Control Act, backed by conservatives, banning all but hunting riles; and the nationalization of local/state law enforcement agencies into the Department of Homeland Security.

This book is fun for all: If you're a liberal, you'll find a happy ending and enjoy the buried zingers. If you're a conservative, you'll be tickled that Muller used the "Intelligent Design" argument to discover the conspiracy.

Muller's characters are full-figured and sympathetic, her descriptions are detailed, and her story is decently paced. A good start for Muller!
 

More believable than "1984" but just as scary. This book puts a new face on Big Brother. The way this book draws on the recent political landscape and abuses of both civil rights and common sense delivers a real punch. Both highly entertaining and thought-provoking. If I was a university political science professor, it would be required reading for my classes.

Whether you are of a conservative or liberal mind, this book is a must-read for everyone. Although it's a work of fiction, it will make you ponder whether this could or has happened. This is Maud Muller's first novel, but I can't wait for her next work. If Founding Five is any indication of what she has to offer, it definitely is a precursor of good books to come. Those who have read this book will be first in line to buy her next one. I found it refreshing, mind provoking and the best book I've read in a long time. I couldn't put it down. Kudos to Maud Muller.