SYNOPSIS of The Book -  Corrupted by Power

Inspired by the complex and futuristic thinking of Bill Gates, - Corrupted by Power –is a realistic but fictional thriller giving an insight and prescient vision into the possibilities of the Microsoft legends prophetic words in his best selling book The Road Ahead (1996)

In predicting the explosion of the Internet, Bill Gates argued that it would have unprecedented, but equally unforeseen consequences for Society at large. He contended that ‘the mind cannot conceive what other changes will follow - but they will be explosive, dramatic and far ranging’, leading to a new social order.

As with Owrwells ‘1984’ and ‘Animal Farm’, Corrupted by Power postulates

a new social order, but even Gates might have been astounded about the extraordinary possibility of the internet leading to the undermining of the democratic process itself.

Corrupted by Power takes Gates' thinking to the extremes of reality and its most obvious conclusion, the overthrow of the Government by the most secretive and powerful men in the world who seek power, and the control and manipulation of people.

With a rich intricate plot and strong, forceful characters, this fictional but stunningly credible story weaves a menacing web of intrigue around seven of the world's most powerful and secretive men who set out to install their own predetermined candidate as the British Prime Minister. They construct his image, elevate his profile and nurture his popularity until he becomes the man the country turns to in a moment of national crisis. And they achieve this not by using the existing political process but through the Internet – by their online presence in ordinary people’s lives.

It is also the powerful and emotional story of one man – Mark Steer. Abducted at birth by his sponsors, tailored by education and environment for the part he is destined to play, he is initially the completely passive pawn that the plan demands. But as he learns more about the objectives of those behind him and begins to unravel the terrible secret of his birth, he is brought to a far-reaching reassessment, both of his own role in life and of the political process itself. A course which will bring him into deadly conflict with those he has always had the most reason to trust, and to a final devastating understanding of where true political power really lies.

Throughout most of the book, Mark Steer, the central character, is totally unaware of their objective and we watch in desperation as he tries to make sense of events and struggles with his inner turmoil amidst the ever changing and increasing demands of his uncles.

Meanwhile, Oliver Gill, the Prime Minister, introduces us to the Government of the day and we learn to distrust him intensely as he tries to ‘spin’ his way out of a series of catastrophes which strike the country and his desperation to halt the rise of Mark's popularity. But, by clever exploitation of the Internet on the part of his uncles, Mark does become so popular throughout Great Britain that the general public clamour for him to stand for election.

It is only after Father John ( an elderly clergyman), teaches Mark to break free from the shackles of his Uncles that Mark begins to postulate his own ideas to improve society until, towards the end of the book, Mark has a choice to make. It is a choice between his love for his uncles regardless of their ruthless and callous nature, against the good that he himself can achieve.

There are several other leading characters in the book to add variety;-    Hilda and Billy (lighthearted humour) - Lord Thorpe (laughter) - Maria (Romantic fantasy) - Helena ( sheer evil) and Paul, (Marks Uncle). There are also a number of other minor roles.

Corrupted by power is a fast paced, edge -of- the seat story about the force and might of the Internet and its ability to be manipulated and exploited to the detriment of mankind. The events it portrays are real - they just haven’t happened - yet!

This is a powerful,  contemporary political thriller with strong, forecul characters and a rich and intricate plot that describes in chillingly credible detail how the immense power of the internet could be exploited to achieve political manipulation at the highest level - the overthrow of the Government.

The book concludes with a twist so unexpected that it leaves the reader gasping and it makes us realise that we have been manipulated - Corrupted by power.

The book has a fast moving pace making it ideal for the film market.

John Cordock

Tel: 01225 424573  Mobile: 07749 474 902

e-mail: johnmcordock@gmail.com