Glenn Beck’s “The Overton Window”

When exploring potential catastrophic scenarios, those with a limited worldview probably would not think to look to fictional writings.  Instead, they would compile a list of horrific events that have happened in the past, use those events to layer one on top of the others and arrive at new conclusions.  However, those who are truly searching for new ways to halt future terrorism must also go to out-of-the-box thinkers.  Authors like Vince Flynn and Tom Clancy have been used in the past to serve this purpose.  Many times, these authors write about events that seem to be so far outside the realm of possibility, arguing their existence is considered by some to be a “conspiracy theory.” 

…It looks like Glenn Beck is the latest visionary to join their distinguished ranks.

The Overton Window is one of these out-of-the-box possibilities.  It examines facts and overlays them as a fictional story.  Beck’s first thriller, which he calls “faction” because much of the story is fact-based, was thoroughly enjoyed by this reader.  The last chapter of the novel looks at a handful of the facts that are included throughout the book, as well as offers citations for these facts.  

The story follows a young man named Noah.  Noah was born with a silver spoon in hand and, like the majority of young people today, believes the government is his oyster – that he is entitled to anything and everything.  It isn’t until a beautiful girl named Molly shakes him out of his proverbial coma that he can begin to see the other worldview. 

Many Americans today could find Molly amongst “tea party” rallies at any given location across the country.  She represents a combination of many of those everyday Americans deemed “racist extremists” by the media.  Beck has a unique gift in his ability to tell a story that sometimes pulls at the reader’s heartstrings or causes adrenaline to surge through their body as if watching a suspense film.

The Overton Window is a visionary thriller that cause skeptics of the tea party movement to look at the unlikely, and plead with the extreme right not to take it too far.  Beck invokes the writings of our founders throughout the book to an extent that will force the reader to compare today’s politician to yesterday’s, and one cannot help but wish for yesterday’s principled politician to return.