Status
Checked out
Series
Collection
Publication
Tor Books (2007), Edition: 1st, 368 pages
Description
The American Empire has grown too fast, and the fault lines at home are stressed to the breaking point. The war of words between Right and Left has collapsed into a shooting war, though most people just want to be left alone. The battle rages between the high-technology weapons on one side, and militia foot-soldiers on the other, devastating the cities, and overrunning the countryside. But the vast majority, who only want the killing to stop, and the nation to return to more peaceful days, have technology, weapons and strategic geniuses of their own. When the American dream shatters into violence, who can hold the people and the government together? And which side will you be on?
User reviews
LibraryThing member sirfurboy
Orson Scott Card has written many excellent books. This is not one of them.
It is clear from the author's Afterword, that the book was contrived to fit with a video game, and that roughly describes the sophistication of this plot which is well below Card's normal standard.
Reuben Malich is a major in
In his afterword, Card indicates that it was all to easy to conceive of events that would lead to a civil war - but like "Shadow of the Hegemon", we see in this book that Card does not really do politics too well. For him, great events can be flawlessly shaped by the outrageous plans of a few. Compare with Tolstoy who says that those few are merely puppets of the greater circumstances, and you see the flaws in this plot laid bare. Frankly the whole plot is preposterous, and lacks the depth and strength of feeling required to make the preposterous plausible.
Could a stable democracy like the USA have another civil war? Certaily it is possible - but not over anything so petty as in this book! Civil wars have to be fomented over a period of time, a sharp division, and a growing sense of outrage that allows people to conceive of actions that are otherwise treasonable. The mistake that Card makes is to think that the differences between American Republicans and American Democrats are large enough for anyone to fight over. For anyone to destroy their deomcracy and country over. Much as they may dislike the other side, it is clear that the deomcratic ideal trumps the other ideology in their mind.
He almost recognises this early in the book, where in a university class discussion, Major Malich makes that very point in a voice we recognises as one of reason. He simply ignores the "conservative v liberal" debate and answers more intelligently as though those distinctions have no real existence of themselves. But then Card blows it by making the issues something that people really are willing to fight with bullets over - and it is not all clear why! To me there is a fundamental misunderstanding of the American political situation there.
I was reminded of "Shadow of the Hegemon" that read more like a game of "Risk" than anything close to real politics. And thus this book might make a reasonable game plot, but its not an intelligent book plot.
But so what? If it makes an enjoyable plot, what does it matter if the politics in Card's books are so black and white - so simplistic?
But there are other problems with this book too. One annoyance for someone who has probably read all of Card's books and short stories, is that he has recycled language, characters and plot elements from other works - and to poor effect. For instance, for me the word "jeesh" now refers to battle school kids - not a mature army combat unit. Ideas such as the double password on the PDA came from the short story "Dogwalker". And it went on!
Someone new to Card though would miss those references, but might still hate this book because the dialogue is so unconvincing. They might hate it because the plot is rather predictable (other than the odd choice to kill off ... well maybe I shouldn't say to avoid spoilers - but anyone reading the book is likely to know what I mean and agree it's an odd choice).
One of the things I have historically liked about Card is the way he focuses his books widely, incorporating foreign languages and cultures. Also the way he makes you think about issues. But in this book his cultural references are right out of an American right wing chat room, and show a remarkable lack of critical thinking!
When I read "European news media tells you what to think. American news media shows you enough so you make your own opinions", I was flabergasted, as should any other european who has numbed their mind watching the news on visits to that country! Not that I have a vested interest in news media, and not that I have any rosy spectacled view of European orgaisations. It just made me think that I was reading some American neo-con and not the Orson Scott Card who I have respected for very many years.
It seems to me that in recent years there has been a marked decline in the quality of Card's output. I suspect that this is an excellent writer with just too many projects with too short deadlines on the go.
Card completists (like me) will read this book whatever I say. Anyone else - avoid this one.
It is clear from the author's Afterword, that the book was contrived to fit with a video game, and that roughly describes the sophistication of this plot which is well below Card's normal standard.
