BullShooters Book Review: Essential Liberty

by
posted on August 17, 2012
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
bs_2015_fs.jpg (17)

BullShooters Book Review: Essential Liberty

The Vacuum
As an avid reader, I’m often frustrated that few, if any, novels tackle the issues that concern us as gun owners. When was the last time you picked up a bestseller that featured gun confiscation? How about a massive “Fast & Furious” style scandal involving Federal Law Enforcement Officials? The few books that have been published on the subject are rarely seen outside of gun shows and are often poorly-written from a literary standpoint.

The Exception
Essential Liberty, by author Rob Olive tackles, our greatest fears: The widespread prohibition and subsequent confiscation of firearms from law-abiding citizens and the resulting moral, ethical, and constitutional crises.

The Story
The United States government has banned and begun confiscating firearms from its citizens. Insurance executive Don Williams has never owned a gun and is part of the majority of Americans who initially favored “Collection” (the official term for confiscation), yet he’s shocked to see his fellow countrymen being rounded up on the evening news. Don’s good friend, former Marine Mike Niculescu, owns many firearms and has refused to surrender them. The son of immigrants from Communist Romania reveres them as symbols of liberty. Bill Payne, of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, commands an ATF Hazardous Operations Team. These elite new teams are reserved for Collection operations with a high level of risk. Payne wants his unit to be the first to make headlines. As the story unfolds, Don is forced to make a choice: Will he turn a blind eye to the abuse of power, or will he choose—for the first time in his life—to make a stand on principle that will put everything he cares about at risk?

The BullShooters Review
I had the pleasure of reading Essential Liberty before its publication and was impressed with the storytelling, technical accuracy, and compelling plot. Traditional novels usually make gun-related mistakes that drive me nuts and many “gun books” aren’t exactly Shakespearian. Essential Liberty is a quality piece of reading that is a step above most of the books in the “what if” genre. Rob’s story is thought provoking as well as entertaining. This isn’t just about guns, it’s about civil liberties, families, friendships and human abuses of power.

The Ruling
I highly recommend Essential Liberty, this one is a “must read” for Second Amendment advocates and political fence-sitters alike. We need to get our side of the issue out to Americans and this novel is a great vehicle.

Latest

LEDE25 Percent Of Last Year
LEDE25 Percent Of Last Year

One Out of Every Four Hunters Won’t Hunt in 2026

One out of every four hunters who hunted the 2025 season will not hunt in 2026. That startling statistic was arrived at by Southwick Associates after conducting a survey of 28,447 hunters in 20 states.

Says You: Sightseeing on a Hunt?

Editor-in-Chief Scott Olmsted's monthly response column to questions posed by our members. This time, we're discussing hunting practices and traditions, and making some long-distance connections.

First Look: CVA Cascade SR

CVA has announced the Cascade SR. This suppressor-ready version of the company's standard Cascade, is built for hunters who need a compact, maneuverable rifle.

Fueled by AI: Boone and Crockett Club Launches Big Game Records Live 2.0

The Boone and Crockett Club recently launched Big Game Records Live 2.0, a major evolution of its digital platform that transforms the world’s oldest big game records database into an interactive analytics tool for hunters.

Lightweight AR-10: Building a Hunt-Focused Backcountry Rifle (Part 1)

Curious how to create a .308-chambered AR-10 that *doesn't* suck to carry into the backcountry? Dennis Bradley does just that, off a DPMS-pattern lower, and comes it at a shocking weight (read on for the exact number, but it is sub 2). Read on, to see how he does it.

ScentLok Launches Realtree XT-3 Apparel

ScentLok is going all-in on Realtree's new XT-3 pattern, dropping it onto more than half of its latest product introductions. This new look is headlined by the Savanna Fuse, Ridge and BE:1 collections.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.