Latest Books DIVIDED WE STAND with Robert Cole

Nathan Greene is no stranger to adversity. His background in special operations has honed his abilities to survive and thrive in the most challenging environments. As the nation spirals into disorder, Nathan’s expertise becomes crucial. Overcoming personal tragedy, Nathan embarks on a mission to identify those that seek to harm his family and the nation.

The novel is a relentless journey filled with heart-pounding action and intense confrontations. The story is populated with a diverse cast of characters, each grappling with the ramifications of a nation on the edge. From government officials trying to maintain order to everyday citizens caught in the crossfire, each perspective adds depth to the overarching theme of division and resilience.

Robert Cole recently sat down with The Big Thrill to discuss his latest political thriller, DIVIDED WE STAND.

Can you pinpoint a moment or incident that sparked the idea for this book?

The premise of this book stems directly from reading about the indictment and arraignment of Donald Trump in the summer of 2023. The hypothetical scenario of what could happen if a former President of the United States simply refused to go to court, and instead garnered the support of various state governors to push back against federal authority, is the starting point for this novel. While all of the characters are completely fictitious, the political tensions in the book closely mirror the current political climate.

A novel is such a major undertaking; there’s the writing of it, of course, then you’re spending months and months revising, polishing, and then promoting it. How did you know this was the book you wanted to spend the next couple of years on?

I didn’t! While the topic of a potential American civil war and the manipulation of the Constitution interests me as a political science professor, I was extremely hesitant to get involved in a topic that is so fractious throughout America. However, the more I researched and found interesting loopholes in various Constitutional amendments and rules regarding the succession of government in the 50 states, the idea of telling such a compelling story won out. While I’m still anxious to keep this novel from being politicized, I think it’s a great story that everyone will enjoy.

Were there any particular books, movies, or songs that were knocking around in your head while you were writing this one?

The two movies that were in my head, and which I draw quote’s from to preface parts of the book, are The American President and the Wizard of Oz. Michael Douglas’ character, President Andrew Shepherd, offers some memorable quotes on how the American people perceive elected officials. Likewise, the “man behind the curtain” able to manipulate an entire society is the underpinning of this novel.

When you first created your protagonist for this book, did you see an empty space in crime lit that you wanted to fill? What can you share about the inspiration for that character?

The main protagonist is very loosely autobiographical. The empty space was not so much in providing a unique character, but rather in establishing a unique situation that has not been seen in the United States in 160 years – the potential fracturing of the 50 states that make up the United States.

In addition to a great read, what do you hope readers will take away from this story?

I would love for readers to take away a greater appreciation for the mechanisms of democracy that our Founding Fathers created 237 years ago that are still valid today. Their foresight in creating a structure that bends without breaking, and gives voice to minority factions while maintaining majority rule, is truly remarkable. I’d also love for people to appreciate how social media and external influencers could potentially be impacting the democratic process.

What can you share about what you’re working on next?

My two current projects are completing the sequel to DIVIDED WE STAND – the second book in the Fractured Union series. Entitled United We Fall, this novel will follow some of the same characters, as well as a few new ones, as the United States devolves further toward civil war and the first Constitutional Convention since 1787 is held in 2024. I’m also working on the fifth novel in the Matt Sheridan post-apocalyptic series.