Unintended Consequences - does it eventually get good?

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dave3006

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I bought the book, Unintended Consequences because of the popularity is has in gun circles. I am 150 pages or so into it. Man, is it boring. The plot(s) drag on with endless details and lack of direction. Does this thing finally get exciting of get to some sort of point?

What is the attraction besides all the gun details?

(I love guns. But, this is pushing it...)
 
It's time I read it again but IIRC the first 150 pages were not really hard going .. maybe not ''action-packed'' but sure didn't bore me.

It does tho raise the temperature considerably later on ... so do not quit!
 
The first 700 pages drag. After that it gets better.
 
Don't flip to the end. The first 700 pages are necessary context. However, it is OK to skim along at any point that the plot doesn't seem to be advancing. When you get to the end, if you are or have become a member of the "gun culture," you will immediately flip back to page 1 and start it over. If not, I'll give you $6 for your used copy! :neener:
 
Henry - I ain't gonna give up my copy!

"From my cold, dead hands ......................"


PS: I don't eat bacon anymore.
 
I say stick with it, too. I read it a few years ago and have been meaning to start reading it again. Yes, Ross does inject a laaaarge number of details, and it's kind of hard to wade through it, but that's just his style. I guess he just wanted to make it sorta documentary-ish. He wanted to inform. (There's a rich history to firearms ownership, you know. It'd be a shame to leave it all out.)

The book sure does take off later on. I don't know approximately what page, but there are some scenes that will make you go "ohh sh$$$$t!

Enjoy it. There really aren't other books out there like it.

-Jeffrey
 
It does pick up....be patient.

Personally, I liked all of the early foundation work and detail....to each his own. :D
 
Actually, I liked the "historical" part better than the "present day" part.

It's a decent book, but I think you have to be part of the gun culture to like it.
 
Dave3006:

I have absolutely no idea of what your interests might be.

Having said that, and respecting what you describe as the dry, dull historical portions, 2 thoughts come to minbd.

1. Skip them and keep going.
2. He that learns not from history will relive it.

In my opinion, while the book might be overly long, it appears to be at least somewhat autobiographical, it is worth the readers time. READ ON SIR. You can always skip over that which you might find dull.
 
I found it interesting from the beginning but I like the details and history. That said, when it "took off" I couldn't put it down. I was sucked into the story so much I thought about it at work, driving my car, couldn't wait to get home and get my stuff done so I could read. I didnt watch TV or anything else while I was reading it. I couldn't. Had to see what was gonna happen next.
 
My view of the book is that the first half does a pretty good job of two things: Relating the history of gun control in the U.S., and developing the characters so as to understand their viewpoints and behaviors.

The second half of the book is a romanticized story of a form of citizen revolt against injustice.

As with most books of whatever sort, I wilfully suspend belief, dive in and enjoy.

:), Art
 
NO! It doesn't get "good"

It just gets "jumpin up an down dancin in da streets laffin yer butt off" ........REWARDING.

The first technical parts are interesting to those of us who can actually REMEMBER the ads for Lahtis and Solothurns in gun mags. Shipped to your door with no waiting and no hassle other than a signed statement that you were not crazy or wanted for murder. (and over 18)

I was even lookin in an old gun book 2 nights ago and saw the ..... HOTCHKISS GUN.....for $179.95 !!! Course I was only 16 when it was published. The Hotchkiss is a wheeled CANNON!

(also my mom woulda crapped with it in my room)

but.......after the technical stuff it becomes the stuff of dreams.

Mmmmmmmmm.

(Sure wish he hadn't ALWAYS found it necessary to identify the characters by both first AND last names....that got tedious and strange....but it is well worth it)

FINISH IT! Skip to the end if NEEDED, but the trip is more enjoyable if you watch the scenery on the way.

:)
 
It is good. But, I agree, I actually liked the history aspect of it more than the 'present day story' part. Looking forward to the sequel. (and the sequel for Enemies: Foreign and Domestic as well.)

I am currently struggling with Cryptonomicon. Now there's a book where I have had to literally skip over 10-12 pages at a time because there is just too much detail ...and it seems to be about nothing, just excessive detail. (Really needed to be edited down to about 500 pages, or less) I am about half way through the book (It's just under 1K pages) and I have yet to be actually interested in it. I feel like I'm back in English class. I have to force myself to read a chapter or two a night.

I managed to get through Atlas Shrugged. Crypto is like that, but dryer and more ... highfaluting. (And I am the target audience...computer geek hacker type. I love WWII stories and modern day thrillers.)
 
The book has an academically interesting 700-page introduction. Lots of good historical material and character development in a gentle setting, with a little violent sex thrown in.

Then it gets really, really, really good.
 
You are reading a novel. For this story it is bringing to light a lot of the background that will make the middle and end of the story much better. I would not skip ahead. I don't know about you, but 150 pages really isn't too much...

In fact, I was told that the beginning was "slow" too. I actually enjoyed it and really like a lot of the facts, figures, and real historical placeas and people you don't usually ready about. It's a good book and I am waiting for another from Ross. :cool:
 
I remember being hooked after the first 20 pages. I have to read it again too such a good book. Absolutely could not put it down, maybe im easily entertained..
 
Another reason to read the beginning is that it will show you where we are going. In 5000 years of recorded history every civilization has ended itself in a similar fashion. Read history and you can tell the future. We learn lessons, then 2 or 3 generations out we forget what we have learned and repeat the same old mistakes. Human nature is human nature and will not change. The dates change, the technology changes, the names change. That's about it. Oh, they will put a different label on it, but it is the same thing. We are heading down a path that has been traveled many many times and our leaders are too stupid to see it.
 
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