Starving the Monkeys: Fight Back Smarter [Paperback]

Tom Baugh (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2009

New Expanded Edition!

Are you prepared for the greatest crisis in America's history? Not if you haven't read Starving The Monkeys.

You're being lied to. By everyone on both sides of the political aisle. Liberals tell us that Obama's socialism will bring a glorious new era. Conservatives tell us that it won't, but we just need to vote Republican to solve the problem. And they all claim to believe that the current system can be salvaged. Don't kid yourself. The system can't go on much longer. But by reading this book, you can be prepared. In it, you'll learn:

- Why voting shouldn't be your primary tool, and how voting for even reformed incumbents only makes things worse.
- How protest movements can become a dead-end without a plan for individual action.
- How and why the system seeks to destroy anyone who thinks for himself.
- Why you need much more preparation than gold and guns, or heading for the hills.
- How to carve out personal and financial independence without attracting attention, while you prepare for the coming crisis.
- How to be worthy of assistance during and after a collapse.

All this, and much, much more is in Starving The Monkeys. Some call it a 21st century version of Atlas Shrugged. Others find it chilling. But for those who are ready to face the greatest crisis in our history, Starving The Monkeys is a book full of promise and real hope.

About the Author

Tom Baugh is a former Marine, patented inventor, entrepreneur and professional irritant.

Product Details

• Paperback: 430 pages
• Publisher: Starve Monkey Press (October 30, 2009)
• ISBN-10: 0982543107
• ISBN-13: 978-0982543108
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #616,482 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finding a productive path, January 5, 2010

By 

Alan Wolfe - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Starving the Monkeys: Fight Back Smarter (Paperback)

This book is not an easy read. You won't polish this off in a relaxed evening. And I found a few bits infuriating.

So what makes it compelling?

Baugh delivers an unflinching look at the ills of today's society. He develops his narrative from the ground up, drawing on many colorful stories from his days as a Naval Academy midshipman, as a Marine Corps officer, and as a successful business entrepreneur to illustrate his points.

Baugh makes you think hard about how the world works. He delivers a roadmap and comprehensive building blocks for a solid education in math and the physical sciences -- as well as what used to be known as the practical trades -- to anyone willing to put in the work.

Baugh devotes considerable attention to contrasting the economic advantages of individual liberty against the ills of collective tyranny.

No magic bullets here. Baugh offers concrete solutions you can start working on today to make yourself more productive. History abundantly demonstrates that societies only prosper through productive individual action. Might as well divest yourself now of any notions of victimhood or arbitrary ideas of achieving 'fairness' through government coercion.

Agree or disagree with his philosophies, you should at least consider doing the homework. It's worth the effort. You can improve your life considerably with a bit of self-discipline. "Starving the Monkeys" is a great starting point.

58 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Much rant, little new to offer...., February 26, 2010

By 

MDA - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Starving the Monkeys: Fight Back Smarter (Paperback)

I have read the reviews, eleven of them, and they are all positive at the time of this writing. I'm sorry. I simply don't see it. I found the book unoriginal and sophomoric.

Please understand, this book is not so much about preparedness/independence as it is about economics. The author begins with a defense of classical economics (so far so good...) that quickly descends into a 400 page anarcho-capitalist rant. Yes, our government system has been strangling growth and innovation from the very beginning. Yes, we have lost our way. Yes, the Dems and Reps are two sides of the same coin. We know. There is nothing new here. In fact, I think that supporting his position using nothing more than supposition and cute stories about cavemen hurts those of use who believe he is correct by making us appear silly. Honestly, Adam Smith doesn't need Mr. Baugh's help.

To be fair, the author employs turn-of-phrase that can be very amusing but in the end his own arrogance destroys any possibility of enjoying what he has to say. I was reminded of that archetypal high-school science geek that manages to put off everyone he knows because he's not nearly as clever as he thinks is. Add to that more than a smattering of anti-Christian digs (a shame since they do nothing to support his point) and you have a book that is simply too obnoxious to read.

At various points Mr. Baugh suggests different titles for the reader to explore:

Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations"

Atlas Shrugged

The Innovator's Dilemma

I agree. I'll add to that, the "The Death of Common Sense" by Phillip Howard and suggest that anyone interested save themselves some time by forgoing "Starving the Monkeys" and going straight to the sources.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, December 23, 2009

By 

R. Winters - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Starving the Monkeys: Fight Back Smarter (Paperback)

This is the best book I have read in a long time. Lots of excellent advice, and insightful analysis of history, politics, and why the coming crisis is inevitable. Beware, if you are of the monkey mind set, you will be offended. If you think individualism is a good thing you will love it, maybe even be reassured that you are not alone. Can't recommend it highly enough.