Film, Literature and the New World Order is back! You do remember that long-abandoned podcast, don’t you? If not, you have some archive deep diving to do. And now, you have a new book to read in the next month. It’s called Powerless and it’s by Harry Turtledove. Happy reading!
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SHOW NOTES:
Film, Literature and the New World Order
FLNWO on Apple Podcasts / iHeart / Listen Notes
Resistance Fiction – #SolutionsWatch
“The Power of the Powerless” by Vaclav Havel
Capsule reviews of all five Best Novel finalists – with no spoilers!
Reserved a library copy straight away.
I’m psyched for this. LET’S GOOO!
The book’s on it’s way now.
I read John Manley’s fiction novel Much Ado About Corona during the covid wars. He’s an interesting character.
Will I be interested in following this series? Maybe. It depends on the books reviewed. How much are James’ and my interests aligned in that regard remains to be seen. I do look forward to seeing what James come up with.
Hi James! I just ordered a copy and should have it by Saturday. I have read a few of Turdledove’s books over the years — he has authored 123 or so. I like alternative history yarns — at least the one’s presented as novels and not actual history — so this one ought to be worthwhile reading. I look forward to the episode.
I finished Powerless tonight. I will start reading Havel’s Power of the Powerless next. I am looking forward to the podcast.
Well, this is a good book
Of Sound Mind
A Pacific Transcription
Kurtis R. Kallenbach
I just went to Amazon just under 23 dollars for Poweless looking forward to join in. And Thank you James for something to do with your viewer’s
I like this, count me in James 🙂
I have ordered a copy and will definitely share my thoughts at some point though I am working 6 days a week at a day job and tryna maintain two community food forest projects on my day off (while also doing my own online bookclub series https://gavinmounsey.substack.com/p/book-club-revived2026 ) so I may be a little behind on my finishing the book and interacting.
Thanks for encouraging people to read more books and discuss them with each other.
May you enjoy many peaceful, intriguing, inspiring and nourishing moments in nature while reading this book in the next month.
PS – For anyone that wants to go all out and do two bookclubs at the same time in the next month, here is info on the book I will be reviewing and engaging in discussion about on my blog:
https://gavinmounsey.substack.com/p/book-club-poll-results-for-marchaprilmay2026
– Ballroom Scene –
Stage Speaker says,
”Our projections show that by the year 2025, not only America but the entire planet will be under the protection and the dominion of this Power Alliance. The gains have been substantial, both for ourselves and for you: “The Human Power Elite”. (Applause)
I’m excited about the return of ‘Film, Literature and the New World Order’ (FLNWO)
I went OCD on the movie They Live – FLNWO #18
[OCD = Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder]
“Jack Spirko’s Survival Podcast” has the Full “They Live” movie on his Odysee Channel.
Subthread chain – https://corbettreport.com/they-live-flnwo-18/#comment-128888
Jack Spirko has been interviewed by James Corbett.
John Bloom the writer, (alias Joe Bob Briggs) probably once commented at Corbett Report.
Excerpt from his remarks: ”The solution is small communities coming together and ignoring these freaks.”
Bloom also gives a short one-pager entitled: How to be a Writer. (circa 1991)
[Links at Subthread.]
Joe Bob Briggs interviewed the star of They Live, Rowdy Roddy Piper, while they both watched the movie.
[Links at Subthread.]
I am IN, James, thanks. Great idea to reinstate FLNWO! I’ve bought the kindle ipso facto. I would just ask you to let us know the exact date/time of the presentation (I’ve never managed to be on any of your programs live). I’ve been dedicated to books/podcasts/substacks/ youtubes on the topic in Spanish, so it will be great to read one in English!
Omg, I’ve been meaning to email you asking to bring this back. I’m a writer and poet, and I think storytelling is a brilliant way for us to expand our imaginations and understanding about the world, about each other, a way to imagine a different future.
I can help getting people to “read” a book by supplying everybody a free audiobook copy of Locus Amoenus, Hamlet as a 9/11 conspiracy theorist.
https://vnalexander.com/locus-amoenus-2015/
That would be great Victoria Alexander, many thanks!
Inter and intra library loan service, in the backwoods of Ohhhklahoma!. Some things still work , ( I hope) $3.00 for shipping when it arrives. My county library card has expired by the replacement of the old system with the new. However, the kindness of the Librarian took my word on all the details. She will call when it arrives.
Thats the news.
The editorial and exchange of ideas come next . Addressing some of your concerns James, there will be a need to address some future needs . In doing so you may eliminate some glaring obstacles and concerns and discomforts.
Lay Down Some Rules (LDSR) , you know the Rules, not Rulers. You can measure a wind bag and trim some of their
( sales or sails) ( as you can see two just in this example with some of these future Faulkners I see a lot of wasted time with the bloviators. Don’t get me wrong, Most all are nice ,kind and sweet to read. Your sensitivities will no doubt be roughed up a little, not everyone got a Trinity College Dublin chance in life . I’ll speak for most here , we will try to better our selves without causing you much discomfort. I’ll also say we appreciate you giving us some distraction from the awfully bad things the USA has done lately. It’s as bad as when Uncle Sam got caught with that child in the rest stop in Iowa. Maybe worse.
