Buy 5 and pass them out

 

          As my title suggests, I've bought 5 more and am going to be passing them out to folks who might find such a story of interest. I initiated this after reading it the second time. I'd read An Act of Self-Defense several months ago and it was even more riveting the second time. Given that Lewis wrote this a year ago, it would appear he was nearly prophetic in his view of ever-encroaching losses of freedom. As I reread the novel, I recalled clearly my thinking during the first reading, "Wow, the author is awfully pessimistic about growth of government power and commensurate loss of freedom." Then here I am rereading it and lo and behold, these Statist predictions have come to pass. So much for my ability to forecast! I spent multiple 'up-too-late' reading sessions both times I read 'An Act of Self-Defense', even while knowing the ending the second time.

 

         Lewis makes a compelling case for the 'brokeness' of our current system with historical footnotes that add to the persuasiveness of his story. I believe Thomas Jefferson was most prescient as indeed, he foresaw the danger of a political class unrestrained by term limits. Lewis' characters evoke a sympathetic response, you feel their resolve, their pain, their struggle with their decisions. The pace of action and progress with the plot leaves you cheering for them even while you sympathize with the sadness they experience as they recognize the reality of their actions.

 

          While I'm not a book critic, I read quite a bit and can remember only a couple of books that have impacted me as much and left me with the lasting impressions of An Act of Self Defense. Like I said, buy 5 and pass them out to those you think might experience the same feelings...then tell them to buy 5 and do the same...we live in times that my be impacted by such a small decision.

 

Gary D. Frederickson, Woodland Park, Colorado