Appeal To A Higher Father (Paperback) | Released: 15 Feb 2013

Have you ever mentally questioned the sincerity of a politician "heeding God's call" by announcing his/her candidacy for higher office or for sending our nation to war as in the case of the invasion of Iraq? Or do you cynically assume this office seeker just held a self-serving monologue with himself to rationalize decisions made, beneficial or disastrous? But just consider for a moment; what if the leader of the Free World spoke to God...and God, sitting directly across from him in the Oval Office, answered? President Allan Branson has mortgaged the treasury of the United States and hemorrhaged the blood of her sons and daughters by initiating an unprovoked attack and invasion of Iraq borne of the twin falsehoods of possessing weapons of mass destruction and alliance with Al-Qaeda. With these revealed as lies exposed plus other examples of malfeasance exposed, President Branson fears his legacy is about to be consigned to the dustbin of history. The loving and cautionary advice of his father, himself a former president is rejected out of hand by the younger Branson with a dismissive remark to the journalist-interviewer that he seeks the strength and counsel, indeed "appeals to a higher father." "Appeal To A Higher Father" provides a narrative of modern American politics infused with pious self-righteousness and viewed through a satiric prism of swirling colors and distorted reality. The work captures that moment when the amoral, free will of a weak man, and the forces of biblical prophecy join in unholy union as President Branson begins his second rebirth, but not of the Redeemer. It is the chronicle of a doomed, holy pilgrimage that begins just as it nears the completion of an eventful journey, arriving at the final destination of eternal damnation. It is the oft-cited cautionary tale of being careful what you wish for-or who we elect. ATAHF reflects the expression that 'getting there is half the fun.' It is the weaving of drama, comedy, political chicanery and religious apostasy into an intricately tapestry that upon interpretive viewing provokes laughter as well as the infrequent shudder. It will leave you wondering as we go from the quagmire of Vietnam, to the quicksands of Iraq or possibly on to the cold peat bogs of far eastern Europe, just how much closer this chronicle of pride and prejudice is to non-fiction than to alternate history.
About the Author: Bradford "Brad" Novak yields an enriched harvest of careers and life experiences to the inspiration and writing of "Appeal To A Higher Father," this, his first novel.After earning a B.A. in Political Science from Binghamton University (S.U.N.Y.) in 1968, Mr. Novak went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army for a tour of duty in Vietnam (RVN). His service done, he returned to school, earning a M.S. in Health Services Administration from Stony Brook University M.S.C., (S.U.N.Y.) leading to a thirty year career in hospital administration, health systems planning, and development of the first distance learning Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in the North Country's State University College of Technology at Canton, N.Y. Now semi-retired, Brad resides in Dothan, Alabama's Wire Grass and "Roll Tide" country.