I can’t wait to get distracted, it will be a pleasure to look forward to…
I bought an e-copy through Apple, last night.
I’m through the first chapter already.
I’m excited about it because (at least the first chapter) is set in the exact same neighborhood I used to live in 2013.
I lived on Sherman Way in Van Nuys behind the Jon’s Market.
All these streets the author mentions are real streets in the San Fernando valley. There’s a real bus line that runs along De Soto.
These neighborhoods do have a mix of apartment complexes and little shops, and yeah the concrete sidewalks suck lol
I might also buy the audio book, because it’s helpful for me to hear writing being read outloud for better comprehension.
I’m interested to know more about Harry Turtledove. I wonder if I was his neighbor.
I’m on chapter 5, and it’s kind of bumming me out, big time.
No spoilers, but, it’s more non-fiction than fiction by chapter 5.
…well…that was a book.
Hmmm…
I do have opinions.
I’m hoping that other people will read this book and that Corbett does a follow-up post and we can dissect it, and discuss the points that Turtledove attempts to hammer home, here.
I’ve got to sleep on it, and marinate in it for a couple weeks, then revisit it.
I think it might be helpful for people to look into the real life political situation of California.
Not only read up on Gavin Newsome hosting Xi Jingping and how he sanitized San Francisco for his visit.
Also go waaay back to Gray Davis, and how they removed him from office. (Enron and Arnold Schwarzenegger are part of THAT whole drama, just to flesh out the whole corruption aspect)
I think it might also help to look at a map of the San Fernando Valley.
This story basically takes place in and around Canoga Park.
Sherman Way, De Soto, Ventura Blvd are heavily mentioned. It’s maybe helpful to have a map open while you read, to get a better understanding of how the main character, “Charlie Simpkins” is taking the bus around town.
I’m going to save my critiques until, hopefully, other people have read this book, and we can discuss themes.
I will say it’s kind of depressing for the first six or seven chapters.
I’m actually still depressed after reading this book.
But, the themes are important.
Could it have been 100 pages shorter? Yeah, probably. Has this guy had sex in a decade or more? Probably not. (Yeah. Wow. I’d like to talk about page 158, because…no.)
I’d love it if there was a chapter breakdown of the major plot points. If this book has Cliff Notes, that would be awesome.
Bird
Without giving anything away . Did you happen to see the movie “Handmaid’s Tale”?
I ask that to see if this Turtledove book would make a similar type movie?
I’m glade you got an opinion and can express it safely without spilling the beans.
I bet Gonk could whip out a cliff note.
No, it’s nothing like Handmaid’s Tale. Not at all.
I want to say it’s similar to stories about communist Russia. If you’ve had older Russian friends who tell stories about living in Russia under communism, and there’s always lack of food and merchandise, and a constant fear and distrust of your neighbors, that may turn you into the secret police.
I think this story is also similar to if you’re dealing with a particularly nosey HOA Compliance Officer, but like the HOA has control over the whole region, and terrible things can happen to you if you don’t comply with the HOA.
But if you put your faith in regime change, you’re going to be disappointed. Because those people are going to oppress you, too.
I ordered a copy. I look forward to this!
Not having participated in FLNWO previously, I’m curious how one does that.
I read “Powerless” and have thought about journalling its effect on me.
Would it be appropriate to do the as a comment?
I’ve journalled my thoughts on it too. It makes sense if we’re going to discuss it in May, by that time I will have forgotten half of the book.
Maybe James will have a discussion thread when we get around to discussing it, and we can post our insights there.
Thank you. Very excited about the book club.
All right, I’ve finished it, and written some (admittedly rough) notes.
My body is ready.
Challenge accepted.
Excellent news.
Oh boy oh boy oh boy!!
I have missed that series so much!
If you ever want suggestions…let us know!
I’ll jump the gun and provide some ideas:
* Dr Strangelove: Or How I Learned Not To Worry And Love the Bomb
* The Prisoner TV Show
* Neuromancer – the novel
I’d like to suggest: “Against the machine” by Paul Kingsnorth as a book club read! Great idea, I’m just now trying to find the book in my neck of the world.
I’d like to suggest: “Against the machine” by Paul Kingsnorth as a book club read! A book club is such a great idea, I’m just now trying to find this particular book in my neck of the world.
Thank you for bringing this back James! The RSS feed in my player has been patiently waiting for a download.
As a professional Driver, I’ll be listening to the audiobook version.
Cheers!
This is a cool idea and it looks like a fun (as fun as dystopian gets?) read.
Expect my copy this week.
What I’ve learned so far from the book reading/listening….. I’m a Deviationist!
Book quote: “you don’t do it to win, you do it to do it…!
Our copy just arrived, and I’m on Chapter 1, thinking, this is “Power of the Powerless” fictionalised and set in the US???