'One Second After' novel about when the SHTF

[Dave29461]

Has anyone read the novel One Second Afterby William R. Forstchen.
Youtube Review: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiYvuY3t5aM

This a well thought out look at what we would face after an EMP attack. It is set in the mountains of North Carolina along I-40 between Charlotte and Asheville. If you live up there you will recognize your part of the country. I have memories of Montreat Anderson College that give me a scary connection with this story. Most of you sci-fi and military folks know what an EMP attack could do to our technology. The aftermath is straight out of the worse case scenario for SHTF situations. I was looking at my preparations by the time I was 1/3 the way through the book. My wife read it and was asking about what we would do in this case. It will enthrall you as you are drawn into the story. It will also make you look at yourself and the moral judgments you would have to make in the name of survival, of the most useful and most productive people. It gives you an idea of what level of civilization we could expect.
Read it. It is one of the best stories I"ve read in many years.

Dave

 

[Enjay]

I listened to this as an audio book and really liked it. Gives you some things to think about.

 

[qwikshot]

If society realy goes south. I once thought that I could butcher one of the cows up the street if I realy had to. But after thinking about it, I realized they belong to a man that had bought paid raised or otherwise earned them. They do not belong to me.
If something does put us in a bad way Lets us all keep up our high standards as Americans.
God will bless us for it!

Ben Franklin: (Failing to prepare is preparing to fail)

 

[Enjay]

Another book you might like is Lights Out by David Crawford. I enjoyed it, although I found the dialog to be a bit stilted at times, but I think I'd wait until the price comes down a bit or a paperback version comes out before buying it.

 

[Dave29461]

Thank Goodness for public libraries. I'll get that one and read it. Thanks
Dave

 

[Enjay]

I believe that it was self published through amazon, so I'm not sure if the library will have it. I bought the kindle version for 8$ and read it on the (free) kindle app for my blackberry.

 

[biganimal]

the one book EVERY American and gun owner should read is John Ross's Unintended Consquences

 

[qwikshot]

Picked it up Saturday and will finish it tonight.

 

[Dave29461]

I believe that it was self published through amazon, so I'm not sure if the library will have it. I bought the kindle version for 8$ and read it on the (free) kindle app for my blackberry.

I see he has decided to publish a hardcopy version and taken the downloads off the free sites. I'll find a copy when it hits the library or soft cover edition.

 

[Hillbluffer]

Yep, read it some time ago. it was a very enjoyable read, well done . Lots of books in this genre are not as well written as this one.

 

[biganimal]

excellent read
it WILL make you THINK!!!

 

[jgodfrey]

It was a great read! The location being local to the upstate really hits home. Another great book is "Patriots" by James Wesley Rawles. It starts off very real to what our country is facing today and has a ton of good tips on how to prepare.

Any other recommendations?

 

[yerbyray]

I read it awhile back and found it somewhat thought provoking but really was an extreme worst case scenario. I think the book is a little sickly sweet and almost propoganda to the point of nausia. The dialogue of the characters are predictable and at times it seems like it was scripted by a middle school student. Naturally I take offense that the hero has to be a transplant yankee as us southerners are not smart enough to figure anything out. All of the town issues are resolved by a guy from New Jersey.

I do think the book does a good job of making the average person think about society going back in a flash to the 1840's and that there isn't enough of 1840 infra-structure left to support our population. I am comfortable if this were to happen as I have prepared some but as in the book, I am a living historian and feel somewhat comfortable living in the past anywhere from the 1740's to the 1940's. I would miss ice in my tea though.

There are two critical flaws with the book. One is the lack of the local national guard. They were left out of the book entirely. I don't think they are going to answer all of our prayers but they do have weapons, training, and the ability to help restore some order.

The other flaw is that this was the ultimate worst case scenario EMP. I have tried to read up on the topic and it could really be about that bad but I think if it were ever to happen, most likely a solar flare thing, we would loose the electrical grid and broadcast communications. Some vehicles and local electronics would still work. From what I have read and remember very one has an opinion, that most of the vehciles with electronic ignition would have problems but some of the older ones with out too many computerized gadgets would be ok. Any vehcile with a distributor and rotor would be fine. The book made it sound like there weren't many but think about how many classic cars/trucks/jeeps are out on a pretty saturday cruising around?

I do think we would have food/medicine/and disease issues quicker than we think and I also think it would take a lot longer to get us back online than we are planning on.

Ok, I have rambled long enough


Yerby Ray

There really isn't concrete evidence on what or how an EMP will impact us as there are tons of variables.

 

[HOLY DIVER]

I read it awhile back and found it somewhat thought provoking but really was an extreme worst case scenario. I think the book is a little sickly sweet and almost propoganda to the point of nausia. The dialogue of the characters are predictable and at times it seems like it was scripted by a middle school student. Naturally I take offense that the hero has to be a transplant yankee as us southerners are not smart enough to figure anything out. All of the town issues are resolved by a guy from New Jersey.

I do think the book does a good job of making the average person think about society going back in a flash to the 1840's and that there isn't enough of 1840 infra-structure left to support our population. I am comfortable if this were to happen as I have prepared some but as in the book, I am a living historian and feel somewhat comfortable living in the past anywhere from the 1740's to the 1940's. I would miss ice in my tea though.

There are two critical flaws with the book. One is the lack of the local national guard. They were left out of the book entirely. I don't think they are going to answer all of our prayers but they do have weapons, training, and the ability to help restore some
The other flaw is that this was the ultimate worst case scenario EMP. I have tried to read up on the topic and it could really be about that bad but I think if it were ever to happen, most likely a solar flare thing, we would loose the electrical grid and broadcast communications. Some vehicles and local electronics would still work. From what I have read and remember very one has an opinion, that most of the vehciles with electronic ignition would have problems but some of the older ones with out too many computerized gadgets would be ok. Any vehcile with a distributor and rotor would be fine. The book made it sound like there weren't many but think about how many classic cars/trucks/jeeps are out on a pretty saturday cruising around?

I do think we would have food/medicine/and disease issues quicker than we think and I also think it would take a lot longer to get us back online than we are planning on.

Ok, I have rambled long enough


Yerby Ray

There really isn't concrete evidence on what or how an EMP will impact us as there are tons of variables.

prepare for worst hope for the best.i'm not %100 sure one day after the SHTF medicine will be avalible...maybee 2 or 3 weeks there will be very limited suplies. nobody can stock up on Rx medication but there are things we can do.we can improve our overall health by doing cardio 1hour a day,lay off beer,soft drinks,fried food. now i do understand that some people have medical issues that can only be treated with medication. getting your self in better shape can reverse alot of medical problems....if you have one of these issues get your self in shape and if the shtf you will not have to worry about getting your blood pressure meds etc.....