Rating: 
Summary: The end of the war that never was
Review: This book in some ways reminds me of Fatherland in the fact that WW2 lasted longer (a great HBO movie btw) It also reminds me that WW 1 would have lasted probably into a good amount of the 1920's if the US hadn't came in. Anyways the book is good...a great description at the beginning of how he was brought up. Also the fact he methodically plays solitare over and over to pass the war. Surprisingly this reminds me of the Vietnam conflict except this was written almost 20 years before Vietnam started.
Rating: 
Summary: Let's Be Glad L. Ron Hubbard Isn't Running Things
Review: This book is one of the greatest(in my humble opinion)post-apocalyptic Sci-Fi novels ever written. Hubbard is known for writing "quick reads"(other than BE...hehe) and Final Blackout packs big bang for such a small book. In reading this book it was hard to believe that it was written in the early stages of Hubbard's career since it has the feel of a book written by a more mature author. The ending was great(some may disagree here) because it pays homage to the true ideals of the soldier where the well-being of the country is valued far above his own life. The definition of Sci-Fi is that it contains elements that could come to be, this book was almost a vision into the near future right after it was written. If you are a Sci-Fi buff then this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: Great Writing
Review: This book is one of the greatest(in my humble opinion)post-apocalyptic Sci-Fi novels ever written. Hubbard is known for writing "quick reads"(other than BE...hehe) and Final Blackout packs big bang for such a small book. In reading this book it was hard to believe that it was written in the early stages of Hubbard's career since it has the feel of a book written by a more mature author. The ending was great(some may disagree here) because it pays homage to the true ideals of the soldier where the well-being of the country is valued far above his own life. The definition of Sci-Fi is that it contains elements that could come to be, this book was almost a vision into the near future right after it was written. If you are a Sci-Fi buff then this book is for you.
Rating:
Summary: This book gave me great life-like dreams.
Review: This book was something I picked out at a bookstore when I was given a gift certificate. Reading it each night before I went to sleep gave me such realistic dreams, that I could actually picture the battlegrounds, massive destruction, and faces of the Lieutenant and his crew. I am not an avid reader, but this book opened the way for me to start the Mission Earth decology which is of an even higher quality. I am presently on book number 4, and loving it. The only book I liked even better than these was "The Contender", the story of a young, black boxer living in the tri-state area, something I can relate to.
Rating: 
Summary: A gripping tale, and an expose' on the insanity of war.
Review: This is a gripping tale about a man known only as the 'Lieutenant' as he leads a small band of loyal followers in an apolocalyptic world war setting. It portrays the inhumanity of war, and exposes the character of those who create and prolong them. This early Hubbard novel is an expose' on the insanity of war, and deserves it's rightful place in history as classic novel. It should be recommended reading to all, who desire to prevent this kind of future. This one is a great SF classic in the spirit of Hemmingway's 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' and 'A Farewell to Arms'. Read it and enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: Yet another Doomsday scenario....
Review: This is a margainly interesting book about apocalyptic war. Its main attraction being that it is one of the first of the genre. Its worth a read, but its nothing to get excited about. The writing style is a very straightforward unimbelished style charicteristic of the writer.
Rating:
Summary: Great Sci-Fi
Review: This is my favorite science fiction book of all time. The Lieutenant is an awesome character - today's leaders could surely learn a thing or two about leadership and honor from him! Great story, well written, suspenseful and makes you think.
Rating:
Summary: Great Sci-Fi
Review: This is my favorite science fiction book of all time. The Lieutenant is an awesome character - today's leaders could surely learn a thing or two about leadership and honor from him! Great story, well written, suspenseful and makes you think.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best
Review: When you consider that this was one of the first things that L. Ron Hubbard wrote, way back when he was nineteen (I believe); you can't help but be astonished at its intelligence and wisdom. A powerful story, combining elements of science fiction with values and great action; I consider this a must-read.
Rating: 
Summary: Awful Pulp
Review: You know one should be used to the Great Man takes on the system book by now. They are so numerous that they shouldn't even annoy anymore. Yet this book takes it to the extreme. The Lieutenant is the great one, the grand poobah, the rebel leader hero. Everyone else is either a loyal follower or an evil petty bureaucrat. Sadly Hubbard spends many pages reinforcing these thin characterizations. Yes this book was written when he was young and it wasn't meant to endure. Maybe it can be read as a hokey 1940 pulp and a testament to the paranoia of perpetual war. It almost belongs more to the Vietnam era than WWII since all the generals and upper level military guys are selfish fools ready to sacrifice a million lives for their own glory (there's even the American Imperialists at the end) but I doubt the unadulterated praise for the Lieutenant would fly any better in Vietnam War America. Either way it's a dull book full of cliches that would have been long out of print without Scientology.
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