Review originally published October, 2008. Unintended Consequences by John Ross - This is by far the best book I've read...ever. I swear. This book not only outlines the plight of anyone who believes in their right to keep and bear arms (enumerated by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution), but shows how the BATF (aka "ATF", aka "Bureau of American Tyranny and Fascism") literally entraps people into breaking the law. This agency is NOT about "upholding the law," nor do they "investigate crimes." This agency is all about CREATING crimes and then enFORCEing them. They don't show up to your house during the day with a warrant, knock on the door, and serve that warrant. Nor do they arrive at your home, shout that they have a warrant, and then barge in (e.g. DEA-style) from all sides. Nope. They wait until you're gone, then they storm your house (usually using local cops and FBI agents as their fodder) and take everything there. They then find you, wherever you may be, and arrest you in public where you have the least chance of fighting back. They aren't stupid. The BATF knows that their "enemies" are armed and dangerous. Nevermind it's our RIGHT to ...

by James D. Best This is a historical novel based on the true events surrounding the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.  It's based mainly on the notes of James Madison and the letters and personal writings of Roger Sherman.  Sherman was one of the few in attendance at the convention who had signed the Declaration of Independence and was considered Madison's chief rival and leader of the smaller states in attendance. The story unfolds from both Madison and Sherman's perspectives, though the switching back and forth is handled masterfully - no crappy storytelling like Stephen King's It, with it's continual character switching.  Nearly everything is historically accurate and the few exceptions are well-noted by Mr. Best. The novel puts the Constitutional Convention into real terms and creates people out of the historical figures we have grown accustomed to seeing with a happy-haze of distance.  Madison is shown as the hard-nosed idealist who must learn the real rules of how the political game is played.  Sherman is shown as the pragmatic and strong-willed man he was - and as a genius at manipulation and dealings.  Hamilton is shown as mainly a lackey of General Washington, who is himself shown as a quietly practical, but mainly ...

by William Lafferty I got this book and, based on the title, expected another gun rant.  After reading the book's introduction, I expected it to be a short version of Ross' Unintended Consequences.  I say all of this because, after reading the title and basic premise to a friend over the phone, he had the same reaction. Happily, I was surprised. This is definitely a book you shouldn't judge by its cover, as it's actually an extremely well-written and thought out story about what happens when three old World War II veterans figure out they have little to lose.  Providence puts them in touch with just the right guy and the bowling ball rolls down the alley. This book is both a story of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives run amok and of those who, with little else to lose, decide to fight back.  Amazingly, the victims of the raid are not the revenge-seekers or freedom fighters (the government, of course, calls them "terrorists") here.  Instead, it's just three men who are tired of seeing their country's freedom being flushed down the toilet by overzealous bureaucrats and SWAT team adrenaline junkies. This is a great read and definitely worth the time.  I ...