Odyssey Bookstore is hosting award-winning author Paul Greenberg for a reading of his new book “A Third Term” on Sunday, March 23 at 5:30 p.m. Snatched off his deathbed, the speculative fiction novella follows George Washington as he is transported to the modern day and runs for a third presidential term against a man referred to as “The Tyrant.”
Greenberg, a freelance writer featured in publications like The New York Times and a professor in New York University’s Animal Studies Program, typically writes about environmental issues. To him, this book felt like a “necessary departure” from his usual work.
He said in an interview with The Sun that he first got the idea to write the book around the 2020 presidential election. Greenberg explained that Americans appeared to have forgotten their core values, with the rise of “anti-free speech” and “anti-integrity” politicians like President Donald Trump, who he noted bears resemblance to the book’s Tyrant.
“[There is] very little in the historical account that says Washington wasn't a man of extreme integrity and extreme bravery,” Greenberg said. “I just like the juxtaposition … you have George Washington — a man who dives headlong into battle, is not afraid of anything and has extreme integrity — going up against a liar who got out of military service because of bone spurs.”
In addition to drawing a contrast between Washington’s and The Tyrant’s integrities, the book explores discrepancies in Washington’s virtues. Greenberg said Washington has to confront slavery and the framers’ decision to not outlaw slavery in the Constitution in his story.
According to Richard Bensel ’76 M.A. ’78 Ph.D., the Gary S. Davis Professor of Government, Washington is not seen as virtuous by many in the modern day for those reasons.
“[Washington’s] identity as a virtuous leader in our present is damaged for many people beyond redemption,” Bensel said. “George Washington might very well be perceived as less virtuous because he was a slaveholder than Donald Trump, who wants a third term and maybe a dictatorship. That's just an incredible change in the way we would understand the attributes and characteristics of political virtue.”
Laura Larson, owner of Odyssey Bookstore, said that the book’s political themes made it “[seem] like a good fit for the community.” Although the store does not host many events due to its limited space, it tries to host readings for authors with a local connection when it can.
“We knew that Paul was in town and that he had a new book out that he wanted to share,” Larson said. “In general, [Ithaca] tends to be a little bit more liberal, but [it’s] also a place that appreciates a sense of humor as well as engaging in current topics.”
Although Greenberg would describe “A Third Term” as a mix between a political allegory and speculative fiction, he said he tried to also make it an entertaining read by adding humorous elements, such as Washington’s growing fondness for expensive Armani and Brioni suits. Even in his science nonfiction writing, Greenberg has found humor as a way to keep readers engaged.
“I also just think a good joke really wins people over a lot of times, you know? Those are the kind of things that I like to throw into my science nonfiction,” Greenberg said. “And then, in the meantime, people end up learning.”
The event is open to all at the Odyssey Bookstore at 5:30 p.m. this Sunday, March 23.
