Patriots

Patriots follows a group of survivalists who must navigate a catastrophic economic collapse in near-future America. When hyperinflation and civil unrest consume Chicago, they activate their long-prepared plan to retreat to a compound in rural Idaho. The novel combines tactical survival instructions with a narrative about group dynamics and preparedness. It details specific equipment, techniques, and strategies for surviving a breakdown of modern society, while following the characters as they adapt to their new reality. The book emerged from multiple earlier versions, starting as shareware in 1990 under different titles. It gained significant popularity in 2009, reaching #6 on Amazon's bestseller list amid growing interest in survivalist literature. The work stands as both a survival manual and a commentary on societal fragility, exploring themes of self-reliance, community organization, and the thin line between civilization and chaos. Its technical detail and focus on practical preparation set it apart from typical post-apocalyptic fiction.

Readers view Patriots as a survival manual wrapped in a fictional narrative. The book maintains 4.4/5 stars on Amazon (2,800+ reviews) and 3.8/5 on Goodreads (3,900+ ratings). Readers praise: - Detailed practical information on preparedness - Technical accuracy with weapons and equipment - Clear instructions for survival scenarios - Resource lists and recommendations Common criticisms: - Wooden dialogue and flat characters - Heavy-handed political messaging - Too much technical detail interrupts story flow - Unrealistic character reactions to disasters "The technical info is worth the price alone," notes one Amazon reviewer. "Skip the story, keep it as a reference guide." A Goodreads reviewer states: "Characters spend pages discussing ammunition specs when they should be running from danger." Multiple readers mention highlighting the practical sections while skimming the plot. The book functions better as a how-to manual than a novel according to most reviews.

One Second After by William R. Forstchen A small American town struggles to survive after an EMP attack destroys the power grid and modern infrastructure.

Going Home by A. American A man must trek 250 miles on foot through a collapsed society to reach his family after an EMP strike.

Lights Out by David Crawford A group of Texas neighbors band together to protect their community following a continental power failure.

77 Days in September by Ray Gorham A man walks across the country to reunite with his family while society crumbles after a nuclear EMP strike.

Grid Down Reality Bites by Bruce Hemming Two families apply survival skills to protect themselves during the breakdown of society following an electromagnetic pulse.

🔹 The book began as free online shareware in 1995, making it one of the earliest examples of successful self-published survival fiction before finding a traditional publisher. 🔹 Author James Wesley Rawles is a former U.S. Army Intelligence officer who founded SurvivalBlog.com, one of the most popular preparedness websites with over 320,000 unique visitors per week. 🔹 The Idaho setting was specifically chosen for its strategic survival advantages, including low population density, abundant natural resources, and geographic isolation from major population centers. 🔹 Many of the survival techniques described in the book were later validated during real-world disasters, including Hurricane Katrina and the 2008 financial crisis. 🔹 The novel coined the term "American Redoubt," which has since become a real cultural movement encouraging relocation to the inland Pacific Northwest for preparedness purposes.