10th Anniversary Edition with a new forward that shows just how much Darwood & Smitty (originally published in 2010) predicted that has already come true by 2020. Among its predictions:
A president claiming to stand against corruption in the government and specifically claiming a "witch hunt" against him. (Literally the same as what President Trump has said.) A call for impeachment against him. The president is described as 6'3" -- President Trump's height -- and has a 5-letter last name. Hmmm.A major event that captures the whole world's attention and causes a run on toilet paper. (No pun intended.)An elusive figure named "Q." (Foreshadowing, perhaps, the "Qanon" or more properly the "Q" and "anons" movement.)A lockdown scenario with a brutal police force.There's even a passing mention of Ukraine.
That's just a taste. There is more here. Much more. Mainstreamers vs. conspiracy nuts. A constitutional crisis. And of course aliens. Lots and lots of aliens.
So what is Darwood & Smitty about?
It's a tale of two unlikely heroes -- delivery guys for the company with big brown trucks, which in 2045 are floating a few feet off the ground and have an E-squared symbol on the side, standing for Earth Express.
The fact is, they never start out to be heroes. They just have to deliver a package to Earth's president. Hand deliver it, mind you, which is entirely out of protocol. And the package is coming from a fellow in solitary confinement. And as simple a task as that might seem, the delivery folk before them all failed for reasons that Darwood and Smitty soon discover.
After all, the president hasn't gained too many political allies, as his goal is to overthrow the special interests and corruption in New York (Earth's capital, and not just because the author is American). This creates a whole maze of adventure as Darwood and Smitty are thrust into finding answers and overcoming a power greater than all of Earth's forces.
With loads of name brands shamelessly promoted throughout, it's a farce, an adventure, and a political commentary bundled into one fun and gangly pile.