Customer Reviews

The Last Centurion

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I've been reading John Ringo for several years now, and I believe this is one of the best books he's written. It's in a different format, but it also has a different message to relay. Although he slams Atlas Shrugged a little bit, I truly believe this book is on a par with Atlas Shrugged with its message. Wake up folks! Just like Atlas Shrugged, this is a very possible scenario if we don't wake up and pay attention to the enormous amount of crap that has been goes on. John, thanks very much for another great story and a good cautionary tale.

This is a great book for anyone who likes apocalyptic, future scenarios. Yes it can get boring at times, with the geopolitical and agricultural explanations, but people are glossing over the fact that much of it is necessary to help explore the novel's plot. It's written in blog format, with everything already having taken place. The first part of the book explores the world's situation after a mini ice age and pandemic. The second part of the novel focuses on the protagonist's efforts to lead his men out of Iran after being left behind as the sole military force. This part only gets better as you progress! The author's conservative political opinions are quite apparent throughout so you probably won't like it if you're a liberal, Hillary Clinton supporter that believes in global warming. Great novel on what one man can accomplish.

Ok, first things first: Yes I am a vet (USMC), no I'm not a liberal (Libertarian, actually), yes I believe that man-caused global warming is a total fraud (Lysenko would be on board with it though...), and no I'm actually very well-read and go through at least 10 books a month from all genres, eras and subject matter. So there.
Now then, the review: This damn book was more fun, more outrageous, and more interesting than anything I've read in a long time. I mean wow! Don't know where to start on what it's about. So I won't. Just know it is about a lot more than the blurb on the jacket. You get everything from middle eastern history, culture and geography to the real science behind climate change and modern infantry TTP's. And much more. And all of it wrapped around a fast-paced, intelligent plot. Kinda like... Aw hell it isn't like anything. Ok, I'll try anyway: Rudyard Kipling meets Tom Clancy (from like 20 years ago) meets George MacDonald Fraser... Yep, that's about right.
Two final points: (1) Reviewers who either hate or praise the so-called "blog style" of the book are just wrong. I don't know why they call it blog style - it does not read like a blog. It is a first-person narrative. Folks were churning those out a few centuries before anyone thought of making chips from silicon... (2) As others have cautioned, if you are a tofu-eater, a tree-hugger, a gun-grabber, a nanny-stater or kumbaya singer --- DO NOT read this book. You will not be able to handle it. Seriously. And if you do read it and it doesn't unscrew your head just a little bit, then do us all a favor and shut up about how offensive and disturbing you found it.

MR. RINGO! MAY I HAVE A SEQUEL, SIR?

Synopsis: Temperatures dropping, oil dwindling, and the economy in collapse. The book speaks to the social impacts for the first third, and the last 20%. The other half, sandwiched by a "commentative" start and conclusion, is the arresting story of a group of soldiers left behind in the Middle East.
Pros: Where other books vaguely reference the web of agriculture, labor, transportation and weather, this books brings the interactions of these elements to light. Broad strokes are followed by intimate details.
Cons: The narrator (and author?) voices his clear opinions of different groups. He is not a fan of "tree huggers", democrats, or homosexuals. While he usually provides a rational for his views, at times the inclusions of negative commentary is jarring and brought me out of story.
Survival Fun Fact: There is no such thing as too much ammo - only too much ammo to carry!

Put your politics aside and enjoy! One of Ringos better efforts,in that we have a great,if slightly improbable military adventure,told blog-style by the main character.It omits most of the gratuitous gore that permeates his other work,making it enjoyable while one snacks,not always recommended with the Kildar or Posleen War series! He goes so far in his exaggerated characterizations of a progressive U.S. govt. as to make it laughable,just take them with a grain of salt,in my opinion.Likewise,his descriptions of his military seniors stretch credibility,and,as a veteran Marine,I saw a a bit of the unbelievable here,as well. a good,exciting read that stands well in the military fiction genre.

I picked this book up while I was at the airport and hoped for the best. It was a great read from start to finish. I enjoyed the blog style of writing and the story was well done. No complaints about the salty language, thats how soldiers talk... No complaints on the political slant either, Ringo hit a home run with this book. Highly recommended.

This book really turned me onto John Ringo as someone who has things to say that I relate to. Great book. It might be fiction but it certainly hits the mark with me on many political points.