The plague of the Great Disruption passed more than two hundred years ago. Communities have appeared around the region called, "Carolinia," each of them autonomous, individual city-states separated by forested wilderness connected by decaying roads, and harassed by bandits. Population growth has been slow, since most males die in early childhood due to a mysterious illness they call, "Male Infant Death Syndrome," or MIDS. Overall, across the region, the gender ratio is about six women for every man. Women are generally in charge, and men are valued and protected for their role in procreation. Sometimes to the point of oppression. An effort to unite the city-states of Carolinia is underway, spearheaded by Sara of Joanna by Stanno, from the town of Henderton. She's organized a meeting of representatives from across Carolinia to unite the city-states under a federal government system. There are many competing interests to resolve, however, as well as a personal, longstanding vendetta, which threatens the whole enterprise. And Sara's life. "The Council of Durhampton" is the sequel to "The Great Disruption," and part of the Earth Rebirth series by veteran author and musician Steven K. Smith. This novel explores concept of humanity, and what happens when said humanity is stripped of our everyday conveniences and conventions, and left bare. Turning the traditions of a patriarchal society on it's head allows readers to explore why we act the way we do, and where such motivations can ultimately lead.
