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299 Days #1
The Preparation
Meet Grant Matson: lawyer, father, suburbanite husband who awakens to the fragility of modern society and embarks on a personal journey that introduces him to a world of self-reliance and liberation.
299 Days: The Preparation, the first book in the 299 Days series, depicts the inner struggles Grant must face as he exists in a social system he recognizes as unsustainable and on the verge of collapse, but one in which he has built his life around. What begins as a return to his roots, self-sufficiency and independence, becomes a full blown move to prepare for what may come. Engaging, insightful and a bit suspenseful, follow Grant’s transition from a self-perceived “sheeple” to a full-blown “prepper.” Will his fears come true? Is he an extremist? What if nothing happens? What if something does?
299 Days: The Preparation, the first book in the 299 Days series, depicts the inner struggles Grant must face as he exists in a social system he recognizes as unsustainable and on the verge of collapse, but one in which he has built his life around. What begins as a return to his roots, self-sufficiency and independence, becomes a full blown move to prepare for what may come. Engaging, insightful and a bit suspenseful, follow Grant’s transition from a self-perceived “sheeple” to a full-blown “prepper.” Will his fears come true? Is he an extremist? What if nothing happens? What if something does?
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 27, 2012
113 people are currently reading
975 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
June 4, 2014
I've just finished book 8. Having read all of them so far, I'd like to comment on the series as a whole.
If you're expecting a good adventure novel, pepper ur angus for a classic bait and switch.
This story is a snorefest of political speech sprinkled with not so subtle religious undertones. In the first few books there's a noticeable effort to tone down the political/religious stuff, but it ramps up quickly from there. Yes, god talks to the main character. Not figuratively. The guy in charge hears voices in his head (and follows them).
You will find plenty of inconsistencies, both in the timeline of events and in the behavior of the characters. I've never rolled my eyes at a book before, until Seriously?
Often someone will just pull something out of their noses. Like when Grant call his friends "Homos" and the author explains he had been doing that for a couple years, despite the fact that it never happened in any of the hundreds of dialogs described in the previous five or six books. Or when Grant pats himself on the back for having the foresight of buying huge bags of an useless item as part of his preparation plans, just to need that exact item in huge quantities years later - and he got them in the right color, too. But that is totally explained when God himself says it was NOT a coincidence.
I'm really surprised to find out that it's actuall possible to take a great concept like a post-collapse survival situation and turn it into a very boring story. In the beginning, it was all right, but it really went downhill.
The characters are uninteresting and superficial. They don't come across like actual people. It's more like they're life-size cardboard cutouts: part of the scenery. They aren't believable or likeable. They don't have a sense of humor. You don't have any reason to care about their fates.
The main character is a wuss: He's terrified of his own wife, who acts like a spoiled rotten five years-old: bossing him around, taking all the major decisions and covering her ears and yelling at him to shut up whenever he says something she doesn't approve. That's exactly the kind of emotional control you can expect from a gorgeous 40 years-old emergency medical doctor who happens to have a huge IQ. And there isn't a turning point: every argument ends with both of them PMSing all over the place because he's too much of a wimp to assert himself.
Great. I came in expecting a survival situation and I'm treated to long descriptions of middle-aged people struggling to cope with their feelings.
Besides, everything seems contrieved and unidimentional. In the grand scheme of things, all liberals are, at best, worthless leeches who passively contributed to the end of the world. In most cases, however, they are child molesters, sadistic bullies, cowards and nazis.
On the other hand, the conservatives are the heroes who are going to make things right, and they're the only ones suited to do that because they have GUNS and the higher moral ground, since GOD is with them.
Which is very convenient, because it allows them to lie, defraud, steal, torture and assassinate unarmed civilians while still being the good guys.
And the writing is awful. It's like the story was commissioned by the Derek Zoolander Center For Kids Who Can't Read Good. Not only it's corny all around, but it's written in very short sentences, using very simple words and a way too informal style. And repeating stuff again and again, in case you couldn't understand it the first four times.
I've just finished book 8, which is called "the war". You'd expect that it would involve battles. Instead, you get a lot (and I mean A LOT) of pep talk, generous amounts of preaching (the author's subtle approach is opening with "I don't want to get all religious on you, but" and then proceeding to get all religious on you) and many chapters worth of filling text, describing absolutely nothing of interest.
The only thing that remotely resembles a battle will only happen in the last pages of the book and it ends after the good guys have fired a grand total of four shots.
Be advised that while the author makes an effort to avoid coming across as a right-wing religious gun nut, at least in the beginning, in the end what you're buying is a lot of political statements, hypocrytical religious preaching and a weird fetish where they describe at lenght how awesome they look while holding their weapons and tactical stuff, but rarely (if ever) putting them to good use.
I'm very disappointed with this book. I was expecting a good adventure novel, but so far, for every shot fired, I have to muddle through two metric tons of unnecessary drama.
Considering that the whole novel will cost about 100 dollars... well, it just doesn't seem like a good deal. This story definitely isn't worth that much money. I'd say 10 bucks, tops.
If you're expecting a good adventure novel, pepper ur angus for a classic bait and switch.
This story is a snorefest of political speech sprinkled with not so subtle religious undertones. In the first few books there's a noticeable effort to tone down the political/religious stuff, but it ramps up quickly from there. Yes, god talks to the main character. Not figuratively. The guy in charge hears voices in his head (and follows them).
You will find plenty of inconsistencies, both in the timeline of events and in the behavior of the characters. I've never rolled my eyes at a book before, until Seriously?
Often someone will just pull something out of their noses. Like when Grant call his friends "Homos" and the author explains he had been doing that for a couple years, despite the fact that it never happened in any of the hundreds of dialogs described in the previous five or six books. Or when Grant pats himself on the back for having the foresight of buying huge bags of an useless item as part of his preparation plans, just to need that exact item in huge quantities years later - and he got them in the right color, too. But that is totally explained when God himself says it was NOT a coincidence.
I'm really surprised to find out that it's actuall possible to take a great concept like a post-collapse survival situation and turn it into a very boring story. In the beginning, it was all right, but it really went downhill.
The characters are uninteresting and superficial. They don't come across like actual people. It's more like they're life-size cardboard cutouts: part of the scenery. They aren't believable or likeable. They don't have a sense of humor. You don't have any reason to care about their fates.
The main character is a wuss: He's terrified of his own wife, who acts like a spoiled rotten five years-old: bossing him around, taking all the major decisions and covering her ears and yelling at him to shut up whenever he says something she doesn't approve. That's exactly the kind of emotional control you can expect from a gorgeous 40 years-old emergency medical doctor who happens to have a huge IQ. And there isn't a turning point: every argument ends with both of them PMSing all over the place because he's too much of a wimp to assert himself.
Great. I came in expecting a survival situation and I'm treated to long descriptions of middle-aged people struggling to cope with their feelings.
Besides, everything seems contrieved and unidimentional. In the grand scheme of things, all liberals are, at best, worthless leeches who passively contributed to the end of the world. In most cases, however, they are child molesters, sadistic bullies, cowards and nazis.
On the other hand, the conservatives are the heroes who are going to make things right, and they're the only ones suited to do that because they have GUNS and the higher moral ground, since GOD is with them.
