Monday 24 March 2014

MIKE HARVKEY IN THE COURSE OF HUMAN EVENTS


Synopsis/blurb…..
Battered, bruised, and bloodied by the economic collapse, Clyde Twitty has all but given up hope for the future. The factory has shut down, the pick-up needs repairs, and the place he calls home is the town the American Dream forgot. Right about now he could use some help. Enter Jay Smalls, a charismatic martial artist who exerts an intense magnetic pull. Under Jay’s brutal instruction, Clyde begins a series of increasingly frightening tests that draw him into a seedy underworld of bare-knuckle fighting, brazen criminal acts, homemade drugs, and homegrown extremism. Jay reshapes Clyde into a fearless fighter—and directs his burning anger at a deserving target: the government. 

In this thrilling debut novel—equal parts satire and morality play—Harvkey shines a sharp light on the radical underbelly of the floundering American Midwest. As he traces the violent rebirth of a desperate man, he explores with unflinching acuity the ugly nature of hate, the mechanics of radicalization, and the atomic power of having someone believe in you.

New author, debut novel, uncomfortable reading in places.

We have a down-trodden protagonist; Clyde Twitty, who we are sympathetic to and are rooting for.  Clyde is unemployed with few prospects. He’s scraping a few bucks delivering cars part-time to auction. He’s trying to support his mother and his disabled uncle – Willy. His only friend has blown town for the bright lights of Nashville.

Alone, dis-affected and ripe for seduction; Clyde falls under the spell of Jay Smalls, a white supremacist and militant. Jay with his smooth patter and his corrupting philosophy enlists Clyde into his small band of fellow-thinking Aryan dunderheads.

As Clyde leaves behind his old life for Jay’s band, I was still rooting for him; still hoping that he could reverse his chosen path and get back to some rational thought and action. We had glimpses of hope when he befriends, Chetto – a Mexican work colleague at his new job in Jefferson City and spends time in the company of his family. We felt just maybe after visiting his uncle to say goodbye; that his family bonds would prove too strong to sever.
Mike Harvkey

Alas, no happy endings.      

Martial arts training, brutality, punishment, carrot and stick, conflict, indoctrination, White Aryan Congress, family, abandonment, belief, crystal meth., surveillance, robbery, ZOG, Israel, Timothy McVeigh, Ruby Ridge, WACO, armed militias, stockpiled weaponry, explosives, Kansas City, Jefferson City, government targets, Hispanics, friendships, strippers, crank, alcohol, small business, hot sauce, Walmart, FBI, bullet wounds, hospital, coma, recovery, abandonment, tipping point, explosives, plans, shoot out, death, revolution.   

Enjoyable, interesting, deep, worrying and scary. Fascinating look at how unemployment and economic misery can be subverted from dis-affection with government into militant radicalisation, especially in an environment where guns abound.

4 from 5  

Another Net Galley download.


Mike Harvkey hails from Missouri, which ticks another box on my USA State Reading Challenge. His website is here

In the Course of Human Events is published on 15th April by Counterpoint/Soft Skull Press

22 comments:

  1. Col - It's troubling but true. When people are desperate and disaffected, and when they see few or no options, they often turn in very dangerous directions. Sounds like a well-written story of how that can happen. Though I will admit, I'm not much of a one for martial arts. Still...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Margot, I was engrossed form start to finish. I was hoping for a realisation from CT about the dangerous path he was heading down, but.....

      Delete
    2. Greetings to the general public, i want to inform the public how i was cured of HERPES Simplex Virus by a man called Dr Azuka. i visited different hospital but they gave me list of drugs like Famvir, Zovirax, and Valtrex which is very expensive to treat the symptoms and never cured me. I was browsing through the Internet searching for remedy on HERPES and i saw comment of people talking about how Dr Azuka cured them. I was scared because i never believed in the Internet but i was convince to give him a try because i was having no hope of been cured of HERPES so i decided to contact him on his email that was listed on the comment ( Dr.azukasolutionhome@gmail.com ) i searched his email on net and i saw a lot of people testifying about his goodness. when i contacted him he gave me hope and send a Herbal medicine to me that i took and it seriously worked for me, am a free person now without problem, my HERPES result came out negative. I pray for you Dr Azuka God will give you everlasting life, you shall not die before your time for being a sincere and great man. Am so happy, you can also contact him if you have any problem Email : DR.AZUKASOLUTIONHOME@GMAIL.COM

      DR AZUKA CAN AS WELL CURE THE FOLLOWING DISEASE:-

      HSV 1 & HSV 2
      ASTHMA
      DIABETES
      EPILEPSY
      CANCER
      INFERTILITY
      STAPHYLOCOCCUS.
      BARENESS
      HEPATITIS B
      PENIS ENLARGEMENT
      ALS

      Delete
  2. Oh dear, I think this one sounds just too depressing and gloomy and violent for me. But I'm glad you enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Moira, no problem, I'm not happy myself unless I'm reading about doom, gloom and depression!

