Probably no one but the for met maynr o1

New York City could writewith such au-

thority about power and p,.,litics in a time

of crisis. John Lindsay s first novel con-

cerns Mike Stuart, a congressman from

California, and his struggle to preserve frec

democracy during a period of extraordi-

nary national cmcrgency.

The novel takes place in the near-distant

future. Depression and unemployment

have led to hopelessness and anger. Private

citizens lind uncertain refuge in their homes

as vandals roam the streets. Communica-

tions have been disrupted, and the cities of

the nation have become so explosive that

President lngcrsol has had to declare mar-

tial law.

A new political party has formed, dedi-

cated to law and order and to suppression

of liberty in the name of peace in the streets.

The LeadershipParty membership is slowly

allying itself with the military, who police

the cities, gradually infiltrating the halls of

govcrnmcnt. To them, Mike Stuart and his

kind are troublemakers--to be won over

or eliminated.

Stuart is up for election in a district that

favors legislation he fears. A special-pow

ers bill is before Congress that would per-

mit the president to extend martial law in-

definitely and broaden the police powers of

the military. Mike Stuart and others arc

alarnled at the extreme measures. The uew

attorney general himself is dubious about

the constitutionality of the bill. But can

President lngersol, at the risk of being

called weak and indecisive, be persuaded

to revcrse a course for which the public and

the military are clamoring?