American War by Akkad, Omar El – A Visionary Fiction Alliance Book Review by Victor Smith

ByVictor Smith

Not a happy romp, but still a must-read

A no-holds-barred dystopian novel set towards the end of the 21st century, which features the continuation of the perpetual wars of current times, but in reverse: America, in the midst of a 2nd Civil War, is the third-world nation in disarray while a prosperous Middle-Eastern empire provides relief habitation, survival supplies, and international leadership.

The author’s handling of the elements of the novel is superb with the overall irony of the plot (the reversal of roles) subtle but inevitable.

American War shakes the finger of disapproval at our national scene on many levels as perhaps only a non-American (El Akkad was born in Egypt, lived in and was a war correspondent for Canada, before moving to the US) is removed enough to see.

Recommended reading for anyone who understands why history, if not heeded, is bound to repeat itself until we either get it right or destroy ourselves.

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