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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
"How to start your own country" is written by Erwin S. Strauss. The publisher is Paladin Press, some kind of martial arts outlet. The book contains short descriptions of various attempts to create new countries. Groups covered include right-wing militia groups, libertarian idealists, role-playing game enthusiasts, illegal radio broadcasters (one in Sweden) and fake nations with their own stamps and currency. You may already be familiar with Occussi-Ambeno and New Atlantis, but what about Castellania or Kingdom of West Antarctica? Or "Atlantis kaj Lemuria", presumably a fictitious Esperanto nation?
Unfortunately, the book is badly edited and contains a number of factual errors and deliberate distortions. Thus, the author claims that the Paris Commune was a local affair in a bohemian district of Paris! Since it's common knowledge that the Commune was a massive popular uprising in all of Paris, I can only conclude that Strauss is distorting the facts deliberately. Further, he claims that Karl Marx was a bank robber. Nor does he know that the Turkish republic of Northern Cyprus is a real independent nation - albeit only recognized by Turkey (and for a short period, Bangladesh).
Among all the worthless information, there is really only one interesting section: the one about Michael J. Oliver, a mercenary type with libertarian ideas whose attempts to create an independent nation went from the farcical to the sinister. He attempted to create "the republic of Minerva" on a reef in the South Pacific. The Minerva reefs were submerged under water, but Oliver had them filled with sand and thus created an entirely new island, only to be unceremoniously ousted by a warship from nearby Tonga. Later, the entire island was destroyed by tides. In contrast to many other enthusiasts for new countries, Oliver actually learned something from his failure, and his new activities were directed at aiding right-wing separatists fighting left-wing governments. When the New Hebrides became independent in 1980, a separatist movement at the island of Espiritu Santu staged an armed rebellion, apparently with the support of French planters and...Oliver's Phoenix Foundation! In the end, the rebels turned out to have little support, and the insurgency was squashed by troops from Papua New Guinea. (It seems Oliver cannot even hold out against such "great powers" as Tonga and the PNG!)
Interesting.
But the rest of the book isn't. Frankly, the author should be extradited somewhere. To a new country, perhaps?
Unfortunately, the book is badly edited and contains a number of factual errors and deliberate distortions. Thus, the author claims that the Paris Commune was a local affair in a bohemian district of Paris! Since it's common knowledge that the Commune was a massive popular uprising in all of Paris, I can only conclude that Strauss is distorting the facts deliberately. Further, he claims that Karl Marx was a bank robber. Nor does he know that the Turkish republic of Northern Cyprus is a real independent nation - albeit only recognized by Turkey (and for a short period, Bangladesh).
Among all the worthless information, there is really only one interesting section: the one about Michael J. Oliver, a mercenary type with libertarian ideas whose attempts to create an independent nation went from the farcical to the sinister. He attempted to create "the republic of Minerva" on a reef in the South Pacific. The Minerva reefs were submerged under water, but Oliver had them filled with sand and thus created an entirely new island, only to be unceremoniously ousted by a warship from nearby Tonga. Later, the entire island was destroyed by tides. In contrast to many other enthusiasts for new countries, Oliver actually learned something from his failure, and his new activities were directed at aiding right-wing separatists fighting left-wing governments. When the New Hebrides became independent in 1980, a separatist movement at the island of Espiritu Santu staged an armed rebellion, apparently with the support of French planters and...Oliver's Phoenix Foundation! In the end, the rebels turned out to have little support, and the insurgency was squashed by troops from Papua New Guinea. (It seems Oliver cannot even hold out against such "great powers" as Tonga and the PNG!)
Interesting.
But the rest of the book isn't. Frankly, the author should be extradited somewhere. To a new country, perhaps?
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
14 reviews
23 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Outdated but accurate - and funny too!
7 Oct 2004
Format:Paperback
Unlike most of the projects described, this book is pretty realistic about the problems facing prospective nation founders. It contains an excellent compendium of past projects, with some amusing commentary. While the title is rather overstating the content, it does provide some decent ideas about how to go about this difficult task. The material is dated, but at least its not absurdly utopian or impractical like some of its competitors (ie Marshall Savage).
Expect humor pointed at foolish projects, some hard talk about realism, and some good ideas to get started. Don't expect a true handbook or fleshed out ideas, its a short book.
Expect humor pointed at foolish projects, some hard talk about realism, and some good ideas to get started. Don't expect a true handbook or fleshed out ideas, its a short book.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
A Solid Start to a Growing Question
7 Jun 2007
Format:Paperback
Many people wonder whether or not their current government or state is able to hold firm through times of economic crisis, war, corruption, and natural disaster. Others wish to secede for their own agenda; profit, heritage, lifestyle. And many just want to have fun and create their own country. This work by Erwin S. Strauss provides information, ideas, and concerns with starting your own country.
Ironically, the author of this piece has most of his work in science fiction. But don't let that turn you away from this scholastic effort. Strauss begins this small book by introducing the present opportunities available, the five approaches, and the pros and cons of each. This is quite a simple process and is easily understandable to someone with little or no knowledge of history or government. From there he presents the unlikelihood of being able to produce your own traditional sovereignty and encourages the construction of a model country, unless of course you are inclined to form a large army and play with the big dogs (any developed country). The remainder of the book is a presentation of case studies. This presents examples of the many failed and struggling attempts by individuals and groups to create their own country. Some stories are in depth and very well known, others are minute and little is known of them. But it does give great examples of countries that were completely serious and others that were just fun. The examples range from all 7 continents, on islands, on water, in space, underground, in homes, and even in someone's backyard. The economics, population, type of government, and success of each are listed. A great addition is the black and white photos and scans.
Although it's an extremely difficult idea to succeed at, in a serious sense, starting your own country is achievable. It is quite simple to start with your own model country and take the effort in a serious manner, eventually working your way up to a legitimate country. I would recommend checking into this book for the overall outlook Strauss gives in regards to the difficulty of achieving such a task and then use the case histories for ideas on your own. Please also note the technology he speaks of is outdated as it was written in 1979 and last updated in 1999.
Ironically, the author of this piece has most of his work in science fiction. But don't let that turn you away from this scholastic effort. Strauss begins this small book by introducing the present opportunities available, the five approaches, and the pros and cons of each. This is quite a simple process and is easily understandable to someone with little or no knowledge of history or government. From there he presents the unlikelihood of being able to produce your own traditional sovereignty and encourages the construction of a model country, unless of course you are inclined to form a large army and play with the big dogs (any developed country). The remainder of the book is a presentation of case studies. This presents examples of the many failed and struggling attempts by individuals and groups to create their own country. Some stories are in depth and very well known, others are minute and little is known of them. But it does give great examples of countries that were completely serious and others that were just fun. The examples range from all 7 continents, on islands, on water, in space, underground, in homes, and even in someone's backyard. The economics, population, type of government, and success of each are listed. A great addition is the black and white photos and scans.
Although it's an extremely difficult idea to succeed at, in a serious sense, starting your own country is achievable. It is quite simple to start with your own model country and take the effort in a serious manner, eventually working your way up to a legitimate country. I would recommend checking into this book for the overall outlook Strauss gives in regards to the difficulty of achieving such a task and then use the case histories for ideas on your own. Please also note the technology he speaks of is outdated as it was written in 1979 and last updated in 1999.
15 of 19 people found the following review helpful
A Country in Your Sock Drawer
25 Feb 2000
Format:Paperback
The best thing about this book is that it provides hope for all of us out here who want to have thier own country, but may not necissarily have the space. You can have a country anywhere! Read the book to find out. I loved it!
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