Title: Exposed: Humanity Craves Power
Author: Anton D. Morris
Publisher: iUniverse
ISBN: 978-1663209610
Pages: 342
Genre: Mainstream Fiction
Reviewed by: Jake Bishop

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Family, fortunes, and far-reaching theoretical concepts are at the core of this insightful and engaging novel. The author, Anton D. Norris, has concocted not only a swiftly-paced suspense churner, he has also constructed a compelling premise about peoples’ lot in life—how they got where they are—and whether or not they have the wherewithal to change life as they know it.

The main characters in this contemporary chronicle are a wealthy black man, Rashin, and his children. In addition to being a loving father, yet stern task master, Rashin is also a member of a secret society that believes they have a responsibility to the social framework of the United States which is just as strong as

the bonds that tie them to their individual spouses, sons, and daughters. The primary belief that unites the society members is people, particularly black people, succeed or fail not simply due to their own inherent capabilities, but perhaps even more so on their hereditary breeding. They believe the economic necessities of slavery brought about breeding practices which created a smaller group of superior physical, mental, and aspirational blacks, plus a much larger group of black people virtually lesser in every way. Therefore, they see it as their duty not only to make the most of their own lives but also to maintain a social order that will continue to buttress their perception of how the world, particularly America, should work.

One way to accomplish their goals is to have one of their own become President of the United States. So they put forth Horus, one of Rashin’s sons. Horus is a brilliant businessman who epitomizes everything the society members see themselves to be. Yet even as he ascribes to and reinforces their point of view, his own streak of confident individualism leads him to explore possibilities beyond the society’s doctrine. As he does, complications ensue.

There are involving players outside Rashin’s family and society brothers as well. One of which is Apollo, a young black man who initially knows nothing of Horus or his ties to a secret group. His eagerness to become an investigative journalist eventually puts him right in the middle of Horus’s presidential campaign as scandal, notoriety, and predictably adverse reactions to Horus’s background threaten to scuttle both his and the society’s plans.

Anton D. Morris is an exceptionally fine writer who fills his tale with uniquely nuanced economic and political theories that both engage the reader’s intellect and support his propositions. While his socioeconomic arguments are leveraged throughout, he never loses sight of the fact that the beating heart of his story is about intensely driven people dedicated to their moral concepts of right and wrong. His characters are memorable, his narrative is involving, and his surprise ending truly is a surprise. This is a book which will make readers think deeply about social issues while simultaneously enjoying the fact that they’ve been entertained while doing it.