Cool Premise, Garbage Writing

The idea of a apocalyptic event caused by an EMP blast is an interesting premise (though hardly as novel as the writer seems to believe, given the "why won't anyone listen to me" apologia in the forward). Unfortunately, the writer poisons the concept with an overwhelming amount of political point-scoring and really just pathetic grammar for an author who is apparently a college professor. Red Flags: Forward by Newt Gingrich (yes, really) Bizarre naming choices: Everyone has a Biblical, monosyllabic name (Joe, John, Jim, Jen, Tom, Ben, Kate, Liz) and the protagonist's mother-in-law and daughter are both given the same name. It makes everything harder to follow for no discernable purpose. Mary Sue protagonist (Colonel, Professor, Doctor, owns lots of guns and one of the only functioning cars, which he just takes from his mother-in-law without comment, btw) clearly modelled after the author, which is just in poor taste Rampant Sexism (every woman is completely helpless and needs the protagonist to protect her; at one point the author states that the most dangerous thing is "a woman with a gun who doesn't have the guts to use it") Cringe. Guns solve everything: the first two conflicts are resolved by a "good guy with a gun." The second involves some pre-apocalypse drunk with a gun threatening to kill the protagonist. The protagonist unloads a few rounds at him and later the drunk slaps him on the back, laughs, and says this guy is alright. No better way to make new friends than by shooting at them... American exceptionalism: In every chapter, someone mentions something about this still being America dangit. Also, the only cars that survive the EMP are older-model American cars. It gets old fast. Grammar: "Must of" instead of "Must have." "Should of" instead of "Should have," again and again. Climate Change Denial???? This is the point when I gave up. In the middle of a random speech by the protagonist (get used to those), the author goes off on a tangent about climate change probably not being real, apropos of nothing. I instantly turned off the book and returned it. If you are still interested, I wish you luck.

65 people found this helpful

White male fantasy for those afraid of change

Given that review title, I should probably specify that I'm writing this review as a white male, a native of Montana, a former ranch hand and welder, not as some ivory tower academic who's never gotten his hands dirty. With that preamble out of the way, this book is fundamentally a celebration of men who understand the world better than their errant wives, progressive daughters, or all those people who drive foreign-made cars and put their faith in technology. That central point of view just overwhelms both the narrator's voice and the plot: this is essentially a book-length lecture on how white men know best and will, just due to their own inborn integrity, do their reluctant damndest to save the silly women and snowflake liberals when the world inevitably falls apart. It's unfortunate, because the underlying question -- what would life in the aftermath of a massive EMP look like -- is fascinating, and the author has many of the technical/technological details right. The questions of what would happen at the societal, geopolitical and day-to-day survival levels in such a scenario deserve a thoughtful exploration seen through the eyes of a range of characters who truly see the world from different angles and who each have to grapple with a complete breakdown or reprioritization of many of the beliefs they've held dear. (Think about what the father, mother and son in The Road have to face, for instance, and how differently they come at the problem and arrive at differing answers.) Whatever potential lay within that premise, it's still waiting for someone to come along and mine it in a rich way.

20 people found this helpful

Couldn’t finish

The main character just seems like this fake idealization of what conservatives think a person should be. “He” is the smart guy, “he” is the guy who uses his smarts to survive, “he” still manages to keep his morality during a difficult situation, “he” is the rugged individual and embodiment of “don’t tread on me”. Everyone else is a savage or an idiot. As someone else pointed out - where are the engineers and tech heads who would quickly see this situation as a challenge ? In a situation like this people would quickly band together to start getting critical resources and systems back online. Believe it or not, there are people out there who would take pride in helping other people. Little by little they would work through the problems. They wouldn’t just throw their hands up and say “welp, guess I’ll be a canibal”. Rotfl Garbage.

14 people found this helpful

Phenomenal

Amazing narration, terrifyingly realistic story, this book is not for the faint of heart or stomach.

13 people found this helpful

Shoulda Paid More Attention

I should've paid more attention to the fine print on the cover of the audiobook. When the foreword is by a serial adulterer posing as a conservative politician, how could this book be anything but a conservative diatribe? At any rate, the reader should've been a native Southerner... or at least a guy who could distinguish one southern accent from another. I recommend neither the author nor the narrator.

12 people found this helpful

Eye Opening

Like many of the characters of this book, I never thought of the possibility of a civilization ending event, such as an EMP. Like the fictional citizens of Black Mountain, NC, I didn’t believe that this was even a plausible idea, let alone remotely possible. But, unlike those fictional men, women and children I grew to love and admire, crying at births and deaths and celebrating at the discovery of food, I have been awakened to the possibility of life as I know it coming to an end. As a result of this fictional, but all too real novel, I have began to prepare myself and my family for the possibility of any event that would put us at risk, particularly the events that threaten to end life as I know it.

7 people found this helpful

A Realistic Worst Nightmare

Do NOT let the negative comments sway you; this is an EXCELLENT book. Maybe the impact regarding EMP is a bit overblown, but who cares!? It’s not about EMP, it’s about what happens to a modern society when it suddenly isn’t modern. The results are terrifying. Bill Forstchen’s conclusions may be extreme, but they are well thought out and certainly possible. While the story does continuously harp about our reliance on modern technology, that’s exactly what the characters are realizing as their modern day conveniences disappear nearly leading them to the point of utter despair. Some may also be put off by a political tone associated with religion and nationalism, but Forstchen supports this societal tendency by weaving in enlightening historical references as seen through the eyes of the main character. This is a fascinating book that holds your attention, smacks you across the face a few times, and hopefully makes you appreciate that iPhone you are currently taking for granted. Finally, Joe Barrett’s narration is also one of the best I’ve ever heard for an Audible book.

101 people found this helpful

A terrifying story

Any additional comments?

This story was harrowing. I downloaded it as the daily deal and was just checking to make sure the down load worked correctly when I found myself hooked. I listened to the whole book in a matter of days putting aside the book I was currently reading. The narrator did a great job but the story itself captured a sense of truth that made it seem terrifyingly possible. On a personal note, having survived a six day power outage with no water and no where to go after a hurricane and earthquake and flooding several years ago, the reactions of the characters rang true. The deadly aftermath of the EMP attack really made me think about being prepared for disasters in future. Thought provoking. Be warned --considerable graphic violence. Disturbing.

157 people found this helpful

The Good, Bad, and Overall...

The Good: Interesting approach on an overlooked threat. The Bad: Reminds me of the fear factory that is 24 hours news. Linear approach to hardships and obstacles faced during a world changing incident does not allow for alternative options not presented within the story. Lake full of fish - ignored, eat any source of protein - ignore insects, limited resources in a poorly defensible position - stay in place, enforce martial law on others - refuse to give up 'MY' car, have running cars - not apt enough to use them as generators, and the biggest: -use 'MY' morality to dictate your survival. For an Ex-military persona I would expect better survival techniques. Overall: The author makes reference to Jonestown fanaticism but fails to see his own hypocrisy in his own writing. The story is fine, the writing is apt, but this is mostly earmarked for the Kool-Ade drinkers who are rating this as firewall 5 stars. I bought it for $5.95 (sale) and got my money worth out of the story. Your mileage and/or Flavor-Ade may vary.

50 people found this helpful

Couldn’t stop even if I wanted to

As a former nuclear power sailor, I’m familiar with the Compton effect and emp. This is a thought provoking venture into what would happen to our communities were we to be hit with an emp. It’s an emotional roller coaster, and an all too real threat. It will make you want to stockpile food, medicine, fuel, guns, ammunition, and every pre-80s era vehicle you can get your hands on.

5 people found this helpful