To read the first few chapters online just go to: http://www.baen.com/

As a child I was an unapologetic fan of the Saturday afternoon matinee, swashbuckling adventure, rousing shoot em ups, in short the sort of films boys like.

I unapologetically like Tom Kratman's first novel A State of Disobedience for many of the same reasons. The novel set in the near future is a tale of the next American revolution.

From the obligatory inside flyleaf: It's time to remember the Alamo—Again! They feel our pain? Do they? 2060 in the so-called United States of America. A Body Politic transformed into a bloody state for partisan revenge and state-controlled terror. One President vying for dictatorial power. One mild mannered governor determined to stop the madness, yet not sacrifice democracy in the process. Did they feel it when they roasted twenty-six of our children alive in a storm shelter? Did they feel it when they blasted us to bits with their gunship rockets and machine guns? Like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln before her, Juanita Seguin is a leader slow to anger. But, like them, once pushed to the limit, she is indomitable in her resolve—and relentless in the fight for freedom. Feel our pain? They will soon feel our rage! Welcome to the Second American Revolution. You're in for the fight for your life.

This is the sort of novel that will appeal more to conservatives and populists and less to doctrinaire libertarians as Kratman's work is decidedly pro-life. Yet I've seldom come across a work more pro-gun than this one and he understands and gives life to the notions of religious freedom and the first amendment.

Of particular satisfaction is Kratman's correct use of military nomenclature and detailed descriptions of the firearms being used, a departure from the usual Saturday afternoon matinee. I've read countless books and watched numerous movies where the suspense is ruined by inaccurate or implausible technology or jargon used incorrectly. Kratman, who now works as an attorney, has been an Army Infantryman for most of his adult life.

A State of Disobedience has various thinly veiled references of police state atrocities of recent vintage. Everything from the assault of the Branch Davidians in Waco to our government's inane reverence of political correctness is lampooned. The American President, Ms. Wilhelmina Rottemeyer bears an uncanny resemblance to Hillary Clinton which is not an accident or coincidence.

Central to the story and the catalyst that causes the revolution is the FBI's raid on a Catholic mission. The government had passed laws of emotional terrorism which were then used against those who protest abortion. The scene below is taken from chapter 3 where the FBI's lead agent by the name of Musashi, a reference to Ruby Ridge killer sniper Lon Horiuchi. Horiuchi if you remember was the FBI's hostage rescue sniper who shot the unarmed Vicki Weaver in the head while she was holding her infant child in the 1992 Ruby Ridge, Idaho standoff. I found this particular passage which details the response of Elpidia and Miguel, two children being helped at the Catholic mission well worth the cost of the book.

Just outside the door, Musashi and his team halted. Though readied, their knocker was placed to the ground.

Musashi reached up a hardened hand and knocked briskly, twice. Sister Sofia turned away from the two priests, likewise turned the inside door knob and asked, "Who is…" She didn t have time to finish as Musashi's assistant pushed her roughly aside.

In burst the agents. "FBI! FBI! Hands in the air," they shouted.

"What is the meaning of this?" Montoya demanded.

This is God's place. You have no right here. Musashi didn't answer immediately.

Scanning the area quickly his eyes came to rest upon a quailing Father Flores. "We're here for him. Stay out of the way and nobody gets hurt."

"I'll get hurt, Jorge", Flores reminded with trembling voice. Montoya looked at Musashi, measuring him. The agent reminded the priest of certain Viet Cong he had known in the past, however brief such acquaintance may have been.

Montoya looked and knew then that Flores did not exaggerate. He was a dead man unless given sanctuary. "You will take nobody," Montoya announced, interposing himself between Flores and the FBI. Musashi snorted at the idea of some silly old man trying to gainsay him and began to push the obviously injured and ailing priest out of the way…And found himself, breathless and stunned with his back against the thick adobe of the mission walls. Instinct long honed took over. Musashi's right hand leapt towards his left breast.

* * *

In their darkened alcove, Elpidia and Miguel stopped instantly as the main door smashed inward and three strangers entered with shouts and alarm. A fourth remained, faintly perceived, by the mission door. While the girl's hands merely tightened on her small caliber rifle, the boy instinctively unslung and drew his shotgun to his shoulder. He took a general aim, muzzle pointed downwards. Miguel had had dealings, often quite unpleasant ones with law enforcement agencies before. Elpidia stood frozen for long moments as she watched the priest, the father she had never had, put his own body between an unshaven, unkempt man and the one who had announced he was part of the dreaded FBI. She stood frozen as she watched the injured father pushed to one side. She stood frozen as she watched him smash his assailant's back to the wall. She watched as the FBI agent's right hand slipped into his suit. She saw, as if in slow motion, as the butt of a pistol began to emerge. Screaming an inarticulate "No!" Elpidia unfroze. Her rifle flew to her shoulder and her finger to the trigger. If the range was short, the shooter was unpracticed. If the shooter was unpracticed the rifle had nine bullets still in the magazine. If the bullets were small caliber they were each hollow points. The muzzle of Elpidia's rifle flashed fire.

* * *

Though again Elpidia aimed for center of mass, her first bullet took Musashi in the throat. The soft lead slug entered just below the Adam's apple. As it met the resistance of flesh the lead peeled back expanding and tearing it way through larynx, meat, blood vessels and cartilage. Musashi's mouth gaped like a fish. His body shuddered from shock and pain. Rifle weaving, Elpidia struck next the agent's right collar bone, missing the rectangle of light body armor the agent wore under his suit. Under the bullet's impact, the bone shattered, casting its own splinters inward along with the fragments of lead. Musashi groaned and letting go his pistol, reached both hands up to where his throat spurted crimson. Elpidia's third shot missed her target's right ear, but her next two punched into and through the agent's face doing a fair job of scrambling his brain. The girl's next shot missed completely as an incredible, shocking roar exploded in front of her own face: Mogul's shotgun.

All in all, I found A State of Disobedience a worthy first book, where the good guys win. If you want a fun romp, and your literary expectations are not too high, then I highly recommend this Saturday afternoon matinee read.