Reuben Malich is a major in
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the US Army working on secret assignments in Washington. He is joined by captain Bartholomew Coleman (Cole) just as an act of treachery takes a plan he wrote for the president's protection to carry out an assassination on the same. The success of this and other operations triggers a civil war, where members of the American democratic party, still smarting over the appointment of George Bush as president, when Al Gore won the vote - start a civil war.In his afterword, Card indicates that it was all to easy to conceive of events that would lead to a civil war - but like "Shadow of the Hegemon", we see in this book that Card does not really do politics too well. For him, great events can be flawlessly shaped by the outrageous plans of a few. Compare with Tolstoy who says that those few are merely puppets of the greater circumstances, and you see the flaws in this plot laid bare. Frankly the whole plot is preposterous, and lacks the depth and strength of feeling required to make the preposterous plausible.
Could a stable democracy like the USA have another civil war? Certaily it is possible - but not over anything so petty as in this book! Civil wars have to be fomented over a period of time, a sharp division, and a growing sense of outrage that allows people to conceive of actions that are otherwise treasonable. The mistake that Card makes is to think that the differences between American Republicans and American Democrats are large enough for anyone to fight over. For anyone to destroy their deomcracy and country over. Much as they may dislike the other side, it is clear that the deomcratic ideal trumps the other ideology in their mind.
He almost recognises this early in the book, where in a university class discussion, Major Malich makes that very point in a voice we recognises as one of reason. He simply ignores the "conservative v liberal" debate and answers more intelligently as though those distinctions have no real existence of themselves. But then Card blows it by making the issues something that people really are willing to fight with bullets over - and it is not all clear why! To me there is a fundamental misunderstanding of the American political situation there.
I was reminded of "Shadow of the Hegemon" that read more like a game of "Risk" than anything close to real politics. And thus this book might make a reasonable game plot, but its not an intelligent book plot.
But so what? If it makes an enjoyable plot, what does it matter if the politics in Card's books are so black and white - so simplistic?
But there are other problems with this book too. One annoyance for someone who has probably read all of Card's books and short stories, is that he has recycled language, characters and plot elements from other works - and to poor effect. For instance, for me the word "jeesh" now refers to battle school kids - not a mature army combat unit. Ideas such as the double password on the PDA came from the short story "Dogwalker". And it went on!
Someone new to Card though would miss those references, but might still hate this book because the dialogue is so unconvincing. They might hate it because the plot is rather predictable (other than the odd choice to kill off ... well maybe I shouldn't say to avoid spoilers - but anyone reading the book is likely to know what I mean and agree it's an odd choice).
One of the things I have historically liked about Card is the way he focuses his books widely, incorporating foreign languages and cultures. Also the way he makes you think about issues. But in this book his cultural references are right out of an American right wing chat room, and show a remarkable lack of critical thinking!
When I read "European news media tells you what to think. American news media shows you enough so you make your own opinions", I was flabergasted, as should any other european who has numbed their mind watching the news on visits to that country! Not that I have a vested interest in news media, and not that I have any rosy spectacled view of European orgaisations. It just made me think that I was reading some American neo-con and not the Orson Scott Card who I have respected for very many years.
It seems to me that in recent years there has been a marked decline in the quality of Card's output. I suspect that this is an excellent writer with just too many projects with too short deadlines on the go.
Card completists (like me) will read this book whatever I say. Anyone else - avoid this one.
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LibraryThing member scottwmcgregor
Compelling novel with a very salient and topical storyline. Once again OSC demonstrates his sublime understanding of history and current events without force-feeding you his politics. The man can weave a damn good story.
