The beginning of this book was laugh out loud funny during the chronicling of his trip from down south all the way to Alaska. After arriving in Alaska and being medically retired from the military, Bill Fulton starting selling military stuff like that you can find at any army/navy store on the internet. When he opened his shop in Alaska, he hired other veterans who were suffering from a lack of direction and some PTSD. It gave them a place to call home, and a job they could be proud of. And, of course, his shop carried more than the average army/navy store. He also had body armor and other such equipment. Over time, he attracts the attention of some anti-government militia, with one who was particularly dangerous.

To say more would likely ruin the story for you since most of the above happens very early, near the beginning of the book. It takes off frighteningly fast after that and runs at a breathtaking pace. Told in the first person, since this is a memoir, you feel every prickly fear that Fulton feels and cascades of emotion. I read this book in a matter of two days. This non-fiction book is not usually my type of book, but this story was impossible to put down. This was written with journalist Jeanne Devon and you could see the skill there in the story telling. I had to keep reassuring myself that Fulton didn’t die during the course of his dealings with one particularly dangerous person (I knew he lived to tell the story).

I think this book could appeal to anyone. I almost didn’t read it, but ended up the edge of my seat, biting my nails, and worrying. Now I’ve passed the book on to my husband, and he’ll enjoy the heck out of it too.

The Schaeffer Cox story has some other aspects not covered here but as to the stars for the book it gets them all and then some. If you are a vet like many of us you see Fulton used this as a chance to go "soldiering" again and the book is because he was fortunate to survive; not all are. Great read and story; from one side anyway.

Fulton has delivered an outstanding book on his experiences in helping to shut down a group planning to start a war against the government. Working undercover, Fulton may have saved several lives. Google "Shaeffer Cox" and you will find lots of information. But....read the book and you will be enthralled with the behind the scenes action.
I won't go into the entire story, it would ruin the book. Instead, I offer a very brief synopsis, and then some parts of the book that really impressed me.
An Army veteran, Fulton left the military after being injured. He opened an army surplus store in Alaska. He employed a lot of other down-on-their-luck veterans. He discovered that he was good at helping people. Fulton was approached by a very far-right group to supply weapons to kill Federal Judges and law enforcement. To reveal anymore would spoil the book.
Fulton reveals several great insights throughout the book. I applaud his reasoning, here discussing one of his employees, "being depended on again made him dependable. And it didn't happen from a therapy session or a new med-it was being part of something again, being of use. And being around a group of guys who didn't judge. Guys sitting around a fire has been some pretty legit therapy since there were guys and since there were fires". Brilliant!
On the reasoning of the far-right..."We were on a steady march to a police state, and it was only a matter of time before they came for everyone's guns...I'd heard this a million times. Fear is a motivator, and people...use the fear of gun confiscation, the fear of government threat, to increase membership in militia groups". Man, does this speak to a large group of people I know!
"And it reminded me that in a war, both sides believe equally that they are right".
"Some dentally challenged lunatic who was mad he had to live by rules and pay some taxes and not get to do whatever the (...) he wanted. Some (....) "patriot"".
"I could tell there would be no turning her. She was one of those "I've made up my mind, so don't confuse me with the facts" people. There were too goddamn many of those people." Don't we all know those people, on both sides of the aisle!
And finally....."the political right wing has built a mythology: in order to be a patriot and a good American, you must embrace the military-industrial complex that has become our government and the (......) of foreign policy it has created....if you don't support everything we do militarily, then you aren't a true patriot.....patriotism is more than a bumper sticker on your car, or drinking a Budweiser and waving a flag....true patriotism means serving-actually doing something for you country and the people in it because it's the right thing to do."
I will probably be flamed by trolls for this review. Before you do, do not write Fulton off as a left-wing ideologue. He is probably more conservative, and has done more to serve his country, than 90 percent of the rest. And before you claim that I am a liberal, know that I served my country honorably for 28 years, and my conservatism is rock solid.
"The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it"...Norman Schwarzkopf.

I had never come across the Schaeffer Cox story before reading this book. Fulton is a real larger than life character and the book moves at a mile a minute. The machismo is a bit grating at time. but it feels true to life.
this book gives a real insight into the US militia movements and those crazy citizens who believe its patriotic to plot armed sedition!

Interesting, enjoyable and unique read!

A true to life account of Bill Fulton's patriotic struggle in Alaska. Sometimes humorous and other times dark but well written. A militia plot in Alaska and Bill is undercover for the FBI. Sounds a bit far fetched? read it and decide for yourself. Can't go wrong with the Alaskan setting. Thank you Net Galley for my copy. A very interesting read. I reviewed on Goodreads and Amazon.

I love the smart-aleck writing style that made this a fun read full of intrigue and kept me guessing. Not at all my usual "cup of tea", but I really liked it. This fast-paced adventure takes place in the beautiful backdrop of the last frontier of Alaska which is known for its eccentric types. Check this story out as business owner and bounty hunter Bill Fulton risks his livelihood, reputation, and family to go undercover for the FBI and gather information on a militia group leader with murder on his mind. I was given a free copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher..

The Blood of Patriots by William Fulton and Jeanne Devon was received direct from the publisher. This opportunity to review this book immediately captured my attention due to my having lived in the area this took place in for 10 years. I apparently knew some of the players as well. The book is very well written and is entertaining. At times the story seems farfetched, but if you want to learn more about Alaska and maybe the militia mentality, this may be the book for you.