The original article seems to be rather short and perhaps lacks specific details. However, I will do my best to rewrite and expand it to around 300 words based on the given information.

**Title: See Book 1**

Book 1 is a captivating piece of literature that offers a unique and engaging reading experience. It takes the reader on a journey through various themes and storylines, filled with interesting characters and vivid descriptions.

As you open the pages of Book 1, you are immediately drawn into its world. The author's writing style is both descriptive and immersive, allowing you to picture every scene and character in your mind's eye. The story unfolds at a steady pace, keeping you hooked from beginning to end.

One of the highlights of Book 1 is its diverse cast of characters. Each character has their own distinct personality, motives, and backstory, which adds depth and complexity to the narrative. You find yourself rooting for some characters and despising others, as their actions and decisions drive the story forward.

In conclusion, Book 1 is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good book. It has all the elements of a great story - interesting characters, a captivating plot, and beautiful writing. So, pick up a copy of Book 1 and prepare to be transported to a world of adventure and excitement.

The Quest (The Survivalist #3) by Jerry Ahern has its merits. It's not a terrible read, but when compared to its predecessor, the pacing seems a bit off. The story doesn't flow as smoothly as one might hope. However, what really stands out and is quite concerning is the presence of sexual violence in the narrative. It's rather unexpected and jarring. One has to wonder what the author's intention was in including such content. It really detracts from the overall experience of the book. It makes one question whether the inclusion of such a disturbing element was necessary or if it could have been handled in a different way. Overall, while the book has some good aspects, the pacing issues and the presence of sexual violence make it a bit of a mixed bag.

This book is truly a crime against humanity.

At least we have the opportunity to read one of the most indulgent passages in the history of writing. Here, Rourke showcases his gun collection to Rubenstein. Ahern writes the gun names in a stream of consciousness manner.

***

Rourke states, "Smith and Wesson Model 29 six-inch, Metalifed and Mag-Na-Ported; Smith and Wesson Model 60 two-inch stainless Chiefs.38 Special; Colt Mk IV, Series '70 Government Model; Metalifed with a Detonics Competition Recoil system installed and Pachmayr Colt Medallion grips. That little thing is an FIE.38 Special chrome Derringer, and the little tubes on the shelf down here are.22 Long Rifle and.25 ACP barrel inserts made by Harry Owens of Sport Specialties. It makes the little gun capable of firing.38 Special,.22 rimfire, or.25 ACP. I've got more of those insert barrels for my Detonics, for my shotguns, and so on. That gun is a Colt Official Police.38 Special five-inch—Metalifed with Pachmayr grips. It has essentially the same frame as a Python, so I had it reamed out to.357 to increase its versatility. That's a standard AR-15, without a scope. That's a Mossberg 500ATP6P Parkerized riot shotgun with a Safariland sling on it. That's an original Armalite AR-7.22 Long Rifle. You can take it apart and it stows in the buttstock, and it even floats. Had enough?"

***

Yes, John Rourke. I had enough as early as page one of the first book of this series of twenty-six books.

The detailed description of the gun collection seems excessive and perhaps unnecessary, adding little value to the overall story. It comes across as a display of the author's knowledge of firearms rather than a meaningful contribution to the narrative.

3 3/4 stars.

The writing is solid, yet it doesn't quite reach the level of an early Mack Bolan. However, it still offers plenty of action to keep the reader engaged.

The author's use of well-known product names such as Colt, Smith & Wesson, and Cold Steel adds an extra layer of realism to the story.

These details make the reader feel as if they are in the middle of the action, using these actual firearms and weapons.

Overall, it's a good read that fans of action-packed thrillers will enjoy, despite not being on par with the best of the genre.

It has its own charm and unique features that set it apart and make it worth picking up.

Whether you're a die-hard fan of Mack Bolan or just looking for a new action novel to enjoy, this one is definitely worth considering.

Jerry Aherns' The Survivalist series holds a special place for me as a very guilty pleasure. The hero, John Rourke, is an absurd and exaggerated everyman's man. He is not only a doctor but also an ex-CIA agent, an arms expert, and a world-renowned survivalist. He makes a living by giving seminars on survival until World War III breaks out and America is thrown into chaos by a premeditated nuclear strike from Russia.

Jerry Aherns' prose is not overly refined. The writing style is stripped down, short, and to the point. At times, the pace can be frantic, hardly allowing the reader to catch their breath. However, Mr. Ahern manages to regain control when necessary, like reining in a bucking bronco.

My main complaint about Mr. Aherns' writing approach is his constant need to describe every weapon his main characters handle. This wouldn't be so bad if the author was more creatively descriptive and didn't rely on a dictionary-like approach. Moreover, once a weapon is described, there's no need to repeat the description every time it's picked up. It's repetitive to the extreme!

Despite these shortcomings, I find myself addicted and coming back for more. There's something about this grandiose action series that draws me in. It's a bit like eating potato chips – you just can't stop at one. The sheer craziness, ridiculousness, and mind-numbing dumbness are all part of the intrigue that makes this series so much fun. As I said earlier, it's a VERY GUILTY PLEASURE.