Which is very convenient, because it allows them to lie, defraud, steal, torture and assassinate unarmed civilians while still being the good guys.
And the writing is awful. It's like the story was commissioned by the Derek Zoolander Center For Kids Who Can't Read Good. Not only it's corny all around, but it's written in very short sentences, using very simple words and a way too informal style. And repeating stuff again and again, in case you couldn't understand it the first four times.
I've just finished book 8, which is called "the war". You'd expect that it would involve battles. Instead, you get a lot (and I mean A LOT) of pep talk, generous amounts of preaching (the author's subtle approach is opening with "I don't want to get all religious on you, but" and then proceeding to get all religious on you) and many chapters worth of filling text, describing absolutely nothing of interest.
The only thing that remotely resembles a battle will only happen in the last pages of the book and it ends after the good guys have fired a grand total of four shots.
Be advised that while the author makes an effort to avoid coming across as a right-wing religious gun nut, at least in the beginning, in the end what you're buying is a lot of political statements, hypocrytical religious preaching and a weird fetish where they describe at lenght how awesome they look while holding their weapons and tactical stuff, but rarely (if ever) putting them to good use.
I'm very disappointed with this book. I was expecting a good adventure novel, but so far, for every shot fired, I have to muddle through two metric tons of unnecessary drama.
Considering that the whole novel will cost about 100 dollars... well, it just doesn't seem like a good deal. This story definitely isn't worth that much money. I'd say 10 bucks, tops.
April 15, 2014
Very disappointed with the writing style of this book. I read many reviews of this book and the series that critiqued the author's writing style before I downloaded it. I am very interested in the genre and the subject matter so I thought I could overlook a lack of strong writing for the sake of enjoying a strong story. I was wrong.
This book reads like a rough first draft of a high school student's first creative writing assignment.
"Grant could never understand why his mom didn't stick up for him. Actually, he could."
It's as if the author doesn't understand his own character. Or the passage was written quickly, then the author changed his mind regarding which direction he wanted to go and never went back and polished it or even re-read it. I am 16 pages in and want my $9.95 back. This is unreadable. Very disappointing. I don't require epic writing to keep my attention, but this is so bad that it inspired me to create a "goodreads" profile to hopefully save someone else 10 bucks. I've never so much as reviewed an amazon.com purchase or "yelped" a restaurant in my life. This book pushed me over the edge in 16 pages.
This book reads like a rough first draft of a high school student's first creative writing assignment.
"Grant could never understand why his mom didn't stick up for him. Actually, he could."
It's as if the author doesn't understand his own character. Or the passage was written quickly, then the author changed his mind regarding which direction he wanted to go and never went back and polished it or even re-read it. I am 16 pages in and want my $9.95 back. This is unreadable. Very disappointing. I don't require epic writing to keep my attention, but this is so bad that it inspired me to create a "goodreads" profile to hopefully save someone else 10 bucks. I've never so much as reviewed an amazon.com purchase or "yelped" a restaurant in my life. This book pushed me over the edge in 16 pages.
February 25, 2015
Grant could tell that Ben was a little hurt.
"No, I don't mean that you would suck as a governor," Grant explained. "You'd be great. It's just that-"
"It would be insane to think I could ever be governor," Ben said after snapping back into reality. "I was just playing with you." Ben was in part of the yard that the neighbors couldn't see, and he took a big piss.
"Hey look, the governor's pissing in his yard, Ben yelled. They laughed so hard it hurt. Grant would remember Governor Ben pissing in his yard for years. There was something about it that he couldn't get out of his mind. It was like the path. It was like he was seeing the future, but he wasn't. It was hard to explain.
Oh boy.
So here's a person who has decided to write a book without an iota of writing ability. I've read books from individuals like this before - this is the age of self-publishing, after all. In some cases, that turns out all right, as a solid, lifelong reader can often feel his way through a story simply by trusting in the echoes of those pieces of writing he has admired throughout his life. In Glen Tate's case, however, the book turns out to be rubbish. I'm guessing that Mr. Tate doesn't do a lot of reading in his spare time because his prose is appallingly unskillful. Strike one.
Secondly, there's a bit of a shell game going on here. The book actually contains very little in the way of useful prepper knowledge outside of accounts of Tate's gun and food purchases. There are so many important prepper skills and plans that will be necessary in a national emergency that the protagonist omits in favor of weekend target practice. In a way, this book is more of a "how not to get prepared for a world crisis" book or a "how to think you're preparing for a crisis when, in fact, you're actually catering to your preadolescent fantasies." Strike Two.
The final nail in the coffin is the tone of the writing. The main character is someone I don't think I could stand to be around for five minutes, as he is always complaining and labeling those around him as pieces of shit and sheeple, looking at the world he lives in with a viewpoint of "there are the few people who get what's really going on and then there are the idiots." When I read the work of Ayn Rand last year, I was blown away with how her stories border on allegory in the way her characters are depicted in such stark moral or villainous ways. Rand described this as a "romantic" style, as a way of accounting for the unreality she established in her stories. Reading Tate's story, however, I'm wondering now if it's just a natural inclination for writers on the far right to view the world in this polarized manner. Have they no close friends whose views they may disagree with, but whom they respect simply for the purity of their convictions? Here in Montana, we have a strong mixture of liberals and conservatives, and I think there is a lot of listening, a lot of discussion, and a lot of mutual respect of differing views. I think Mr. Tate is a bitter man, and that bitterness poisons his writing. It's impossible for me to understand how he can espouse a Christian faith whose principal doctrines are the turning of the cheek, the loving of one's neighbor, the selfless care for the poor, peace, and forgiveness.
I strongly value books and reading in my life and believe firmly in seeing a book through to its conclusion. That being said, I put down 299 Days: The Preparation and have no plans of finishing it anytime soon. It's not worth the pain.
"No, I don't mean that you would suck as a governor," Grant explained. "You'd be great. It's just that-"
"It would be insane to think I could ever be governor," Ben said after snapping back into reality. "I was just playing with you." Ben was in part of the yard that the neighbors couldn't see, and he took a big piss.
"Hey look, the governor's pissing in his yard, Ben yelled. They laughed so hard it hurt. Grant would remember Governor Ben pissing in his yard for years. There was something about it that he couldn't get out of his mind. It was like the path. It was like he was seeing the future, but he wasn't. It was hard to explain.
Oh boy.
So here's a person who has decided to write a book without an iota of writing ability. I've read books from individuals like this before - this is the age of self-publishing, after all. In some cases, that turns out all right, as a solid, lifelong reader can often feel his way through a story simply by trusting in the echoes of those pieces of writing he has admired throughout his life. In Glen Tate's case, however, the book turns out to be rubbish. I'm guessing that Mr. Tate doesn't do a lot of reading in his spare time because his prose is appallingly unskillful. Strike one.
Secondly, there's a bit of a shell game going on here. The book actually contains very little in the way of useful prepper knowledge outside of accounts of Tate's gun and food purchases. There are so many important prepper skills and plans that will be necessary in a national emergency that the protagonist omits in favor of weekend target practice. In a way, this book is more of a "how not to get prepared for a world crisis" book or a "how to think you're preparing for a crisis when, in fact, you're actually catering to your preadolescent fantasies." Strike Two.
