In 1957, Ayn Rand published her breathtaking novel, Atlas Shrugged, a story of "the murder—and rebirth—of man’s spirit." Her novel ends with the movers of the world returning from their self-imposed exile to begin the rebuilding of that world.
It is now fifty years later and we are again in the midst of a world in chaos. The victory envisioned in Atlas Shrugged was short-lived. Terrorism, tyranny, and the decline of the human spirit are facts of life recognized in every country in the world in one way or another. People no longer receive any enjoyment from working nor do they see value in it. Money and economics are no longer things that people understand or care about except as answers to questions such as "How can I get more?" Relationships between people have changed from those of courtesy and friendship to suspicion, fear and envy.
It is often said that if the people of any country would just rise up together, they could find remedies for all their own troubles. Yet, nothing comes of the talk and the people seem to continue suffering the plagues of terrorism and tyranny with only whimpers and a "Why me?" attitude.
Why? Because the majority of individuals have given themselves into the hands of others to direct their lives and have, for all intents and purposes, abdicated from their personal responsibilities. Governments, originally dedicated to the duties of managing necessary functions for large bodies of people, are now tasked with providing almost every service for almost every individual, and have been given almost unlimited power to do so.
Why? Again, because the people have abdicated, have walked away from taking care of themselves and directing the actions of their countries or representatives, and have simply said, "Do it for me. Give me what I want, but leave me out of the equation."
The sheep have sanctioned their own slaughter.
Sanction is a story of that world in chaos; a world that is being driven to an unknown end—with the acquiescence of the majority of the people. A small group of men from diverse backgrounds do see the essence of what is happening and have determined to fight to reclaim the spirit of the world. But, can they actually combat the powers that are trying to take over? Can people give away the control of their lives, then retake that control? What can be important enough in a world that has been given away to cause people to fight to take it back?
Sanction is an intense novel about a world on the verge of being taken over by an evil that is not understood—a force not able to be controlled. It’s a novel about today.
Jim Magwood
Twin Oaks, California
June, 2008
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