Alas, Babylon

One of the greatest books ever written

My father introduced me to this book about a year ago, and I have found it so engaging that I have already read it three times. After writing this review, however, I have a strong feeling that I will be tempted to start over again.

The book takes place in a very realistic (especially now) post-nuclear war scenario, written amidst the paranoia associated with the peak of the cold war. It has a wide variety of well, rounded characters that fit their roles exquisitely. After the Russians bomb a small city in Florida, Randy Bragg, his neighbors, and his brothers wife and children must show that the human spirit is able to endure even the most horrible of atrocities, which can be the only thing used to describe the tragedy of nuclear war, a very realistic possibility, especially today.
It is obvious, from this book, that Mr. Frank was extremely politically active. The attention to detail that he gave to making the nuclear war scenario realistic is almost unparalleled. All elements were in concert with everything else, and the book meshed beautifully. As a side note, he made excellent use of the third-person omnipotent point of view by accurately, and effectively giving us a view in to the troubled minds of the protagonist, and even many side-characters. It's shockingly realistic, and shows many different interpretations of the human condition, exemplified by the characters reactions. The protagonist (Randy) shows leadership by enforcing Marshall Law and regulating the city, and bringing his small community of neighbors out of the rapidly spiraling chaos of the squalid, vile, main city, and in to a state of relative prosperity.

If I didn't know any better, I would have assumed this was fact. It was so epically written, well thought out, and realistic that to not have assumed it had really happened would be the act of a mad man. It's enthralling, so much so that every time I put it down, I would always leave my finger on the exact word I was on so that I could begin reading again as soon as I possibly could. "Alas, Babylon" is incredibly addictive, and realistic. It shows how the human spirit is able to overcome human error. Everyone who reads this book will undoubtedly have a greater understanding, if not, a greater appreciation, for the very real possibility on nuclear war, and the genuine effects it could have on indisputably real people.

Pat Frank is an extraordinary author, avid politician, and a prophet, in the true sense of the word (someone who tells uncomfortable truths or truths that are not easily accepted). His book, no, his gift to the world, is one of the best I have ever read, or recommended to anyone. An extremely wonderful book, a classic, and a must read. It has stood the test of time, and remains just as wonderful a book as it was when it was written decades ago. The reality of it may have even increased.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Terrific!

This is a classic story that still holds relevance and stirs the heart of the reader. Alas, Babylon gives a glimpse into a what if future where the cold war escalated to nuclear war resulting in terrible and terrifying consequences. The undeniable appeal of the story lies with the main character. He is so vivid and real that you can almost reach out to touch him through the pages. His struggle to survive and protect his family and adapt to a horrifying new world is vividly portrayed. The greatest message within the book is hope. Hope for the reader that such a world could never exist and hope for the fictional characters as they live through adversity.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A Classic!

I first read this book in 10th grade as part of our required reading. I have read this book at least once a year every year since then and I am now in my mid-forties! I can recite most of the book by heart and in my mind the characters are real people. This is a great look at the human will to survive and triumph. It is a story about humanity and inhumanty, love and apathy, brotherhood, friendship, teamwork and family. Mr. Frank's characters are so real and his descriptions of central Florida so accurate that I almost feel like I am there. I visit Florida's Space Coast every year and driving by Patrick Airforce Base always makes me smile because it reminds me of this great book. This one is on my Top 10 list of favorite reads!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

I've read this book more times than any other

An at least once a year read for me, this is a book that both saddens me and at the same time builds my faith in the ultimate ability of humankind to adapt and overcome.
I grew up in Central Florida, including several years in the (then) small town of Pinecastle mentioned in the book as Randy Bragg leaves his meeting with his brother at McCoy Air Force Base. By the way, if you've ever flown into Orlando Internatinal Airport on you r way to Disney Land you might have noticed the airport ID code on your luggage is MCO from the time when Orlando International was actually McCoy Air Force Base.

In addition to the central theme of survival in a post-atomic war setting, the 1950's social norms are an eye-opening reality check.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Tale of Survival

I read this book many years ago as a teenager, and had the chance recently to re-read this book. It is still as powerful today as it was when I was younger. Having grown up during the ' Cold War ' era this book is a scary look at what could have been real life instead of fiction. The setting for this drama is Florida, and now that I live in this state, the story really hits close to home. This book is a classic, if you have not read this book , you are missing a real treat !!!! If you are a fan of the television show JERICHO, you will want to add this book to your collection.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

HORRID!!!!