The final nail in the coffin is the tone of the writing. The main character is someone I don't think I could stand to be around for five minutes, as he is always complaining and labeling those around him as pieces of shit and sheeple, looking at the world he lives in with a viewpoint of "there are the few people who get what's really going on and then there are the idiots." When I read the work of Ayn Rand last year, I was blown away with how her stories border on allegory in the way her characters are depicted in such stark moral or villainous ways. Rand described this as a "romantic" style, as a way of accounting for the unreality she established in her stories. Reading Tate's story, however, I'm wondering now if it's just a natural inclination for writers on the far right to view the world in this polarized manner. Have they no close friends whose views they may disagree with, but whom they respect simply for the purity of their convictions? Here in Montana, we have a strong mixture of liberals and conservatives, and I think there is a lot of listening, a lot of discussion, and a lot of mutual respect of differing views. I think Mr. Tate is a bitter man, and that bitterness poisons his writing. It's impossible for me to understand how he can espouse a Christian faith whose principal doctrines are the turning of the cheek, the loving of one's neighbor, the selfless care for the poor, peace, and forgiveness.
I strongly value books and reading in my life and believe firmly in seeing a book through to its conclusion. That being said, I put down 299 Days: The Preparation and have no plans of finishing it anytime soon. It's not worth the pain.
May 3, 2013
Crap. Poorly written, going nowhere.
November 6, 2022
Ok I'm in Chapter 20, so I haven't technically finished this book, and one could reasonably argue that I shouldn't be criticizing a book I haven't even finished. That said, I wanted to state my criticisms as they are fresh in my mind, and because I cannot rightly say for certain that I will make it through the rest of this book (yes I know it's only the first in the series) I thought I'd share my opinion anyway.
Some might say Tate has an approachable, concise, no nonsense writing style. Bologna. His lack of style and vocabulary are so lacking that it's quite staggering. I've read other simply styled novels from novice authors (like John Dies at the End by John Wong) and was impressed. In Wong's case, his simple vocabulary and style along with overly convoluted plot lines actually worked, especially with the sharp wit of the main characters. Tate's novel drones on without variation or a unique voice.
299 Days is a "prepper" novel and I keep wishing it would focus more on just that: prepping and survival. It doesn't. Tate apparently has a very strong opinion on American politics and his novel frequently oozes contempt for crazy liberals.
Mr. Tate also has an affinity for firearms, and the main character, Grant, frequently goes into long descriptions of his arsenal that both bore me and creep me out a little. I'm not anti-gun, but the excitement Grant gets from his guns make me think he would walk around in his undies taking selfies of himself with his AR-15 slung over his shoulder. It's a little weird.
I'm a big fan of the "collapse" and post-apocalyptic novel genre, but I wouldn't recommend reading Tate's offering. Instead, try The Road, Alas Babylon, or The Age of Miracles; all are masterful. In comparison, 299 Days is a poorly written, narcissistic piece of propaganda... At least through chapter 20...
Some might say Tate has an approachable, concise, no nonsense writing style. Bologna. His lack of style and vocabulary are so lacking that it's quite staggering. I've read other simply styled novels from novice authors (like John Dies at the End by John Wong) and was impressed. In Wong's case, his simple vocabulary and style along with overly convoluted plot lines actually worked, especially with the sharp wit of the main characters. Tate's novel drones on without variation or a unique voice.
299 Days is a "prepper" novel and I keep wishing it would focus more on just that: prepping and survival. It doesn't. Tate apparently has a very strong opinion on American politics and his novel frequently oozes contempt for crazy liberals.
Mr. Tate also has an affinity for firearms, and the main character, Grant, frequently goes into long descriptions of his arsenal that both bore me and creep me out a little. I'm not anti-gun, but the excitement Grant gets from his guns make me think he would walk around in his undies taking selfies of himself with his AR-15 slung over his shoulder. It's a little weird.
I'm a big fan of the "collapse" and post-apocalyptic novel genre, but I wouldn't recommend reading Tate's offering. Instead, try The Road, Alas Babylon, or The Age of Miracles; all are masterful. In comparison, 299 Days is a poorly written, narcissistic piece of propaganda... At least through chapter 20...
August 9, 2016
I'm on the fence about this book. At the beginning I was rather concerned that it would be a 300 page pro-gun, pro-religion, anti-government rant of the authors views.
Paragraphs such as, One night he just said, "God, I can't do this on my own. I need You". Right as he said that, he had the overpowering sensation that everything would ultimately be alright, but after lots of misery and sacrifice. It was more than just optimism; it was a certainty that amazing things were ahead of him had me a little worried, but whilst there are some religious undertones it's not to the point it detracts from the story. It's mentioned then the author moves on, although the "outside thoughts" received by the main character are odd in my opinion, I'm unsure if these are meant to be a representation of the guys subconscious or he's hearing the voice of God, which would fit the the above quoted paragraph, and also drive me away as a reader if it were to continue in future books.
There's a few pro-gun notes such as; A half hour ago he was a helpless and frightened sheeple. Now he was a gun owner. Owning an AR-15 was the definition of liberty. He looked at the gun [...] and thought "This is freedom" (I was surprised it was just freedom and not Freedom with a 'F') and there was quite bit of gun terminology in there but I don't think it was over the top, it's just a story that involves firearms.
In terms of writing, it's plain and straightforward; there's a couple of editing issues such as one paragraph begins saying a parking lot was full, then ends saying it wasn't full then later references it stating weren't that many people in the parking lot but asides for that it conveys the story adequately.
Overall though it is a pretty good tale of one man's journey to become more prepared, he's not some movie superhero and he has a regular life with regular restrictions. I'm aware it's part of a series but I have to say I was rather perturbed by the ending, or should I say lack thereof - it simply stopped as opposed to having some temporary resolution or pause. That's how I felt anyway.
Paragraphs such as, One night he just said, "God, I can't do this on my own. I need You". Right as he said that, he had the overpowering sensation that everything would ultimately be alright, but after lots of misery and sacrifice. It was more than just optimism; it was a certainty that amazing things were ahead of him had me a little worried, but whilst there are some religious undertones it's not to the point it detracts from the story. It's mentioned then the author moves on, although the "outside thoughts" received by the main character are odd in my opinion, I'm unsure if these are meant to be a representation of the guys subconscious or he's hearing the voice of God, which would fit the the above quoted paragraph, and also drive me away as a reader if it were to continue in future books.
There's a few pro-gun notes such as; A half hour ago he was a helpless and frightened sheeple. Now he was a gun owner. Owning an AR-15 was the definition of liberty. He looked at the gun [...] and thought "This is freedom" (I was surprised it was just freedom and not Freedom with a 'F') and there was quite bit of gun terminology in there but I don't think it was over the top, it's just a story that involves firearms.
In terms of writing, it's plain and straightforward; there's a couple of editing issues such as one paragraph begins saying a parking lot was full, then ends saying it wasn't full then later references it stating weren't that many people in the parking lot but asides for that it conveys the story adequately.
