Can you really start your own country? Erwin Strauss shows you five different methods for doing just that, as well as everything you need to know about sovereignty, national defense, diplomacy, raising revenue and recruiting settlers. Includes dozens of new-country success stories. Why settle for being king of your castle when you can be king of your own country?
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Unlike most of the projects described, this book is pretty realistic about the problems facing prospective nation founders. It contains an excellent compendium of past projects, with some amusing commentary. While the title is rather overstating the content, it does provide some decent ideas about how to go about this difficult task. The material is dated, but at least its not absurdly utopian or impractical like some of its competitors (ie Marshall Savage).
Expect humor pointed at foolish projects, some hard talk about realism, and some good ideas to get started. Don't expect a true handbook or fleshed out ideas, its a short book.
Expect humor pointed at foolish projects, some hard talk about realism, and some good ideas to get started. Don't expect a true handbook or fleshed out ideas, its a short book.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Many people wonder whether or not their current government or state is able to hold firm through times of economic crisis, war, corruption, and natural disaster. Others wish to secede for their own agenda; profit, heritage, lifestyle. And many just want to have fun and create their own country. This work by Erwin S. Strauss provides information, ideas, and concerns with starting your own country.
Ironically, the author of this piece has most of his work in science fiction. But don't let that turn you away from this scholastic effort. Strauss begins this small book by introducing the present opportunities available, the five approaches, and the pros and cons of each. This is quite a simple process and is easily understandable to someone with little or no knowledge of history or government. From there he presents the unlikelihood of being able to produce your own traditional sovereignty and encourages the construction of a model country, unless of course you are inclined to form a large army and play with the big dogs (any developed country). The remainder of the book is a presentation of case studies. This presents examples of the many failed and struggling attempts by individuals and groups to create their own country. Some stories are in depth and very well known, others are minute and little is known of them. But it does give great examples of countries that were completely serious and others that were just fun. The examples range from all 7 continents, on islands, on water, in space, underground, in homes, and even in someone's backyard. The economics, population, type of government, and success of each are listed. A great addition is the black and white photos and scans.
Although it's an extremely difficult idea to succeed at, in a serious sense, starting your own country is achievable. It is quite simple to start with your own model country and take the effort in a serious manner, eventually working your way up to a legitimate country. I would recommend checking into this book for the overall outlook Strauss gives in regards to the difficulty of achieving such a task and then use the case histories for ideas on your own. Please also note the technology he speaks of is outdated as it was written in 1979 and last updated in 1999.
Ironically, the author of this piece has most of his work in science fiction. But don't let that turn you away from this scholastic effort. Strauss begins this small book by introducing the present opportunities available, the five approaches, and the pros and cons of each. This is quite a simple process and is easily understandable to someone with little or no knowledge of history or government. From there he presents the unlikelihood of being able to produce your own traditional sovereignty and encourages the construction of a model country, unless of course you are inclined to form a large army and play with the big dogs (any developed country). The remainder of the book is a presentation of case studies. This presents examples of the many failed and struggling attempts by individuals and groups to create their own country. Some stories are in depth and very well known, others are minute and little is known of them. But it does give great examples of countries that were completely serious and others that were just fun. The examples range from all 7 continents, on islands, on water, in space, underground, in homes, and even in someone's backyard. The economics, population, type of government, and success of each are listed. A great addition is the black and white photos and scans.
Although it's an extremely difficult idea to succeed at, in a serious sense, starting your own country is achievable. It is quite simple to start with your own model country and take the effort in a serious manner, eventually working your way up to a legitimate country. I would recommend checking into this book for the overall outlook Strauss gives in regards to the difficulty of achieving such a task and then use the case histories for ideas on your own. Please also note the technology he speaks of is outdated as it was written in 1979 and last updated in 1999.
15 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Robyn
Format:Paperback
The best thing about this book is that it provides hope for all of us out here who want to have thier own country, but may not necissarily have the space. You can have a country anywhere! Read the book to find out. I loved it!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gives you some good ideas
Like I said. Gives you some good Ideas, but leaves something more on how to set up the actual government, and economy. Most of the book is on actual micronations.
Published 12 months ago by Rev. Nick Vela
1.0 out of 5 stars
A cult SF figure publishing a completely cult APA publishing flake...
The author is enamoured with a cult/near children's level fiction genre, is at times a completely amoral/antisocial kook genre APA editor and gives us a tour de force of his nearly... Read more
Published on June 20, 2010 by A. O. H. Stetzephandt
2.0 out of 5 stars
The author of this book should be extradited
"How to start your own country" is written by Erwin S. Strauss. The publisher is Paladin Press, some kind of martial arts outlet. Read more
Published on October 25, 2009 by Ashtar Command
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Micronation and this book.
My wife and I started a micronation in the late 60's. It slowly grew out of control. We went ahead this year and made a website. Read more
Published on October 3, 2009 by William Boritz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting book
Although a bit outdated, this book is a very good read. It has either a very blatant tongue-in-cheek tone, or is dead serious. Read more
Published on January 11, 2009 by turtlestampede
3.0 out of 5 stars
Micro Nations Hobby
I plan to read this book, soon.Its old,they should up date and revise this book for '08-'09.Its a very intresting book.
But out-dated and far-feched. Read more
But out-dated and far-feched. Read more
Published on August 27, 2008 by dave
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book, about specific knowledge
How To Start Your Own Country
Really interesting book about very specific matter.
Many not popular, but very interesting historic and another data.
Really interesting book about very specific matter.
Many not popular, but very interesting historic and another data.
Published on January 27, 2008 by Jan S. Woyke
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tough Read, Good Book
I found this book to be quite entertaining, I myself started my own country with the help of this book (The Principality of Saint Corjimia). Read more
Published on May 15, 2003 by Cory
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read if your starting your own nation.
This book was very entertaining. I dont think the age mattered very much. It was confusing at parts, but over all a great read. Very little seemed outdated.
Published on March 16, 2003 by Cory
2.0 out of 5 stars
A good historic information, but...
This book contains very outdated information from the 1970s and early 80s. While it has a good value as a historic information it lacks in more practical ideas, i.e. Read more
Published on December 27, 2000
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