The Last Centurion [Mass Market Paperback]

John Ringo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 2009

In the second decade of the twenty-first century the world is struck by two catastrophes, a new mini-ice age and, nearly simultaneously, a plague to dwarf all previous experiences. Rising out of the disaster is the character known to history as “Bandit Six” an American Army officer caught up in the struggle to rebuild the world and prevent the fall of his homeland—despite the best efforts of politicians both elected and military. The Last Centurion is a memoir of one possible future, a world that is a darkling mirror of our own. Written “blog-style,” it pulls no punches in its descriptions of junk science, bad strategy and organic farming not to mention all three at once.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A veteran of the 82nd Airborne, he brings first-hand knowledge of military operations to his fiction. His novels for Baen include those in the New York Times best-selling Posleen War series (A Hymn Before Battle, Gust Front, When the Devil Dances, and Hell’s Faire), the Council War series (There Will be Dragons, Emerald Sea, Against the Tide, and East of the Sun, West of the Moon), the nationally best-selling techno-thriller novels about Mike Harmon (Ghost, Kildar, Choosers of the Slain, Unto the Breach, and A Deeper Blue), the Looking-Glass series (Into the Looking Glass, Vorpal Blade, and Manxome Foe, the last two in collaboration with Travis S. Taylor),  four collaborations with fellow New York Times bestselling author David Weber (March Upcountry, March to the Sea, March to the Stars and We Few) and five collaborative spinoffs from the Posleen series: The Hero, written with Michael Z. Williamson, Watch on the Rhine and Yellow Eyes, both written with Tom Kratman, and the New York Times best seller Cally’s War and its recent sequels Sister Time and Honor of the Clan, both with Julie Cochrane.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: Baen; Reprint edition (August 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1439132917
• ISBN-13: 978-1439132913
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #161,275 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a professional author of... Well, I used to say "science fiction." Then came There Will Be Dragons, which is sf with a distinct fantasy twist. Then came Ghost which is techno-thriller crossed with porn. Then came Princess of Wands, a Christian soccer mom battling demons through the power of God. Who knows what's next? Children's books? (I've actually got that one mapped out. You see, there's this girl who is raised by dolphins... You think I'm joking, don't you?)
:-)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Definitely worth the read - for some, March 17, 2010

By 

Vickie T. (Florida) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Last Centurion (Mass Market Paperback)

This book really requires two separate reviews, one for the style and one for the substance. Substance first: this is a great near-future apocalyptic tale, with entirely believable disasters: a deadly flu pandemic and the start of a new cooling phase in global climate. I liked the characters and, since I mostly share the main character's political and moral views and background, I thoroughly enjoyed the story.

As far as style goes, the choice to write this book blog style was...interesting. I'm not sure I want to embrace it as a literary style, but I think it worked well here. Reading the book felt almost like sitting in a bar, listening to a guy telling stories about his military career - which means we didn't get the whole story, just the bits and pieces he thought were worth sharing (or that he was willing to admit to).

Should you read this book? If you are a liberal, if you embrace big government, if you don't have a deep affection and respect for the military, if you voted for Obama and aren't sorry about it, then no, you shouldn't read this book. You probably won't like it. Don't torture yourself. If, on the other hand, your gun is in the truck, you think the only good government is limited government, and you value individual rights and accept the responsibilities that go with them, then yes, you ought to give this book a try. You'll probably like it.

24 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If Heinlein was a blogger, November 9, 2009

By 

Jason A. Gagnon (Cobleskill, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Centurion (Mass Market Paperback)

written "blog style" it is the memories of a farmer-cum-army dude after the on set of "global cooling" and an avian flu outbreak that kills 60% of the population.

the protagonist is stationed in post-invasion Iran when the world comes to a halt, and makes his way back to an America where problems have been made worse by a grossly incompetent thinly veiled president Hillary Clinton.

It reads like a Heinlein novel- a phrase that I believe stands a s a recommendation all on its own, no?

anti-liberal survivalist post-apocalyptic literature is one of my weaknesses.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT READ! Waiting for the sequel., November 28, 2010

By 

Alsation - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Last Centurion (Mass Market Paperback)

This is an outstanding book. If you've been in the military and enjoyed the experience. You will love this book. The set up can seem a little long, but boy when the action moves on to the Middle East, LOOK OUT. Riveting and difficult to put down. I read this book in two days. Everybody to whom I've recommended it also loved it. Buy it. You won't be sorry.