Overall though it is a pretty good tale of one man's journey to become more prepared, he's not some movie superhero and he has a regular life with regular restrictions. I'm aware it's part of a series but I have to say I was rather perturbed by the ending, or should I say lack thereof - it simply stopped as opposed to having some temporary resolution or pause. That's how I felt anyway.
December 22, 2014
I bought this book under the impression that it was a realistic apocalypse/prepper novel. IT IS NOT. It's a slightly novelized autobiography of the author's prepper activity, with a lot of heavy-handed propaganda, and an oversimplified fantasy of how a financial apocalypse will go down.
Did I mention the main character AND THE AUTHOR believe they hear God's voice speaking to them, and that they can predict the future? The author actually says all this in the Preface. And using the word "author" is being generous . . . as a writer and an avid reader, I'm telling you this guy has VERY poor writing skills.
To his credit, there IS a fair amount of decent prepping info in this book, if you're willing to sift through all the dogma, melodrama, and oversimplifications to get to it. That prepper info in the only reason I'd give this even 1 star. It's so frustrating that I've literally given up on the book twice, only to go back in hopes of something finally happening. (Spoiler: nothing has happened)
By the way, lest anyone think I'm a prepper-hating anti-gun nut who's predjudiced against this guy's perspective --- I'm not. I'm a gun owner, and I think prepping is a great idea, in moderation. I do NOT think blaming one group of people for all the ills of society, hording assault rifles, following your auditory hallucinations, and inciting a revolution are so great.
Did I mention the main character AND THE AUTHOR believe they hear God's voice speaking to them, and that they can predict the future? The author actually says all this in the Preface. And using the word "author" is being generous . . . as a writer and an avid reader, I'm telling you this guy has VERY poor writing skills.
To his credit, there IS a fair amount of decent prepping info in this book, if you're willing to sift through all the dogma, melodrama, and oversimplifications to get to it. That prepper info in the only reason I'd give this even 1 star. It's so frustrating that I've literally given up on the book twice, only to go back in hopes of something finally happening. (Spoiler: nothing has happened)
By the way, lest anyone think I'm a prepper-hating anti-gun nut who's predjudiced against this guy's perspective --- I'm not. I'm a gun owner, and I think prepping is a great idea, in moderation. I do NOT think blaming one group of people for all the ills of society, hording assault rifles, following your auditory hallucinations, and inciting a revolution are so great.
December 4, 2014
ABR's full The Preparation (299 Days Book 1) audiobook review can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.
I haven’t listened to any straight up survival stories. Maybe I feel that I need that something extra, you know zombies, werewolves, psychopaths, to make it interesting. However, there was something about The Preparation (299 Days Book 1) that kept drawing my attention.
I have been seeing many audiobooks popping up in this new sub-genre in the last few months, so they have to be entertaining right? I am going with my gut and nothing else on this one, my gut is only right about 80% of the time.
Have you seen the television show Doomsday Preppers? Well get ready for that in much much higher detail and explanations than the show has ever provided.
I was entranced by the character development and overall back story of Grant Matson. going from a young poor kid with less than nothing. To a highly successful lawyer, with everything that money could buy. Yet he felt unfulfilled, like there was something missing.
Intertwined with lots, I mean a ton of what could be considered right wing conservative propaganda. If your not open minded to this sort of information, either don’t listen or you might get ticked off. Or you might start singing praises, who knows.
What I know is this was a intricately crafted story of one man realizing there is more to life than money. That being personal security and the safety of his family when the worst happens. With this story that would be the slow collapse of the government, leaving the public to fend for them selves.
I intensely agreed and disagreed with so many different things, I couldn’t stop listening. In fact I have already started stockpiling for my own peace of mind. I am hooked on this story and there are a ton of audiobooks in this series that I only hope there is enough time for.
Kevin Pierce is not the typical type of narrator. Because this was not a big boisterous, polished newscaster type of performance, nor did it call for such. Characterizations were only done just enough to barely differentiate characters in a scene.
Pierce blew me away with his soft-spoken approach. That over time, expertly grew from an scared uncertain boy to a self-reliant and assured man doing what he thinks is best. I hope to be able to get to listen to more from him.
Audiobook provided for review by Audible.
I haven’t listened to any straight up survival stories. Maybe I feel that I need that something extra, you know zombies, werewolves, psychopaths, to make it interesting. However, there was something about The Preparation (299 Days Book 1) that kept drawing my attention.
I have been seeing many audiobooks popping up in this new sub-genre in the last few months, so they have to be entertaining right? I am going with my gut and nothing else on this one, my gut is only right about 80% of the time.
Have you seen the television show Doomsday Preppers? Well get ready for that in much much higher detail and explanations than the show has ever provided.
I was entranced by the character development and overall back story of Grant Matson. going from a young poor kid with less than nothing. To a highly successful lawyer, with everything that money could buy. Yet he felt unfulfilled, like there was something missing.
Intertwined with lots, I mean a ton of what could be considered right wing conservative propaganda. If your not open minded to this sort of information, either don’t listen or you might get ticked off. Or you might start singing praises, who knows.
What I know is this was a intricately crafted story of one man realizing there is more to life than money. That being personal security and the safety of his family when the worst happens. With this story that would be the slow collapse of the government, leaving the public to fend for them selves.
I intensely agreed and disagreed with so many different things, I couldn’t stop listening. In fact I have already started stockpiling for my own peace of mind. I am hooked on this story and there are a ton of audiobooks in this series that I only hope there is enough time for.
Kevin Pierce is not the typical type of narrator. Because this was not a big boisterous, polished newscaster type of performance, nor did it call for such. Characterizations were only done just enough to barely differentiate characters in a scene.
Pierce blew me away with his soft-spoken approach. That over time, expertly grew from an scared uncertain boy to a self-reliant and assured man doing what he thinks is best. I hope to be able to get to listen to more from him.
Audiobook provided for review by Audible.
August 3, 2015
I was very disappointed with ‘299 Days: The Preparation’. I’ll start by saying that I really like the premise. It’s a solid idea which could be good, maybe the whole series is, but this book is just poor. Here are the issues I have with this book: 1) The plot doesn’t go anywhere. The guy spends the whole time discussing how he’s putting food and ammo away and getting a bug out location all while ranting about liberals. Which brings me to my next issue. 2) The execution of the book is poor. He keeps pounding on liberals bringing up big government examples like the auto bail out. What did you say that was orchestrated by republicans? Never mind your details liberals are bad and then republicans are good. Then he shows this by having a republican elected to change things but that guys doesn’t do anything other than start running for office. Instead of showing his dissolution as the system he just bad mouths liberals some more. Both parties are corrupt and both should be demonized equally (it’s my review so I can put in my opinion). 3) The main character not likable. In the preface the author tells us he’s supposed to be a normal person with flaws and not some hero which again I like the idea of but he doesn’t any ANY redeeming qualities. He admits to being lazy and not helping his wife around the house until he starts prepping. Then once he starts prepping he has to continuously lie to his wife. Also the author tells us that he and his wife are perfect together but never shows it. They’re constantly bickering, never do anything that a normal person would construe as being selfless for each other and even at the beginning of the book we know they end up living apart. Why are these guys made for each other again? Also the outside voice makes him sound sort of mentally deranged. I guess if you’re ultra conservative and want to read all the books (just one is such a boring waste) if it a shot otherwise don’t even bother.
