Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Book Review: Molon Labe by Boston T. Party
CrashDisc ^ | 3/4/2004 | Jack Black

Posted on 03/04/2004 10:29:15 AM PST by Jack Black

Molon Labe by Boston T. Party

Molon Labe is a Greek phrase that dates back to the battle of Thermopylae. A small contingent of 300 Greek soldiers faced off a huge Iranian army of a half million men. The Iranians told the Greeks "we don't want to kill you, send out your arms and we will let you live" to which the Greeks responded "come and get them" (Molon Labe).

The Greeks were slaughtered to a man but did hold the Iranians back long enough to allow reinforcements to arrive, and Greece herself was saved from invasion.

Before reading the book, based on the title, I was expecting a military thriller about armed insurgents fighting off a vicious PC military commanded by Hillary Clinton. Indeed several books of this type have been published in the last few years. But Boston surprises, the book is really a hybrid. It falls somewhere between a traditional novel and and a how-to guide.

The novel is the story of a small group of freedom advocates who tire of the creeping socialism of the United States. It is set in the very near future, ending in 2012.

In this case the how-to is how to take over the state of Wyoming via the political process and what to do with this power once achieved. Thus it is more of a political thriller than a military one.

The story is an interesting one and I found the book an enjoyable read. However readers looking for a conventional novel might feel disappointed. Characterization is thin, only fleshed out enough to drive the central points of the book home.

So, it's not a huge simmering action novel with lots of battle scenes, it's not a deeply engaging romantic novel that draws you into its characters lives. Why read it?

As a hard hitting polemic and how-to guide it succeeds. This is rare form of book, some of Ayn Rands work came to mind, such as Anthem. The book is a treatise on the reasons for political succession and a lot of ideas about how to achieve it. Many of the ideas are obviously fanciful, such as the laws that the free state of Wyoming pass to eliminate sales tax for citizens carrying arms. But these add a fun touch of whimsy to a book that might otherwise become pedantic.

Boston is a self published author, and apparently a pretty successful one, based on the number of books he has in print. He has previously written a number of liberty oriented books on subjects ranging from the origins of the Constitution to the well respected "Boston's Gun Bible", now in its second edition.

The freedom of self-publishing has allowed him to create an idiosyncratic writing style. Molon Labe is packed with quotes on liberty from sources both new and old. There are long speeches given by characters that lay out their motivations and plans. There are appendices with even more details on how to free Wyoming. Underlines, italics and bold text and other quirky formatting abound. Apparently Boston's dedication to liberty includes freedom from the staid conventions of layout and typesetting.

So, should you read the book? Yes, if you are a devotee of the current crop of writers writing on liberty. BTP has created an engaging book with more ideas per page than the binding can contain. Readers who enjoyed other self published books in this vein, such as Unintended Consequences, will likely be able to overlook the rough edges and be carried along by the story, ideas and abundance of anecdotal asides.

Finally anyone involved in, or curious about, the real life attempts to create a liberty oriented state such as that undertaken by the Free State Project or the Western Liberty Alliance should definitely pick up this book.

Readers looking for a conventional military thriller or novel might better look elsewhere. But the shelves at the airport are full of such cookie cutter fare, much of it ghost written for Tom Clancey. You won't remember much about those books when you put them down, but Molon Labe is sure to have you looking at things in a new light after reading it. For this it must ultimately be considered a success and a worthwhile read.


TOPICS: Books/Literature
KEYWORDS: banglist; bostontparty; cwii; freestateproject; fsp; fwp; molonlabe; nh; porcupines; wy; wyfwp
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-39 next last

1 posted on 03/04/2004 10:29:16 AM PST by Jack Black
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Jack Black; *bang_list; Travis McGee
I have read and enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it. I agree that it is not accurately characterized as a novel. I consider it a fictional "chronicle" of a free-state type project. The story provides some excellent educational examples (illustrating better than any advice article can about one's rights in a traffic stop, for instance.)

It is in fact a manual on achieving freedom, as well as a fascinating and thought-provoking excercise into how one would create a truly free society. In one amusing incident, it is decided that the best way to keep the government-lovers from coming to the newly-free state is to impose a sales tax on all purchases by people who aren't openly armed.

Boston's "Gun Bible" is a must-own for all gun owners, especially prospective first-time gun owners, and most particularly those considering a purchase of a battle rifle. (And if you aren't considering such, the book will convince you that you should be.) This novel is not primarily a "gun book", but it remains a must read for all who care about gun rights because of the essential role that firearm rights play in the story, and in the lives of all people who seek to secure freedom.

While not a traditional novel, Molon Labe will entertain and stimulate readers, who will learn about search and seizure law, fully informed juries, computer cryptography and security, electoral politics, monetary crisis, and more bloody and embarassing raids by federal agencies.

To get fully into the spirit of the book and Boston's philosophy, you can buy it direct from him by sending cash through the mail directly to him (I suggest taking advantage of an offer to buy several of his books for a major discount.) www.javelinpress.com
2 posted on 03/04/2004 10:49:33 AM PST by Atlas Sneezed (Your Friendly Freeper Patent Attorney)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Beelzebubba
thanks for the pointers
3 posted on 03/04/2004 10:52:54 AM PST by Jack Black
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Jack Black; AAABEST; A.J.Armitage; archy; austingirl; BADROTOFINGER; Baseballguy; bc2; ...
PorcuPing!
4 posted on 03/04/2004 2:15:16 PM PST by archy (Concrete shoes, cyanide, TNT! Done dirt cheap! Neckties, contracts, high voltage...Done dirt cheap!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Beelzebubba
I agree that it is not accurately characterized as a novel. I consider it a fictional "chronicle" of a free-state type project.

