I have read the reviews, eleven of them, and they are all positive at the time of this writing. I'm sorry. I simply don't see it. I found the book unoriginal and sophomoric.

Please understand, this book is not so much about preparedness/independence as it is about economics. The author begins with a defense of classical economics (so far so good...) that quickly descends into a 400 page anarcho-capitalist rant. Yes, our government system has been strangling growth and innovation from the very beginning. Yes, we have lost our way. Yes, the Dems and Reps are two sides of the same coin. We know. There is nothing new here. In fact, I think that supporting his position using nothing more than supposition and cute stories about cavemen hurts those of use who believe he is correct by making us appear silly. Honestly, Adam Smith doesn't need Mr. Baugh's help.

To be fair, the author employs turn-of-phrase that can be very amusing but in the end his own arrogance destroys any possibility of enjoying what he has to say. I was reminded of that archetypal high-school science geek that manages to put off everyone he knows because he's not nearly as clever as he thinks is. Add to that more than a smattering of anti-Christian digs (a shame since they do nothing to support his point) and you have a book that is simply too obnoxious to read.

At various points Mr. Baugh suggests different titles for the reader to explore:

Adam Smith's "Wealth of Nations"
Atlas Shrugged
The Innovator's Dilemma

I agree. I'll add to that, the "The Death of Common Sense" by Phillip Howard and suggest that anyone interested save themselves some time by forgoing "Starving the Monkeys" and going straight to the sources.

I just finished reading Tom's book and the best thing is, it will make most anyone that labels themselves as Democrat or Republican just as uncomfortable, but for different reasons.

The real message of this book is not to pick sides and blame Gov't for the problems we face today or to promote Gov't as the answer. Instead it is an attempt to show how we the people, by forgetting the ideals on which this country was founded are allowing the Gov't to destroy us.

His insights and observations, as well as his personal experiences will open your eyes to the truth of where we are, how we got here and where we're headed.

A must read if you want to survive the meltdown and be part of the rebuilding.

Tom Baugh can be at once incredibly perceptive, and annoyingly ascerbic, but I found I could easily excuse the latter in order to gain the insight from the former. Once you "get" what he's trying to do for you, you start to appreciate that he's not pulling punches, nor worried about offending your sensibilities, and all of it helps to prove a couple of points along the way. If it gets in the way for you, think of him as the Dr. House of philosophy.

With his man/monkey analogy, he is able to illustrate many of the problems in our country as we hurtle down the ever steeper slope away from our founding principles. Some of these problems are obvious and well-discussed in the conservative/libertarian/Constitutionalist blogosphere. Others are problems that you knew existed, gnawing at the back of your mind, but couldn't quite identify. Tom makes these clear as well. Even though I agreed with much of Tom's philosophy and analysis going in, I found many of my preconceptions challenged, and I have changed my mind on several positions I formerly held, and I don't do that easily. You may come to think that his man/monkey construct is less an analogy, and more a semantic slight of hand to get you to think outside your cage. Or not.

I'll not give away the ending, such as it is, which in true Baugh fashion, is presented with "some assembly required", or better, "some of your own thought required". That said, even if you don't agree with most of what he says, and yet still ignore his warnings and make it through, you can't find much fault with the bulk of his recommendations for self-improvement. Those alone are worth the read.

The print is a bit tiny for older eyes, making the book look shorter than it is until you start into it. There are many referenced works which the author expects you to read or have read - some of which are necessary to fully understand the following sections of the book. These are all on the website if you want to pre-read any of them.

I found this book to be life changing. Having spent most of my life shovelling bananas at monkeys, I had been coming to some of the same conclusions, and made some progress in the direction Tom suggests. He took me the rest of the way in comprehension and illuminated a good part of the path ahead for me. Knowing in advance, I'd have paid many times more for his book than he charged, and how often can you say that?

If you are afraid of introspection and truthful self evaluation then do not read this book. Tune in to the big game and enjoy your bread and circus. If you are willing to take a good hard look at yourself and act upon what you see, then this is a good book for you to read. As many have said before me, prepare at some point to be offended. I am a Christian from Texas, two groups that get some special attention in this book, and I got over it. You can too.

Why should you get over it? Why should you read this book? You should read this book because it will help you prepare not only for the coming economic storm, but for the rebuilding that will be necessary after it. Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter, Bill O'Reilly are all preaching to the choir for folks to wake up. Okay, I'm awake, now what. This book is what.

Tom Baugh has a vision for a true laissez faire economy in the future, but we can't get there from here so to speak. There are too many folks addicted to the "free" stuff and handouts that our government uses as payoffs to voting blocks. They are too entrenched to ever relinquish their hold on power. His solution is for you to get yourself, your family, and anyone else that is willing to dedicate themselves to the effort ready, and let the system fail. Establish a network of like minded individuals and start rebuilding from the ashes. A decentralized Galt's gulch, if you will.

The roadmap to self eduction as detailed in other reviews is excellent.

His characterization of the current maze of laws and regulation as a system to be gamed to your advantage may cause the self reliant individualist to balk. There are still folks in this country who don't want handouts, folks that still have integrity and don't want to be seen as getting something at the expense of someone else. Baugh reminds us that if you are one of the productive people who pays into the system, you may as well take advantage of the system you are funding. Do it legally, but take back as much as you can, while you still can.

It is not an easy read, and some of the conclusions that are reached are not pleasant. But if this does not galvanize you into taking some action now, while you still can, than nothing will.