- Shopping Bag ( 0 items )
Most Helpful Favorable Review
29 out of 30 people found this review helpful.
WOW what a ride this book took me on
I rarely cry over books, but I cried three times while reading this spectacular and frightening book. There are many post-apocalyptic books available (see my recommendations), but this one is a step above them. Plausible, well-written, good character development, it h...Read More
I rarely cry over books, but I cried three times while reading this spectacular and frightening book. There are many post-apocalyptic books available (see my recommendations), but this one is a step above them. Plausible, well-written, good character development, it has all the elements of a must-read book.Show Less
posted by McMonkey on April 24, 2009
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Most Helpful Critical Review
10 out of 22 people found this review helpful.
Good plot, poor writing style
This is an original, well thought out story that is thought provoking and causes the reader to stop and ask how their life would change in a similar circumstance. However, much of this is lost due to the author's folksy style of writing. There were far too many "darn ...Read More
This is an original, well thought out story that is thought provoking and causes the reader to stop and ask how their life would change in a similar circumstance. However, much of this is lost due to the author's folksy style of writing. There were far too many "darn good" this and "darn good" that passages in this book. Half way through this novel I was wishing Forstchen had sold the rights to his idea to someone better handled to bring this otherwise excellent plot to life. It was as if the author was writing to an audience that never left the 1950's.
Overall I would still recommend the book simply for the plot and as a wake up call for those who believe the United States, as the most powerful nation in the world, could not be irreparably damage by a fairly simple attack.Show Less
Overall I would still recommend the book simply for the plot and as a wake up call for those who believe the United States, as the most powerful nation in the world, could not be irreparably damage by a fairly simple attack.Show Less
posted by BobfromAccounting on June 1, 2009
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.-
McMonkey
Posted April 24, 2009
I Also Recommend:
WOW what a ride this book took me on
I rarely cry over books, but I cried three times while reading this spectacular and frightening book. There are many post-apocalyptic books available (see my recommendations), but this one is a step above them. Plausible, well-written, good character development, it has all the elements of a must-read book.
29 out of 30 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
A powerful apocalyptic cautionary thriller
Retired Colonel John Matherson lives in Black Mountain, North Carolina with his two daughters; one of them suffers from Type A Diabetes and needs insulin to stay alive. They think the serenity of their location high in the mountains can never be destroyed until the day the lights go out. Everything electric based no longer works to include cars. John immediately understands what happened; that the United States was nuked in the atmosphere by a few bombs containing an Electro Magnetic Pulse (EMP).
John becomes one of the town¿s leaders trying to keep things calm and peaceful as no station on the transistor radio in his car broadcasts. Food rationing is instituted and former high school students are trained as a militia. They turn away desperate refugees and as the food supply dwindles they must hunt and forage, and chop wood for heat. The Posse, a cruel group of cannibalistic gangbangers, murders, and rapists, are taking over the mountain. John and his allies must stop them before they overrun Black Mountain.
Meanwhile, his daughter¿s supply of insulin is getting dangerously low.
Already frightening the Pentagon and the Congress is the plausibly including the ease in which the United States can be sent reeling back to a modified medieval era. John and his fellow survivors are figuratively and literally in the dark as to who did this, but the first directive is survival which includes not giving up o hope that the USA still functions and will bring relief especially medical. Fans will appreciate this powerful apocalyptic cautionary thriller but also fear how simply this can actually happen.
Harriet Klausner18 out of 21 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
MONKFSU
Posted August 18, 2010
If you do not like this book or actually believe that this could happen and happen this way, then something is wrong with you
I can not believe that people do not like this book because of of a few phrases that are not grammatically correct to them, but are not meant to be correct because it is the way the character speaks. GO READ AN ENCYCLOPEDIA IF YOU WANT CORRECT GRAMMAR. Anyone that wrote bad about the writing style and especially grammar, go outside and talk to five people and see if anyone of them has the ability to speak and write with perfect grammar. I mean seriously. The plot is great, characters are great, and yes this could definitely happen and most likely it will occur similarly as it did in this book, if you actually think about it. I think this book has actually portrayed southerners with a lot more credit then they deserve. If you ever want to see how people read and write then become a manager of a business and read the resumes you get and you will see what I am talking about. Great F***ing Book!!!
