Rey Rodrigues’ She, the President, translated from German by Markus Kruker, is a realistic utopian fantasy that unveils a possible path to settle most of Earth’s current problems. The form of the piece is a first-person, autobiographical account of a young woman’s path to the American presidency and her effort to create “harmony between nature and culture” as the final answer. Polly, the future president, begins at the beginning—with her roots near Detroit, Michigan. Of mixed race, she tells us that her father is an armaments tycoon who married “the Devil incarnate,” a peace activist who refuses to import foreign fruit (in one case cherries as there’s a cherry tree in their yard). The marriage takes place in 1980, and after two brothers, Polly is born and begins her amazing and conceivably real rise to power based upon a long interest in urban agriculture and quality, affordable nutrition. She describes her affluent childhood (on her father’s knee under the cherry blossoms), her visits to the islands, and her excellent education, although she experiences racial bias. When she’s routinely stopped by the cops, she lectures them about “discriminatory economics,” and author Rodrigues uses her youthful games as metaphors for societal issues.

Polly grows through steps that are building blocks to presidential expertise from a knowledge and experience base involving reading, study, global travel, persistence, and especially by gathering like-minded friends around her. Mr. Rodrigues lays the groundwork for inspirational and competent world leadership. What grabbed my attention most is what happens when Polly is finally ready to make a run for the White House and then the techniques she applies to establish the “positive utopia” of her dreams. “The world is a cherry tree!” she proclaims. In the prefatory material, Mr. Rodrigues explains his intentions, and I believe he demonstrates them powerfully through this narrative. He backs up factual matters in footnotes, further study suggestions, and a useful glossary of technical terms. Oh, wouldn’t it be fantastic if all the world were happy, healthy and at peace! She, the President inspires us in that direction.

She, the President: A Presidency as Precedent (A Political Utopia) by Rey Rodriguez is the story of a woman of color named Polly. Much of the book chronicles Polly’s early life, which is necessary for readers to understand her political aspirations and convictions. She is elected president of the United States at the young age of 40. As president, she launches a vast effort to change both the political landscape and public policy. These policies are a drastic change from current ones. For example, she institutes a Green policy and healthcare for all. Similar initiatives are all that would be considered the liberal end of the political spectrum. Rodriguez is apparently German; the book was translated from that language. But the translation is flawless and readers will have no difficulty in comprehending.

Rey Rodriguez says he didn’t publish She, the President in conjunction with the events that took place in the United States near the end of 2020 and early 2021. Nevertheless, his book is as up-to-date as tomorrow’s newscasts. For example, Polly often takes action by executive order, which the former U.S. president often did and the current one did in the early days of his administration. Because Polly is unabashedly liberal, Rodriguez’s book will not appeal to all. But those with similar political convictions, or those with an open mind, will enjoy seeing Polly’s convictions put into effect. Rodriguez’s book contains an extensive glossary and I suggest readers start there because that will help in understanding the rest of the story.