LibraryThing member capewood
I'm a big fan of Card and picked this up only on that basis. The dust jacket blurb didn't sound promising but, hey, its Orson Scott Card. Well, very disappointed is what I am. The character dialog was not believable and the opening set-up wasn't making much sense. But I thought it really started
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going south when the mechanical soldiers showed up in New York and Our Heroes just happened to be there! The Liberal-Conservative conflict at the base of this story was hard for me to resolve in the beginning. Not because Card wasn't beating me over the head with it but because I kept thinking there has to be more to this story. It was an easy read so I kept at it. The afterword says Card wrote this as the setting of a video game. Well, I guess it was plotted like a video game. I don't really know anything about Card's politics. He comes across as a right wing nut case in the afterward which explains the right wing nut case conspiracy theory of the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member lchead
This book started out quite well...Scared the hell out of me in fact. One could see this exact thing happening in the not so distant future. The ending was a bit of a let down. A little to far fetched
LibraryThing member endersreads
Card takes us through a civil war that could indeed happen "now". I enjoyed his polotics and the part where one of the main character's ends up on the O'Reilly Factor. Despite all the fun in this book, there is a very important message Card gives us: THE LEFT AND RIGHT ARE INSANE! I don't know if
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Card would agree with me, but I believe it is because the insane elite have created a Left and Right to hold us polarized and in their Machiavellian grip. Control is the Goal. Should civil war happen, I believe it would not be between the Left and Right, as portrayed here; but between the Military Industrial Complex and the American People. I'm glad to report, as of today, our Republic is still standing, albeit weakly. Read this and then go watch Alex Jones' "End Game", "9/11 The Road to Tyranny", "Washington, You're Fired", "Loose Change Final Cut", and all the rest. Read Card's book, then Watch it! Watch it! Watch it! Watch it unfold! Show Less
LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Reminiscent of Tom Clancy political thrillers, this novel imagines what a 2nd American civil war might look like. Generally speaking, the storyline was interesting and believable. This book is about the battle of words in politics, and the author's voice is readily apparent in calling for
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moderation rather than fanaticism. Show Less
LibraryThing member nickdreamsong
This novel is a quick, but timely read. Card presents a political scenario in which the culture wars that currently divide the United States erupt into Civil War. Although the writing is not as full and engaging as Ender's Game or Pastwatch, the presentation of political possibilites is right on
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the money. If you plan to read this one, read it now. I suspect that this novel will not age as well as some of his have. And be sure to read the author's afterword because Card's discussion about why he chose to write about the death of the republic is truly fascinating. Show Less
LibraryThing member elric17
A book that shows where the divisive polices of the right and left could lead, albeit to an extreme. A thought provoking read, although personally I believe one party will take control while the American voters are asleep.
LibraryThing member librisissimo
Capitalizing on current events. Points out problems of extreme fanaticism arising from partisanship in both US parties.
LibraryThing member blakeja
Card gives us a great look into the level of of animosity between the left and the right and what "could" happen . . .
LibraryThing member break
The premise of Orson Scott Card's Empire is that a Second Civil Warbreaks uot in the US in the near future. Sometimes it is described as an urban vs. rural war, but mostly it is a left vs right. The actual war explodes only around page 160 (out of 350) of the book, so first we learn a lot about the
I enjoyed and was engaged with many of Card's books in the past in a good way. But with this book I was engaged in a bad way. I had to force myself to read it through. His admiration of all things military and his right wing politics made it really hard not to throw the book at the wall. Sure, I know very little of the former, while, based on his afterward, the author did extensive studies and met with many military personnel before and during writing this book. But his adulation went overboard in my opinion. Everything that is civilian was negative in this book, while everything military was adored here, even if it was on the “wrong” side of the fictional war.
Regarding the politics, Scott makes a few fable attempts to create the illusion of balanced view. He wrote that it could have been the right and not the left who provoked the civil war, but in his book it just happens to be the left. In the afterworld he explains his analysis of the balanced state of affairs of today that includes fanatics on both sides. I agree with that statement,but not with his assessment that fanatics took hold of both sides to the same extent. From where I sit the right keeps moving to the right. While the left keeps moving to the center and not to the far-left. It is also hard to argue with somebody who categorically states “the Left has control of all the institutions of cultural power and prestige” (page 344). He is using this false argument to balance the fact that at the time of writing “the right controlled both houses of Congress and the presidency.”
As I am not much of a video game player I will most likely not play the “Shadow Complex” for which this book was a prequel. Furthermore I doubt I will want to work through the forthcoming sequel to the book itself. The reasons, beside the politics of the book and its focus on military culture, include the usual problems of weak female characters in Card's works. In addition this feels like a rushed work, with several logical problems, that he avoided in the past.
