The Republic of Eastern Iowa

When a series of catastrophic EMP attacks plunges America into darkness, the people of Clinton, Iowa suddenly find themselves cut off from the rest of the country - no electricity, no phones, no internet, no clear idea whether the United States government even still exists.Mayor Frank Ramey is doing his best to hold the town together with Coleman lanterns, rationed fuel, and whatever remains of common sense. Unfortunately, common sense becomes increasingly difficult to find after local National Guard commander Spencer Tweed decides the crisis requires bold leadership, emergency military authority, and the creation of something called the Republic of Eastern Iowa.As frightened citizens struggle to survive shortages, rumors, refugees, and each other, Frank finds himself navigating a growing political absurdity involving armed checkpoints, curfews, soup regulations, accidental coups, and one deeply exhausted First Sergeant who slowly realizes somebody may need to stop Spencer before people start getting killed over something unbelievably stupid.By turns funny, tense, absurd, and surprisingly heartfelt, The Republic of Eastern Iowa is a sharply observed comic novel about what happens when ordinary people are forced to rebuild civilization using little more than stubbornness, practical improvisation, and casseroles.Because when the lights go out, humanity doesn't disappear.It just gets weirder.