Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outdated but accurate - and funny too!, October 6, 2004
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.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Solid Start to a Growing Question, June 7, 2007
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.
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14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Country in Your Sock Drawer, February 24, 2000
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!
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