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political situation and the various driving forces of the society and the main characters. The book concludes with a resolution of the war where one side seems to win. Or if you will, it provides the plans of moving from the era of Republic to the era of Empire, similar to Roman times or to the Star Wars saga.I enjoyed and was engaged with many of Card's books in the past in a good way. But with this book I was engaged in a bad way. I had to force myself to read it through. His admiration of all things military and his right wing politics made it really hard not to throw the book at the wall. Sure, I know very little of the former, while, based on his afterward, the author did extensive studies and met with many military personnel before and during writing this book. But his adulation went overboard in my opinion. Everything that is civilian was negative in this book, while everything military was adored here, even if it was on the “wrong” side of the fictional war.
Regarding the politics, Scott makes a few fable attempts to create the illusion of balanced view. He wrote that it could have been the right and not the left who provoked the civil war, but in his book it just happens to be the left. In the afterworld he explains his analysis of the balanced state of affairs of today that includes fanatics on both sides. I agree with that statement,but not with his assessment that fanatics took hold of both sides to the same extent. From where I sit the right keeps moving to the right. While the left keeps moving to the center and not to the far-left. It is also hard to argue with somebody who categorically states “the Left has control of all the institutions of cultural power and prestige” (page 344). He is using this false argument to balance the fact that at the time of writing “the right controlled both houses of Congress and the presidency.”
As I am not much of a video game player I will most likely not play the “Shadow Complex” for which this book was a prequel. Furthermore I doubt I will want to work through the forthcoming sequel to the book itself. The reasons, beside the politics of the book and its focus on military culture, include the usual problems of weak female characters in Card's works. In addition this feels like a rushed work, with several logical problems, that he avoided in the past.
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LibraryThing member gdog13cavs
Empire, by Orson Scott Card, is a script for a video game masquerading as a novel, and unfortunately, not a very good script at that. Though meant to be an action-packed thrill-ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what happens next, this novel is much more likely to put you
Card wrote the novel at the instigation of Donald Mustard, who wanted Card to develop a video game script that depicted a plausible set of events that could lead to an American Civil War. Mustard's game, also to be titled Empire, sought a situation in which the democratic republic in the United States is threatened with the possibility of dissolving and being replaced by an American empire.
In Empire, Card develops such a plot, though it fails miserably at accomplishing the goal of plausibility. The situation and circumstances that Card uses to develop the process by which America finds itself in a state of Civil War are patently absurd, and seem more likely to have been baked up by some political extremist or conspiracy theorist. Card is most comfortable to writing in the science fiction genre where readers expect the author to bend the credulity of technological capability as a given backdrop. However, such bending of credulity only goes so far when dealing with novels set in the present day, and Card takes it way too far. Unfortunately, that is the least of this book's problems.
The novel starts out well enough, though. Card creates an intriguing main character in Major Reuben Malich, a Princeton educated special forces member who appears to be on the fast track on his career in the army. He encounters a professor at Princeton named Averell Torrent, with whom Malich has a number of entertaining exchanges and who asks Major Malich if he is interested in helping protect against threats to the United States government from within. This exchange eventually leads to Major Malich taking a job at the Pentagon where he thinks up plots that could exploit holes in national security by day and secretly involved in under-the-table deals aimed at thwarting security risks by night. To aid in his work, Malich enlists the help of Captain Bartholomew Coleman. However, unfortunately for Malich and Coleman, some of Malich's own work comes back to haunt him as the plans he developed as part of his job at the Pentagon are used in an assassination attempt on the President.
The scenes through this part of the novel are well-written and feature a good deal of character development of both Malich and Coleman. Coleman, in particular, has a particularly delightful scene where he means Major Malich's wife and is rewarded with cookies while trying to track down the location of his boss. Unfortunately, once the war actually starts, the character development, and, as far as that goes, the plot development, comes to a screeching halt. Scenes that should reveal character and build suspense are nothing more than cookie cutter scenes that would only be exciting if one were actually fighting the battles as part of a video game.
Card is a master story teller, but unfortunately, in Empire, his story started unraveling as it gets to what should be the meat of the plot. Rather than building to a catharsis, the plot fizzles into almost unreadable drivel by the end. Card should have left this plot as a script for the video game and forgotten about publishing the novel, or better yet, forgotten about both.
