What do you think?
Rate this book
The Homestead
Centered deep in the Alaskan bush, the Homestead offers a primal refuge for young men and women disenchanted by the modern era. Only accessible via helicopter or a series of rugged, treacherous trails, this Thoreauvian utopia stands as a testament to humanity’s ability to thrive in its natural state.
But when a grisly bear attack kicks off an increasingly violent chain of events, the secrets of the Homestead’s founder, Augustin Stark, risk being brought into the light. As he grapples to keep the family he’s created together, a malevolent outside force joins the fray. One that threatens to destroy not only the community, but the people themselves.
But when a grisly bear attack kicks off an increasingly violent chain of events, the secrets of the Homestead’s founder, Augustin Stark, risk being brought into the light. As he grapples to keep the family he’s created together, a malevolent outside force joins the fray. One that threatens to destroy not only the community, but the people themselves.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 4, 2017
148 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Douglass Hoover
4 books107 followersDouglass Hoover is a writer, craftsman, veteran, and an avid outdoorsman. He has written four novels and holds an MFA from Emerson College. When not slaving away over a keyboard, you can find him hunting, blacksmithing, farming, or bushwhacking skinwalkers in the forests of rural Maine with his wife, their little goblin, and the pack of wild dogs that nip at their heels.
Follow their adventures on Instagram
@StripedDogForge
@DouglassHooverAuthor
Find handmade outdoor equipment and signed books at www.stripeddogforge.com
Perhaps most importantly, sign up for our newsletter at www.douglasshoover.com for updates on future projects.
Follow their adventures on Instagram
@StripedDogForge
@DouglassHooverAuthor
Find handmade outdoor equipment and signed books at www.stripeddogforge.com
Perhaps most importantly, sign up for our newsletter at www.douglasshoover.com for updates on future projects.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 18, 2017
Reviewed by Sarah Stuart for Readers' Favorite
Douglass Hoover opens The Homestead with sketches that paint a clear picture of the composition of the small Thoreauvian community founded in the Alaskan bush by ex-marine Augustin Spark. Ingeniously, in the prologue, Mr Hoover uses a long letter of invitation to a young couple disenchanted with their lives to set the scene, when it is found by FBI agents. The main story opens with Jackson Durrs baiting a trap, and culminates in his death in the claws and jaws of an angry grizzly bear. Each major character is brought vividly to life, and the reason for their rejection of modernity is understandable, believable. But why are the FBI involved? Who owns the helicopter that flies over the settlement? Will The Homestead and its members survive twenty-first century invasions and the delving into its founder’s past?
What I loved most about The Homestead is that Douglass Hoover makes the suspension of disbelief incredibly easy. The setting is amazing, a story in itself, but The Homestead is well-plotted and powerfully character-driven. Augustin Spark and Andrew Rosso, the leader and the man regarded as second-in-command, Jackson and Amy Burrs, the young couple disenchanted with their nine-to-five going-nowhere lives, and the one-legged war veteran, Tim Hunt, step off the page and inexorably draw the reader into their sunny, snowy, harsh, beautiful world, and they are just a few of the well-drawn characters, mainly with a fascinating, and shocking, military background. With hindsight, the end that Douglass Hoover contrives couldn’t be any other, but the sheer drama will take your breath away.
Douglass Hoover opens The Homestead with sketches that paint a clear picture of the composition of the small Thoreauvian community founded in the Alaskan bush by ex-marine Augustin Spark. Ingeniously, in the prologue, Mr Hoover uses a long letter of invitation to a young couple disenchanted with their lives to set the scene, when it is found by FBI agents. The main story opens with Jackson Durrs baiting a trap, and culminates in his death in the claws and jaws of an angry grizzly bear. Each major character is brought vividly to life, and the reason for their rejection of modernity is understandable, believable. But why are the FBI involved? Who owns the helicopter that flies over the settlement? Will The Homestead and its members survive twenty-first century invasions and the delving into its founder’s past?
