Johnson City, TN (BlackNews.com) - Raymond Jackson on the verge of attaining heights few Americans -- and no other African American -- have ever reached. Charismatic, handsome, and a compelling public speaker, Raymond is certain to become the first black Vice President of the United States.
A public that is hungry for change eagerly embraces him. Like all human beings Raymond has weaknesses. He has an inferiority complex trying to measure up to the piety and accomplishments of his father, Bishop A. L. Jackson, founder of a prosperous and powerful mega church. Raymond's marriage is foundering due to his and his wife's mutual indifference, ambitions, and disappointments.
Raymond feels the good in his life far outweighs the bad, but his whole existence is shaken when he is introduced to his Godfather. Paul Goodson is a dynamic, seemingly spiritual man, who thwarts Raymond's vice presidential aspirations by presenting him with a perplexing option: Raymond can have everything he will ever desireif he gives up everything he has ever had -- including a sure position as Vice President! Surely this "Godfather" is mad to suggest that Raymond refuse a powerful position that few people could ever experience, in exchange forwho knows what?
Dismissing Goodson's unsettling offer Raymond throws himself into his campaign with greater vigor, exploiting the media, and pioneering new methods to appeal to great masses of disenchanted American voters, and using the charms of his mistress, Nicky, for sexual diversion. But despite his flurry of furious activity Raymond is compelled to drop everything, retreat to isolation, and confront who he has become.
An excruciating 40-day period of physical and mental testing ensues where Raymond struggles to shed the old attitudes and beliefs that kept him from reaching his God-ordained destiny. With the guidance of his nurse and teacher he resurrects himself on all levels -- physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually -- to fulfill God's duties for him.
The renewed Raymond rediscovers the beautiful and loving woman he married in his wife Diamond. While not comprehending the reasons for her husband's transformation, she believes in and supports her "new man". With Raymond and Diamond truly reunited as a couple his Godfather outlines the long-made plans for Raymond's destiny.
A dozen generations before Raymond was born, two lifelong friends were enslaved in Africa. One was able to secure his freedom and return to Africa, but the other friend remained in bondage in America. Because he so loved, missed and honored his lost friend, the freed slave made a promise to establish a homeland where the descendants of African slaves could re-establish themselves as full participants in affairs of international magnitude. The American slave was the ancestor of Bishop Jackson and Raymond. Paul Goodson, Raymond's Godfather, was the descendent of the slave who found freedom and vowed to establish a new homeland.
In the decades and centuries since the two friends parted Goodson's family founded a business empire of immense wealth, providing the foundation and infrastructure for the New Nation of Africa. Now a leader is needed to introduce the New Nation to the African American people.
Raymond comes to truly understand that he was not intended to be America's first African American vice president; being the founder of the New Nation of Africa is his destiny. Now that he knows his destiny Raymond must fight many unseen forces to reach it. His painful 40-day trial was child's play compared to the fierce obstacles he encounters in fulfilling his mission. He is bombarded with the very worst disappointments and tragedies that can occur -- scurrilous accusations, the deaths of those who are most beloved to him, the doubts of his closest friends, character and physical assassination attempts, personal betrayals, and other disheartening events.
Despite the purity and nobility of his intentions, Raymond is perceived by many as bad for America and a danger to the entire world. Raymond finds the pressure to deliver African Americans to their homeland excruciating, to the point of his mental and physical debilitation. Reaching his destiny seems to be leading to death, destruction, and dividing a nation. In his greatest time of need the guidance Raymond desperately seeks is unavailable to himor so it seems.
Raymond ultimately learns to look within himself for answers for the tools and elements for success are already in place. Divided Nation answers the great, What if that lies beneath the surface of the American society. What if a leader came along who picked up where other visionaries left off, taking the country where some have dreamed of, and where others dared not go?
Reinforcing the lessons and experiences of Moses, Jesus, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and other saints among us, Divided Nation, with its fast pace, constant barrage of events, confrontations, surprises and turning points, maintains its grip on readers from the first to last page.
Divided Nation is steeped hope and spirituality, and is a powerful aid to developing spiritual solutions to problems. Readers will be enthralled by the roller coaster ride of Raymond Jackson's mission to fulfill his God-ordained destiny.
Divine Royality Publishing