September 13, 2013
Read this to try and see things from a different point of view. I hope for preppers' sakes that there are better books than this. The main character is somewhat sympathetic - you can understand what he's thinking and feeling, and see what's happening, but lord have mercy this guy jumps to conclusions! If something normal, but bad, happens, it MUST be proof that things are coming apart and we're all gonna die. Not unpleasant reading, though it rather felt like a too-serious juvenile book from the writing style.
August 26, 2022
ONE OF MY NEW FAVORITE EOTWAWKI SERIES. Excellent book, amongst other great collapse stories like Going Home, Collapse, Patriots, Frontier Justice, etc. Whether you're a veteran prepper, new to the field, or just enjoy the genre. You will enjoy this series.
The story is about an average guy who starts to see the signs all around him that our country is heading for the inevitable results of our unsustainable way of life. The collapsing events in 299 Days are on the conservative side of predictions. Glen Tate wanted to write a story that would seem more realistic to people not of the survivalist/infowars mindset. In his words, what ensues is a partial collapse of civilization. Although the story does not have a large scale dramatic catastrophe that sends mankind into primitive Darwinian behavior. Tate describes in enough detail the progression and ensuing events of the country's economic depression.
The characters in 299 Days are superbly crafted. Frustratingly realistic, Grant's wife is a spitting image of many people in our modern society. Not often do I find myself getting emotionally engulfed with the characters in the story. Like many who've yelled at the screen while helpless victims go astray in horror movies, I couldn't help but to yell at the speakers in disgust at the way Grant's wife, Lisa, was acting. The reality of her mindset, and my experience in dealing with people of the same mind, is absolutely frustrating to say the least. That is a testament to the author's ability to produce such real characters.
For anyone who may still be on the fence about our country's, and our whole world's for that matter, economic situation. This is an excellent example of how burying your head in the sand and refusing to accept reality will only result in our world further spiraling down the toilet, and most likely lead to societal enslavement or death.
The story is about an average guy who starts to see the signs all around him that our country is heading for the inevitable results of our unsustainable way of life. The collapsing events in 299 Days are on the conservative side of predictions. Glen Tate wanted to write a story that would seem more realistic to people not of the survivalist/infowars mindset. In his words, what ensues is a partial collapse of civilization. Although the story does not have a large scale dramatic catastrophe that sends mankind into primitive Darwinian behavior. Tate describes in enough detail the progression and ensuing events of the country's economic depression.
The characters in 299 Days are superbly crafted. Frustratingly realistic, Grant's wife is a spitting image of many people in our modern society. Not often do I find myself getting emotionally engulfed with the characters in the story. Like many who've yelled at the screen while helpless victims go astray in horror movies, I couldn't help but to yell at the speakers in disgust at the way Grant's wife, Lisa, was acting. The reality of her mindset, and my experience in dealing with people of the same mind, is absolutely frustrating to say the least. That is a testament to the author's ability to produce such real characters.
For anyone who may still be on the fence about our country's, and our whole world's for that matter, economic situation. This is an excellent example of how burying your head in the sand and refusing to accept reality will only result in our world further spiraling down the toilet, and most likely lead to societal enslavement or death.
January 29, 2023
This is an excellent beginning to a series. It details in a realistic fashion the events leading to an economic collapse. If the rest of this series is as good as this book, I think it will be worth getting my own copies. Well written and a pretty realistic approach to prepping and the main character moves from being a semi-prepper to a survivalist. Well written and put together.
May 1, 2017
I can't quite remember how I first came to this book. We have a professional interest in societal collapse, which naturally attracts me to works such as this. Normally I steer clear of the American works in the genre - they are a bit too gun heavy for me - but in this case I thought that I would give it a go.
In a way I am glad that I had a look at the book, and in a way I'm not. The story tells of how one person develops a growing awareness that our present arrangements are unsustainable. Some may argue with this position, but it is a widely held one. The point where the conversation becomes interesting to when we consider what happens next, and what we, personally, are going to do about the situation that is emerging. This story maps out one man's journey along that road.
Grant Matson - the main protagonist - is portrayed as an urbane member of the American suburban middle class. He isn't all that keen on government and public services. That is the lens through which he interprets events as they unfold. We start from the perspective of Big Brother suppressing the individual, and work outwards from there. To this is added the prospect of runaway hyper-inflation caused by QE, an economic depression caused by the hyper-inflation, and a growing tax burden caused by a diminishing tax base.
There is a certain internal logic of this argument, which was widely held in 2012 when the book was published. Of course, we now know that it didn't happen. The author underestimated the size of the output gap and the inherent slack in the economy, which renders his argument incorrect. However, as a thought experiment about what could have happened, I found it quite interesting.
The character in the story reacts to all of this by stocking up on food and weaponry. He is immensely fortunate to receive the benefits of a legacy to purchase a bug-out-hole, and the spends his time in stocking up. We are treated to an appraisal of the various weaponry available to the average American citizen. Most of this went over my head. From the perspective of a European, we have a different relationship with guns. Anyway, the character spends time preparing to use his weapons. At the end of the book, breakdown seems quite imminent and the character readies himself to head for the hills (or the coast, in this case).
I didn't like the character. He seems the sort of boorish American who one encounters every now and then. The sort of man who might find himself in the White House! I didn't like the way in which he treated his wife and friends. I couldn't trust him at all. I did pause to think about a marriage that is based upon a deception - his double life. That wouldn't work for me. I certainly wouldn't trust him in any form of a crisis - he's too selfish.
Everything written about the book is correct. It is poorly written, badly edited, and inconsistent in some places. It is boastful, overly aggressive, and quite one dimensional. And yet, I found myself ploughing through the book. Despite being badly written, it is quite readable. There is a pace to the narrative that doesn't get bogged down and the story does unfold.
It captured me enough to want to read the next two volumes - The Collapse and The Community. I want to see exactly how the collapse occurs. This is something that futurists speculate about. How has the author dealt with it? And after the collapse, what comes next? What sort of communities could arise from the debris of civilisation? Whether I go beyond the next two volumes remains to be seen. There are limits to how much poor work I can endure.
In a way I am glad that I had a look at the book, and in a way I'm not. The story tells of how one person develops a growing awareness that our present arrangements are unsustainable. Some may argue with this position, but it is a widely held one. The point where the conversation becomes interesting to when we consider what happens next, and what we, personally, are going to do about the situation that is emerging. This story maps out one man's journey along that road.
Grant Matson - the main protagonist - is portrayed as an urbane member of the American suburban middle class. He isn't all that keen on government and public services. That is the lens through which he interprets events as they unfold. We start from the perspective of Big Brother suppressing the individual, and work outwards from there. To this is added the prospect of runaway hyper-inflation caused by QE, an economic depression caused by the hyper-inflation, and a growing tax burden caused by a diminishing tax base.
There is a certain internal logic of this argument, which was widely held in 2012 when the book was published. Of course, we now know that it didn't happen. The author underestimated the size of the output gap and the inherent slack in the economy, which renders his argument incorrect. However, as a thought experiment about what could have happened, I found it quite interesting.
