[saminfl]

There are a lot of quotable passages in that book. Taylor Caldwell must had a really good crystal ball.

[Publius]

The best part is the long sequence of Democracy Day (formerly known as Christmas) events. First comes the silent rebellion of the people, who are wearing bright colors at the Municipal Stadium event in Philadelphia. Grandon recognizes his uncle among the dignitaries who are secret Minute Men. Durant explains the facts of the situation to Joe Healy in the official car, and Gen. Graham offers him a spot equivalent to the Surgeon General's position. Bob Lincoln turns out to be a good guy, as are Grandon and Edwards. Keiser and Bishop are shot trying to kill Durant.

But my favorite Christmas scene is at the house where Arthur Carlson and the Minute Men await the final move. A plane flies overhead displaying the pattern of the forbidden old American flag, and the troops break out spontaneously into "The Star Spangled Banner". I used to get cold chills when I read this passage, but since the Christmas of 2008, I tend to break down and stop reading at this point.

The end is heartbreaking, but it's clear that the people need a narrative to explain what happened, and that narrative doesn't necessarily need to be factual.