The Last Pilgrims... an opportunity to get in on the ground level of an epic tale

Historian and national bestselling author Michael Bunker brings to us his epic saga that starts just 20 years after the collapse of the modern post-industrial world.  "When my non-fiction book Surviving Off Off-Grid launched a year ago I didn't know anything about crowdfunding, and did all of the work on a shoestring.  Still, the book went to #24 on the Amazon.com bestsellers list, and to #2 on the Hot New Titles list.  I knew there was a large audience for the story I wanted to tell, and I've long wanted to start a fiction series that fundamentally changes everything you think about when you consider the "post-apocalyptic" genre."

The Last Pilgrims is that series.  More than your typical post-apocalyptic faire, The Last Pilgrims could well be one of the most important and prescient novels of our time.  It is 20 years after the worldwide collapse, and the Vallenses (an Amish-like “plain people”) living and surviving in Central Texas are under attack by the King of Aztlan and his armies. The pacifistic Vallenses are defended by the shadowy Ghost militia and their inspiring leader Phillip – the Ghost – a militant freeman who wages a guerilla war with Aztlan. 

Jonathan, Phillip’s oldest friend and the spiritual leader of the Vallenses, must lead his people through the dangerous realities of this new world order, while trying to maintain the beliefs and identity of this peaceful people that are slated for destruction by their enemies.  One man is a man of peace, who eschews violence at all costs... the other is a man of war, who believes that sometimes, if you believe in peace, you must fight and destroy evil in order to have it.

The Last Pilgrims takes history, and casts it into the future, while examining that future in light of the errors of the present and the past.

The Last Pilgrims is Book One in The Last Pilgrims series.  The next book COLD HARBOR is due out in late 2012.

Check out The Last Pilgrims website and you can get a free download of the first 12 unedited Chapters of TLP

The Impact

Just as Surviving Off Off-Grid succeeded in forcing readers to consider how unsustainable is our current mode of living in the post-industrial world, TLP will be a great tool to make people think about how we live,and what we accept as maxims in our lives.  A consumerist world that steadily destroys and never builds, that ruins the earth without considering the consequences, and that enables people to live unsustainable lives completely separated from the sources of food and water, is a world that is primed for destruction.  Badgering people into thinking about sustainability through politics doesn't get it done.  The Last Pilgrims illustrates a world after 90% of the population is destroyed because of the corrupt and vapid worldviews of the past.

What We Need & What You Get

The book is 95% finished.  But when you do not have a publisher, and you do not have an agent (I have sought neither) that means that you have to do all of the marketing and advertising yourself.  I need about $6,000 to really do some targeted marketing and advertising campaigns leading up to our BOOK BOMB launch date in February.  We need you to help in two ways... If you can donate to the cause, we will be awfully appreciative.  Then we need you to help us get the word out about the book and the BOOK BOMB date once it is announced.

You get:

Check out our benefits packages over on the right!  But what you will really get is one of the best stories you've read in a long time.  Virtually everyone who has read the story says the same thing... "I lost sleep and couldn't put it down".

Other Ways You Can Help

The Last Pilgrims is one of the most exciting stories to come around in years.  If you liked The Hunger Games or Jericho, you will LOVE The Last Pilgrims.  Here is what some early readers are saying:

"Fantastic writing… excellent, well-crafted and imaginative... It is rare that someone has such aptitude to interweave so many elements into their work, that it not only conveys a very important message, but it is also a true pleasure to read. Your well-developed characters, the really well considered plot, timing and flow of narrative have really helped in creating a true masterpiece. You really made me stop and think about a life that is possibly lurking not far in the future, when having almost instant access to people, places and material possessions would be impossible - Natasha

"I'm HOOKED! -William

"You are making this too good. I'm almost in despair that each chapter end forces me to wait before I get more story. It's like waiting for next week's installment of LOST..." -Ryan

"Wow, I was on the edge of my seat for the whole battle! I think it just keeps getting better." - Roger 

“Every chapter I read becomes my new favorite! It was very interesting to get such a personal account of what happened after the crash… I think The Last Pilgrims will help more people see the error in their belief that they can "wait it out" until things get back to normal.” - Joleen

Here's how you can help us, even if you can't donate (and sure, you can!):  Please send people to The Last Pilgrims website.  Please LIKE us on Facebook.  Watch our trailer on the Last Pilgrims website and send it to everyone you know!  Also, download and read the FREE Last Pilgrims novella available on the website.

I do appreciate your help and support,

Michael Bunker