What I loved most about The Homestead is that Douglass Hoover makes the suspension of disbelief incredibly easy. The setting is amazing, a story in itself, but The Homestead is well-plotted and powerfully character-driven. Augustin Spark and Andrew Rosso, the leader and the man regarded as second-in-command, Jackson and Amy Burrs, the young couple disenchanted with their nine-to-five going-nowhere lives, and the one-legged war veteran, Tim Hunt, step off the page and inexorably draw the reader into their sunny, snowy, harsh, beautiful world, and they are just a few of the well-drawn characters, mainly with a fascinating, and shocking, military background. With hindsight, the end that Douglass Hoover contrives couldn’t be any other, but the sheer drama will take your breath away.
June 29, 2024
For the Audiobook:
This story isn't really horror or a prepper book, it's more of a murder mystery with a side of military adventure.
The trope of the big bad evil oil man was pretty tired. Pretty funny how the main character was betrayed by his BROTHER in arms, some random Mexican dude who sold him out for money.
The Jamaican Rasta doctor was pretty cringe and the women are mostly not likeable, but at least they're realistic and not gung ho mary sues. It's an interesting book, but it's not great, you could do worse, but keep those expectations low.
This story isn't really horror or a prepper book, it's more of a murder mystery with a side of military adventure.
The trope of the big bad evil oil man was pretty tired. Pretty funny how the main character was betrayed by his BROTHER in arms, some random Mexican dude who sold him out for money.
The Jamaican Rasta doctor was pretty cringe and the women are mostly not likeable, but at least they're realistic and not gung ho mary sues. It's an interesting book, but it's not great, you could do worse, but keep those expectations low.
January 21, 2024
Harrowing but...
This book drained me. I'm just going to start there. I have a lot to say I'll probably run out of characters, but this book caused mixed feelings for me. The author not only echewed tropes, It's like he didn't even know they existed. That may be great for some people but I've read hundreds of books. Maybe thousands at this point and I typically have some guesstimate about where they are going with the plot even through brutal violence and after heart dropping twists and turns. This book may be the first in which I had no idea how it would develop and I wasn't terribly fulfilled by the ending. The sheer chaos of it made it engaging and added an element of realism if nothing else. Don't get comfortable. You were warned.....
This book drained me. I'm just going to start there. I have a lot to say I'll probably run out of characters, but this book caused mixed feelings for me. The author not only echewed tropes, It's like he didn't even know they existed. That may be great for some people but I've read hundreds of books. Maybe thousands at this point and I typically have some guesstimate about where they are going with the plot even through brutal violence and after heart dropping twists and turns. This book may be the first in which I had no idea how it would develop and I wasn't terribly fulfilled by the ending. The sheer chaos of it made it engaging and added an element of realism if nothing else. Don't get comfortable. You were warned.....
June 29, 2023
(4.5 stars rounded up to 5) Wow, this is the perfect book to read If you’re a military veteran who likes doomsday prepping. The writing style is very relatable and there was also a lot of realism with the death scenes And the brutality of the battles. After reading this, it makes me want to retire into the woods with my guns on a nice patch of land. The government is definitely a bad guy in this book having become corrupt and betraying those men and women who fought for this country in the armed services. The ending was awesome and it has such a satisfying conclusion, probably one of the best that I’ve read in a long time.
April 25, 2019
I read this book in a 24 hour period. It was so well-written and it gave me a realistic view of our vets. It made me even more proud of our soldiers and allowed me in a way to experience the brotherhood they feel toward each other. The author tied the book together leaving the reader with a very satisfying ending. My rating is actually a 4.5
*If swearing offends you, then this isn't the book for you.
*If swearing offends you, then this isn't the book for you.
April 19, 2019
Than you Mr Hoover 🙂
A sad but good story. As a disabled veteran myself I wanted to thank the author most of all for the note in the final two pages from the author to his fellow veterans. THANK YOU SIR !
