One Second After

All communications go out and the entire United States is lost and its population is decimated..... What a stupid premise.......The rails and all roads are in perfect shape and no one thinks of just changing out the alternators on the big trucks and locomotives and start hauling food and other goods. Like everyone just waits around to die. Really really dumb.

The general topic of this work is interesting and timely, and Joe Barrett does a solid job as reader.

However, the storyline falls flat, tends to be overly-hokey, and at times is excruciating to witness. While the author does a good job of describing what could happen if a typical American town were to be cut off from power and communications, especially with relation to our dependence on modern technology and an array of medical treatments and drugs, as well as our overall frailty, the reaction to this disaster by the portrayed characters seems far less than real.

Forstchen endeavors to make the characters human, but ultimately they come off as barely two-dimensional stereotyped fantasies. But then again, humans are strange creatures and it's hard to say how we would react to such a catastrophe. On this element, unfortunately, history is on the side of the author.

I don't think I've ever read a book that indulges so deeply in smoking and cigarettes. All the main characters and especially the hero either smoke or want to smoke or think about smoking or cigarettes throughout the book. At stressful points, they really, really enjoy lighting up and bonding with multiple cigarettes, with each puff lovingly described. It gets more than a little distracting and ends up just bizarre. I can only assume that either the author throughly enjoys smoking, or product placement has now reached the novel.

I recommend only with a lot of salt. Which is too bad, as this is a subject that should be brought to the forefront and seriously discussed at the highest levels. The vulnerabilities of our power and communication infrastructure are clearly critical, and if this book (despite its difficulties) forces a hard look, then all the better.

If you want a detailed review you have over 200 to choose from but mine will be short and to the point.

The idea of an EMP is important because when Iran gets their nukes we can expect an EMP attack. It is "hitting the broad side of the barn" type of an attack. You don't have to be accurate just close and Iran can do that. Also expect North Korea to be in with the attack as well. Didn't I just hear "the axis of evil".

This book at least gets you thinking of how to protect yourself. I think this would make a great movie.

I was so intrigued just imagining how awful an EMP would affect society and this book delivered! It kept me sitting on the edge of my seat all the way through. I then read the two sequels with the same interest.
I am changed somehow thinking we Americans and others need to get our physical and mental stamina strengthened in case of such an event.
All this current squabbling over words, speech, etc. will mean nothing if this really happened--and it could. Great story, believable senarios, and characters one can identify with. I won't forget this book.

I am returning this only because it is fiction- I want Truth/Reality/Advice. I am one who just does not want to deal nor waist time on untrue stories-fiction. One who has experience during tough tough times is truth and experienced and to have written his personal story from personal experiences is the greatest counselor. They are real and have experienced by finding ways to move on/survive and even helped others. Many of these are greatly blessed by sharing their stories and experiences and are advice to others who are lost/dumbfounded/confused. Therefore, I return for a refund.

I had already read the book to my son, and decided to purchase the audio book. This is a must read book for anyone who is interested in how quickly civility would break down if there were no cars, no electricity, no phones...no pharmacy. It is a wonderful learning tool in how to prepare for emergencies (even the little ones).

This book had everything I had heard about and what I have already prepared for. I loved the book and would recommend it to any openminded person.

Three nuclear blasts high above America bring life, first, to a standstill; and afterwards to a great decline due to the EMP (ElectroMagnetic Pulse) "frying" effect on computers and electronic products.

Fiction? Yes, William Forstchen's "One Second After" is a novel, but it is grounded in an all-too-real possibility of an EMP nuclear attack on the USA launched from a cargo container ship in the Atlantic.

I'm listening to the CD audiobook (a WONDERFUL audio production), but I've just bought the hardback as a source of information and ideas about what we as family and individuals need to do to survive such a situation in our country. I'll be making notes as I read the hardback, the notes I wish I had taken during the CD.

The members of Congress have only agreed on one issue during this decade: that All Americans should read this book. The Wall Street Journal warned that this is the weapon that could bring America down to the level of a banana republic.

How will your life need to change? Forstchen has many practical answers (although often with R-rated language). Newt Gingrich writes the Forward.

Do Christians need to be prepared for such things? Yes! Christians, of all people, should be fully prepared in every area of their lives. Read the book, and see if you don't agree.

There's not much else I can add to what the three main reviewers have said. The truth about the plausibility and destructiveness of the EMP events described lies somewhere in the "we don't know for sure" range.

One reviewer considers the book too pessimistic, and doesn't think that almost all of the cars will be affected. Another considers the book too optimistic, and thinks that the USA will fall into anarchy and a death spiral within a short time after any EMP event. I guess when the first EMP event really happens we'll know how to better evaluate the book. Oh, wait. Then it will be too late!

As for me, I've been very lax in considering doomsday scenarios and possibilities, tending to be a scoffer. But no more! If things get anywhere near as bad as the author says, currently my family will only be self-sustaining for about three days. I'm changing that almost right away!

But I do think the audio CD makes for great highway listening. Get the cheaper one which at the time of this review is just under $20.00

This book provides a sobering view of the reality of our existence. Any prolonged disruption of the supply chain means vast areas of our country cannot support their current populations. Imagine post Katrina NOLA on a nationwide scale, but without communication beyond a few miles! Major population reduction is the result - how can one improve their odds?

The issues raised in this story are ones that should be addressed now by our government in Washington. Unfortunately, the author's premise strikes home with uncanny accuracy. Our government is woefully unprepared for any major disaster whether manmade or natural. Hurricane Katrina is a prime example. But, this scenario is much worse. A third rate power with two or three bombs set off over Kansas could turn us into a has been overnight. An EMP burst would burn out all of our high tech devises we so depend on. Cities run out of food in ten days and with no transportation system to fall back on most of our population dies. Our government has not hardened our energy net against this type attack. They also do not have adequate food and water supplies stationed in strategic place around the country to supply the population. Its the old head in the sand scenario. No one really thinks about how fragile our support system is. With the current economic situation companies do not keep much inventory in stock. Washington does not think anything like this could happen. But, it is very plausible. We can waste trillions on badly run corporations but can't take a common sense approach to protecting ourselves. I dont know what bothered me the most the story itself or the ending.

This is a very well thought out story with strong character development and a hard science base. It is so close to reality that it will cause chills to run down your spine. The story of how a town makes due in the face of disaster of bibical proportions. This story is great one and very thought provoking. I think everyone in our Congress and Senate should read or listen to it. Maybe they might wake up. Ha. That will be the day!