"American Anarchy" by Jim Rath (Cornerstone, 359 pages, $24.95)
DAYTON, Ohio — When Jim Rath was assigned to work at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, he didn't know where life might lead. It was 1973. Rath was 20 years old. That year he bought a house on Powel Road in Huber Heights, Ohio.
In an e-mail Rath described his duties: "I was a jet engine mechanic and a sergeant in the USAF ... I worked in the SAC detachment on B-52's and KC-135's ... at the northwest end of the base."
He has accomplished much over the intervening years. Rath studied to become a commercial pilot. He got married, then divorced. He moved to Hawaii but was unable to get the airline job he desired. So he came back to Dayton and started a successful roofing company.
He re-married and lived for a number of years in Xenia, Ohio. Twenty years ago he re-located to Hawaii where he has done many things; including roofing, running a motorcycle dealership, and running for elective office. Rath served a few terms in the legislature. Yet one dream remained unfulfilled.
Rath explains: "What I really wanted to do, that never revealed passion, was to write what I call 'airport books,' good, fun-to-read, highly entertaining stories. The kind of books I pick up for a flight."
Rath is living proof that if you pursue your dreams they just might come true. He recently published his novel, "American Anarchy."
Do you remember the World Trade Organization conference that was held a number of years ago in Seattle? You might recall that those meetings were marred by violent protests. There were street battles between law enforcement officers and various groups of protesters. Some of those protesters described themselves as "anarchists."
So who are these self-styled "anarchists?" Shadowy anarchist groups drive the action and buttress the plot in Rath's thriller. "American Anarchy" is the story of a secret plot to take over America. Overnight, stickers appear all over the city of York, Penn. The stickers proclaim "ANARCHY."
The next morning the city is under violent attack. Then the attackers vanish. Several days later a similar attack occurs in South Carolina. Five days later, the stickers appear in Fort Wayne, Ind., followed by another attack. America teeters on the brink of chaos.
The anarchists assassinated some firemen and police officers. Other police flee their posts. Fire departments are vacated. The Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon convince "The President" to declare martial law.
Rath spins out a wicked twist. Things are not what they seem. A few isolated individuals realize what is happening. Is it too late to save America?
Rath's tense tale will have you gritting your teeth.
And he recalled simpler times: "In this day and age it's hard to believe that we kept four nuclear armed B-52's parked in a ready-alert area, so close to Chambersburg Road that they could be hit with a bow and arrow."
"American Anarchy" is available on-line at www.cornerstonepublishers.com.
Vick Mickunas writes for the Dayton Daily News. E-mail: vick(at)vickmickunas.com.