Norman Brewer's political thriller 'January 6: A Novel' presents a fictional scenario where the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol escalates into a nationwide crisis, with right-wing extremists taking the House Speaker hostage, forcing a standoff, and unleashing terrorist attacks across the country. The novel explores a scenario where the president considers declaring martial law to restore order and justify refusing to leave office.
Brewer, a former award-winning Washington journalist who covered Congress, the White House, and federal agencies, stated his purpose clearly: "I wrote the book to entertain and warn that our democracy is in greater danger today than it was on Jan. 6, 2021. Then, Donald Trump was on his way out. If elected again, he'll have years to destroy his foes and gather the power needed to realize his autocratic ambitions."
The novel has drawn praise from fellow journalists and military leaders. Ron Cohen, former managing editor of UPI, noted that Brewer "has masterfully combined both those skills in a cracklingly good narrative of the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. His terrorists might be fictional characters, but he has so skillfully woven them into the horrors of that day you will feel like you've known them all your life." Retired Army Maj. Gen. Mari Eder added that while the book is fiction, "it will enthrall, frighten, and draw in the reader to feel as though they are inside the events of the day and leave them gasping with the awareness of what might well have been."
Midwest Book Review emphasized the novel's relevance, stating that "'January 6: A Novel' provides genuine and vivid insider glimpses of what might come next in 2024 in real life." The review continued, "Following a disputed election in 2020 and the possibility of an insurrectionist political candidate being once more defeated at the polls, the very real possibility of what is described in 'January 6: A Novel' makes it an unreservedly recommended addition to community and college/university library collections."
G. J. Meyer, New York Times bestselling author of 'A World Undone,' praised Brewer's approach: "Drawing on skills honed as a Washington journalist, building on his exhaustive knowledge of what happened at the Capitol on that horrendous January day, Norman Brewer spins an all-too-plausible tale showing how easily events could have followed a worse course, with consequences even more ominous for the future of our democracy."
'January 6: A Novel' is the third book in Brewer's Anti-Hero Rebellions series, which explores themes of homegrown terrorism and political extremism. The series began with 'Blending In: A Tale of Homegrown Terrorism,' which introduces terrorists who "hold down jobs" and "blend in," and continued with 'Killer Politics: A Satirical Tale of Homegrown Terrorism,' featuring a Trump-like president who inspires a white supremacist to launch attacks. Brewer was interviewed on The Authors Show, where he discussed his work and perspectives.
The novel's importance lies in its timely exploration of political violence and democratic fragility. As the 2024 election approaches, Brewer's fictional account serves as both entertainment and cautionary tale, reminding readers of the real-world consequences when political rhetoric turns violent and democratic norms are tested. The book is available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats through major retailers.