This is yet another great instalment. It is filled with lots of exciting action and contains good details. However, it would be really nice if each book in this series were a bit longer. From a value for money perspective, a longer book would seem more worthwhile. Readers would be able to immerse themselves in the story for a more extended period and get more bang for their buck. The current length might leave some readers feeling a bit short-changed. While the action and details are engaging, a bit more substance in terms of length could enhance the overall reading experience. It would give the author more room to develop the plot, characters, and settings even further. This would make the books even more enjoyable and satisfying for fans of the series.

A little short

Old school pulp fiction is truly at its best here. The dialog is bad, but in a charmingly cheesy way. The characters are over the top, larger than life, and full of personality. And the plot holes? Well, they're so big you could drive a truck through them! But that's all part of the fun. It's like a guilty pleasure that you can't help but enjoy. You don't have to take it too seriously, just sit back, relax, and let the story carry you away. It's a throwback to a simpler time when entertainment was all about having a good time. So if you're looking for something a little different, something that doesn't take itself too seriously, then this old school pulp fiction is definitely worth checking out.

I appreciate that I'm only three books in, but there is a distinct possibility that each one of these books has virtually the same plot. It's quite concerning, really. As I've been reading through these volumes, I can't help but notice the similarities. The storylines seem to follow a very similar pattern, with only minor differences here and there. It makes me wonder if the authors are perhaps running out of original ideas or if they are simply trying to cash in on a particular formula that has worked in the past. I hope that as I continue to read, I'll discover that there is more depth and variety to these books than what I've seen so far. Otherwise, it's going to be a rather disappointing reading experience.

See my review under "Total War," Survivalist Book 1.

This book, "Total War," Survivalist Book 1, offers a captivating and thrilling read. It takes the reader into a world of chaos and survival, where the protagonist must face numerous challenges and obstacles. The story is filled with action-packed scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat.

The author does an excellent job of creating a vivid and realistic setting. You can almost feel the tension and fear as the characters struggle to stay alive in a post-apocalyptic world. The plot is well-developed and full of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end.

Overall, "Total War," Survivalist Book 1 is a must-read for fans of the survivalist genre. It combines elements of adventure, action, and drama to create a truly unforgettable story. Whether you're looking for a thrilling escape or a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, this book has something for everyone.

I find myself truly surprised by just how enjoyable Ahern's Survivalist series persists in being, despite its evident shortcomings.

Another aspect that becomes increasingly noticeable is the detailed description of every gun that a character so much as touches. The Quest ramps up the intensity but also takes a bit of a leap with some of its subplots, much like pulp fiction often does eventually. As I observed in other reviews, The Quest marks a point where some readers will continue with the Survivalist, while others will abandon the series due to its leaning further into the Gary Stu territory with John and the presence of numerous "soap opera"-esque elements that are a characteristic of 70s/80s pulp fiction.

Ahern's writing style in this installment becomes more inconsistent in its pacing, at times reaching a breakneck speed. Fortunately, it never reached the stage where I felt I was missing out on the story. I still appreciate the descriptiveness, albeit simplicity, of his prose regarding environments and characters. However, there was an overly long passage that described guns in excruciating detail. Another thing that stands out more is the full description of every gun a character handles. This didn't bother me as a gun owner, but it also didn't particularly enhance my experience as I'm not a gun enthusiast. It wasn't a deal-breaker for my enjoyment, as The Quest has a wealth of story to offer.

Rourke is sidelined during his search for his family by a remnant of the US government. In exchange for assistance in finding John's family, he must participate in an operation. It's a common yet still enjoyable enough trope. On the Russian side, we have more drama with Natalia and her husband Vladimir, where the "soap opera" elements come into play. We're also introduced to Natalia's uncle, General Ishmael Varakov. John's wife and kids also get involved in some antics, but this time it isn't really that engaging or consequential to the overarching story.

John continues to be a proficient jack-of-all-trades and a one-man army, which is very typical for post-apocalyptic heroes. Things unfold as one might expect, but there was one unexpected development towards the end that I quite liked. If it weren't for that, I probably would have rated this lower. The Quest manages to skate by with a solid 2 1/2 out of 5 stars. Or, on the pulp fan scale, 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

Note: This review was edited in 2024 upon a re-read for clarity and an expanded perspective.

Guns! We often hear about guns and the various issues surrounding them. It's a topic that elicits strong emotions and opinions. Blah blah blah!

Russians! The mention of Russians can bring up a whole host of ideas and associations. Some might think of their rich history and culture, while others might focus on political or international relations aspects. Blah blah blah!

Missing family! The concept of a missing family member is truly heart-wrenching. The worry, the uncertainty, and the longing to be reunited. Blah blah blah!

More Guns! It seems that the issue of guns just keeps coming up. Whether it's about gun control, the role of guns in society, or the impact they have on individuals and communities. Blah blah blah!

Yep. These are just some of the things that are constantly being talked about and debated. And the cycle continues.

The series continues to unfold, captivating readers with its abundance of books and non-stop action.

Amidst the excitement, the mysterious Eden Project has now come to the forefront. But what exactly is this Eden Project?

Is it a place of great significance, perhaps holding the key to some unknown secrets or a revolutionary concept?

As the story progresses, readers are left on the edge of their seats, eager to discover the true nature and purpose of the Eden Project.

With each new installment, the anticipation builds, and fans of the series can't wait to see how the plot will thicken and what new revelations will come to light regarding this enigmatic project.

It seems that the Eden Project is set to play a crucial role in the unfolding narrative, adding an extra layer of intrigue and excitement to an already thrilling series.