Unintended Consequences
by John Ross
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Book Reviews of Unintended Consequences
Book Review: My measuring device for the Extensive Literature I have read.
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been A Navy SEAL Sniper for the last 8 years, and the technical firearms information written out in the pages of this book is a lesson in of itself. Likewise, the historical time lines laid out in this book regarding legislature are also a great learning point for one seeking a sharp lesson in our countries gradual loss of or second amendment freedoms. As to the story...First thing I did was read all the negative reviews to gain those individuals perspectives. My conclusion is the negative individual reviews are based of their miscalculation of their own knowledge on such historical events laid out in this book, the story portraying potential future offenses, and most importantly, the overconfidence the authors of these reviews have about their own weapon ownership and management. Lets not forget that just because one has legally purchased a gun, bought all the wonderful accessories to those weapons, and has subscription to the latest gun magazines, gives true validation of that persons ability to shoot their guns. Let alone shot something other than and animal or a stationary paper target.
So very much thought went into creating our Constitutional Bill of Rights that one often forgets that the order in which they were written has meaning far beyond the fact of just being included in our constitution. "A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Was held dear enough to be placed second in order of necessity, that can never be forgotten. Agree or not, the desire for true Liberty has always been just that, Liberty. And John Ross has shown that those liberties have no hope if people, and more importantly the people in Legislature who continue to govern in a consequence free environment.
The only other thing that can be said about this book is to John Ross himself. Thank You, and please right another book. As I say, God Bless us Americans, especially our Snipers!
Book Review: A Must Read, But Several Problems
Summary: 3 Stars
Besides an entertaining, inspirational plot with colorful characters, Ross gives us many easily digested history and economics lessons, plus loads of detailed info on all types of firearms. The only technical glitch this gun neophyte detected was Henry Bowman's flying a turbojet Citation without a type rating. Were I wealthy enough to own one of those, I wouldn't risk insurance cancellation by letting an uncredentialed pilot fly it, especially when that pilot's trying to keep a low profile!Ross also lets several of his otherwise astute characters depict the 1861-65 (it wasn't "Civil" in any sense of the word!) War in the United States as having been fought over slavery. Oppressive federal taxes caused that Secession and the North's desire to protect its Southern tax base caused the resulting horrible conflict. Slavery, because it is abhorrent, and because the South chose to defend it, was just a very useful issue for rallying Northern support for the invasion of the Confederacy. Constitution-loving people who don't buy the statist gun control B.S. shouldn't swallow the slavery rationale for the War.
That said, Ross does a great job showing how well-meaning, but totally misguided people let themselves be used by various opportunists, and eventually have to suffer the consequences of their folly. For this cogent description of the undermining of the U.S. Constitution, UC deserves 5 stars.
UC gets only 3 stars from me, though, because of its completely humanistic viewpoint. I think a noble, complex undertaking such as Henry Bowman carries out could only succeed with Divine Guidance. God's hand is there as the events of this book unfold toward its conclusion; it's just never acknowledged. I think UC may well foretell what lies ahead of America. If so, we'll need all God's help we can get, especially when we consider that Ross' fictional President, who eventually does what's right, is an honorable man.
Book Review: Can't say enough good about it---
Summary: 5 Stars
The central question is this: when does it become right to resist?
In the 1930's, Jews, among others, were deprived of self-defense in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. Later, they were herded into ghettos, concentration camps, and worse. Only a few in the Warsaw ghetto, seeing what was about to happen, were able to make an organized armed resistance, and then only because they were able to wrest some weapons from the guards. These few remained alive for several months, holding the German army at bay.
No one argued, when things were peaceful, that it was a big deal to give up owndership of guns. And no one can reasonably argue that the actions of the Warsaw ghetto inmates were out of line, apart from being a tad on the late side.
