Rating: 
Summary: Ross's Theme: Gun Control can Lead to Civil War
Review: This is a very important, unique, and gutsy book for two reasons: its main theme is that gun control will lead to civil war, and it goes about methodically explaining to the reader how that will happen. For those reasons, I give it five stars.With that said, at over 800 pages, it is a long read. It could have been edited down to flow much better. The story sometimes gets bogged down in endless description of guns, calibers, bullets, mechanics, until the reader doesn't want to hear more technical details. The characters are stereotypes, with the good guys really good, and the bad guys really bad, but none of the characters are really developed enough for the reader to empathize with. The pro-gun guys are, of course, the good guys, and the bad guys are the ATF, the FBI and government bureaucrats in all branches of government. The gratuitous sex is distracting, and the super-hero, Henry Bowman, is larger than life. But overall, these faults are easy to forgive. The book moves right along, holds the readers interest, and ends with a very satisfactory restoration of the Bill of Rights and the Second Amendment. As the book begins, author John Ross leads us through the Warsaw Ghetto, the history of gun control, Ruby Ridge, Waco, the U.S. versus Miller decision, and explores the gradual deterioration of the Second Amendment to present day, as laws which are obvious infringements to the right to keep and bear arms are enacted. Finally, when the BATF decides to single out our super-hero, it marks the beginning of retaliation by the citizens against injustices of the present corrupt Federal administration. As the drama unfolds, Henry Bowman outsmarts and out shoots the Fed's at every turn, and American citizens react by stealthily and individually assassinating Federal agents and congressmen. The acts of the administration in power are shown to be in violation of the highest law of the land, and it is Bowman and the good citizens of the country who become heros for restoring the Constitution to the people. The reader is left wondering about some of the specific claims - were there really only 200 active IRA members in Ireland that kept the British Army at bay for years? Has the Federal government of the United States really incarcerated 64,000 people for minor firearms violations, most of them for trumped-up "conspiracy" charges? The author conveys the feeling of hopelessness, outrage, and injustice for any poor individual unfortunate to be arrested by a Federal Agency, because even if innocent, the mere cost of legal defense will cost his life savings, and more than likely will be forced into plea bargaining for a reduced prison sentence. For all its flaws, this book is a must read for all gun owners, and believers in the Constitution of the United States.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent mix of history and fiction(?)
Review: John Ross has written a novel of epic proportions. But, before a reader just declares it a novel, they must take into account the vast amount of history contained within its pages. This book details the history of gun control laws from the mid-1930's to today, or at least a possible version of today as seen through the author's eyes, in the event that the Federal Government continues to crack down on the 2nd amendment right to keep and bear arms as has been the case for the last 6 decades. The book is well written, has excellent historical background, and tells a very good story. Do not let the size of the book intimidate you -- it truly could not have been shorter without dimishing the overall scope of the story. Also, I would have given this book 5 stars if it weren't for a couple of things of note: 1st - this is not a book for young readers as it contains several scenes of graphic sexual activity that are not appropriate for younger audiences and 2nd - There are scenes of fairly graphic violence throughout the book that again would not be appropriate for younger readers. Nevertheless, this is an excellent read and I would highly recommended it to anyone on either side of the gun control debate.
Rating:
Summary: A very intriguing, well written book
Review: I highly recommend reading "Unintended Consequences". It is, at its root, a book about the fight for freedom and the cost of keeping that freedom. I ordered "Unintended Consequences" from the publisher when it first came out and felt fortunate to receive a copy of the book signed by the author. I read the book twice. The first time was a marathon "can't put it down" read. After starting it, I found it to intriguing to stop reading until I had reached the end. I waited several months and then read it again, but at a slower pace, and I took notes this time. I found the detail in this book to be amazing. John Ross knows what he's talking about when it comes to gun culture. I did some investigative research after the second reading. A lot of the information in my notes turned out to be factual pertaining to gun laws and historical events. Another point about this book that I enjoyed was the way the author combined fact with fiction to the point that it was often very difficult to know if what you were reading actually happened or was fiction. Very catchy the way it was all interwoven. Some people would find this book an uncomfortable read because of what it implies from both sides (as a citizen and as a member of law enforcement or government). I was at times uncomfortable while reading it, mainly because of the victimization of innocent people and at the erosion of our second amendment rights over the years, which this book does an excellent job of uncovering. Some people would regard this book as being fanatical but the question has to be asked, "How is it people can justify fanatism about the environment, women's rights, animal rights, or whatever right they think is "right" but when that fanatism extends to the second amendment, suddenly that right is wrong?"
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Read!
Review: Unintended Consequences is an unusual book in that it is really three books in one, each reinforcing and complementing the other. First of all it is a book about guns: the technology, mechanics and shooting characteristics of many sorts are described in loving detail. The second book is about the history of the government's growing campaign to whittle away our Second Amendment rights, and about how the ATF entraps law abiding citizens into violating ever more arcane technicalities and regulations. The third book is a novel about how a tiny group of citizens act to preserve their rights, and succeed by a series of plausible, ingenious and violent attacks on the sources of the problem. The first two books were quite informative without being excessively technical, while the third with all the action was a real page turner. Ross knows his stuff, and has produced a seminal work here that will help considerably to stiffen the movement to preserve traditional American values. It is a terrific read!
Rating:
Summary: An exciting read-decidedly so. Still...
