Quote Originally Posted by hollohas View Post
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.