      Delete
  3. Col, the line "...small band of fellow-thinking Aryan dunderheads" made me smile. An interesting story though I think I'll skip it for now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Prashant, thanks. It may still be available on NG if you have a change of heart!

      Delete
  4. How did I miss so many of your posts? Of course, when you do one a day, it is hard to keep up. (Whining.) Work has been bad with some other issues going on... those are my excuses.

    My books never have that much going on and I would not be able to keep up if they did. The look at unemployment, etc. and the effects sounds interesting. But I do like some kind of uplifting element.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tracy, no problem. I'm having more to say this week on the blog than last, hence more posts. I've sped up on my reading which is good.

    Hopefully work and other things iron themselves out quickly and you can get back to worrying about what to read next or what books Glen should treat you to this weekend! The important things!

    There was a lot happening here, so much that I forgot a few bullet points and subsequently added them afterwards. Interesting - very, uplifting - no afraid not.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Message: I never believed in spell casting but After 6 years of dating my ex lover, I still imagine how Dr Osoba brought my ex lover back to me in just 24 hour. No one could have ever made me believe that there is a real spell caster that really work. am Kate by name,I want to quickly tell the world that there is a real on line spell caster that is powerful and genuine, His name is Dr Osoba, He helped me recently to reunite my relationship with my ex lover who left me, When i contacted Dr Osoba he cast a love spell for me and my ex lover who said he doesn't have anything to do with me again called me and started begging me. he is back now with so much love and caring. today i am glad to let you all know that this spell caster have the powers of bring lovers back. because i am now happy with my lover,and the most surprise,is that our love is very strong,every day is happiness and joy. and there is nothing like been with the man you love.i am so happy my love is back to me with the help of Dr.osoba if you have similar problem i will advice you to contact him ,he is there to help you and put a smile on your face ask he did to me and others. his email: drosobasolutioncenter@gmail.com.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Unimaginable and unbelievable. I am Mary Ken from the United States and i have a good news to share to the entire world. Do you need your ex husband or lover urgently? I wanna tell you that you need not to worry because i have a good news for those out there that are faced or similar to such situation because there is always a hope and a solution to all problem. There is a great spell caster called Dr Miracle who can really solve all your problems. Getting my lover back is what i can't imagine but when I was losing Mike, I needed help and somewhere to turn badly but my Cousin told me about this spell caster who also helped her on the internet. I thought it won't work but i just tried to give this man a chance and i ordered a LOVE SPELL. Two days later, my phone rang. Mike was his old self again and wanted to come back to me! Not only come back, This is truly miraculous and the spell caster opened him up to know how much I love and needs him. This Spell Casting isn’t brainwashing, but he opened up his eyes to know how much love we have to share together. I recommend anyone who is in my old situation to try him because he will help you and make things be the way it ought to be. If you have such problem or similar to this, please contact him on his email: homeoflightandsolution@yahoo.com thank you Dr Miracle in fact you are miraculous and may your gods ever reward you for your good deeds..

    ReplyDelete
  8. How To Win You Ex Back

    With happiness in my heart sharing this testimony on how my ex wife is back with the help of a great spell caster Dr baluta who i contacted for help and he give me the best of help and after the spell my wife was back to me what a great joy today living happy with my wife all thank to Dr baluta contact him via email balutaspelltemple@gmail.com OR call or whatsapp him +2348156674673
    THANKS
    Reply

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello friends..i never believe and tough that me and my ex husband could ever come back and live life happily again after been divorce for years..I never believed in Love Spells or Magics until I met this special spell caster when, i contacted this man called .Dr Okeyto. me and my husband was going on a divorce..i thought it was a joke and when my husband came back from work he tender to me a divorce letter and he packed all my properties away from is house..i ran mad and i tried all i could to have him back because i love him and i really want him back but all did not work out..i was lonely for almost 5years.So when i told the spell caster what happened he said he will help me and he asked for his full name and his picture..i gave him that..At first i was skeptical but i have to gave him a try cos i have tried so many spell casters and there was no solution.so when he finished with the readings,he got back to me that him is with a woman and that woman is the reason why he left me.The spell caster said he will help me with a powerful spell that will surely bring him back.but i never believe all this.he told me i will see a positive result within 24 hour..24 hour later after the spell has been cast,him called me himself and came to me apologizing and him told me he will come back to me..I cant believe this,it was like a dream cos i
    never believe this will work out after trying so many spell casters and there
    was no solution..The spell caster is so powerful and after that he helped me
    with a pregnancy spell and i got pregnant again ..we are now happy been
    together again and with lovely kids..This spell caster has really changed
    my life and i will forever be thankful to him..he has helped many friends
    too with similar problem and they are happy and thankful to him..This Dr
    Okeyto is indeed the most powerful spell caster that i have ever experienced in
    life..Am Posting this to the Forum in case there is anyone who has similar problem and still looking for a way out.you can reach him here.dr.okeytospelltemple@gmail.com or relate with him on his Website: http://drokeytoherbalcure.wix.com/spell or contact him on his number +2349050141440/whats-app..he is willing n ever ready to help.okay. This is what i want to tell you all out there,That is thinking that all hope is lost
    ..Thanks to you all