So, as Mr. Ross asks in the novel (as part of a term paper his protagonist writes), at what point does it *become* reasonable to resist? His refusal to answer the question (in writing) is probably the main thing that makes the book so good: you have to answer it for yourself. I know what the answer is for me now; it was not always thus.
(A side note: JPFO--Jews for the Preservation of Firearm Ownership--formed some time ago. Their mentality, hard to deny, is "Never Again." Have a look at JPFO.com .)
Reading many of the reviews suggests that others have been similarly jolted by this book: they had to interact with the ideas in the book on their own personal levels. It is an impressive use of words. My own personal feeling is that I'd like to see Ross in public office. He certainly stirs feelings and his heart's in exactly the right place.
Is it scary? Sure. But it's better not to go through life blind to what's out there. Paranoid? It's not paranoia if it's accurate. Events over the past some years suggest that there is no paranoia involved here. I won't go into the history--others have already done it admirably.
Book Review: An Epic Sullied by a Tacky Dustjacket
Summary: 4 Stars
Most of this massive book is actually a history lesson, leading up to the fictional modern-day story in the last fifth of the tome. If even half of what this books alleges about Waco, Ruby Ridge, and other incidents is true, then Americans should really see it as a wakeup call about their future under an incompetent government bureaucracy gone mad. The book also provides early history of the gun culture, and the origins of gun control in this country."Unintended Consequences" could have easily lost about 100 pages of gun details, and it might have reached a bigger section of the public. I'm sure its intended audience wants to hear about the differences between obscure 20mm cannons and of great speed-shooters in history, but as this information really means little in the end, it doesn't advance the story and may turn off the casual reader. The dust-jacket cover is a big turnoff as well- a startling image of a jackbooted Federal thug strangling a woman representing the Scales of Justice, while the Constitution burns in the background. Sadly they decided to get a statuesque Playboy Bunny-type to play Justice, showing off a bit more of her soft flesh than necessary. This may titillate some viewers, but helps assure the book won't be on your average Waldenbooks shelf.
The story itself is actually quite good, and I was sorry when it was over. With recent events and the government toppling personal freedoms once thought sacrosanct, what might happen when the current patriotic wave dies down? This book tells you what happened once before, when Prohibition ended and the federal agents suddenly needed new criminals to pursue, or lose their jobs. What about all those new wiretapping and secret search "security" measures in place now, if we run out of terrorists to fight? A wakeup call to those that think "it can't happen in America." It already has, and this book lets you know all the times it has throughout the last 80 years.
Book Review: Outstanding understanding of History and Constitution
Summary: 5 Stars
As a historian by training, I found Mr. Ross to have a very good understanding of the reasons for the Founding Fathers' words in the Constitution. These men were not all lawyers or even college educated. They were able to write and agree on a document that is understandable to anyone with a grasp of english. Mr. Ross wrote on the excess of power by the government with a primary view of the Second Admendment, but added other excesses into the mix. The view that the govenment is out of control is a shared view by many segments of society, each within their own limited field. All the "fictional comments" that Mr. Ross writes can be heard at different places and times within today's society. Reviewers have talked about UC with comparisons to "Common Sense" and "Uncle Tom's Cabin", they may be right.
As a co-designer of a game called, "The Second American Revolution: Restoring the Constitution", I find the actions of the hero totally understandable. Our game takes a different path towards the same end, restoring our freedoms.
As a gun owner and veteran, I can say in reply to the reviewer that could not understand how an educated man could take the lives of the agents, it was the action needed in the hero's mind. My guns have killed less people than a famous Senator's car (not counting line of duty).
As a Jew, the story of the Warsaw Uprising was a warning to all of us that it could happen here under certain conditions.
This book is a must read for not only the "Gun Culture" , Congress, or any one group. It is for all Americans, all men and women of this nation of the people. It should be sent to at least five friends that do not view the problem as that bad. It may alert them, especially if you include a copy of the Constitution with it. You may not agree with all aspects of Mr. Ross's style, but the content will open your eyes.