More Alternative Truths — Adam-Troy Castro

More Alternative Truths is an exploration of the potential consequences of today's politics in our daily lives. More than our individual lives, but our American identity.

This exploration defines this anthology. So many of the stories ask what has America become? What will it be in the future? Will it devolve into a Russian style oligarchy, or will we rise to the challenge and use our hearts, our minds and our votes to return to a rational democracy, of, by, and for the people. No one knows for sure. But these top-tier talented authors from around the world, from Philip Brian Hall to Bruno Lombardi to Jane Yolen give us their visions.

You will find the witticisms of Jim Wright exploring Donald Trump as Moses after presentation of the Ten Commandments. The mental genius of Edd Vick and Manny Frishberg as they give us Trump, tweeting his way across the solar system. There is much to laugh about.

There are serious visions as well. Brad Cozzens's brilliant poem “America Once Beautiful” reaches poignantly from today's reality into some salvageable vision of tomorrow that borrows from yesterday's values. The poets in this volume, be they Brad, Jane Yolen, Gwyndyn T. Alexander or C.A. Chesse, bring new meanings to words and leave you thoughtful.

If you want a fun romp, jump to “Wishcraft.com,” by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough, as she explores how important it is that political hacks not annoy witches. Or, if you prefer, K.G. Anderson's, “The Right Man for the Job,” in which a post-corporeal LBJ rides to the rescue.

There is something for everyone. Coping. How do we cope? This painful question is explored by three of our best and brightest. Jill Zeller, a woman who won't write of Elves, has given us “A Woman Walks Into a Bar,” an affirmation of our own choices. Coping is also explored brilliantly by Karin L. Frank and Kerri Leigh Grady in their stories “HMO” and “Final Delivery.”

There are so many more great stories in this collection, I can truly recommend them all. If, however, you can only read one, then read “Small Courages,” and let it touch you, maybe bring tears of hope, as you see our world through the eyes of a child and find that we can survive. We will survive.