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good day, I Am Suzy Parker. from United States Of America, I want to quickly write on a Powerful Love spell Caster that helped me when i had a misunderstanding with my husband which leads to Divorced, I contacted this Powerful spell caster for help and He actually helped me without running away with my money.I follow the step that he ask and within 48 hours my husband called me and was eager for my forgiveness and that he wished nothing more than to have me in his arms forever. I am filled with so much joy and happiness that I found Dr. Iyaryi, I hope you all here will find this testimony of mine and get your husband back in just 48 hours. He did a perfect work for me. I am So Happy and Excited because as i am writing this Testimony, My husband is madly in love with me again. If there is any body Out there who is in Difficulties and need help should kindly Contact Dr. Iyaryi on His Email ID and he is Ready to Help you no matter the Situation, Here is His Valid Email ID: driayaryi2012@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete

  11. I Never believed i was ever going to be HIV Negative again,Dr Zack Balo has given me reasons to be happy, i was HIV positive for 1years and all the means i tried for treatment was not helpful to me, but when i came on the Internet i saw great testimony about Dr Zack Balo on how he was able to cure so many people from HIV, this persons said great things about this man, and advice we contact him for any Disease problem that Dr Zack Balo can be of help, well i decided to give him a try, he requested for my information which i sent to him, and he told me he was going to prepare for me a healing portion, which he wanted me to take for 7days, and after which i should go back to the hospital for check up, well after taking all the treatment sent to me by Dr Zack Balo, i went back to the Hospital for check up, and now i have been confirmed HIV Negative, friends you can reach Dr Zack Balo on any treatment for any Disease he is the one only i can show you all up to, reach him on his email address wiseindividualspell@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

  12. I was in total despair when I found Dr. Todd. My life was going terrible and I didn't know if I was coming or going. I had just gone through a rough divorce, wasn't making enough money to sustain me and my children, and my 17 year old son had just gone to jail for the first time. When I talked to him, I immediately found a sense of peace. He was very honest with me and I could feel that. He also told me that everything would be okay. After my work began, things began to change. My bills were all caught up, the relationship I was in became much stronger, I was never FLAT broke, and my son was released from jail earlier than we expected!! I also completely got over the failed marriage and began to move on. And, received a better position at my job which will cause an $800 per month increase!! I felt completely comfortable with the work that was being done because I was always encouraged by Dr. Todd. manifestspellcast@gmail.com is the BEST!!!!

    ReplyDelete

  13. My name is Leslie Jovanni and i want to testify of the good work done by a faithful man called DR ZACK BALO a spell caster in my life i never thought there is such thing as spiritual intercession. my problem started since one year ago when the father of my two kids started putting up some strange behavior, i never knew he was having an affair outside our matrimonial home. it dawn on me on that faithful day 7th of June last year at about 4:23pm when he came to the house to pick his things, that was when i knew that situation has gotten out of hand and he then told me he want to quit the marriage which i have built for over 5 years, i was confused and dumbfounded i called on family's and friends but to no avail. six months after i started having problem with my kids welfare, rent-age and all of it, i really went through hell. until a day i was browsing on the internet and i happen to meet DR ZACK BALO of wiseindividualspell@gmail.com, i never believed on this but i needed my husband back so i gave the spell caster my problem at first i never trusted him so i was just doing it but you know a problem shared is half solved after 3 days my husband called me telling me that he his coming back home and that was all. now we are living happily as husband and wife, i still can believe it just too real to be real it highly unbelievable on this great joy for those of you that are going through heart broke or any kind of problem i must tell you this great man has the power to solve any problem hear is the great man email:wiseindividualspell@gmail.com.

    ReplyDelete

  14. My name is Leslie Jovanni and i want to testify of the good work done by a faithful man called DR ZACK BALO a spell caster in my life i never thought there is such thing as spiritual intercession. my problem started since one year ago when the father of my two kids started putting up some strange behavior, i never knew he was having an affair outside our matrimonial home. it dawn on me on that faithful day 7th of June last year at about 4:23pm when he came to the house to pick his things, that was when i knew that situation has gotten out of hand and he then told me he want to quit the marriage which i have built for over 5 years, i was confused and dumbfounded i called on family's and friends but to no avail. six months after i started having problem with my kids welfare, rent-age and all of it, i really went through hell. until a day i was browsing on the internet and i happen to meet DR ZACK BALO of wiseindividualspell@gmail.com, i never believed on this but i needed my husband back so i gave the spell caster my problem at first i never trusted him so i was just doing it but you know a problem shared is half solved after 3 days my husband called me telling me that he his coming back home and that was all. now we are living happily as husband and wife, i still can believe it just too real to be real it highly unbelievable on this great joy for those of you that are going through heart broke or any kind of problem i must tell you this great man has the power to solve any problem hear is the great man email:wiseindividualspell@gmail.com.

