Customer Reviews

Not This August

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When I first read this shortly after its publication in 1955, it struck me as a very powerful statement of not only a very plausible (if pessimistic) view of the future, but encapsulated the essence of the American spirit. The book envisions a US shortly after it has been conquered by the Russians and Chinese.

At the beginning, the occupation does not seem to be all that onerous to the major character, but he quickly becomes disabused of any idea that this is a form of government that he can live with, as travel restrictions, rationing, farm output quotas, censorship, work camps, summary executions and lack of recourse to unbiased courts quickly get ratcheted up. He almost accidentally gets recruited into a very shadowy resistance movement, and that group's and his own actions to attempt to overthrow the occupiers forms the main substance of the novel.

As a depiction of just how a Russian (the Russia of 1955) occupation of the US would unfold, this book is still excellent, with some scenes that will bring home to the reader in an often horrific and no uncertain way of just how different the Communist government apparatus was from that of the US. However, unless you lived through those times, it will probably be difficult to connect with the depicted scenario. The actual actions taken to overthrow the new rulers may seem laughably inadequate and outdated, though it certainly will bring home the advantage of the `high' ground, i.e., the potential power of orbiting missiles, a threat that still could become a reality today. Apparently Kornbluth tried to update this book sometime around 1986, which I gather was not all that successful, but if you're reading the original edition, you must bear in mind the conditions and technology that were available at that time to fully appreciate this book.

There's not a large amount of depth to the characters here; even the main protagonist is not drawn in great detail. But they certainly are drawn well enough to move the story along, as this is more a plot driven book than any kind of character study.

The book's basic message, however, of the American will to be free, regardless of the cost, is still highly relevant and is well presented, and should cause the reader to do a little thinking about the America of today and how today's society would react to such a scenario, and the answers you come up with may be a bit depressing.

---Reviewed by Patrick Shepherd (hyperpat)

A mixture of Zen, atomic bombs, satellites, and frontier survivalist philosophy and deeds. A weak USA is overtaken by the USSR but a secret group of military and patriots begin to form a plan. Carefully disguised people and vehicles begin a network around the country. The phrase "Christmas Eve" assumes importance. Plans for a satellite launch are made, and the mass oppression and communist-china-like subservience of the USA are fought at every hand. The original version of this book had a resonance with me in the 50's and seemed more smoothly written. I especially think the phrasing at the critical moment of satellite launching was greatly ruined in this latest revised edition -- but it is still an exciting book.