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One Second After cover art

One Second After

Written by: William R. Forstchen
Narrated by: Joe Barrett
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Publisher's Summary

A post-apocalyptic thriller of the after effects in the United States after a terrifying terrorist attack using electromagnetic pulse weapons.

In a small North Carolina town, one man struggles to save his family after America loses a war that will send it back to the Dark Ages.

Already cited on the floor of Congress and discussed in the corridors of the Pentagon as a book all Americans should read, One Second After is the story of a war scenario that could become all too terrifyingly real. Based on a real weapon—the electromagnetic pulse (EMP)—which may already be in the hands of our enemies, it is a truly realistic look at the awesome power of a weapon that can destroy the entire United States, literally within one second.

In the tradition of On the Beach, Fail Safe, and Testament, this book, set in a typical American town, is a dire warning of what might be our future and our end.

©2009 William R. Forstchen (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What the critics say

"[An] entertaining apocalyptic thriller....fans of such classics as Alas, Babylon and On the Beach will have a good time as Forstchen tackles the obvious and some not-so-obvious questions the apocalypse tends to raise." ( Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about One Second After

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Narration is terrible

I could not get past the first chapter. The narrator was using a different overly fake voice for each character and his interpretation of a 12 year old girl was so bad I quit listening when I heard it.
The story might be good, but I won't know if I can't get past the bad narration.

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Not bad

Not bad. not my favorite.Maybe not as realistic as I would have liked. We will see what the next book has to offer.

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Definitely a page Turner!

it was a great book, kept my attention. well researched. pretty good narrator. heart warming and gut wrenching moment. I highly reccomend!

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Good first book

This was a good series, not my favourite TEOTWAWKI series, but certainly not the worst either. If you like this genre, this is probably one of the best series of books, though to me it fell flat the longer the story went on.
I do like this narrator, and the book kept my interest long enough to listen to the whole trilogy.
Just be aware, these books that are 2 or 3 pieces are never stand-alones, and if you like one book you sort of have to get the whole series.

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Terrible Writing, Mid Story.

Has this author ever met a real woman? This is top tier r/menwritingwomen material.

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Chilling but excellent

There is nothing quite like a dystopian style book that is realistic. I absolutely love this one not only because it is feasible but because it is just a great way to tell this kind of story, with great characters and engaging dialogue.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Predictable, jingoistic, derivative

Nothing we didn’t already read in the 70s and 80s (War Day by Streiber perhaps) and hasn’t especially been informed by the last 50 years. Pace is slow and predictable.

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Dark and entertaining

Well written and decent narration. Has a dark and entertaining story that keeps you engaged. I would recommend it to anyone who has a stomach for bleak stories.

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Must listen for the modern age

The content and narration of this book was incredible, like most new (to me) audio series it took a few minutes to get used to the narrator, but now I can’t imagine a different voice for the next book, which I am about to start now.

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Very good

A blunt look at what could happen if we lost electricity. Really enjoyed listening to this book

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