A sad but good story. As a disabled veteran myself I wanted to thank the author most of all for the note in the final two pages from the author to his fellow veterans. THANK YOU SIR !
December 8, 2020
A real page turner filled with great character dynamic. This hidden gem is one of my new favorites. The characters are easy for the veteran demographic to relate to but anyone can appreciate the humanity, the sanity and insanity within its pages. Give it a shot!
December 29, 2018
F. Hoyt book club, his pick (6) (Hoover is a friend from Weymouth)
Terrible representation of females.
Terrible representation of females.
August 21, 2021
Hoover is a talented storyteller. For those who like military fiction that depicts the aftermath of war and service this is an excellent read filled with action and emotion.
February 23, 2025
Gritty, very chewy
Douglas Hoover has written a very interesting while convoluted survival story with many narratives. From viscous grizzly bears, corrupt family, corrupt politicians, corrupt FBI and CIA and the Cartel all after one man, Stark. Stark and some Marnie buddies built a formidable camp to permanently live off the grid. Not a cult by any stretch and Stark was independently wealthy to begin with and owned the 200 square mile parcel they established the community in an interior valley of Alaska.
A man of wealth and greed decided he wanted Starks land and when Stark refused to sell, he uses his many connections in DC including the director of the FBI to paint Stark and his fellow families living in the peaceful community as terrorist. It’s a battle between war torn survivalists and the corrupt agencies of the law including private contractors who answer to the sadistic Billionaire.
This story pulls together in the last chapters making sense of everything up to that point. It’s a good read and listen. And have done both and will read and listen to again. For a new author, this is a very brave and important piece of work, especially as a honorably discharged Marine himself.
Douglas Hoover has written a very interesting while convoluted survival story with many narratives. From viscous grizzly bears, corrupt family, corrupt politicians, corrupt FBI and CIA and the Cartel all after one man, Stark. Stark and some Marnie buddies built a formidable camp to permanently live off the grid. Not a cult by any stretch and Stark was independently wealthy to begin with and owned the 200 square mile parcel they established the community in an interior valley of Alaska.
A man of wealth and greed decided he wanted Starks land and when Stark refused to sell, he uses his many connections in DC including the director of the FBI to paint Stark and his fellow families living in the peaceful community as terrorist. It’s a battle between war torn survivalists and the corrupt agencies of the law including private contractors who answer to the sadistic Billionaire.
This story pulls together in the last chapters making sense of everything up to that point. It’s a good read and listen. And have done both and will read and listen to again. For a new author, this is a very brave and important piece of work, especially as a honorably discharged Marine himself.
December 15, 2025
What I liked: The setting of the story - off-grid in the Alaskan bush. The book does a decent job describing it and putting the reader into the locale. Interesting villain in the book, one you can definitely picture as the bad dude from Roger Rabbit. Perhaps borderline stereotypical, but it worked.
What I didn't like: Numerous spelling errors. The usage of the term "ejaculated" to describe a manner of speech. The "nobody wins" ending. It was just everything going to shit for everyone.
What I'll take away from it: As a not-conspiracy-minded person who thinks the government did wrong at Waco and Ruby Ridge, this was certainly an interesting read in that vein. Not my favorite, but I don't regret the time spent reading it.
What I didn't like: Numerous spelling errors. The usage of the term "ejaculated" to describe a manner of speech. The "nobody wins" ending. It was just everything going to shit for everyone.
What I'll take away from it: As a not-conspiracy-minded person who thinks the government did wrong at Waco and Ruby Ridge, this was certainly an interesting read in that vein. Not my favorite, but I don't regret the time spent reading it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 29, 2023
Mortal sins and virtues.
Set in the wild purity of Alaska 'The Homestead' is a brilliant exploration of greed, loyalty, fealty and arrogance. Once again, Douglass Hoover brings his encyclopedic knowledge and experiences of woodcraft and hunting to the reader. Combined with his military experience and his ability to explore the depths of humanity's strengths and weaknesses, we are presented with a fast moving, deftly crafted tale.
Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Fast, true in combat as well as 'The Homestead.'
Set in the wild purity of Alaska 'The Homestead' is a brilliant exploration of greed, loyalty, fealty and arrogance. Once again, Douglass Hoover brings his encyclopedic knowledge and experiences of woodcraft and hunting to the reader. Combined with his military experience and his ability to explore the depths of humanity's strengths and weaknesses, we are presented with a fast moving, deftly crafted tale.
Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Fast, true in combat as well as 'The Homestead.'
July 24, 2024
A military thriller with a good dose of body horror thrown in. This was not horror in the typical sense. More of a commentary on the corrupt nature of power. The writing was solid and the action was well done. I did find the character development to be lacking and would have welcomed a smaller cast if we got to know them better. Will appeal to readers who enjoy militaristic adventures.
February 7, 2024
Good story
The characters were seemed real and as complex as actual human beings. The Utopian idea is not new but seems consistent with not being able balance, the way it is verses the way it ought to be, radical acceptance.
The characters were seemed real and as complex as actual human beings. The Utopian idea is not new but seems consistent with not being able balance, the way it is verses the way it ought to be, radical acceptance.
April 19, 2024
A safe haven
The book was very intense and thought provoking. A secluded group of people have family and stability. The circumstances that can change everything is filled with questions that fills the mind with the burden of loyalty, love life and death.
The book was very intense and thought provoking. A secluded group of people have family and stability. The circumstances that can change everything is filled with questions that fills the mind with the burden of loyalty, love life and death.
May 7, 2024
good read
Really enjoyed this story. Characters had flaws but strengths; plot moved right along and kept me totally engaged. I will be looking for more from DH. And a sincere thank you for your time in the Marines.
Really enjoyed this story. Characters had flaws but strengths; plot moved right along and kept me totally engaged. I will be looking for more from DH. And a sincere thank you for your time in the Marines.
June 21, 2024
Different but Good
I think everyone wants to escape at one time or the other, this a story where a bunch of people from all walk's of life do just that, when cooperate greed rears its ugly head and starts a chain reaction.
I think everyone wants to escape at one time or the other, this a story where a bunch of people from all walk's of life do just that, when cooperate greed rears its ugly head and starts a chain reaction.
January 4, 2026
Gripping
This held me from chapter to chapter. The wilderness aspect, the communal and the military all blended perfectly. A great read. I look forward to reading more from this author
This held me from chapter to chapter. The wilderness aspect, the communal and the military all blended perfectly. A great read. I look forward to reading more from this author
December 10, 2020
Great story
Just a great story, highly recommend to the veteran crowd especially as many of the thoughts hit home. Good job to the author. Look forward to the next one, thanks!
Just a great story, highly recommend to the veteran crowd especially as many of the thoughts hit home. Good job to the author. Look forward to the next one, thanks!
January 19, 2022
I read this book because I loved the other book by this author. This was a great book. Not as good as The Accursed Huntsman, but still good in its own way
December 27, 2023
Cliche characters, story, villain, and hero. Cliche as hell
April 16, 2024
Fucking stupid book, I couldn’t get past the 1st page
October 21, 2024
Will the ultra-rich ever learn? Answer: no.
Read
October 15, 2025Wasn’t for me!
November 21, 2025
an excellent read
Hoover is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This is his second work that I have read and I intend to read all the rest. He is an excellent storyteller.
Hoover is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. This is his second work that I have read and I intend to read all the rest. He is an excellent storyteller.
December 30, 2020
This was an awesome book and loved it. I didn’t want to put it down!
January 3, 2026
An Alaskan homestead project, made up of veterans and not strongly based on ideology (they're not a religious cult or white nationalists or hippies), turns out to have mysterious violent origins that eventually result in more violence. Kind of a lot of violence! This is a good idea for a setting - can a commune, created under these circumstances, persist and thrive? - but the plotty events of the last half of the book overtake any sense the reader might have had of the personalities involved, or their intentions and relationships, before things fall apart.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews