What would the act of forgiveness mean when applied to a person’s financial obligations? How would that improve their standing? What if you extended this act to every available citizen? Michael Hamilton is a beloved husband and father. His life has hit a fork in the road, as his pastorship at a church has come to an abrupt end. He has to relocate his family to Iowa, where he will commence a teaching job at a local university. Michael’s circumstances are all too common, as the United States has hit an economic downturn not witnessed in nearly a century.

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2027-Michael is a professor at Roe College, where he teaches religion and history. His classes are a hot ticket item, as his verve for his subjects is infectious. His students are his new congregation. The state of the country and its continued deterioration weighs on Michael and his students. The future for his students appears bleak, as does Michael’s financial situation. Michael soldiers on and maintains his composure, even while maintaining vigil with a dying friend. The direction of the country is on everybody’s mind as the 2028 election is fast approaching.

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The idea of “jubilee” appears in the discussion of economic woe. Michael enlightens his class on the topic, but doesn’t give it further thought. However, a fortuitous accident leaves Michael moderating a Presidential debate in Iowa. Michael asks the questions to the candidates, listening to their pontificating until he can’t contain himself any longer. He challenges the arrogant Senator Downs on the state of the Union and urges more care and concern for the electorate. A media firestorm ensues and Michael becomes a household name. Michael’s students have a brainstorm and decide to enlist Michael to run for President. The idea of jubilee and clearing the slate for everyone appears too good to pass up, a “beau geste” that will right the way for a failing country.

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The Year of Jubilee puts forward a utopian idea to a semi-dystopian world, where the good intentioned idea of a venerable man becomes a movement. The compelling narrative offered by author David Rice hits every target in grabbing the reader’s interest. The drama is not restricted to Michael and his family or him and his class, but to a grassroots campaign beloved by the public, but viewed with wariness by the ruling politicos. The establishment views Michael as a nuisance, but as his popularity surges, he is a threat to their very existence. There is no limit to the audience who will embrace a book like The Year of Jubilee. It is clearly an excellent read.