10 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
BobfromAccounting
Posted June 1, 2009
Good plot, poor writing style
This is an original, well thought out story that is thought provoking and causes the reader to stop and ask how their life would change in a similar circumstance. However, much of this is lost due to the author's folksy style of writing. There were far too many "darn good" this and "darn good" that passages in this book. Half way through this novel I was wishing Forstchen had sold the rights to his idea to someone better handled to bring this otherwise excellent plot to life. It was as if the author was writing to an audience that never left the 1950's.
Overall I would still recommend the book simply for the plot and as a wake up call for those who believe the United States, as the most powerful nation in the world, could not be irreparably damage by a fairly simple attack.10 out of 22 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Great Read if you're not squeamish
I have read a good bit of off-beat destruction of the world/post apocalyptic stuff. I would classify this as a gem I just happen to run across. It may not have the pages of character building that The Passage or The Stand has, but I enjoyed it every bit as much, and in half the time. I felt just as invested in the main character in this story as any of the other aforementioned. While it has sad portions it is nice to still have a book that somewhat ends in triumph and shows how resilient the human spirit can be in times of hardship. This is a must read if you like post-apocalyptic fiction. The writing may not be as polished as others, but the story was truly fascinating.
8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Scary possibility
This book offers up a frightening scenario of a terrorist attack on our country and brings to light the horrible situation that would develop when there is no electricity, no communication, no authority or leadership. The author skillfully portrays the confusion and hysteria that would occur, along with some tough decisions that would have to be made. The book highlights our increasing dependency on technology, electronics, prepared food, drugs and our lack of any ability to go more then a few days without those things--its scary! At one point, I actually became upset at some of the events in the book. The characters that step into the leadership vacuum left when society starts to break down are believable and I liked them and cared about them. I recommend this book with the caveat that it may upset you but it will make you think.
8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
4277170
Posted March 8, 2011
very thought provoking book
i love this book however it really scared me at the same time. this book is haunting in the fact that it is so very possible and we as Americans are so ill prepared for it. i challange you to read this book and ask your self ' what would I do'?
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
An excellent book
If you like post-apocalyptic books, this is a book for you. Very realistic, it will grab you from beginning to end. The characters are excellent, I enjoyed watching them change as times got worse. The writing style is very good, it's an easy read that you can totally disappear into.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Anonymous
Posted March 28, 2009
Fascinating, well told, and utterly terrifying
One Second After is set in Western North Carolina, the area in which I happen to live. The accuracy with which Forstchen captures the character of the people and the geography of our area is uncanny. I've done enough research on Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) to realize that he is equally on the mark in his portrayal of what would likely happen to a community like ours if the United States were attacked by an EMP weapon.
EMP is a by-product of a very high-altitude nuclear explosion. Given the present state of the world, and the fact that nations like Iran and North Korea are rapidly developing the ability to deliver nuclear weapons via ballistic missiles, this potential scenario unfortunately isn't just science fiction. The fact that an event like this could actually occur in our world today is what makes this book so vitally important.5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Anonymous
Posted March 21, 2011
Great book scary in a way.
It was a great book but it seemed that the ending was cut a little short but it could not be longer unless the author would just stretch it out and make it boring. The Characters were all good and the interaction and the way society acts was great as well.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
A scary potential future
This is a very well written book by a man who has a handle on how people would respond to an EMP attack. Shut off the power and all electronics and the country will crumple within days. If this book doesn't make you think about how you need to prepare, nothing will.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Bear_Retd_AF
Posted July 7, 2010
A gripping Read
Subject matter not often covered. As far as apocolyptic stories goes, this one had me very concerned with the outcome from such an attack. Having worked in the electronics career field and a retired Air Force MSgt I can see the potential for such a problem. The plot and story are completely plausible and based on real science. Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down (my Nook that is). I had to recharge the battery I read it that long. There are parts of the story that will bring tears to your eyes and have you rooting for the population. It is just a great read and I highly recommend it to anyone.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
GTRocketman
Posted May 20, 2010
Haunting tale
Dr. Forstchen's tale of the aftermath of an EMP weapon detonation haunted me for several days after finishing the book. Although I consider myself and my family to be better-than-average with respect to being prepared for most emergencies, the possible scenario that began "One Second After" forced me to re-think that opinion. Besides being an engaging fiction, this book warns of a devastating reality if only a fraction of the population was affected by a similar emergency. Read it before you decide "it could never happen here" - because something similar may be just around the corner.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
JAcevedo
Posted May 6, 2010
I Also Recommend:
brb stocking up on cigs, water, and beef jerky.
This book was definitely an eye opener about how fragile and dependant our lives as an industrialized nation. I tried to imagine what it would be like if this happened to me while I was on my way to work riding the subway in NYC definitely to scary to imagine. This book did seem to drag on at some points but the core message of the book remained, No Goliath is invincible. It was not a fun read but the story was very eye opening and did spark many interesting debates amongst my friends and co workers. Weather you live in a big city or in a remote area we are all dependant on the vast web of technology that exists in our daily lives.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Anonymous
Posted August 6, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Excellent Concept! Scary Reality
I found the book gripping and the concept intriguing. What is scary is the fact that this could happen. The plot was great, the people were believable and I found myself caring for them. I highly recommend this book!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Anonymous
Posted September 14, 2011
This Book is a Bomb
It's sad that this author has taken an exciting plot idea and completely ruined it with poor writing, endless silly references to old movies, and an inability to develop compelling characters or a story line that is the least bit interesting or believable. Please, Dr. Forstchen, continue writing only text books.
2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Anonymous
Posted March 18, 2010
Maybe a guy's book
Just like there are chick flicks, I guess there are books for guys and this is one of them. A lot of guy talk and posturing. I confess that it was so slow moving that I settled for a speed-read through it. It didn't scare me to death as it did some of my friends. Aren't we all painfully aware that we live with several real threats to our existence every day? This book didn't serve to make me any more or less aware of that. The main character comes across as arrogant and self-serving. No characters are developed fully enough - especially the females. This book misses the mark on so many levels. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone - not even hardcore sci-fi readers.
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Thought-Provoking and Terrifying
A subject that no one wants to think about, but everyone must understand the possibilities. This is a portrait of a different America after a devestating change to our way of life and what we all take for granted. Forschen and Gingrich open our eyes to what may occur if more isn't done to protect our country from those who wish to do us harm. Hopefully, people in power in Washington will read this book and take action.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Sorry! This book just doesn't cut it.
I normally don't write negative reviews at all. I kinda subscribe to Thumper's line in Bambi - "If you can't say something nice, then don't say nothin' at all". For the most part I have an utter disdain of critics in all guises since I know what it takes to write a book and it ain't easy, but I felt it imperative that I make an exception in this case.
Even though the science discussed in the book is very plausible, Mr. Forstchen has jumped on the Politico Band Wagon to Black PR Iranians, and North Koreans, with a veiled stab at the Chinese as the "Probable Cause" behind our possible, future debacle. Furthermore, I feel he underestimates how quickly society would self destruct if the infrastructure should collapse overnight. His story has people wandering around the country 6 months after the debacle = unreal.
However, his greatest disservice to his readers lies in his xenophobic character creation of a cannibalistic, cult leading protagonist.
In a time when all Hell is breaking loose with our American Economy, when American popularity is at an all time low around the globe, when tent cities are growing exponentially around this once great land of ours, Mr. Forstchen has written a work which promotes "Fear of those who are different", and then beats the same drum our political leaders are playing while using Christian rhetoric to do so.
What about a little tolerance for other ethnicities and creeds Mr. Forstchen??? Isn't it time we grew up and attempted to make friends with our neighbors??? After all, the World is a very small place nowadays and what happens half way across the Earth DOES affect all of us in one way or another.
Ask not for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for thee.
Sorry for the critique, but it needed to be said.
Sincerely,
Ian "Doc" Shillington N.D. (Retired)2 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
bearBB
Posted July 11, 2009
Fantastic and important book for the present and the future
Please read this book this idea seems totally plausible and not for just people who beleive in conspiracies. I believe in some as I tend not to trust the government to give us the truth on many occassions. I hope this book gets publicity and made into a movie. A study abou EMP was completed by the government and unfortunately it was released the same day as the 9-11 commssion report.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
