Going Home: A Novel

Reading "Going Home," its similarities to the excellent “Patriots” series by James Wesley, Rawles were evident. If you're going to read this book, you should get out a highlighter or two because you will be highlighting a bunch of abbreviations that are fully explained in the glossary at the back of the book. Again, another Rawles habit. The author is “A. American,” which, after reading Going Home, could be just a way to hide the fact that an author in the Rawles camp is writing another series based on an EMP, not on the economic collapse of the United States.The book also takes place in a location I'm familiar with, beginning in Tallahassee, FL, and ending in Ocala, FL. Water moccasins and alligators are the only things that are missing as barriers to the first-person narrator getting home. Otherwise, there was everything you could imagine in it: bad guys and girls, an evil DHS, neighbors turning against neighbors, etc. I realized the book was written almost nine years ago, and I feel bad that I only accidentally came across it. I understand the author has written sequels, and I certainly will read them because I like the author's writing style. He's clearly skilled at prepping and understanding the weapons systems he used and the people he populated this book with. If you're a prepper you need to read this book. If you're interested in dystopian fiction you should read this book. I highly recommend it.

Interesting

I'd say this review is more of a 3.75 review, but I didn't want to round up to a 4 star review and say that I loved it. This is a good book. I've read so many reviews that say it is a well written book. It is not. I read a review that said there was very little profanity in this book. Curse words are absolutely everywhere, and while I don't really think that these people would go around saying "Goshdarnit", I don't see how anyone can say this a a clean book language-wise. I may not be a story editor, but the grammar errors are egregious, as they are with most authors of this genre. However, the author can certainly tell a story ( that doesn't forgive improper grammar) and it was a compelling story. I am tempted to dismiss the language problems since I am one of the few that care about language and grammar, but our language is one of our defining characteristics of our culture and our community. The inability to write and speak properly reflects badly on all of us. I'm not perfect, but I do know what an objective pronoun is and I know how to make subject and verbs agree. I will continue to hold published authors to a higher standard when communicating through the written word. So, Mr A. American, you get dinged on this review because you didn't pay attention to your 5th grade grammar teacher.I read a modicum of prepper fiction. Partly because it is almost never well written and also, it winds me up. I get upset and want to buy whatever the author used in the book or maybe a pallet of rice Super Pails. Books like "Going Home" give me what I call 'crisis fatigue". You have 20 pages of crisis and two paragraphs of normalcy, or humor, or someone did something that restores faith in humanity. Then another chapter of crisis after crisis after crisis. I'm not saying this is necessarily misplaced, but I do get tired of the high octane, testosterone-driven, go-go-go, blow-it-up, shoot-it-up adventure. I start to watch the page counter on my tablet to see how much further we have to go to get this guy home and also wonder what else can be thrown at any of the characters.I picked this book based on a review by a Prepper blogger that I follow and I pretty much NEVER buy a book over ten dollars. I just don't believe that it costs that much to produce an e-book and deliver it by internet. I'm also not sure that the author gets a higher percentage of what would be excessive profit for the publishing house. But, I was looking for something different and I bought it at the ridiculous price of $12.92. All of the books in the series are over $10 and they most certainly are not worth the elevated price, but I will probably read them all anyway. I'll buy one a month, maybe.I've dinged this book for grammar, crisis fatigue and price. What did I like about it? Well, he's got some pretty good ideas on gear. I'm not a knife person. I'd rather have a gun in a fight, but he shows other uses for knives that make me rethink that position. That's really why we read this type of fiction anyway. What is he doing that I'm not doing? What does he know that I don't know? What skill does he have that I don't have? As a woman, the prepper series, "The Journal" by Deborah D. Moore, speaks to me more. However, food prep isn't going to do much good if you are stranded a thousand miles from home, or 250 as was the case in this book. Even with crisis fatigue, it is important to think about what you would do in these circumstances. It's important to role play along with the author, in my opinion. That is what these books do for people like me and that is why they are valuable tools. Even with the foul language, I will encourage my children (all adults, btw) to read this book.In the end, my recommendation is to buy the book. Read the book. Decide how you will respond to the book. All other criticism aside, that's my bottom line.

I was never EVER into fiction books, I found them pretty useless...for me. I always liked the "how-to" and history books.My first dive into this genre was, "Patriots," by JW Rawles. The next was the "One Second After" series, by Forstchen. LOVED that one.That brings to the government mg home series. I love them, too. I am actually about half way through book 7. There is so much going on and such great detail and helpful information. It really does give you an idea as to how people might act in a real world scenario.One thing, if you are sensitive to four letter, colorful metaphors (swearing), this may not be for you. It doesn't bother me too bad, but I do think it is a bit excessive and detracts from some things in a way. Itfeel like it may be more prevalent in the first book or two and a bit less in the following books. Also tends to be a little graphic when talking about murder scenes. Just a forewarning.Regardless, it's a great series. Some weird stuff kinda thrown in there, but I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in post-apocalyptic stuff.You can buy a whole set, new, but I buy used, one book at a time. I will be getting the rest of the series!

Interesting novel about how and what may be needed when in a SHTF scenario. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

The worlds gone to pot and no zombies, Well this book had me griped from the first chapter, I normally read zombie style books, but I gave this a go and I'm now hooked. I cant wait to sse where these books go. Recomended to anyone who likes this style of story. So much detail and the characters just walk of the page. Thankyou.

Still reading No1 but got the rest of the series on what I'd read so far. Enjoyable.

Bought for a friend,who tells me its a great read & wants number 2,im sure there are 6 in all.

I often am away for several days at a time and often wonder what if an EMP or CME hit whilst on the road. Well this book helps you farm your mind into what if..

Enjoyed the pace of this book & the story line it was easy to immerse yourself in to the situation the main character found himself in. Look forward to a sequel.