This book was the worst book i have ever HAD to read! Seeing as though I was forced to read it because it was a class project...it was torture!!! i hate it, and didnt even make it past chapter 5... thank god for sparknotes!! i highly reccommend you not reading this book.. burn it!

1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Don't even read it.

I had to read this book for school and it looked good, but it wasn't. The first 100 pages are soooooooooooooooooooooo boring! Then the bombs drop, which that part could of been better. There was no action in this book whatsoever! Just a lot of boring junk!

1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Great Book!!

I had to read this for my freshman honors english class and the i thought it was a wonderful book!! i would definitly recommend reading this book, and i am not a person who likes to read either

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

An excellent book!

This is one book, that I have read and re-read many many times, and it seems that every time Ive read Alas Babylon, it is as though I have read it for the very first time.

Im an avid fan of Human Survival / Apocalyptic books. So when a friend suggested this book to me when I was in High School, and the fact that the area is based on where I have lived my life and grew up in..Florida, I decided to read it.

I read the book in one day. I could not seem to put it down. I like how the author blended in all of the chrs in this book, and how, and what they did to survive. He tells of their hardships without overkill. And showed us the softer points too.

If your a Survivalist reader like I am, then I strongly suggest getting your copy of it. You won't regret it.

Highly Recommended

I just reread this book for the 3rd time. While the threat of Nuclear war is different today that it was back in the 60's and 70's, the story still resonants for me. The suddeness of the attack and how quickly basic services cease should be a message for us all. Threats still exist today and while I think an all out nuclear war isn't very likely today a biological attack by a determined enemy could have the same dramatic effect.

If you had to read this as required reading in High School, it is just as good of a read today (maybe better with no homework).

A solid and believable look into a nuclear holocaust

Fort Repose is an idyllic little town located in Central Florida. At least everything is idyllic until "The Day". "The Day" is the day that the bombs fell-- nuclear bombs-- and entire cities were wiped off the map. This book was written in the heat of the cold war with Russia, and just shortly before the Cuban missile crisis in 1962. So it isn't surprising that the Russians are portrayed as the enemy in the story, or that a book about man's attempt to survive after a nuclear holocaust would be so popular at the time, and remains so 50 years later. The story is told primarily from the perspective of Randy Bragg, and follows him before, during and after the nuclear attack. Randy is a guy that just wants to do what is best for everyone. He isn't a control freak or someone who has to be the leader in every situation. He simply wants what is best for everyone. Randy's love interest is Lib McGovern. Strong and intuitive and empathetic, Lib lends strength to Randy and their relationship builds through the story. Randy's sister-in-law Helen and her children come to live with him, and she is a "man's woman". She's a good woman that any man would want as his partner in life, in good times or in bad. Smart, tough and strong, she takes over as a sort of "head of household" figure and keeps everything running smoothly. Dr. Dan Gunn is a man who had all of the best intentions in spending a life in charitable pursuits, but has found himself a little embittered after a divorce as he finds his life's path altered and diverted. Admirable and hard-working and the only medical doctor, he is integral to the survival of the town. Admiral Sam Hazzard is a retired admiral who settled in Fort Repose before "The Day". At times tactless, but honest and forthright, he says it like it is and is blessed with a little inside knowledge of how the military and government works. I found this to be a well-written story, the characters well thought out and well-fleshed out. The story had some depth. I should warn you that the "N" word and the term "negro" are both used quite extensively throughout this book, as it takes place in the south in the heat of the unrest preceding the civil rights movement. That's not to say that the book necessarily has a racist bent, as it actually portrays the local black family (the Henry family) in a very positive light, and the racists in town as arrogant ignoramus. The attack is quite realistic, as is the reaction of the people. You can feel the confusion and tension and fear as the people try to understand what has happened, and how to deal with it. You shake your head at the people who still haven't grasped the gravity of the situation, and treat it as a temporary inconvenience. You wonder how they will deal with the lack of water, and with trade shutdown everyone is forced to become "locavores" and survive on whatever may be found within walking distance of home. Trade is a necessity, new skills are learned. Man adapts and survives. I liked it. I liked the people, I liked that it took place in my own backyard, I liked that it was quite real, when I am used to reading fantastical post-apocalyptic zombie lit. I just plain liked it.

