The Last Centurion is a memoir of one possible future, a world that is a darkling mirror of our own. Written "blog-style", it pulls no punches in its descriptions of junk science, bad strategy, and organic farming.
©2008 John Ringo; (P)2008 Brilliance Audio, Inc.
"Ringo excels in the depiction of combat, managing to capture the carnage and horror while maintaining a sense of the absurd....with the unexpected twists that Ringo has made his hallmark." (Publishers Weekly)
"Miller becomes Bandit Six, patriotic, no-nonsense, and extra rough around the edges." (AudioFile)
"Enjoy the story and forget the politics"
I see a lot of reviews complaining about Ringo's politics. And yes, this book has an obvious right wing point of view. If you cannot enjoy a good story without that yarn also being liberal friendly, I suggest you look to SM Stirling for your post-apocalyptic fiction fix. This is a very engaging tale, but if you can't stand a book that says Climate Change is not real, get something else.
"Usual for this author, but not bad."
Okay so you've read the other reviews that say its a terrible book full of xenophobia, hate, and just an ignorant rant. Its not. This book certainly has a right wing slant yes. However, many thing said are quite accurate about the topics in question. It is a well researched piece of work. Also there is no xenophobia and America is not presented as perfect. He never once preaches hate, and if anything encourages tolerance. If you don't like the book do not count this author out. This is an usual work for him and an excellent addition to any fan's collection.
"Excellent"
This is a very well researched, very well thought out, and very well written book. Ok, it does drag at times...but the main character even acknowledges and apologizes for it and turns it into sort of a joke. Scary real stuff. Excellent book.
"More soap box than story"
If the author had stayed focused on the actual story and not built in so much right-wing based criticism of the U.S. and world at large.
The conservative preaching. Ringo, like everyone else, is entitled to his point of view, but why waste the reader's time by using a fictional event to promote a conservative agenda. It doesn't take any talent to do that.
No, this is the first one, but I enjoyed his voice and style.
No characters, just the over the top lambasting of the media, organic farming, Hillary Clinton (thinly veiled), local government, multi-culturalism, etc, etc....
I've listened to other works by Ringo and found the stories compelling and engaging. Unfortunately, The Last Centurion is less a story than it is a vehicle for promoting a conservative agenda. At least, that's the impression I was given by the author.
"Good outing by fine military SF writer"
For those who believe in the make-believe world of lib-think, this will be a tough row to hoe. For those of us who live in the real world, it's a breath of fresh air. John Ringo has personal experience of the world outside these United States, and has done a lot of research on which to ground this book. The protagonist is believable, and the narration is simply outstanding. Nice to encounter an alternative viewpoint in a good story!
"Outstanding!!!!!!"
If you were ever in the military you will like this, if you like military fiction you will like this, but if you like to think that FICTION NOVELS should be judged based on a politically correct point of view READ NON-FICTION!!!!
I'm travel alot and auido books are my moble home. I seem to be hooked on them and there is rarely a time that there not on for me.
"Its A Love it or Hate it book"
this is one of those books that you either love this book and agree with its view of life or hate it and disagree with it and think the author is nuts. Its a preach to the choir style blog. And I love it. But I do see where people will be upset by it. If you believe in global warming or think that the government can solve everything (or anything) you'll hate this book.
The book as written blog style and tends to get sidetracked every couple of seconds. The background story is almost a side note of the hero's ranting on subjects that tick him off. I have no Idea if the science is factually correct or just made up for the story. although it holds together well and at least to me seems ok. But its a very politically one sided.
If you enjoy Fox News or some of the more bombastic politically right wing commentators like Ann Culture or Glenn Beck you'll like this one... if you don't then you won't.
"Overburdened"
In spite of agreeing with most of the main character's beliefs, I found the story as a whole overwhelmed by the message the author was trying to pound into the reader. When the story was concentrating on the combat, the survival, etc. it was a great story. However, the author chose to concentrate on his politics and lost the enjoyment of the story. For people looking for a story with a strong anti liberal stance, this is the one for you. For anyone looking for a good post apocalypse war story, you'd be better off looking somewhere else.
"not really a novel"
I don't usually write reviews for books, but I was so disappointed with this book that I had to write something. I got through about the first 3 hours, which was basically a rant about the evils of liberal ideals. It was written like a journal and had little to no story line. I have always enjoyed this authors books in the past and that makes this even more disappointing.
"Love this book!"
I read the novel before I got the audiobook and I have to say...that I love both of them. I enjoy John Ringo's military thrillers, perhaps too much, but I must say that the novel, paired with the narrator's voice and performance takes this to a whole new level. An excellent listen and totally worth it!