Marc's Book Shelf

February 24, 2016–

Title:  Not Black And White : From The Very Windy City to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue 

Author: G.A. Beller

Genre: Fiction/Political Thriller

Format: 4 Formats ( Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, & Audio)

Publisher:  G. Anton Publishing/ Chicago

Publication Date: October 13, 2015

Synopsis:

Chicago-style politics is front and center. When a sitting president has his roots in this sullied political heritage, it makes for news and leads to speculation. NOT BLACK AND WHITE is a fictional account of many of the events that led to the meteoric rise of a local charismatic street politician to become America’s first African-American President, and the downfall and imprisonment of two consecutive governors of the State of Illinois, along with several of their most trusted advisors and cohorts. This story puts the reader inside the campaign offices and smoke-filled back rooms where political deals are made. It depicts the rise and fall of a Syrian immigrant who made millions by pretending he had billions, while charming his way into the highest halls of wealth and power. The perspective of a local attorney/businessman who found himself in a front row seat to politics-as-usual in The City That Works is reflected throughout the story. The cast of characters may appear familiar to anyone who ever read a headline or watched cable news and talk shows across the country. In 1994, a freak traffic accident occurred, killing a family of six young children when their van burst into flames after being struck by a semi-trailer truck driven by a man unqualified to drive such a vehicle. The truck driver, a victim himself, had bribed an employee of the Illinois secretary of state’s office in order to procure his commercial driver’s license. The tragic accident and resulting exposé of corruption and scandal that followed changed forever the course of American History. Inspired by true events, NOT BLACK AND WHITE leaves it to the reader to interpret fact from fiction.

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Not-Black-And-White-Pennsylvania/dp/0996679901

Book Reviews:   (FROM GOODREADS)

Kait rated it:   5/5 Stars
I was given a copy of Not Black and White from a friend. The review stated the story was the “Primary Colors” of the Obama administration so this caught my interest. This book did not disappoint. It was a well told story. I found myself googling the characters I wasn’t able to identify. The story added some spice about Chicago, which was entertaining. Highly recommend this book!

Debbie Bryant rated it: 5/5 Stars

As a life-long Chicago area resident, I was aware of everything that went on in the news regarding the scandals around the last two governors of Illinois. This book is a “fictionalized account” of those goings on. The names, of course, have been changed to protect the not so innocent. This is an interesting take on what went on throughout those two “empires.” I wonder how much of the apparatus is still around. It’s obvious that the state of Illinois is in severe financial straights due to the mismanagement of the past, and it doesn’t look like there are any easy fixes.