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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Frighteningly Realistic Scenario, 19 Mar 2009
Fans of the author will not be disappointed by his latest work.
Forstchen examines the effect of an attack on the U.S.A. using an EMP(or rather three EMPs). The electro magnetic pulse ruins most electrical gadgets; computers and anything controlled by them, data storage, modern vehicles and planes, electricity generators,water supply, medical equipment, phones and radios.
The small town in which the story is set reverts to a barter economy and its shops soon run out of food and medicines. Local law enforcement has to cope with increasingly desperate local citizens,stranded motorists, and refugees from the big cities hoping to find food and shelter.
Forstchen examines the big issues mainly by looking at the impact on one family. This approach works well, and the reader is drawn in, wondering "what would I do in that situation?"
The reason I gave this book 4 stars rather than 5 may sound trivial. Every single "could have, should have, would have, might have" in the book is written as "could of, should of" etc.After reading several dozen of these I almost ended up shouting at the book. I guess I'm getting old.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brilliant read........., 3 Jan 2010
I absolutely loved this book. I'm still thinking about the 'what ifs?' two months later. If you haven't heard of EMP (electro-magnetic pulse) then I suggest you google it immediately. It's not a figment of the author's imagination - it is a real and present danger. Bill Forstchen lays out before us the terrifying consequences of such an attack for Black Mountain, Carolina - a small town in America. He is clearly familiar with the town involved and the book chillingly contrasts the easy familiarity with one's neighbours whilst being acutely aware that they are eating food that could be for you and your children. It is interesting to see that white-collar skills are largely useless and the only people to take some semblance of control back in their lives are the ones with practical skills. Banker's bonus's don't count for much in Black Mountain.
As other reviewers have pointed out, the constant use of 'would of', 'should of' and 'might of' is very grating to British ears. I don't know the author was trying to convey the way the people in this town speak, but he should have left it out. I'm prepared to overlook this and give it five stars, as this and Stephen King's 'The Stand' were the best books I read in 2009.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
interesting scoial perspective, 1 Jun 2009
While the overall story is a little lacking, I have to admit to becoming enthralled by the various social situations and dilemmas which it brought up. Quite apart from the impact of no electricity on a community, town, county, country.. throw in no communications, lack of gasoline, food shortage, medicine shortage.. It's not quite Lord of the Flies but only because it is a small close knit community that the story is set in - an even scarier version would simply have been to describe the situation in the context of a city or suburbia.
While I did repeatedly question the characters and overall story, I was truly fascinated by the overall concept of a nation in turmoil, communities isolated and all with no real indication of if or when it would be over.... or if it ever would.
I also really enjoyed the fact that the author has set this in a community which he clearly is familiar with and in which he could visualise how the situation would play out.
I would recommend this to anyone interested in the whole area of EMP, particularly from a social perspective rather than an academic one. But if you are looking for a leisurely vacation read then this is probably not for you.
I must admit that I will be looking out for further publications from this author - and possibly even a movie based on this book.
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