Survivalist Novel Patriots Rates High in Amazon, Not Libraries(Bitter clinger must read)

Libray Journal ^ | 4/14/2009 | Lynn Blumenstein

[appleseed]

So, a title shoots to the top of Amazon.com’s sales ranking within days of its release and libraries are caught off-guard—only a handful have it on hand and another few wait for its delivery; it’s already on backorder at Baker & Taylor (B&T). This scenario occurred with the April 7 release of Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse by James Wesley Rawles, which hit #6 last week on Amazon but was #33 today.

(The book, initially published as shareware and then by a Christian publishing house and POD house Xlibris, has been reissued by Ulysses Press, which is noted for travel guides but has expanded its list.)

Title not reviewed Those few libraries that do have the book on hand probably ordered it at the request of a patron. It’s a niche title that wasn’t reviewed by any of the usual professional sources, including Library Journal.

It appeals to a small but vociferous group of people concerned with survivalism and, in fact, was reportedly originally conceived as a nonfiction guide. According to a number of Amazon.com reviewers, the novel won’t win any literary prizes; its strength lies in its practical reassurances, focus on guns, and Christian ideology. Rawles is the editor of SurvivalBlog, "dedicated to family preparedness, survival, self-reliance, and self-sufficiency."

[appleseed]

As a rabid bitter clinger I can't wait to get a copy. Rawls is a Christian that believes in a post-tribulation view of the apocalypse.

[appleseed]

An excelleny article that can only be titled and linked:

Survivalist author has end in sight

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009904280358

His website has great info. on flu epidemics, guns and ammo., food and its storage, every day survival and an excellent link page. I check it every day.

http://survivalblog.com/

[Byron_the_Aussie]

Greatly appreciated, Appleseed. Placing an order tomorrow, Byron

[DuncanWaring]

The book, initially published as shareware ...

At one point in its "shareware" incarnation, was this one known as "Triple Ought"?

[I Buried My Guns]

No need to buy it. It is available in pdf. format on the Frugal Squirrel forum. Which, by the way, is an awesome resource for anybody who wants to be more self sufficient, not just survivalists. I got a good recipe for beer bread from it.

Re: the book: I read it, and while it will not win any awards for style, it is jam-packed with real world scenarios, and of course lots of gun play against bad guys.

I give it two snaps.

[SIDENET]

bfl

[thecabal]

Didn’t care for it too much. It’s got a lot of the “technical” side, but the character development was bad and the story pretty thin. I thought that the story “Lights Out” (free on the Internet) was a much better SHTF read. Also good was “Deep Winter” and the sequel “Shatter”. These used to be free on the Internet as well, but I think you can only get them in book form now.

[DHC-2]

I bought it, again. Had it, loved it, went to read it again, and it was gone ... oh well. But I thought enough of it to BUY another one (even tho its out there in pdf). The most frightening part of the book is the beginning ... how all this “perfect world” we wake up to every morning is so fragile ... and the indications for the “downfall” of that stability is EXACTLY what we are seeing right now. Also, I learned a great deal about currency ... or lack thereof and how to prepare (which I've done). If nothing else, this well-written book will teach you about the alternate lifestyle we could all be living ... and how quickly it could come upon us. We need not be paranoid, but we need to be prepared. This book will give you some insights you probably not considered. Worth the MONEY, worth the time to read it.

[ChocChipCookie]

I’m waiting for my copy from Amazon.

Can someone explain to me why there is a comma between James Wesley and Rawles? It’s been bugging me because I’ve never seen that done before and can’t figure it out.

[DuncanWaring]

His explanation is something to the effect that that’s how he distinguishes the portion of his name that represents him in particular from the portion that represents his family in general.

I have no idea why he thought that was necessary.

[SunkenCiv]

hit #6 last week on Amazon but was #33 today.

Good sales performance. Quick fade though.

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Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse by James Wesley Rawles Paperback (Expanded)

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[appleseed]

Self Reliant/Survivalist ping list.

Post #8:

... The most frightening part of the book is the beginning ... how all this “perfect world” we wake up to every morning is so fragile ... and the indications for the “downfall” of that stability is EXACTLY what we are seeing right now. Also, I learned a great deal about currency ... or lack thereof and how to prepare (which I’ve done). If nothing else, this well-written book will teach you about the alternate lifestyle we could all be living ... and how quickly it could come upon us. We need not be paranoid, but we need to be prepared. This book will give you some insights you probably not considered. Worth the MONEY, worth the time to read it.

[Momaw Nadon]

I highly recommend this novel as a MUST READ for all FReepers.

[dennisw]

Can you tell me where the pdf is? Thanks!

[Squantos]

Best free read going right now.........fiction of course.

http://survivalmonkey.com/SF%20books/LightsOut!/LightsOut-Current.pdf

[FrogHawk]

PING

[Chickensoup]

ping

[Lurker]

A good read that one.

[hennie pennie]

*bookmark*