Alongside Night
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| Alongside Night | |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | J. Neil Schulman |
| Language | English |
| Subject(s) | Agorism |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction |
| Publisher | Crown Publishers |
| Publication date | October 16, 1979 |
| ISBN | 1-58445-120-3 |
| OCLC Number | 43026939 |
Alongside Night is a dystopian novel by science fiction writer J. Neil Schulman intended to articulate the principles of Agorism, a political philosophy created by Samuel Edward Konkin III, to whom Schulman had dedicated the work.[1] It was first published in 1979 by Crown Publishers, with subsequent paperback editions released by Ace Books in 1982, Avon Books in 1987, Pulpless.com in 1999, and Amazon Kindle in 2009. It is currently in development for a feature film by Jesulu Productions (which Schulman owns and runs).[citation needed]
[edit] Plot
The story is set in United States on the brink of economic collapse, where inflation is spiraling out of control and the government struggles to keep hold of its power. Trading in foreign currency has become illegal and many shops are subject to rationing. As a result there is a sprawling black market for almost all conceivable goods. The setting reflects the world as Samuel Edward Konkin III conceived it would be just prior to a successful agorist revolution.
The story begins with Eliot Vreeland, son of Nobel Laureate economist Dr Martin Vreeland (an economist of the Austrian school) hearing of his father's apparent death and being rushed home from school. He quickly discovers however that the death is fake, a plot concocted by his father (after receiving a tip-off) to escape arrest by the FBI who are rounding up "radicals" accused by the government of worsening the economic crisis.
Eliot is sent by his father to collect some gold coins that had been stored in a safe location, for use as hard currency during the families intended escape. However, upon his return Eliot finds his family to be missing. Not long after, FBI agents enter the house searching for Eliot who manages to escape.
Eliot's escape leads him into contact with the Revolutionary Agorist Cadre, an organisation plotting the downfall of the US government through the means of counter-economics. The cadre has grown strong over the years of its existence, and has its own militia and extensive underground network. Eliot enlists the help of the Cadre, and meets Lorimer, a girl similarly on the run from the law.
As the novel progresses, government stability weakens still further, and they bring in tight controls on communication, travel and trade, however they fail to avert total collapse, leading to the private sector (unions, individuals, syndicates and many others) taking control of the old infrastructure.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Alongside Night Official Novel Website
- Alongside Night Free 30th Anniversary PDF Download
- Alongside Night Official Movie Website
- Alongside Night Alongside Night Novel Page on Facebook
- Alongside Night Alongside Night Movie Page on Facebook
