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The Last Republic: (Deseret Series Book 1)
In 1849, Brigham Young declared independence. In 2025, the United States declares war.
In the heart of the American West lies Deseret—a Mormon theocratic nation born of faith, isolation, and resilience. For nearly two centuries, it has stood as a testament to independence and religious devotion. But now, Deseret finds itself at the center of a global conflict, its survival threatened by the world's only remaining the United States.
When the US launches a military operation to dismantle Deseret's alliance with Iran, the battle-lines blur between morality, faith, and ambition. As American forces attack, the citizens of Deseret fight back with unyielding resolve, advanced weapons, and a belief that their cause is divine.
Amidst the chaos, an embedded journalist with the 101st Airborne wrestles with the human cost of war, while Deseret fighter pilot rises as a symbol of resistance. In the shadows, a Mossad courier uncovers secrets that could shift the balance of power, and a police lieutenant faces a moral reckoning that could determine the fate of his nation.
The Last Republic is a gripping tale of geopolitics, faith, and survival—a story where ideologies clash, loyalties are tested, and no one emerges unscathed. As the smoke clears, one question How far will a nation go to protect its identity, and what price will it pay?
Welcome to Deseret. Choose your side.
In the heart of the American West lies Deseret—a Mormon theocratic nation born of faith, isolation, and resilience. For nearly two centuries, it has stood as a testament to independence and religious devotion. But now, Deseret finds itself at the center of a global conflict, its survival threatened by the world's only remaining the United States.
When the US launches a military operation to dismantle Deseret's alliance with Iran, the battle-lines blur between morality, faith, and ambition. As American forces attack, the citizens of Deseret fight back with unyielding resolve, advanced weapons, and a belief that their cause is divine.
Amidst the chaos, an embedded journalist with the 101st Airborne wrestles with the human cost of war, while Deseret fighter pilot rises as a symbol of resistance. In the shadows, a Mossad courier uncovers secrets that could shift the balance of power, and a police lieutenant faces a moral reckoning that could determine the fate of his nation.
The Last Republic is a gripping tale of geopolitics, faith, and survival—a story where ideologies clash, loyalties are tested, and no one emerges unscathed. As the smoke clears, one question How far will a nation go to protect its identity, and what price will it pay?
Welcome to Deseret. Choose your side.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2025
46 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Ryan McBeth
6 books23 followersRyan McBeth is an intelligence analyst, software architect, cybersecurity guy, novelest and YouTube content creator of military, intelligence and disinformation topics. He appears on NEWSMAX as an intelligence consultant and consults for Veloxxity on OSINT and information warfare.
Ryan spent 20 years as an anti-armor and heavy weapons infantryman with two overseas deployments and developed C4ISR software for Accenture Federal Services. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with a large humidor and whiskey library.
Ryan spent 20 years as an anti-armor and heavy weapons infantryman with two overseas deployments and developed C4ISR software for Accenture Federal Services. He lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with a large humidor and whiskey library.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 9, 2025
Interesting
This is an interesting take on history of the west and relations with the US dealing with another very different country in the west. Things are sliding toward war
This is an interesting take on history of the west and relations with the US dealing with another very different country in the west. Things are sliding toward war
December 1, 2025
After The Win Machine: The Road to Hell is Paved With Intervention, there seems to be plenty more where that came from! Sure, the characters may be a bit one-dimensional, but the faux family dynamics are toned down in this one, and the characters we do follow are a lot more interesting and fleshed out here. McBeth's techno-realism-mixed-with-speculative-fiction is still here, dropping hints left and right that we're in a slightly different world than the one the reader inhabits.
If McBeth keeps this up, I'll happily be funding his cigars-and-whisky habit for a long time to come.
If McBeth keeps this up, I'll happily be funding his cigars-and-whisky habit for a long time to come.
May 10, 2025
My new favorite author. Excellent characters, nice world building, and realistic combat. Read it!
An alternate in which Mormons have their own country within the US. They have an alliance with Iran. But some things are the same. Politics. Misinformation, and espionage still shape events. Good writing. No cringey dialog or cartoonish characters.
😁
An alternate in which Mormons have their own country within the US. They have an alliance with Iran. But some things are the same. Politics. Misinformation, and espionage still shape events. Good writing. No cringey dialog or cartoonish characters.
😁
August 13, 2025
Read with my husband who is active duty military in Utah. We haven't read a book together in ages and unfortunately, this was the worst book I've read all year. Speculative fiction about Utah never becoming a state and was instead it's own country. There was no clear antagonist/protagonist. No clear plot line. The dialogue was stilted and awkward. The author showed a complete lack of understanding of "Mormon" culture. He had a better understanding of military operations. He spent too much time developing multiple narratives and completely lost all sense of a coherent plot.
May 10, 2025
Well done!
Very nicely done, Wordsmith. I have driven thru all of the area you described so well. I'm looking forward to the next part of the story.
Very nicely done, Wordsmith. I have driven thru all of the area you described so well. I'm looking forward to the next part of the story.
June 28, 2025
enjoyable page turner
The first book I have read by Ryan Macbeth. I enjoyed the pace, the world building and the intermixed plots. I want to see more!
The first book I have read by Ryan Macbeth. I enjoyed the pace, the world building and the intermixed plots. I want to see more!
July 31, 2025
A fun military techno-thriller based on an interesting bit of alternate history. The characters are interesting and enjoyable, will be very curious to see where the series goes.
September 7, 2025
great writing!
I really like this book and I really like the author’s writing style. The cliffhanger at the end makes me want to read the sequel for sure.
I really like this book and I really like the author’s writing style. The cliffhanger at the end makes me want to read the sequel for sure.
November 19, 2025
Could take it or leave it. Meh!
June 7, 2025
Good
A very unexpected pleasant surprise.
Well in the leagues of the original Tom Clancy.
Real balance in the novel of respect, compassion, honour (and dishonour).
The whole gamut.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Thank you.
A very unexpected pleasant surprise.
Well in the leagues of the original Tom Clancy.
Real balance in the novel of respect, compassion, honour (and dishonour).
The whole gamut.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Thank you.
June 9, 2025
I like Ryan, nice guy. Didn’t expect him to pull a Mormon mission impossible and top gun book out of the air like this. lol. Lmao even.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews