128 pages. Published November 5, 2024 by PM Press. Anthology.
The timing of the release of this collection is splendid, given that one of the stories is about that time when the president of the Solar Federation (“Nobody knows more about terraforming than I do” and “That was a stupendous idea. I had that idea. Everybody loves that idea.” and “The good Venusians loved that idea. They love me.” and “I am concentrating! I’m the best concentrator!” Enough hints?) stepped out of the airlock in his office and… I won’t spoil it for you, but it’s a happy ending. For us. Given recent events. John Kessel is one of my favourite authors because of a single thing I read: his 2017 The Moon and the Other, which is (partly) a wonderfully complex rumination about a matriarchal society on the Moon. (The Moon!)
The Presidential Papers is part of PM Press’s excellent Outspoken Authors series, and collects alternate US presidential histories, also a lecture Kessel gave on posthumanity at a conference (heavy on the thoughts of other white males, unfortunately), and an interview of Kessel by Terry Bisson (he wanted to be an astronomer, but ended up in English). My favourite story, apart from the one about Trump the pres of the Solar Fed is the one where Castro and Bush are on opposing sides of a baseball rivalry. It’s called The Franchise, and is a really nice thought experiment, a cool what if. I was totally on Castro’s side.
So, this collection was a really nice read that went in unexpected directions. I really enjoy Outspoken Authors because it allows me to peer (non-invasively) into the minds of writers I only really otherwise know through their, mostly, fiction; the series gathers their un-/less filtered thoughts, interviews, and lectures, and The Presidential Papers is no different. Come for the alternate histories of some of the US’s big guys; stay for the thoughts of one of SF’s guiding lights about humanity’s future, a snapshot of his personal imaginary.
Many grateful thanks to PM Press and Edelweiss for early access.
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Harare Review of Books 
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