Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse Book Reviewed

 

Title: Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse, Book 1

Website: James Wesley Rawles – SurvivalBlog.com

Publisher: Ulysses Press; 4th Expanded Edition
Published: April 7, 2009
Format: Paperback, Kindle, Audible
Pages: 400 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 156975599X
ISBN-13: 978-1569755990

Audible Audio Edition: 21 hours and 9 minutes
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Audible.com Release Date: December 31, 2009

Genre: Post-apocalyptic thriller

 
About the Book
America faces a full-scale socioeconomic collapse—the stock market plummets, hyperinflation cripples commerce and the mounting crisis passes the tipping point. Practically overnight, the fragile chains of supply and high-technology infrastructure fall, and wholesale rioting and looting grip every major city.

As hordes of refugees and looters pour out of the cities, a small group of friends living in the Midwest desperately tries to make their way to a safe-haven ranch in northern Idaho. The journey requires all their skill and training since communication, commerce, transportation and law enforcement have all disappeared. Once at the ranch, the group fends off vicious attacks from outsiders and then looks to join other groups that are trying to restore true Constitutional law to the country.

Patriots is a thrilling narrative depicting fictional characters using authentic survivalist techniques to endure the collapse of the American civilization. Reading this compelling, fast-paced novel could one day mean the difference between life and death.

 
About the Author
James Wesley Rawles has been an enthusiastic survivalist since his teenage years. He is now a survivalist author and lecturer and the editor of SurvivalBlog.com. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Jose State University with minor degrees in military science, history, and military history. A former U.S. Army intelligence officer who held a Top Secret security clearance (with Special Background Investigation) and access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), he was awarded Officer specialty 35A (tactical all-source intelligence officer), and the additional skill identifier 5M (electronic warfare officer). He achieved the rank of Captain, attended the Army NBC defense officer’s course, as well as Northern Warfare School at Fort Greeley, Alaska.
 

 

The Review

I always love a good post-apocalyptic storyline about survival… Especially when there is a high-degree of realism and possibility. With our economy in a state of shambles and on the verge of an economic collapse, what could be better than a book about surviving one. Since I never have time to read, when I run across a book that I want in an audiobook format, I am a one happy camper.

The book has been out for some time, but its content is timeless… So much so that the storyline could likely read more like a non-fiction history book in a few short years.

Early on in the book, the main characters forge a bond and band together with other close friends in preparation for long-term survival by purchasing a small ranch located in northern Idaho where they begin to fortify their retreat and train hard in the use of defensive tactics and weaponry to protect it all the while stockpiling all of gear and resources necessary to survive for many years.

There is a tremendous amount of detail provided in the book with regards to how the group prepares, what they chose to stockpile and why. It really provides a lot of insight into the mind of a prepper and how they prepare to overcome the odds against them.

As the story progresses, the markets begin to plummet and hyperinflation cripples the nation forcing the group’s survival plan into motion. Along the way, the book does a fine job at introducing, and then chronicling each member of the group as they deal with looters, refugees, other cooperative groups, a vicious gang and the onslaught of those trying to impose unConstitutional Law in an attempt to gain control over them.

Patriots is a wonderful book certainly worth a read, or in my case a listen. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and actually learned a lot of new things that I should be considering as I develop my family’s survival plan.