AUDIO EXCERPT
Description:
“I hope no one secedes, but I also hope that Americans figure out creative ways to resist injustice and create communities where everybody counts. We’ve got a long history of resistance in Vermont and this book is testimony to that fact.”
–Bernie Sanders
A book that’s also the beginning of a movement, Bill McKibben’s debut novel Radio Free Vermont follows a band of Vermont patriots who decide that their state might be better off as its own republic.
As the host of Radio Free Vermont–“underground, underpowered, and underfoot”–seventy-two-year-old Vern Barclay is currently broadcasting from an “undisclosed and double-secret location.” With the help of a young computer prodigy named Perry Alterson, Vern uses his radio show to advocate for a simple yet radical idea: an independent Vermont, one where the state secedes from the United States and operates under a free local economy. But for now, he and his radio show must remain untraceable, because in addition to being a lifelong Vermonter and concerned citizen, Vern Barclay is also a fugitive from the law.
In Radio Free Vermont, Bill McKibben entertains and expands upon an idea that’s become more popular than ever–seceding from the United States. Along with Vern and Perry, McKibben imagines an eccentric group of activists who carry out their own version of guerilla warfare, which includes dismissing local middle school children early in honor of ‘Ethan Allen Day’ and hijacking a Coors Light truck and replacing the stock with local brew. Witty, biting, and terrifyingly timely, Radio Free Vermont is Bill McKibben’s fictional response to the burgeoning resistance movement.
MY AUDIO BOOK REVIEW:
I recently had the pleasure of listening to an excerpt of the audio version of this book, located on Penguin Random House’s website here
The narrator did a good job. I was hooked the moment I started listening to this quirky, humorous take about Americans rebelling. Now, when I say rebelling, perhaps, I should have said–making a statement about feeling oppressed, losing their idea of what America used to be, and about buying America over importing. Focusing on Vermontians with a sense of humor about recycling, switching things for Vermont produced items, and making a stand regarding free trade, all done is fascinating and fun ways.
This story finds a funny way of expressing what I’m sure many American have thought of doing (if they could and get away with it) to right what they considered ‘wrongs’ brought in through foreign trade.
Now, I wish I could say more, but this excerpt was short and sweet. I would suggest you go check it out and if you like it, to pick up the book. It’s now available for purchase with the links provided on Penguin’s site.
As this is only an excerpt, I don’t rate them as I do a full novel. I listen or read the excerpt and rate the premise: gold, silver or bronze.
This book premise earned:
Let me know what you think!
Share this:
- More