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to sleep. Empire is a surprising failure of a novel from an author from whom one expects much, much more.Card wrote the novel at the instigation of Donald Mustard, who wanted Card to develop a video game script that depicted a plausible set of events that could lead to an American Civil War. Mustard's game, also to be titled Empire, sought a situation in which the democratic republic in the United States is threatened with the possibility of dissolving and being replaced by an American empire.
In Empire, Card develops such a plot, though it fails miserably at accomplishing the goal of plausibility. The situation and circumstances that Card uses to develop the process by which America finds itself in a state of Civil War are patently absurd, and seem more likely to have been baked up by some political extremist or conspiracy theorist. Card is most comfortable to writing in the science fiction genre where readers expect the author to bend the credulity of technological capability as a given backdrop. However, such bending of credulity only goes so far when dealing with novels set in the present day, and Card takes it way too far. Unfortunately, that is the least of this book's problems.
The novel starts out well enough, though. Card creates an intriguing main character in Major Reuben Malich, a Princeton educated special forces member who appears to be on the fast track on his career in the army. He encounters a professor at Princeton named Averell Torrent, with whom Malich has a number of entertaining exchanges and who asks Major Malich if he is interested in helping protect against threats to the United States government from within. This exchange eventually leads to Major Malich taking a job at the Pentagon where he thinks up plots that could exploit holes in national security by day and secretly involved in under-the-table deals aimed at thwarting security risks by night. To aid in his work, Malich enlists the help of Captain Bartholomew Coleman. However, unfortunately for Malich and Coleman, some of Malich's own work comes back to haunt him as the plans he developed as part of his job at the Pentagon are used in an assassination attempt on the President.
The scenes through this part of the novel are well-written and feature a good deal of character development of both Malich and Coleman. Coleman, in particular, has a particularly delightful scene where he means Major Malich's wife and is rewarded with cookies while trying to track down the location of his boss. Unfortunately, once the war actually starts, the character development, and, as far as that goes, the plot development, comes to a screeching halt. Scenes that should reveal character and build suspense are nothing more than cookie cutter scenes that would only be exciting if one were actually fighting the battles as part of a video game.
Card is a master story teller, but unfortunately, in Empire, his story started unraveling as it gets to what should be the meat of the plot. Rather than building to a catharsis, the plot fizzles into almost unreadable drivel by the end. Card should have left this plot as a script for the video game and forgotten about publishing the novel, or better yet, forgotten about both.
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LibraryThing member westpres
A great read. There has been an assassination of the president and the country must respond. But there is a coup in the works. Ihave to say the book sort of jumped the shark when large two legged tank like bots appear in New York. Still a good read.
LibraryThing member Radaghast
In my view, Orson Scott Card is one of the finest authors of today. He has produced landmark novels in the science fiction and fantasy genres. This makes it all the more disappointing that I did not enjoy Empire.
Empire is billed as a companion to an upcoming (then, the game has since been released)
So why didn't I like it? Surprisingly, the storyline and characters didn't work for me. Card's two greatest strengths, his understanding of human nature and his ability to weave a gripping tale, were both missing in Empire. It read like Card was phoning it in, except when the characters were discussing political issues. Moments when major characters are suddenly killed off, or a new villain is revealed felt forced, rather than enriching the story.
Empire has an admirable message. But Card has written so much better. I can't recommend this book.
Empire is billed as a companion to an upcoming (then, the game has since been released)
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video game series. Orson Scott Card makes a valiant attempt to bring a deep story to the book, that is often lacking in shallow video game plots. The novel posits the conditions that would have to arise for a modern day Civil War. It explains how such a war could take place in the current divisive political atmosphere in America. Given the fact that Orson Scott Card is conservative on many issues and openly writes in favor of his views, tackling such a politically charged book was quite brave. The truth is, Card makes a point to be fair to liberals and conservatives and everyone in between. His book does not demonize either side, and there are villains and heroes of every political persuasion. Card makes several impassioned arguments in favor of reasonable discourse and against fanaticism through the mouths of his characters. It's the message we need now more than ever.So why didn't I like it? Surprisingly, the storyline and characters didn't work for me. Card's two greatest strengths, his understanding of human nature and his ability to weave a gripping tale, were both missing in Empire. It read like Card was phoning it in, except when the characters were discussing political issues. Moments when major characters are suddenly killed off, or a new villain is revealed felt forced, rather than enriching the story.