Review: John Ross is definitely a storyteller and I hope he will continue to weave new tales. The action, the technical aspects of the shooters stock in trade were excellent. I wish the scenario was fashioned as well as the story was told. The future is not bright for the continued enjoyment of our Constitutional rights. Sadly, most Americans have lost their heritage already. They have willingly surrendered their birthright. Read John Ross' book. Look past the fictional nature and less than plausible turns of events. The core of what is happening to us still shines through. Pass this book to family, friends and colleagues until it is dogeared. As a companion to this novel I would also recommend "Transfer-the end of the beginning", by Jerry Furland. Step by step Furland takes us forward in time to a Utopian nightmarish vision of America as it surely will be if we don't wake up and take charge of our own destinies. The tyranny is already far along and the despotic rule of a perverted and controlling Orwellian Government is all but assured if we fail to act now. Read both of these fine novels and spread the word-often, loudly, as if your life depended on it. Because, it does...
Rating:
Summary: A very intriguing, well written book
Review: I highly recommend reading "Unintended Consequences". It is, at its root, a book about the fight for freedom and the cost of keeping that freedom. I ordered "Unintended Consequences" from the publisher when it first came out and felt fortunate to receive a copy of the book signed by the author. I read the book twice. The first time was a marathon "can't put it down" read. After starting it, I found it to intriguing to stop reading until I had reached the end. I waited several months and then read it again, but at a slower pace, and I took notes this time. I found the detail in this book to be amazing. John Ross knows what he's talking about when it comes to gun culture. I did some investigative research after the second reading. A lot of the information in my notes turned out to be factual pertaining to gun laws and historical events. Another point about this book that I enjoyed was the way the author combined fact with fiction to the point that it was often very difficult to know if what you were reading actually happened or was fiction. Very catchy the way it was all interwoven. Some people would find this book an uncomfortable read because of what it implies from both sides (as a citizen and as a member of law enforcement or government). I was at times uncomfortable while reading it, mainly because of the victimization of innocent people and at the erosion of our second amendment rights over the years, which this book does an excellent job of uncovering. Some people would regard this book as being fanatical but the question has to be asked, "How is it people can justify fanatism about the environment, women's rights, animal rights, or whatever right they think is "right" but when that fanatism extends to the second amendment, suddenly that right is wrong?"
Rating: 
Summary: All you need to know to decide if its worth it
Review: This was Timothy McVeigh's favorite book. Maybe that may be a good endorsement to some, it certainly is not for me. Basically the book's plot is an elaborate justification for a group of people to go on a terroristic sniper campaign against cardboard 'evil' government officials. It is an inadvertant indightment of the violent mindset of the extreme rightwing, who see their enemies through a simple black or white lens and view the probable resolution of the 2nd amendment debate in similiarely starkly violent terms. It is a sick irony that the simplisticly atavistic mindset of those who enjoy this book is so similar to that of Muslim fundamentalism, given the fact that that movements is so uniquely despised by the american right. Amazon should have some sort of 'Health Warning' for reader reviews. Who's really going to bother finishing a book they hate, let alone right a review on a website about one? if you are going to the bother of writing a review its way more likely your going to encourage others to read it then warn them off it. Personally, I finished the book because I found it darkly fascinating and unintentionally hilarious in its ignorant and narrow-minded representation of these issues and the world in general. On reading the reader reviews I was shocked to find only raves from gun-fanatics so Im writing this to warn anyone naive enough to go looking for this book thinking that its a fair representation of the issues it purports to deal with. It is not.
Rating:
Summary: editorial review misses by long shot
Review: The editorial review criticizes this tome as being for the fringes of society but missing the middle. This opinion is flat wrong. Although this is work of fiction, Ross is an accomplished arms historian and economist. These traits are mirrored in the main character. The reader can find other sources that collaborate Ross's remarkable --sometimes unbelievable-- accounts of historical events. I, being a former police officer, have "insider" information that corraborates Ross's accounts of more recent events described in the book. This is a highly suggested reading for Americans concerned about the future of our society, government and freedom. It describes history in the making that we live in today.
Rating:
Summary: Not really about guns, but the freedom we've already lost
Review: This is my first review. I found this book in a gun show, looked it up and read reviews for a while, before actually buying it. Not easy to find a used copy cheap, you know? So when I decided to get it I was concerned about throwing money away on some gun nut's ranting. One of the reviews mentioned "Atlas Shrugged" which was much easier to find used and much more 'mainstream', so I read that first so I'd know what the comparison was.
Well, I'm thrilled to find such a well-written explanation of the problem that I'm sure 99% of the citizens of this country don't even believe exists. And of course that's the point; the frog in water is a perfect analogy. This book uses guns; Ayn Rand used trains... but the idea is the same and excruciatingly relevant to EVERY American- your government has become the enemy, and you BETTER wake up and make changes the easy way before it's no longer possible. Both of these books do a marvelous job of removing all your 'but what if' objections and bringing you to the conclusion that, yes, the problem really is critical and urgent. Although their solutions are extreme, I can't really articulate what I would do differently, and if nothing else, they serve notice of what would BECOME necessary if we don't fix it now by the election process.
This country was once "the Great Experiment", but those of you who parrot the phrase "it's a free country" without really understanding what you're saying, you voters who continue to vote the way your grandparents did without understanding why, you are the problem! The government pirates can only get away with what they do because of your indifference. READ THESE BOOKS!!!
Rating:
Summary: From a Woman's Point of View
Review: ... First of all, I loved it and found myself reading the last few pages s-l-o-w-l-y, as I didn't want to end this wonderful reading. I learned a great deal from the book about various calibers and reloads and mechanisms and I didn't find it onerous or difficult in its technical explications. I'd heard about most of the history in the book, but a memory jog is always good, especially when the history is so well documented. Certainly, Ross is evidently on the side of the gun culture, but I doubt that anyone out of that culture would even pick up such a heavy tome. The characters are pretty well depicted and the action is exciting, although I could have managed without quite as graphic a description of the kinky sex--but I think that those scenes were essential to the plot. Recommend this book to all in the gun culture and especially to their wives.
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