The term you're looking for is roman a' clef in which actual figures or events- or likely forthcoming ones, with slightly fictionalized though often recognizable characters are present- populate the story.

5 posted on 03/04/2004 2:17:40 PM PST by archy (Concrete shoes, cyanide, TNT! Done dirt cheap! Neckties, contracts, high voltage...Done dirt cheap!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Jack Black; AK2KX; Ancesthntr; archy; backhoe; Badray; bc2; Joe Brower; Cannoneer No. 4; cgk; ...
CWII Ping!
6 posted on 03/04/2004 2:19:08 PM PST by archy (Concrete shoes, cyanide, TNT! Done dirt cheap! Neckties, contracts, high voltage...Done dirt cheap!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jack Black
Reference BUMP
7 posted on 03/04/2004 2:31:16 PM PST by spodefly (I am compelled to place text in this area.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Beelzebubba
Something for Travis when he gets here:


8 posted on 03/04/2004 4:35:44 PM PST by archy (Concrete shoes, cyanide, TNT! Done dirt cheap! Neckties, contracts, high voltage...Done dirt cheap!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Jack Black
"COME AND TAKE IT" bump...

;>)

9 posted on 03/04/2004 4:53:57 PM PST by Who is John Galt? ("COME AND TAKE IT!" - Battle of Gonzales, Texas Revolution, October 2, 1835)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: archy
Bump
10 posted on 03/04/2004 6:59:49 PM PST by Badray (Make sure that the socialist in the White House has to fight a conservative Congress.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Who is John Galt?
"COME AND TAKE IT" bump...

The original

And a couple of "modern" versions:


11 posted on 03/04/2004 7:02:05 PM PST by El Gato (Federal Judges can twist the Constitution into anything.. Or so they think.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: El Gato
The original


12 posted on 03/04/2004 7:22:53 PM PST by archy (Concrete shoes, cyanide, TNT! Done dirt cheap! Neckties, contracts, high voltage...Done dirt cheap!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: archy
I'm back, and on my new computer finally. I had the privilege of meeting Boston T. Party at the recent SHOT Show in Las Vegas, and let me tell you, he burns with the intensity of a 200 watt bulb! He believes what he writes, and lives it, he's no poser, that is for certain!

I read Molon Labe in two nights right after the SHOT Show, and while it's certainly not a conventional novel, it shows real brilliance throughout. The columns interspersed throughout by "Whisk E. Rebellion" lay out the reasons for the Wyoming Free State Project in detail. I don't know if Libertarians will be up for following instructions on moving to certain counties on a planned schedule, in order to take over the political structure of a state, that seems like a stretch.

But certainly, as America continues its downward slide to socialism, tyranny and moral decadence, it's worth considering the benefits of freedom-lovers moving en-masse to one or two lesser-populated western states, and making a stand. This probably won't happen according to anybody's plan or schedule, but I hope that it happens. As freedom's torch dims in most of America, perhaps the torch can continue to burn brightly in a few outposts of liberty, and serve as a continuing benchmark for the rest of the nation.

13 posted on 03/04/2004 10:25:30 PM PST by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Travis McGee
Travis I think your right. Boston definately had fun with his novel, and that's part of what makes it fun to read. The Western Liberty Alliance link goes to a group that is working towards a free Wyoming (and Montana and Idaho) and it is a much more decentralized effort than the scenario Boston lays out, but it is happening.

Today I got a bill from a tax assessor that wants me to list all the property I have in a room I rent, so I can pay them some percent of its value. This room is not used for business at all. Wow! I thought the IRS was bad, but this is even more obnoxious. There is a special section for "libraries". Number of volumes, conditions, etc. They remind you to include artwork on the walls.

14 posted on 03/04/2004 11:53:53 PM PST by Jack Black
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: El Gato
Where was that flag used? The Alamo?
15 posted on 03/05/2004 12:16:27 AM PST by Jack Black
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Jack Black
Damn! What state is THAT in? We had a revolution in 1776 over a tax stamp of what, a couple per cent? Imagine demanding a assessment of all of the property inside your house, down to the pictures on the walls! The frog must be 99% boiled by now.
16 posted on 03/05/2004 12:22:01 AM PST by Travis McGee (----- www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com -----)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Travis McGee
That is the State or Oregon and the County of Multnomah, home of Portland. Portland is a horrible communist enclave that controls the rest of the state through its superior numbers. Gore won Oregon by a few hundred votes. He was behind all night, but Multnomah went last, and made sure he had enough. The personal income tax is 9%.

We frogs gotta jump soon or we'll be cooked.

17 posted on 03/05/2004 12:32:21 AM PST by Jack Black
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: AAABEST; wku man; SLB; Travis McGee; Squantos; harpseal; Shooter 2.5; The Old Hoosier; xrp; ...
Something new for the reading list!

Click the Gadsden flag for pro-gun resources!

18 posted on 03/05/2004 9:12:15 AM PST by Joe Brower (The Constitution defines Conservatism.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Beelzebubba
"M1 Garand, the greatest battle implement ever devised." Gen. George Patton

Amd the great thing is that you can get one of these for the paltry sum of $400 to $575 (http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/m1garand.htm ) if you meet the eligibility requirements (http://www.odcmp.com/Services/Rifles/eligibility_requirements.htm )

Hint: The $575 Winchester will shoot no better than the $400 Danish Issue/Return.



19 posted on 03/05/2004 9:36:45 AM PST by Blood of Tyrants (Even if the government took all your earnings, you wouldn’t be, in its eyes, a slave.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Joe Brower
God, my library is full already!

Thanks Joe.

L

20 posted on 03/05/2004 10:00:55 AM PST by Lurker (Don't bite the hand that meads you.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-39 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson