Upon receiving a copy of Boston T Party's much-anticipated novel Molon Labe!, I sat down and (with one break for dinner) proceeded to read it from cover to cover. The basic storyline is of a carefully choreographed movement of libertarians into Wyoming in an effort to create a bastion of freedom in a nation of ever-increasing bureaucratic and economic tyranny. Boston explores both the generalities and particulars of what such a movement would entail over the course of this 454-page work.

Before we get much farther, I should caution you that Molon Labe is not your typical novel…in fact, I'm not sure that "novel" is a particularly accurate categorization. To use movie terminology, it is a documentary/drama, not an action flick. With the exception of a few scenes, the characters are used almost exclusively as vehicles with which to convey ideas and potential plans (particularly in the last couple hundred pages). They are neither explored nor developed as people. However, after my initial disorientation (I was anticipating more of an action flick) I was surprisingly unconcerned with the lack of character development - in its place is a robust synthesis of plans and ideas.

I think a comparison to James Wesley, Rawles' novel Patriots would be appropriate - but where Rawles carefully details equipment and self-sufficient living, Boston examines the legal and political issues that are the core of any Free-State-Project-type movement. From secure communications to strategy for early movement into the state to how to approach various freedom issues, it's all covered, against the backdrop of national economic depression and increasing regulation.

Boston also uses the plotline to reiterate the libertarian positions on many issues, from public schooling to gun rights. These passages may be of interest to open-minded non-libertarians reading the book, but for me much of it was preaching to the choir. Readers of Boston's Hologram of Liberty will notice a number of familiar arguments and passages. One issue that Molon Labe addresses in much more depth than other similar books I've read is that of religion. Several segments are dedicated to discussion of why there should be no discrepancy between Christianity and libertarianism. I'm not a Christian myself, but I think that all of us in the freedom fight should learn to shed our distrust of allies who don't quite fit into our own specific ideological categories.

Boston has obviously put an immense amount of research on the book, and I think it is a valuable resource for those considering participation in any of the several electoral takeover projects in existence. On the other hand, if you're looking for gunfights and kinky sex, you should look elsewhere. Molon Labe! is best described as a well-thought-out and well-documented blueprint for a longterm (several decades) peaceful political revolution.

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