Book review: Enemies Foreign and Domestic, by Matthew Bracken

[cookie]

Enemies Foreign and Domestic
Reviewed by "cookie"

While randomly surfing the general discussion forum of another gun board, I came upon the review of a book entitled Enemies Foreign and Domestic (http://www.enemiesforeignanddomestic.com), by Matthew Bracken (http://www.uzitalk.com/forums/member.php?s=&action=getinfo&userid=1007). The review was written by none other than John Ross (http://www.john-ross.net), the author of Unintended Consequences (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1888118040/jeffcooksplace). Yes, that got my attention.

I'll readily admit that I only skimmed the review, but I got the basic idea: John Ross liked it. That was good enough for me. OK, so where do I get it? Had I read the entire thread the first time, I would've realized that the author's web site (http://www.enemiesforeignanddomestic.com) was listed at the end. I didn't, so my next step was to purchase a copy from Amazon.

The book arrived a few days later, and I started on it that night. The Prologue described the U.S. government's reaction to an act of domestic terrorism. The terrorist act consisted of a shooter firing an old SKS rifle over a thousand yards, dropping rounds into an open football stadium. This caused a panicked stampede by the fans, resulting in over one thousand deaths. The police quickly located and killed the shooter - a little too quickly in the eyes of some. In a knee-jerk response, Congress passed legislation banning "assault weapons", and required those in private hands to be turned in for destruction.

Corrupt elements within federal law enforcement seized this opportunity to encroach upon the rights of law-abiding Americans, and to settle old scores. Checkpoints reminiscent of the Soviet Union became commonplace. Military vehicles patrolled the highways. Suspected domestic terrorists were rounded up, and gun clubs were painted as seditionist militias. A small group of patriotic Americans - comprised of victims of federal law enforcement's draconian measures - decided to fight back.

This book serves to educate, and to warn. It is a harbinger of the results of oppressive government. It also acts as a reminder. There are still a few among us who believe in Thomas Jefferson's immortal words to William Smith: "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants."

Buy this book today.

[stoney]

Are both of these available in paperback?

[cookie]

As far as I know, Unintended Consequences is only available in hardback. Enemies Foreign and Domestic (http://www.enemiesforeignanddomestic.com) is a paperback, but a "full-size" paperback. If you get it from the author's web site, he'll autograph it for you. I ordered a signed copy and had it sent to a relative.

[Undercover Brother]

The author is a jerk wad. I will buy it used before new so he get none of my money. Write a unflattering opinion on the "other" board and he will flame you hard. Do not need any author to tell me how to read and interpet his book.

[cookie]

The author is a jerk wad. I will buy it used before new so he get none of my money. Write a unflattering opinion on the "other" board and he will flame you hard. Do not need any author to tell me how to read and interpet his book.

I've found him to be a pretty nice guy, and by writing this book he's doing a great thing for gun owners.

[Cammer]

The author is a jerk wad. I will buy it used before new so he get none of my money. Write a unflattering opinion on the "other" board and he will flame you hard. Do not need any author to tell me how to read and interpet his book.I disagree. I've corresponded with him extensively and I have always found him to be easy to talk to, as well as having intelligent rebuttals to the few things we disagree on.

Since you haven't purchased the book yet, I have to ask, have you read it? I've noticed that some people tend to forgo reviewing material prior to handing out criticisms.

I have read both "Unintended Consequences" and "Enemies Foreign and Domestic (http://www.enemiesforeignanddomestic.com/)." I enjoyed them both and they both have good and bad points. On a personal note I did find "Enemies Foreign and Domestic (http://www.enemiesforeignanddomestic.com/)" to be much more plausible.

[Undercover Brother]

....Since you haven't purchased the book yet, I have to ask, have you read it? I've noticed that some people tend to forgo reviewing material prior to handing out criticisms......
To answer your question, no I have not read the book. On the "other board" a discussion of unintended consequences was brought up and Bracken interjected his opinion to sell his book rather than discuss the thread. I called Bracken on a few points in the thread that made him look stupid and he used the board muscle to intimidate me since he was a "sponsor". That is why I will never be a first buyer of his book so he make no money off my back.

[Cammer]

Well UB, I can actually empathize with you on the point you made about the "other board" and how they tend to overprotect their sponsors. That is why I no longer frequent AK-47.net, nor gunsnet in general. I disagree about their policy of placing their own interests way too far ahead of the reader's opinions. Anyone who disagrees with with a moderator or a sponsor doesn't seem to last very long. It's very anti-freedom in my opinion and is reminiscent of the policies enforced upon cold war era political activists in communist countries.

That being said, calling someone a "jerk wad" isn't likely to gain much credibility for yourself.

[Undercover Brother]

......That being said, calling someone a "jerk wad" isn't likely to gain much credibility for yourself.
Obviously we both have different opinions based on different experciences. As for credibility, my opinion is just that, my opinion and not sought for your or anybody else's "credibility".

[Cammer]

Obviously we both have different opinions based on different experciences.
I'm not so sure about that. Seems to me that we have similar opinions based on different experiences. The point that I was trying to make is that name calling is never taken seriously and automatically pisses folks off to the point where your credibility can't possibly be taken seriously. Once that chain of events begins to unfold you might as well hang it up if you are interested in making your opinion known.

[SangRun Hunter]

I did read the book and for the most part it is pretty good. My Dad a longtime firearms enthusiast and engineer did bring up some errors with the bullets dropping into the stadium and the sensational way that was done. Most of the book is pretty good adventure type fiction peice and I would recommend it.

Matt Bracken is a pretty good guy. I do remember one person tearing him up really bad over the book for no reason that I could see on Gunsnet. I also remember Matt defending himself to that person. He might have come off arrogant, but at the same time when someone flagrantly flames you it tends to get your blood up.
Very few people have had bad dealings with Matt and having been a Mod over at Gunsnet I never saw any special treatment being afforded to him. (It might have happened though) Anything happens over there!

[Undercover Brother]

....The point that I was trying to make is that name calling is never taken seriously and automatically pisses folks off to the point where your credibility can't possibly be taken seriously. .....

Well "Jerk Wad" was just the adjective that came to mind to describe how I felt about it. While not as offensive as some other words that could have been said, I did not sugar coat and call him a "Big Meany". As for automatically pissing off folks, I guess I am just use to working around blue collar folks that are not so sensitive to such things.

[Don Galt]

Naw, the author is a bit of a jerk wad. It could just be he's a bit over protective, or over sensitive. It has to be painful to put something out there and see criticism of it from people who don't see things the way you do.

But he's probably a decent and honest guy, and as a small time- self published author, I'd say, don't let him being a jerk stop you from buying his book from him.

After all, it seems half of everyone in the gun culture is a jerk. (Particularly of the variety of "the X is the perfect rifle/handgun/oil/ammo, so if you don't make the same decisions, you're an ignorantm unthinking fool.") Way too much of that going around.

And for what its worth I've occasionally slipped up and been a jerkwad as well.

As to the fact that he's a sponsor at ak-47.net, I happen to be boycotting all of their sponsors. That, and finding some passages of the sample chapters excruciating, is what's prevented me from buying it so far. Maybe one day he'll stop being a sponsor there, and I'll pick it up.

If you are interested-- go to the website. There's at least a couple chapters up there for you to read.

I read them, and based on them alone, I'd say its not quite as good as "Unintended Consequences"... and UC I would rate a bit below "Publishable" quality. That is to say UC is a GREAT read, but parts of it are a bit fanboy-ish-- I don't know another way to put it. If any of you have read L. Neil Smith novels and found them amaturish, then you know what I mean. UC is very good, but not gold standard. Enemies is a couple notches below UC, and Smith is below Enemies.

So, if you're looking for an entertaining page turner, and don't really care if it doesn't quite measure up as "literature"--- by all means, pick it up. Or at least check out the sample chapters.