While not the strongest in the first three issue of this series of “Parallel Novels” James Wesley Rawles “Founders: A Novel of the Coming Collapse” is a fun read. Filling in backstories from Patriots and Survivors is the main role of Founders.
Founders: A Novel of the Coming Collapse – Book Front Cover
The backstories flesh out and explore characters and events.
I would have found a bit of typography helpful – if the “seed text” borrowed from the previous volumes were perhaps put in italics it would be easier to know when Founders is building more on the story. Some of the expansions seem so naturally blended that they unfairly do not stand out as new material.
Especially heartwarming is are the various faith centered character expansions. Unlike some readers who apparently need their blood, gore and weakness of moral compass fixes, I was enthralled with the portrayal of honest faith center Christian, Jewish and morally centered characters, their courtships and faith issues in a suddenly very wicked world.
For us radio buffs there are a lot of amateur radio, SWL radio, COMINT/ELINT, CW and Digital Mode references. Very neat stuff some of it!
Don’t forget to flip over your hardcopy of Founders, as this blog is quoted on a slip cover ( see https://k9zw.wordpress.com/2012/10/04/new-book-quotes-this-blog/ )
A good read and a good addition to the full multipart “parallel novel.”
73
Steve
K9ZW
With Varying Frequency - Amateur Radio Ponderings 
Having just finished Founders, I can say I couldn’t put it down.As in past Rawles novels it is a “How To” book in disguise with a high degree of writing talent applied..To those who find the religious content offensive remember that Mr. Rawles as a former intelligence officer was privy to the numerous survival studies of past “harrowing” situations such as POW camps, internment camps, broken plan battles such as the early phases of the Battle of the Bulge, and many others…The survival rates of those with a strong religious faith were vastly higher than for those without…I haven’t been to church for years so take this from one that has not a “Burning pyre of vested interest” and yes I have had the professional education to have access to those historical studies.
Just a reminder, if you are a new or occasional vistor to “With Varying Frequency – Amateur Radio Ponderings” please feel free to look over some of the 1,200+ other articles that accumulated here over the last five years.
If you have an interest in Amateur Radio, are interested in getting licensed & started, or any of the technology, feel free to drop me a note. Would be my pleasure to help even one more interested person join this hobby – a hobby with solid preparedness utility.
You can reach me at k9zw dot com and follow the contact me link, or as they say in amateur radio “I am good at QRZ.com and ARRL.org”
73 (best regards)
Steve
K9ZW
A good read with a novel feel. Read it in one day, I couldn’t put it down.
In addition, a good story of Christian faith well lived. I’ve been involved with this genre since Jerry Ahern, and Mel Tappan, but it wasn’t until I became a christian that the real battle against “powers and principalities” started to become clear.
Rawles book “Patriots” encouraged me to get my ham ticket.
Steve
KC9WDH
Hi Steve KC9WDH
Congratulations on your recent Tech license, and hoping you carry to pick up more HF priviledges.
Some good clubs your way, I’ve been told – so hopefully they prove fun too!
If you’re even up my way, give a shout and we’ll have coffee.
73
Steve
K9ZW