Empire has an admirable message. But Card has written so much better. I can't recommend this book.
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LibraryThing member yonitdm
Great story idea and treatment of the action and characters. Unfortunately very believable in today's political climate.
LibraryThing member robsack
Card writing like Tom Clancy. Surprisingly satisfying. The occasional bits of Card style sort of surprised me into remembering that the book was written by Card and not someone else.
As per his standards, the characters were very likable. Very fast pacing, and heavy on the politics.
As per his standards, the characters were very likable. Very fast pacing, and heavy on the politics.
LibraryThing member jensenc
Fun and fanciful. Though, it reads more like a movie script and will probably make a better movie than a book.Afterward by Card is very insightful and worth reading.
LibraryThing member jchancel
I would not say this is one of Orson Scott Card's best works. Although the book is fast paced and adventuresome I found the plot a little beyond belief. However, I believe the purpose of the book was not the plot itself, but to convey Card's fears of the threat apparent in the ever-increasing
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disparity between the two political parties in the United States. In this respect Card does a good job, but it caused the believability of the plot to suffer some. It's a good thriller and a quick read and will make you ponder the stability of a country divided into two hateful political camps. Show Less
LibraryThing member jarlalex
Reads very much like a Tom Clancy book in terms of the pace and character development. The major distinction is that where Clancy tends to brush over anything political - which 15-20 years ago was possible - Card centres on politics, particularly the peripheral manifestations of it (newsmedia,
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stray zillionaires, etc.). All things considered, the thing that struck me most was another trait in common with [earlier] Clancy: It's not that much of a stretch. Show Less
LibraryThing member GlennBell
Interesting story. It has a lot of action and paints a possible scenario for an American civil war. I enjoy the author's intellect and thoughtful considerations of motives, political views, and possible actions of characters in the story. It might make an interesting movie.
LibraryThing member QuietedWaters
Empire opens with intrigue and promises to draw the reader in for a captivating look at a potential future for America, but it slows in the middle and fizzles at the end.
Orson Scott Card here envisions the potential downfall of America’s stability, and he creates a unique path to the nation’s
Ultimately, Empire slides too far into political commentary and the story’s plot devolves from intriguing to farcical by the book’s conclusion. Card has done a great job to envision a novel picture of America’s future, but the book feels rushed and poorly-written as it nears its end.
Orson Scott Card here envisions the potential downfall of America’s stability, and he creates a unique path to the nation’s
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collapse. In the book, political incivility reaches new heights as Right and Left collide in violent hostilities. As Card himself describes at the end of the book, modern political discourse has gotten so full of vitriol that it does not have too far to go before it may spill over into violent actions. This book stands as a fictional representation of what such a conflict would look like.Ultimately, Empire slides too far into political commentary and the story’s plot devolves from intriguing to farcical by the book’s conclusion. Card has done a great job to envision a novel picture of America’s future, but the book feels rushed and poorly-written as it nears its end.
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LibraryThing member biblioconnisseur
Hard to go wrong with Card. Has already made me laugh out loud a couple times (which means its good)
LibraryThing member raschneid
Reading this essentially because the book flap lied to me regarding its plot. It's interesting, but not really a novel - more of a historical/political thought experiment in story form. Which if you're going to write something like this set so close to the present is not a bad thing; if he'd
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written an actual novel, it would be harder for the reader to think critically about its ideas. However, it's not really art. Show Less
LibraryThing member HadriantheBlind
Oh, Orson, how far you have fallen. Instead of the brilliance that was Ender's Game, you now write a Tea Partier's political doomsday fantasy/sub-par action movie. A shame. Hopefully you'll recover from this.
LibraryThing member HenriMoreaux
Really enjoyed this story, well written, good pace, believable plot line with some twists and unexpected turns which kept the story interesting.
There's also shooting. And explosions.
There's also shooting. And explosions.
Awards
Association for Mormon Letters Award (Honorable Mention — Novel — 2006)
Prometheus Award (Nominee — Novel — 2007)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2006-11-28
Physical description
368 p.; 4.07 inches
ISBN
0765355221 / 9780765355225