    ReplyDelete

  15. My name is Leslie Jovanni and i want to testify of the good work done by a faithful man called DR ZACK BALO a spell caster in my life i never thought there is such thing as spiritual intercession. my problem started since one year ago when the father of my two kids started putting up some strange behavior, i never knew he was having an affair outside our matrimonial home. it dawn on me on that faithful day 7th of June last year at about 4:23pm when he came to the house to pick his things, that was when i knew that situation has gotten out of hand and he then told me he want to quit the marriage which i have built for over 5 years, i was confused and dumbfounded i called on family's and friends but to no avail. six months after i started having problem with my kids welfare, rent-age and all of it, i really went through hell. until a day i was browsing on the internet and i happen to meet DR ZACK BALO of wiseindividualspell@gmail.com, i never believed on this but i needed my husband back so i gave the spell caster my problem at first i never trusted him so i was just doing it but you know a problem shared is half solved after 3 days my husband called me telling me that he his coming back home and that was all. now we are living happily as husband and wife, i still can believe it just too real to be real it highly unbelievable on this great joy for those of you that are going through heart broke or any kind of problem i must tell you this great man has the power to solve any problem hear is the great man email:wiseindividualspell@gmail.com.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hello everyone! Still don’t know the right words to express my Gratitude to the Great Dr.Tsotesi After been diagnosed of HERPES 1 and 2 VIRUS in July, i was given so many health prescription and advice with no improvement, I totally lost hope, until i found many testimonies of Great Dr. Tsotesi in an online research on google, Like anybody would be, I was very skeptical about contacting him, but i later did and he opened up to me and told me what was involved and he started the remedies for my health, i gave him a try and Thank God, i was cured from herpes permanently by the herbal medication I received from him true DHL delivery. I never thought that herpes can be cured, from the bottom of my heart I’m truly grateful,i still do not know how it was cure it highly unbelievable it just just too real to be real i pray you have long life so you can help many more people on earth with your herbal medical support. i advice any one that is living with herpes virus should Contact the Great Dr Tsotesi today, because it has the cure to any problem Email him contact him by Email: drtsotesisolutionhome@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Greetings to the general public, i want to inform the public how i was cured of HERPES Simplex Virus by a man called Dr Azuka. i visited different hospital but they gave me list of drugs like Famvir, Zovirax, and Valtrex which is very expensive to treat the symptoms and never cured me. I was browsing through the Internet searching for remedy on HERPES and i saw comment of people talking about how Dr Azuka cured them. I was scared because i never believed in the Internet but i was convince to give him a try because i was having no hope of been cured of HERPES so i decided to contact him on his email that was listed on the comment ( Dr.azukasolutionhome@gmail.com ) i searched his email on net and i saw a lot of people testifying about his goodness. when i contacted him he gave me hope and send a Herbal medicine to me that i took and it seriously worked for me, am a free person now without problem, my HERPES result came out negative. I pray for you Dr Azuka God will give you everlasting life, you shall not die before your time for being a sincere and great man. Am so happy, you can also contact him if you have any problem Email : DR.AZUKASOLUTIONHOME@GMAIL.COM

    DR AZUKA CAN AS WELL CURE THE FOLLOWING DISEASE:-

    HSV 1 & HSV 2
    ASTHMA
    DIABETES
    EPILEPSY
    CANCER
    INFERTILITY
    STAPHYLOCOCCUS.
    BARENESS
    HEPATITIS B
    PENIS ENLARGEMENT
    ALS

    ReplyDelete
  18. OMG!! This is certainly a shocking and a genuine Testimony..I visited a forum here on the internet on the 20TH OF SEPTEMBER 2016, And I saw a marvelous testimony of this powerful and great spell caster called dr bante on the forum..I never believed it, because I never heard nor learnt anything about magic before.. Not a soul would have been able to influence me about magical spells, not until dr bante did it for me and restored my marriage of 8 years back to me and brought my spouse back to me in the same 48hours just as I have read on the internet..I was truly astonished and shocked when my husband knelt down begging for forgiveness and for me to accept him back.. I am really short of expressions, and I don't know how much to convey my appreciation to you dr bante , you are a God sent to me and my entire family.. Here is ..... His Email: bantespelltemple@gmail.com or call him or whatsapp him +2347059073543

    ReplyDelete