Withur We

Mar 29, 2013 Arlena rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-stars, a-good-book, action-packed, adult-read, my-reviews, science-fiction

Author: Matthew Bruce Alexander
Published By: Createspace
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4

Review:

"Withur We" by Matthew Bruce Alexander was a long, long read but it was full of many struggles for Alistair Ashley III in this good 'science fiction' read. I found this read to be divided in several different sections...part one dealing with this Marine who has returned home to Aldura, but finding his world had changed for the worst...finding the 'government was micromanaging not...more Author: Matthew Bruce Alexander
Published By: Createspace
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4

Review:

"Withur We" by Matthew Bruce Alexander was a long, long read but it was full of many struggles for Alistair Ashley III in this good 'science fiction' read. I found this read to be divided in several different sections...part one dealing with this Marine who has returned home to Aldura, but finding his world had changed for the worst...finding the 'government was micromanaging not only the services that they delivered but the personal lives of its citizen these services were meant to be served.' Being upset by this due to what had happened to his father, this 'Ex-Maine', along with some other citizens to fought the government. Now the bureaucrats (government) are after them. Part 2, we find Alistair is now in prison beyond civilization where he leads another revolution to to expose this technology race that is so superior that has been monitoring the population of the barren prison planet. We find in this prison there were not laws. It was every man for himself and hardly no women were there. In Part 3, we find Alistair has escaped from prison and after returning home he now finds that really their had been no changes in this government process. Leaving you to wonder too, was it worth it all? Now, having said that I would definitely say to you to pick up "Withur We" and see for yourself how this author gives the reader the where, when, what and how of it all for in this good read. You will have questions that will really make you think with all of the corruption that is even around us today. You will see several forms that can lead to 'socialism, capitalism, anarchy and libertarianism,' Where is the freedom...liberty and justice for all? This story presents a well written novel with a plot with well developed characters. Yes, it was a long read but a page turner definitely keeping you wanting to know what was coming next. "Withur We" will give you something to think about long after you put it down.
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Jan 15, 2011 Jim rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi, liberty

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 31, 2011 William rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction, libertarian

Matthew Alexander’s W?thûr W? is an outstanding piece of work, skillfully written and showing a concern for prose and characterization rare for a book in this genre. Better yet, while it is, at a certain level, an overtly political book, it consistently acknowledges real world complexities and manages to avoid didacticism. I never got the feel of being lectured but simply of being invited to consider possibilities. This takes a real gift.

I don’t think there’s any way to summarize the book adequa...more Matthew Alexander’s W?thûr W? is an outstanding piece of work, skillfully written and showing a concern for prose and characterization rare for a book in this genre. Better yet, while it is, at a certain level, an overtly political book, it consistently acknowledges real world complexities and manages to avoid didacticism. I never got the feel of being lectured but simply of being invited to consider possibilities. This takes a real gift.

I don’t think there’s any way to summarize the book adequately. It begins with the return to his home world of a young marine who was sent to fight in a ruinous and apparently pointless war on another planet. Once back, he realizes that the war is only one element in a general slide toward tyranny, and he decides to turn his talents against the government that trained him. This is simply the takeoff point for the novel, though. It is an epic work, not simply in length but in scope. And it needs to be, given the themes with which the author deals. Happily, the author has an energetic, stimulating style that draws the reader easily through the book.

While it’s evident that the author has anarcho-capitalist sympathies, he is acutely aware of the practical difficulties that might be involved in trying substitute voluntary, private arrangements for their governmental equivalents. In one section of the book, the protagonist has some temporary success along these lines—this is undermined by old enmities and issues that are ultimately the aftereffects of government policies. Elsewhere, a victorious revolution becomes corrupt in its very inception, and it’s not clear that this could have been avoided or that anyone is particularly culpable.

Interestingly, this tendency toward corruption in human institutions is part of a more general theme of impermanence. The cosmic background of the political plot is one in which intelligent species are infrequent, fragile phenomena doomed to eventual extinction. All the actions in the novel are, by the end, thrown into this perspective. Yet, I don’t get the feeling that this is meant to lead us necessarily to pessimistic or apolitical conclusions. The emphasis on transience does, however, present the reader with a more nuanced view of political success and failure than one is typically given.

“Libertarian science fiction” seems to have become a recognized genre. If Mr. Alexander’s book is any indication, it is a genre that is developing in sophistication and maturity.
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Feb 23, 2013 Linda Bss rated it 4 of 5 stars

Alstair Ashley, a seasoned combat ex-marine returned to his home world from war a world light years away, but once he saw the injustice going on in Aldura he could hardly hold his tongue! When his father's bar is taken from him, and he had to wait another year for a hip operation while the wealthy enjoyed all that could be had, he could stand no more and goes on a one man wrecking machine to fight the fat bureaucrats, but just as he attempts to bomb their building while using a stealth body suit...more

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Aug 06, 2012 Keith rated it 4 of 5 stars

Some of the most interesting sci-fi I have ever encountered.

What makes this book interesting is that unlike most sci-fi authors, the author here has a very high grasp of good economic theory and it shows in the book. There are no ridiculous forms of social organization or illogical incentive structures here.

Simply a story of freedom vs. tyranny in the far future, and a view of the state which will be absolutely shocking to some readers, which is precisely what they could use.

1 star off for the s...more

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Jun 09, 2013 Theresa rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Everyone- Sci-Fiction Fans Esp.

Shelves: 2013-reads, 4-stars, signed

At first this book was a little rough for me to get into- worried that I was not going to understand what I was reading and simply end up confused throughout the entire book, but once I stopped focusing on certain words- the story started to unravel with ease. This is not my typical genre, but Withur We managed to surprise me~ hold my interest and leave me with new thoughts to process. Some small issues with editing but nothing to bad as to disrupt this fantastic story. Though this book is forev...more

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Sep 30, 2012 Sean Keegan rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone that likes science fiction and/or economics

*Goodreads Giveaway Winner*
I’m not going to lie, this book is dense. It is close to 700 pages and has very small print. That being said, Matthew Alexander has a true talent for writing. When writing a science fiction piece, one has two ways to introduce the reader to the carefully crafted world: an easy way and a hard way. The easy way is to have a character play dumb and have everything explained to him; but the hard way is to slowly acclimate the reader to the the atmosphere through a careful...more

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Aug 27, 2012 Lisa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: giveaway-read

I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway a few months ago. I will admit, the presentation of this book is daunting. The small print coupled with the tight margins made me wait to finally read this books.

When I started the book, I regretted waiting so long to pick it up. It started as a work of science fiction with strong political and economic undertones and I was very interested. But, quickly it turned in to a preachy, speech-ridden lecture about the benefits of a free-market economy to cou...more I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway a few months ago. I will admit, the presentation of this book is daunting. The small print coupled with the tight margins made me wait to finally read this books.

When I started the book, I regretted waiting so long to pick it up. It started as a work of science fiction with strong political and economic undertones and I was very interested. But, quickly it turned in to a preachy, speech-ridden lecture about the benefits of a free-market economy to counter the bloated, top-heavy almost fascist government. In the middle of a rebellion, where people just want to get to safety, Alistair stops to lecture his family about the pros of his economic view.

When Alistair is finally given an opportunity to put his economic theory in practice, he does so by being the biggest and strongest. He bullies those around him in to accepting this methods, and anyone who questions is shamed. Those who strongly oppose him are destroyed, and for someone who preaches private property rights, he has no issue stealing from others whose views differ from his. When his system begins to fail, instead of accepting that perhaps his system is flawed, he blames outside forces and runs away.

The way this is written will not convert anyone to libertarianism, but is written to those who already believe in the system and will agree with Alistair that the system is perfect, it's the people and outside influences that cause it to not work.

I would have liked to have seen Alistair grow as a character, but he doesn't. And added to that, his misogyny is atrocious and something I, as a reader, could not get past. Women are not characters in this book, they are incapable of having independent thought, and those who do are shamed and bullied back in to their place. They rely on men for everything, including housing and thoughts. To illustrate, Alistair and Giselle find themselves attracted to each other. Alistair is attracted to Giselle in spite of the fact that she does not have beauty products, has not shaved her legs or underarms, and he can somehow see through her animal skins that she has not shaved the rest of her pubic hair. She is attracted to him for his intelligence. And yes, at one point the author dresser her up as a warrior, but she is really only along for the ride to take Alistair's virginity, she does not really participate in the action. Similarly, when Alistair's sister is promoted, instead of sharing her happiness, Alistair needs to argue with her about how her science and history of science is wrong.

And the racism. For the second part of the book, everyone is described based on their ethnicity. People are described as Mediterranean, East African, Negro and Oriental. First, it is just rude and awful to describe anyone in terms that they themselves find offensive. Generally, people are offended by the terms Negro and Oriental. Second, saying someone is Mediterranean or Argentinian is not a description, there is too much variation within populations to think that tells anything beyond a bare shell of a stereotype. Much much more care was needed in the description of people.

This book had potential, and I feel like it should have been concluded in the first part. The second part was poorly edited and poorly written, racist, misogynistic, and a story of a bully. The third part read as if the author wrote himself in to such a spot he could not get out of it and had to find some way to end the book. It was tacked on and rather than added anything to the book, was just a cop-out to end the book.

Perhaps readers of libertarian fiction will enjoy this, but as someone who is less extreme in their views, I feel this book had potential as a story and as an illustration of libertarianism, but very quickly got lost in the speeches and completely feel apart in the second part with the bullying, misogyny and racism. Significantly better editing would make this a better book.(less)

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Feb 28, 2012 Fred Hughes rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book was received free from the author for review purposes.

This book is a wonderful blend of high adventure, politics gone astray and the personal struggles of Alistair Ashley 3nn. Alistair is a highly trained Marine who although he has killed in the service, is more inclined to not kill to achieve an end.

The book unfolds in three parts forming a chronological story arc.

In part one, which comprises the first 42 chapters of the book, we find Alistair returning to his home world after serving...more This book was received free from the author for review purposes.

This book is a wonderful blend of high adventure, politics gone astray and the personal struggles of Alistair Ashley 3nn. Alistair is a highly trained Marine who although he has killed in the service, is more inclined to not kill to achieve an end.

The book unfolds in three parts forming a chronological story arc.

In part one, which comprises the first 42 chapters of the book, we find Alistair returning to his home world after serving 4 cycles (equivalent to 4 years) off world enforcing peace on Kaldis. While there he did have to kill while doing his duty but the official record of kills is far higher than what really happened. Despite the training, both psychological and physical delivered to produce a killing machine, he was able to resist and maintain his ideals.

His home world had changed for the worst during his absence. Government is micromanaging not only the services that they deliver but the personal lives of the citizens these services are meant to serve.

Alistair is having none of it and is soon, along with some other like minded citizens, in full rebellion against the government. Soon the authorities are after him and his friends. The author builds a tension between Alistair who has an idealistic concept of the rebellion and his counter parts, who have a totally opposite concept.

In part two, consisting of chapters 43 to 84 we find Alistair have been caught and imprisoned on his home world. He is then transported to a prisoner planet far away from home and as it turns out far away from what could be described as civilization. Alistair blossoms on this world as his skills are highly prized and he soon leads a revolution to depose the higher technology race that is monitoring the prisoner population. Lots of action.

In part 3 , consisting of chapters 85 to 92, we find Alistair escaping from the prison planet and returning home. There he finds that the rebellion was successful but only to the extent that one of their leaders has replaced the previously leader of the government. So what was really accomplished ?

Alistair, as a character, is a great study about how the outer appearance of a person may not really tell you what they are like inside.

So if you like action, politics, high ideals and smooth and well developed story arc, this is a book for you.

Although the page length is only 692 pages, based on the font size the author has managed to fit over a 1000 pages of action; so it is a bargain as well.

RECOMMENDED
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Apr 20, 2012 Conny rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, science-fiction

This is a story about Ex Marine Alistair Ashley who returns home from war to his home planet and unable to come to peace with his surroundings. We follow him on his journey with many ups and downs, and you can easily identify with him and all the characters. I am not usually a fan of sci-fi so I was very happy to have the opportunity to read this book. It is very well written and has an easy flow and I highly recommend it to anybody who loves a good story. It will leave you thinking about it lon...more

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May 25, 2012 Krista McCracken rated it 3 of 5 stars

[Full Disclosure: I received this book as part of the Goodreads First Reads program]

To be honest I'm struggling to get through this book. I'm an avid reader and not normally deterred by the size of a book. However, the font is unbelievably small and at 685 pages, the book is a hefty read.

Its a moderately good read at this point, but still working my way through it.

Update: I've finished the book. It was a good piece of libertarian style fiction and I enjoyed Alexander's writing style. There are...more

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Aug 05, 2011 Greg rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of libertarian science fiction.

Shelves: fiction-and-humor, philosophy-and-politics

The author contacted me because he noticed I had read other libertarian fiction, and directed me to his website (http://www.withurwe.com/) where I was able to download his novel in e-book form. Just started reading it, and so far so good.

(Continued)...It's a good tale, and clearly falls in the camp of libertarian fiction, which I occasionally enjoy reading. However, I finally set this one aside. It just wasn't fast-paced enough for me, in the development of the characters, in action sequences, o...more

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Aug 15, 2012 Mina marked it as to-read

Shelves: won-in-giveaway

I won this book for free through Goodreads First Reads! Thanks Goodreads!

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Apr 13, 2012 Robin is currently reading it

Shelves: arc-giveaway

Received this book as an ARC Giveaway. Will update review when finished.

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Sep 17, 2012 Ruben Ramos rated it 4 of 5 stars

Its a very good book, the small print is not my style. Yet overall still my new fav.

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Sep 14, 2010 Brian Leach rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: science-fiction, philosophy

Very good telling of Rothbard's Libertarian concepts in a science fiction context. I particularly enjoyed the ending and it's judgment of human nature.

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Nov 11, 2012 William rated it 4 of 5 stars

Good science fiction with interesting political drama.

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Jun 12, 2013 Iman Jafar marked it as to-read

Jun 08, 2013 Scott rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jun 05, 2013 Lola Lee marked it as to-read

May 13, 2013 Chad Perrin marked it as to-read

Apr 24, 2013 Chris rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: sci-fi

Mar 30, 2013 Michelle Wilson marked it as to-read

Mar 08, 2013 Leslie O'Hara rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mar 05, 2013 Derek Cecil marked it as to-read

Feb 07, 2013 Evan marked it as to-read

Feb 01, 2013 Eddy Allen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery-and-suspense

Jan 29, 2013 Clement marked it as to-read

Jan 26, 2013 Todd rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: sf

Jan 25, 2013 Ettegoom marked it as to-read

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Withur We

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