2006: The Chautauqua Rising by Jack Cashill. I’ve noticed the book in the local bookstore I frequent before, but for some reason had never picked it up. I ended up buying the book not only because much of it takes place in my home town, but also because it appealed to my interest in limited government. The book was written in 2000 and looks ahead to the author’s vision of what an America led by Al Gore would look like. Fed up with government infringment on individual rights, a hodge-podge group from Chautauqua County, New York begin an uprising on the idyllic Chautauqua Institution.
Having lived most of my life in Chautauqua county, I found the local references interesting, and think it could be fun for a book club to travel around the county for the day visiting many of the spots mentioned while discussing the book. A few somewhat inaccurate local references bugged me a bit, but they weren’t major, and wouldn’t be noticed by someone not from the area. A few aspects of the book were predictable, and the ending felt a bit too convenient. But, overall, the book was entertaining and engaging. A good read for anyone who likes a good dystopian novel and cares about our freedoms.
I wish I would have read the book back when it first came out–unlike many other dystopian novels, this uses real people like Al Gore as some of its characters. This makes the book a bit less timeless than other similar novels, but it also sets it apart from other dystopian novels. I know I’ve mentioned a few complaints here, but overall I really did enjoy the book and highly recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a fast-paced piece of fiction with a decidedly anti-government bent.