The character in the story reacts to all of this by stocking up on food and weaponry. He is immensely fortunate to receive the benefits of a legacy to purchase a bug-out-hole, and the spends his time in stocking up. We are treated to an appraisal of the various weaponry available to the average American citizen. Most of this went over my head. From the perspective of a European, we have a different relationship with guns. Anyway, the character spends time preparing to use his weapons. At the end of the book, breakdown seems quite imminent and the character readies himself to head for the hills (or the coast, in this case).
I didn't like the character. He seems the sort of boorish American who one encounters every now and then. The sort of man who might find himself in the White House! I didn't like the way in which he treated his wife and friends. I couldn't trust him at all. I did pause to think about a marriage that is based upon a deception - his double life. That wouldn't work for me. I certainly wouldn't trust him in any form of a crisis - he's too selfish.
Everything written about the book is correct. It is poorly written, badly edited, and inconsistent in some places. It is boastful, overly aggressive, and quite one dimensional. And yet, I found myself ploughing through the book. Despite being badly written, it is quite readable. There is a pace to the narrative that doesn't get bogged down and the story does unfold.
It captured me enough to want to read the next two volumes - The Collapse and The Community. I want to see exactly how the collapse occurs. This is something that futurists speculate about. How has the author dealt with it? And after the collapse, what comes next? What sort of communities could arise from the debris of civilisation? Whether I go beyond the next two volumes remains to be seen. There are limits to how much poor work I can endure.
March 9, 2019
I read a lot of the post-apocalyptic genre so I may struggle through the series a bit more just to see if it has anything interesting to add, but I will say if you dare to trudge on as I am attempting to read the top reviews for this book on goodreads, because I agree with all the negatives previously mentioned. The writing is boring and repetitive.
What I can add is that future readers should be prepared to encounter lots of demeaning treatment to "libtards" and that most of the women are portrayed in a weak or plain evil light. The main antagonist in the story is a corrupt liberal woman who doesn't keep up with her meds and goes crazy and tries to attack the protagonists wife and autistic son. You will get to experience a lot of "being the man" references where husbands must take care of their weak wives.
The reference to the sole minority character is a bit awkward as well. I don't recall the precise language, but it was something to the effect of "hey the guy is asian! wow, shocking! followed by an explanation of how most people in the south are not racist because they have to work with "people like this" all the time." The guy is called Pao in reference to Kung Pao which is a Chinese dish and not even a Korean dish?! Then whenever the person is described in the book it is as "The Korean" when you have little to no idea how most of the other people "look" (though from context you can infer they are typical white Americans.) So I guess kudos to including a minority in a positive role, but strangely done.
My last comment will be in regards to how unlikable the main character is. He just seems so whiny and adolescent with his fascination with being one of the cool kids and constantly being happy that the sh$@ is hitting the fan and he will be proven right and other people will suffer for their erroneous beliefs.
What I can add is that future readers should be prepared to encounter lots of demeaning treatment to "libtards" and that most of the women are portrayed in a weak or plain evil light. The main antagonist in the story is a corrupt liberal woman who doesn't keep up with her meds and goes crazy and tries to attack the protagonists wife and autistic son. You will get to experience a lot of "being the man" references where husbands must take care of their weak wives.
The reference to the sole minority character is a bit awkward as well. I don't recall the precise language, but it was something to the effect of "hey the guy is asian! wow, shocking! followed by an explanation of how most people in the south are not racist because they have to work with "people like this" all the time." The guy is called Pao in reference to Kung Pao which is a Chinese dish and not even a Korean dish?! Then whenever the person is described in the book it is as "The Korean" when you have little to no idea how most of the other people "look" (though from context you can infer they are typical white Americans.) So I guess kudos to including a minority in a positive role, but strangely done.
My last comment will be in regards to how unlikable the main character is. He just seems so whiny and adolescent with his fascination with being one of the cool kids and constantly being happy that the sh$@ is hitting the fan and he will be proven right and other people will suffer for their erroneous beliefs.
December 31, 2016
I am ashamed that I have to give this terribly written novel even a 1* review, but GR doesn't allow us to give a 0*. I am not going to lie, I couldn't even make it through half of this book before I had to save myself some sanity and stop. I seriously don't think that the "author" even proof read any of what he wrote, and I highly doubt that it had been "edited" at all. I am flabbergasted that the ratings are as high as they are; it is actually quite disconcerting to say the least. In no way should this book have been rated anything more than a 2*, and that would be generous. The grammar and sentence structure were atrocious, the characters were poorly developed and not likeable in the least, and I felt as though most of the "plot" was mostly boring, shallow minded, thoughtless "filler" that didn't add anything really interesting or thought provoking to the story in the end.
June 22, 2020
Read the first few books in 2015 and this first one is the best but is still not good. Take some of the negatives of the book Patriots, but without as much useful survival/prepper information, and you basically get this series. Plus the writing in this one is even worse than in Patriots. It reads like a first draft of someone struggling in a writing class. Sounds harsh but it was pretty painful reading through this story. I read the next two just because I had already checked them out at the library and was curious if the series got better (spoiler alert, it does not)
February 21, 2019
Writings of an Oracle
Compelling and disturbing at the same time. Well developed main character and totally believable story line .... it’s like seeing a very possible future
Compelling and disturbing at the same time. Well developed main character and totally believable story line .... it’s like seeing a very possible future
November 10, 2022
For the love of gawd... Before I continue reading one more word in this series, please tell me that his wife Jennifer (the childish, ignorant, arrogant twat) either gets shot in the head or finally gives him back his balls. I keep waiting for the narrator to switch to a high pitch prepubescent boy voice when speaking for the MC. (whispers... do you think he knows he's a eunuch)
I am not able to even get annoyed by all the political or Christian propaganda because I am soo focused on the moment he finally realizes he is a man. Or she gets shot in the head and he finds someone worth his time and efforts.
I am not able to even get annoyed by all the political or Christian propaganda because I am soo focused on the moment he finally realizes he is a man. Or she gets shot in the head and he finds someone worth his time and efforts.
February 9, 2019
This is a great book I recommend it. It helps you prepare for what will and might happen
May 13, 2017
When I saw that this book was called The Preperation, I assumed it would focus on his prepping for disaster and the disaster itself, which is exactly the kind of apocalypse book that I love.
Boy was I wrong! The first 86 pages are the entire life history of our hero-his violent dad, the mother who won't protect him, the school bullies that torment him, his schooldays, his college days, meeting his wife, getting married, having kids, every single job he ever had, work disputes, his views on government corruption...and no sign of the type of preperation I was expecting! None of this stuff is greatly relevant to the story for me but if the author wanted to include some of this, why not do it through a few short memories as the disaster approaches ie watching his wife getting the kids up could trigger a brief memory of them meeting or something. Gradually introducing his past in this way is way better than the massive 86 page info dump!
At page 86, our hero starts to get interested in prepping, certain that the government are not capable of protecting the people if disaster should strike. I usually enjoy this part of a book as we watch the family get ready for what the reader knows is coming, but not in this book. Instead it felt more like another info dump with every detail of his fitness regime, every single purchase, every single political thought. While this was relevant to the story, I felt that the way it was written made it sound boring and repetitive instead of interesting and educational.