Post-apocalyptic genre

This book takes place right before and after an apocalypse. The premise of the story is to take you through that journey, from what's happening to cause an apocalypse, to what happens after.

I personally love the post-apocalyptic genre, and if you do too, you'll love this book.

good

good

A book that made you think, "what if.."

this book was very easy to read, in fact it only took a minimal amount of time to complete it. kind of reminded me of a high school literature class reading assignment, but still worth the read. although it was fairly "basic" from a technical aspect, i still enjoyed it greatly. it made me wonder just how i would react in a situation similar to that which the book speaks of.

Over 30 years

I've been re-reading this book for over 30 years. My father shared it with me and later put it in his "Keeper" category. For me, who grew up with the threat of nuclear war, i.e., bomb shelters, evacuation centers etc, it was a hopeful story.

These wonderful characters were able to change, to modify their lives and live and enjoy life. What a wonderful concept.

One of my grandsons had to read this book for a literature class and said (amazingly) that it was one of his favorites. I was terribly pleased.

Humanity after the the bombs

this is my favorite post apocalyptic novel. The characters are real people and in real danger it is easy to imagine the fallout like world in the book. Even tho it was written in the late fifties the story itself can easily be transplanted into a modern setting. its hard to describe would def reccomend

Alas, Babylon

I was reqired to read this book by school. For some parts it interested me to find how they would survive under certain circumstances. It was poorly written, but do remember it was written a while ago. It was obvious and random if that makes sense. The book was a waste of my time and it's the type of book I don't like to read, armageddon. Unless you enjoy war stories, action, and depression for aspects of a book, then I advise you not to get it.

Wow

This is one of the greatest books I've ever read. The plot keeps you on the edge of your seat, the characters are very well written, everything is great about this book. A MUST READ, any time you can get your hands on this books, you have to read it.

One of my favorite books of all-time.

A must-read. I'll never thank my 9th-grade teacher enough for making us read this. Even more relevant in today's times. You will never put it down. One of my top five books!

hey

The novel, Alas Babylon, written by Pat Frank details an alternate outcome to the Cold War confrontation with Soviet Russia, in which nuclear war is not just a terrible nightmare, but a reality that the survivors of the nuclear bombardments face every day. The novel centers around a resident of Florida named Randy Bragg, who lives alone in the fictional town of Fort Repose. He has a brother, Colonel Mark Bragg, who after an accidental discharge of an American missile that hits a Soviet arms cache, decides to send his family to his brother in order to keep them safe in the out of the way town of Fort Repose. His prediction unfortunately proves prophetic as the soviets launch a preemptive nuclear strike aimed at destroying all major military bases, cities, and places of importance in America. Randy¿s ¿family¿ is awakened by a shaking, which just so happens to be Tampa being incinerated. As the day goes on news gradually flows in about the destruction of other cities through the inconsistent and often faulty CONELRAD system. As the weeks go on and no more bombs drop or any help comes the Bragg family and some of the other farmers living on the outskirts of the town band together in order to make a new life for themselves. One of the problems that Randy¿s new society has is that when the bombs hit, many criminals escaped from prison in the ensuing chaos, while other law abiding citizens turned criminal to support themselves and their families. When a group of criminals begins to prey on the town of Fort Repose, finally murdering the parents of two children, Randy uses his past standing as a member of the U.S. Marshalls to form a police force in order to hunt the criminals down. In the course of battle, one of Randy¿s good friends is shot and killed, however the encounter is not without positives, because as a result of the battle Randy is put into the position of nominal town leader. Eventually an army helicopter doing a flyby spots the town and lands to see if anyone is still alive. The man in the helicopter is randy¿s old friend Paul Hart. He tells Randy that Florida is a contaminated zone meaning no unscreened travel in or out and that it is quarantined. The new capitol is Denver and there is still no power or any other utilities in the U.S. anywhere. Finally Randy asks Paul what happened with the war, Paul replies ¿Oh we won we bombed them off the face of the earth, not that it matters¿ and so it ends.