2006: The Chatauqua Rising

What do you get when you cross a Gen-X newspaper-man, a female folk singer, a Seneca Indian, a polish Catholic priest, an Amishman, and an elusive mystery character? Maybe just the great American restoration.Ripped directly from today's headlines, Jack Cashill gives us a not-so-fictionalized view of the future in 2006: The Chautauqua Rising. Sport utility vehicles have been outlawed, smoking is illegal, and Al Gore is President. Most Americans seem to value their safety more than their freedom.TJ Conlon, assuming ownership of his father's newspaper chain after an apparent suicide finds himself in the middle of a conflict. The government has passed the Children's Defense Act - a bill mandating schooling with Masters-level state-certified teachers for all children 19 and under. This decision brings together an unlikely collaboration between Chautauqua's Amish community, Seneca Indians, and Catholics.Part murder mystery, part political thriller, part love story...the novel has something for everyone. By the end you'll be cheering along with the book's heros, "God bless John Freeman!"

Just wanted to say that Mr. Cashill has written a great novel. I found it difficult to put down and really loved the ending--a real shocker. My wife also loved the book and noted that was the best book she has read since I talked her into reading Atlas Shrugged several years ago.

Jack Cashill's realistic political adventure makes engrossing reading. Unlike the many cookie-cutter political thrillers that are based on far-fetched scenarios, Chautauqua projects current trends into a totalitarian - but believable - future. Cashill uses his extensive experience and skills in the media and politics to communicate an understanding of how people on all sides think. He conveys to the reader his love and of America. Once I started reading, I was hooked.

Two thoughts occurred to me as I finished Jack Cashill's superb novel,"2006: The Chautauqua Rising." First, that I had just read a superb novel. Second, that it didn't seem possible this compelling and entertaining "who-done-it" could be anyone's first novel. "How-did-he-do-it?" is my question."The Chautauqua Rising", set in Western NY, paints a vivid picture of the region and a mildly disturbing picture of the political landscape of an America comfortably and purposefully drifting towards socialism. Comfortable, at least, for those who don't get in the way. In 2006, you really don't want to get in the way, especially of the CDA--the Children's Defense Act-- a legislative vehicle for D.C. politicos to tell America just what is best for our children. Or is it "their" children?"The Chautauqua Rising" eerily blurs the lines of fiction and reality. The actual "rising"--an Irish term for insurrection-- is a small but crucial political upheaval spearheaded by five distinctl and memmorable characters. The upheaval is intended to give back to Americans the right to make basic choices about their everyday life, choices that have been given up in the name of security and vague promises of helping "the children."This entirely plausible story, peppered with extra helpings of intrigue and suspense, centers around a Boston Globe sports writer, TJ Conlon. TJ is a pretty happy guy. Happy that is until he receives a telephone call (a higher calling?) that changes his comfortable, single-guy, live-in girlfriend, sportswriter's life. His father, Jack Conlon, the owner/publisher of a string of small newspapers in Chautauqua County, New York, has been found dead. Suicide.This disturbing call forever changes TJ's plans for a simple, albeit unexplored, relatively undisturbed existence. Returning to his boyhood home to bury his father, TJ embarks on a tumultuous 8 month journey during which he unearths much information and wisdom concerning his father's death, himself, American politics, history and love. The insight and ease with which Cashill writes about these matters is sheer intellectual delight.Returning to his boyhood home , TJ meets many acquaintances of his deceased father, and his transformation begins. He doesn't just inherit the newspapers. He inherits a mystery, a mystery involving his father's death as suspected by a small group of passionate friends. This group possess information that could explain darker motives behind the presumed suicide. While reading this excellent work, I marveled at Jack Cashill's masterful juxtaposition of the electorate's complacency and the raw political power and ambition of those political figures that feed their bureaucratic lust on this well-documented sloth. Masterful because it is dead on accurate and vital to explaining problems TJ and his country face. Finally, a newspaperman who does his job!Without revealing too much, there is a conspiracy in "2006: The Chau

Jack Cashill has crafted an elegantly drawn, eminently readable story of epic proportions. His rich characters are placed within a believable framework which expands current political trends to their frightening conclusions. The moment that you open the book, you are drawn into a puzzling mystery which quickly expands to illustrate the consequences of ignoring current popular beliefs. To wit: SUVs are no longer available, tobacco products are available only with a prescription or from Native Americans, totalitarian programs are framed as being "for the children." Even if you have no interest in politics or trends, the mystery story itself is so well crafted that it will draw you into its intricate, well written structure. Fans of good writing, and those who are politically alert will both appreciate and enjoy this well told tale.