By the time Grant starts prepping seriously, the book is getting bogged down with the fights between him and wife over his spending and prepping. She does not believe what he is saying about coming disaster so everything has to be done behind her back. He's buying a cabin as a bugout location, lying to her that it is a holiday home, and forming a prepper community with likeminded people, buying guns and storing supplies there. He is hoping eventually to persuade Lisa to move there with him despite her not liking the cabin for holidays. This conflict with his wife was annoying and took away from the fact that this was the most interesting part of the book. I liked the slow breakdown of society with Grant watching anxiously. It does take until page 209 before the disaster actually begins.
Frankly I did find this boring with too much info dumping and conflict, padded out with things we really didn't need to know. A good editing to take out the padding and tighten up the plot, and there is the basis for a decent book there, which is frustrating. I decided not to read on with the series for fear that the following books might follow the same formula.
Boy was I wrong! The first 86 pages are the entire life history of our hero-his violent dad, the mother who won't protect him, the school bullies that torment him, his schooldays, his college days, meeting his wife, getting married, having kids, every single job he ever had, work disputes, his views on government corruption...and no sign of the type of preperation I was expecting! None of this stuff is greatly relevant to the story for me but if the author wanted to include some of this, why not do it through a few short memories as the disaster approaches ie watching his wife getting the kids up could trigger a brief memory of them meeting or something. Gradually introducing his past in this way is way better than the massive 86 page info dump!
At page 86, our hero starts to get interested in prepping, certain that the government are not capable of protecting the people if disaster should strike. I usually enjoy this part of a book as we watch the family get ready for what the reader knows is coming, but not in this book. Instead it felt more like another info dump with every detail of his fitness regime, every single purchase, every single political thought. While this was relevant to the story, I felt that the way it was written made it sound boring and repetitive instead of interesting and educational.
By the time Grant starts prepping seriously, the book is getting bogged down with the fights between him and wife over his spending and prepping. She does not believe what he is saying about coming disaster so everything has to be done behind her back. He's buying a cabin as a bugout location, lying to her that it is a holiday home, and forming a prepper community with likeminded people, buying guns and storing supplies there. He is hoping eventually to persuade Lisa to move there with him despite her not liking the cabin for holidays. This conflict with his wife was annoying and took away from the fact that this was the most interesting part of the book. I liked the slow breakdown of society with Grant watching anxiously. It does take until page 209 before the disaster actually begins.
Frankly I did find this boring with too much info dumping and conflict, padded out with things we really didn't need to know. A good editing to take out the padding and tighten up the plot, and there is the basis for a decent book there, which is frustrating. I decided not to read on with the series for fear that the following books might follow the same formula.
October 12, 2015
I can't imagine anyone who reads a lot of books giving this book more than 3 stars. It was too poorly written to earn more than that. I'm giving it 2 because "it was ok" pretty accurately describes what I thought of it.
I chose to read this after my husband and teenage son loved it. I can see where they would love the story line. Corrupt government, people entirely dependent on the system to meet their needs, looming financial meltdowns...yes, it is probably pretty accurate of where we are in the US society now.
The main protagonist, Grant, is one of the few smart enough to see it coming and start preparing by storing food, stocking up on enough guns and ammunition to outfit his family and friends in case calamity strikes and angry, hungry mobs try to steal his stockpile of food, medicine and emergency supplies.
My complaint was in the writing style. Breaking one of the oldest rules of fiction writing, Glen Tate didn't show us, he told us. Sweeping general summaries and statements would annoy me as I wondered "what caused that" or "where did that come from." When there were reactions, they were sometimes completely over the top. For example, Grant tries to talk to his wife about his belief American society was going to break down, there would be a financial crisis, etc. His wife "screams" at him to stop talking about it and literally puts her hands over her ears.
As the wife of someone who tends to worry lots about the future, I found her reaction so extreme it was silly. Unless someone is mentally ill, who starts screaming right away in a conversation? Don't you just simply state an opposing view? And it wasn't like she had heard him talk about this impending doom over and over again and was now fed up with it...this was the first time he brought it up. I thought there was plenty of ways to show his wife didn't want to face this possibility, etc. without making her seem like an imbecile.
These kind of poorly written scenes were tiring and annoying. Apparently there are 9 or 10 volumes in this series. There is no way I can slog through them. I thought I might do 2 or 3 of them, but am not sure now I can even do that. My son and husband loved the books and read them for the story line of corrupt world, preppers preparing for a meltdown, the breakdown of society, and law and order being restored by people who think the way they do. I saw this story line but it was hard for me to enjoy it because of the annoying style.
I chose to read this after my husband and teenage son loved it. I can see where they would love the story line. Corrupt government, people entirely dependent on the system to meet their needs, looming financial meltdowns...yes, it is probably pretty accurate of where we are in the US society now.
The main protagonist, Grant, is one of the few smart enough to see it coming and start preparing by storing food, stocking up on enough guns and ammunition to outfit his family and friends in case calamity strikes and angry, hungry mobs try to steal his stockpile of food, medicine and emergency supplies.
My complaint was in the writing style. Breaking one of the oldest rules of fiction writing, Glen Tate didn't show us, he told us. Sweeping general summaries and statements would annoy me as I wondered "what caused that" or "where did that come from." When there were reactions, they were sometimes completely over the top. For example, Grant tries to talk to his wife about his belief American society was going to break down, there would be a financial crisis, etc. His wife "screams" at him to stop talking about it and literally puts her hands over her ears.
As the wife of someone who tends to worry lots about the future, I found her reaction so extreme it was silly. Unless someone is mentally ill, who starts screaming right away in a conversation? Don't you just simply state an opposing view? And it wasn't like she had heard him talk about this impending doom over and over again and was now fed up with it...this was the first time he brought it up. I thought there was plenty of ways to show his wife didn't want to face this possibility, etc. without making her seem like an imbecile.
These kind of poorly written scenes were tiring and annoying. Apparently there are 9 or 10 volumes in this series. There is no way I can slog through them. I thought I might do 2 or 3 of them, but am not sure now I can even do that. My son and husband loved the books and read them for the story line of corrupt world, preppers preparing for a meltdown, the breakdown of society, and law and order being restored by people who think the way they do. I saw this story line but it was hard for me to enjoy it because of the annoying style.
February 24, 2018
I read until mid-book 7, the truth I read the books because I wanted to see ideas of survival and how to save the situation after a breakdown.
The truth is that the writer presents a distorted world. According to him, the liberals are corrupt, miserly, crooks, egotists. The very idea of a welfare state is the quickest way to topple the state, but the conservatives are wonderful, honest, honest and not racist. , While the liberals are delusional who lose every chance of improving the situation, because they keep repeating their mistakes, and of course the liberals see the conservatives as wrong.
It seems to me that the writer is bitter and angry, and his worldview is so narrow that for him there is only black and white, good and bad, and of course who are the good guys and the bad ones in the story, it is clear to him that the good are only conservatives, while the bad guys are the liberals.
