Ideologues should not write novels, at least not without talking a few lessons in fluid language, development of characters, and the like. The basic story line behind this book isn't bad. A kind of action/adventure novel culminating in a revolution. But Schulman is less interested in developing the story, or creating sympathetic characters than in pushing his agorist party line. And before agorists who read this get all up in arms, yes, I know there is no agorist party. I know most agorists eith

Ideologues should not write novels, at least not without talking a few lessons in fluid language, development of characters, and the like. The basic story line behind this book isn't bad. A kind of action/adventure novel culminating in a revolution. But Schulman is less interested in developing the story, or creating sympathetic characters than in pushing his agorist party line. And before agorists who read this get all up in arms, yes, I know there is no agorist party. I know most agorists either individuals who quit the Libertarian Party to pursue a more truly anti-state path, or individuals who were never part of the party because they were anarchists, and so refused party politics from the start. But this doesn't prevent agorists in general and Schulman in particular from being ideologically partisan toward agorism.

The characters in this novel are completely wooden. They don't evoke sympathy even when put in what should be the most heart-rending situations. Their conversations are all ideology, no human feeling or real pleasure. I have yet to met an agorist face to face, but if they all talk like the characters in this book. I doubt I would want to. As to agorist "anarchy," as portrayed in this book: No thanks. Security checks that rival post-9-11 airport security to get into their agorist markets, military hierarchies fully intact for carrying out actions, forms of protective and other imprisonment. In fact, these anarchists seemed to have structures for carrying out all of the functions of the state. And since the state is network of relationships and activities of a specific sort, i.e., a set of functions, if you maintain those functions, regardless of what you choose to call it you still have a state.

The entire novel is agorist propaganda. But just in case you missed it, the publishers include several appendixes among which are at least three essays explaining the ideology.

If you like good literature, even if you are an agorist, avoid this book.