Notes from 'Patriots'

[Irving]

So where do you rate this book in relation to OSA and Lights Out? Sounds like a must read since you talk about it so much.

[jerrymrc]

So where do you rate this book in relation to OSA and Lights Out? Sounds like a must read since you talk about it so much.

I think it is a read. It is very different from LO and OSA. My take after reading it a few times over the years is this.

It is hard to get going

Once it does it pulls you in

There are some good tips and tricks in it

Any book that as I read it for the first time has moments that makes one uneasy/squirm while reading it because you have been there/done that is worth it.

Save your phone books.

[hollohas]

So where do you rate this book in relation to OSA and Lights Out? Sounds like a must read since you talk about it so much.

As far as novels go, it'd rank as bad. You don't feel any attachment to the characters like OSA or LO, there isn't really anything sad like OSA and the story isn't nearly as fluid as in OSA and LO. As some describe it, Patriots is a survival/prepping guide trying to mascaraed as a novel.

That being said, as something that makes you think, Patriots is top notch. And as something that can help you start planning and prepping, Patriots is top notch. As something that will convince you that you NEED to prep, Patriots is the best.

I personally really got hooked after the first few pages and the description about how society and the economy went bad. The UN and nation building aspect of it also makes me uneasy. The whole book is so scary because he really lays it out accurately how we are on this path already and it could easily happen. There also ins't a similar book out there that is more accurate when it comes to firearms. OSA doesn't come close. LO tried but fell short (more when it comes to self defense particularly because he always felt so bad after hurting someone that was a treat to him.) And some of the others similar books like Jakarta Pandemic and the terrible book Last Light just got darn near everything about firearms and self defense wrong.

(Two particulars that come to mind for those last two books without any spoilers is that in Last Light the bad guy has a silenced revolver and in Jakarta the good guy keeps his shotgun unloaded when confronting some BGs in his house...because he thinks he can load it (from the stock mounted shell holder) and shoot it before the BG 10ft away can attack him. Anyone with real firearms knowledge knows that's impossible even for the fastest shooters)

Final opinion...if you liked OSA and LO, Read Patriots.

Save your phone books.

Ha Ha Ha.

[Irving]

LO tried but fell short (more when it comes to self defense particularly because he always felt so bad after hurting someone that was a treat to him.)

(Two particulars that come to mind for those last two books without any spoilers is that in Last Light the bad guy has a silenced revolver

I'd feel bad about killing people that was a treat to me.

Also, you can silence a Nagant revolver, but that's probably not what it was in the book.

[hollohas]

I'd feel bad about killing people that was a treat to me.

Good catch! I would too.

[RobertB]

As far as novels go, it'd rank as bad. You don't feel any attachment to the characters like OSA or LO, there isn't really anything sad like OSA and the story isn't nearly as fluid as in OSA and LO. As some describe it, Patriots is a survival/prepping guide trying to mascaraed as a novel.

That being said, as something that makes you think, Patriots is top notch. And as something that can help you start planning and prepping, Patriots is top notch. As something that will convince you that you NEED to prep, Patriots is the best.

I personally really got hooked after the first few pages and the description about how society and the economy went bad. The UN and nation building aspect of it also makes me uneasy. The whole book is so scary because he really lays it out accurately how we are on this path already and it could easily happen.

I agree and disagree - it's not a good novel, but as mentioned a hint of a guide with some poor characterization and situations thrown in. His sudden transition to lists of items tended to be distracting from a story perspective. Seems to me he wanted to do both but wasn't sure where his strengths lay. I felt his whole UN business was unnecessary and unbelievable and interestingly enough a bit more conspiracy inclined than he seems on his blog. I think the EMP scenarios are more frightening and plausible.

I think he also over-emphasizes the silver angle - it's probably good in the middle range crisis scenario, but it seems to me that the depth of crisis he creates in his scenario, people'd want stuff, not silver. How do you assess value in silver in that situation? JMHO.