He claims that he is not a dictator, but when all he does is advance his conservative agenda, and anyone who does not follow his path is actually "loyal" ie a lazy and degenerate liberal.
When he ostensibly did not want to eliminate the hated liberal, he presented it as the morality of not murdering even a despicable enemy. In fact, he hastened to portray the liberal as a dangerous factor that would cause them to die, even though the fax in question had barely moved the authorities.
Although they were sent a helicopter because of someone who did not even know about the rebel camp, but the report indicated that he reported it, in short it was not consistent at all.
A central point in the books is the voice that Grant hears, meaning that he is a mentally ill person who hears voices, but he presents it as any belief in God, completely delusional.
I say these books are complete junk.
The truth is that the writer presents a distorted world. According to him, the liberals are corrupt, miserly, crooks, egotists. The very idea of a welfare state is the quickest way to topple the state, but the conservatives are wonderful, honest, honest and not racist. , While the liberals are delusional who lose every chance of improving the situation, because they keep repeating their mistakes, and of course the liberals see the conservatives as wrong.
It seems to me that the writer is bitter and angry, and his worldview is so narrow that for him there is only black and white, good and bad, and of course who are the good guys and the bad ones in the story, it is clear to him that the good are only conservatives, while the bad guys are the liberals.
He claims that he is not a dictator, but when all he does is advance his conservative agenda, and anyone who does not follow his path is actually "loyal" ie a lazy and degenerate liberal.
When he ostensibly did not want to eliminate the hated liberal, he presented it as the morality of not murdering even a despicable enemy. In fact, he hastened to portray the liberal as a dangerous factor that would cause them to die, even though the fax in question had barely moved the authorities.
Although they were sent a helicopter because of someone who did not even know about the rebel camp, but the report indicated that he reported it, in short it was not consistent at all.
A central point in the books is the voice that Grant hears, meaning that he is a mentally ill person who hears voices, but he presents it as any belief in God, completely delusional.
I say these books are complete junk.
December 26, 2018
Wow! Excellent book! I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.
January 17, 2019
Realistic, timely and riveting.
Realistic, timely and riveting. Only those who are paranoid and awake would like this book. I highly recommend it. Get your own copy or copies. Live, laugh, love and above all, stay safe.
Realistic, timely and riveting. Only those who are paranoid and awake would like this book. I highly recommend it. Get your own copy or copies. Live, laugh, love and above all, stay safe.
July 6, 2019
I read all 8 of these books- not because they are good, but because I have the habit of finishing what I start.
My biggest complaint is the main character’s character. From the very beginning he makes it clear he can’t trust his wife, he can’t confide in her and she will “tell him no”. Then get a divorce buddy. Every huge decision he makes he makes in secret from her. In order to back up his logic when he eventually tells her this, she whines and cries like a 3 year old who has been told no. Now I dislike her. The character leaves his wife and kids when the SHTF and then he cries like a baby. This general interaction goes on throughout all of the books.
I read these books to see what type of preps are used to survive whatever collapse the book is based on. This book was lacking there too- some random things were mentioned that were interesting, but in general this book lacked common sense prepping material.
Every prepper book has a military type character that is able to lead the new community in survival- this one does the same. Most prepper books have current military against the president and commanding officers- this does the same. So the book follows the typical prepper book plot but does it with less than stellar writing (although that too is often found in prepper books), an awful main character, and the rest of the cast and crew are equally undeveloped.
Do yourself a favor- don’t start the first book.
My biggest complaint is the main character’s character. From the very beginning he makes it clear he can’t trust his wife, he can’t confide in her and she will “tell him no”. Then get a divorce buddy. Every huge decision he makes he makes in secret from her. In order to back up his logic when he eventually tells her this, she whines and cries like a 3 year old who has been told no. Now I dislike her. The character leaves his wife and kids when the SHTF and then he cries like a baby. This general interaction goes on throughout all of the books.
I read these books to see what type of preps are used to survive whatever collapse the book is based on. This book was lacking there too- some random things were mentioned that were interesting, but in general this book lacked common sense prepping material.
Every prepper book has a military type character that is able to lead the new community in survival- this one does the same. Most prepper books have current military against the president and commanding officers- this does the same. So the book follows the typical prepper book plot but does it with less than stellar writing (although that too is often found in prepper books), an awful main character, and the rest of the cast and crew are equally undeveloped.
Do yourself a favor- don’t start the first book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2015
One of the classics in the prepper genre, the first book in the series is arguably the best. This book covers the challenges faced by the typical prepper - lack of family agreement with the premise of prepping, while concerned that traumatic events will occur before sufficient preps have been made. Well covered are the circumstances that lead to the conclusion to prep.
The book is written by a first time author and is noticeable, but not to the extent of making the book painful to read. As usual the author does well in describing this e things he has experienced. More difficult to read are the areas in which the author does not have experience and can only imagine, such as the team and their para military skills.
This series concentrates on the community oriented prepper and not the hermit prepper in the remote retreat as the calamity ensures, and thus is a work addressing this niche in the genre.
The book is written by a first time author and is noticeable, but not to the extent of making the book painful to read. As usual the author does well in describing this e things he has experienced. More difficult to read are the areas in which the author does not have experience and can only imagine, such as the team and their para military skills.
This series concentrates on the community oriented prepper and not the hermit prepper in the remote retreat as the calamity ensures, and thus is a work addressing this niche in the genre.
June 16, 2016
I understand there is much criticism of the author's writing style, but I thought the book was excellent. It is written more as a personal narrative than as a popular novel. As such, he doesn't develop the characters as much as he would if it was a full on fictional novel. Additionally, he writes more the way he would speak. Again, this supports the "feel" of a narrative. This is story is a cautionary account. Frankly, I believe people should read and discuss this book because it has very authentic and current real world application. Finally, be aware and be prepared. We all have sheeple in our lives.
October 15, 2020
Given a friend's recommendation, I looked forward to reading this entire series. I couldn't make it three pages without wondering what my friend saw in this book that I didn't. Still, I stuck to it hoping the writing would improve and an actual story would emerge. It did not. The book didn't come to a logical end. It merely stopped. Despite my friend's recommendations, I will not attempt to suffer through the rest of the series.
There is an interesting premise buried in here, but the author's writing style does not serve that premise well at all.
There is an interesting premise buried in here, but the author's writing style does not serve that premise well at all.
July 5, 2015
I thought this book was drawn out, maybe a little boring. Though it does make you think.... everything in the book is happening right now in our country. It takes you on a man's journey from crappy childhood to having to become a prepper. It has you thinking maybe you should prep too. It's a good start to what I hope is a great series.
May 10, 2016
WOW
This storyline just read my mind. Maybe it is Fiction, but how could you go wrong with some food and guns to feed and protect your family if you ever needed to?
And if you think it's not a good idea, or you think it is a radical idea, then your just as clueless as the suburbanites in this book.
You reap what you sow.
This storyline just read my mind. Maybe it is Fiction, but how could you go wrong with some food and guns to feed and protect your family if you ever needed to?
And if you think it's not a good idea, or you think it is a radical idea, then your just as clueless as the suburbanites in this book.
You reap what you sow.
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