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One Second After cover art

One Second After

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.

Critic Reviews

"[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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    1 out of 5 stars

So ridiculous

I really tried to give this one a go. Post-apocalyptic is my genre of choice, generally. I just finished 'Fever' this morning, and really wanted to continue my journey through imagined disasters. I had read a few recommendations for this book, and so I thought I'd give it a go.

I'm not sure if it's just me being Australian, but the self-indulgent unrealistic drama plays in this book are incredibly annoying. I found myself despising the main character from early on, and knowing I would have to listen to the story from his point of view really deepened my discomfit. The whole thing comes across as the main character being so super smart, and everyone around him being dumb as a box of rocks. Dumb country hicks surrounding a professor from the big smoke, but at least the view up there is nice!

Of course, the great American gun-worship came in early. This is usually part of any apocalyptic story based in the USA, and I do expect it, but if it's accompanied by decent, well-dimensioned characters, it's usually easy enough to get past. In this, the description of the main character's encounter with the hillbillies in his college times living in a farmhouse is just ludicrous. Sure, jan. They just immediately respected you after you shot at them with your big ol' gun when they'd just been calling you and your smart college buddies 'f*gg*ts'. FOH.

Also add to this the fact that there's a quip about global warming being something that wasn't believed generally, and honestly that's all I need to hear from this 'too smart for hick town' dickhead.

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7 people found this helpful

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Great potential, very disappointing

Are you a Bible bashing, America loving, gun toting, amendment worshipping, militaristic climate change denier? If so, you'll love this book.

If you're not any/all of those things, then don't bother. The idea of apocalypse due to EMP has great potential, but this book is really, really bad.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Thrilling survival fiction

A bit slow at the beginning but a fantastic story overall. The narration is ok and the story line really makes you want to go home and pack some rations.

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4 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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team america

so American it made me laugh the whole way through, characters were ridiculous. 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 🇺🇲

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3 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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An executive report in the form of a story...

Though I wish not to undervalued the performance of the reader, I can not highly recommend this book.

My feeling is that the writer wished to showcase their extensive research and passion for war history, their patriotism and love for God and lost sight of the characters and story line.

I felt no connection to the characters, no loss and no pain. Questions were left unanswered.

This experience can only be akin to an executive report in the form of possible outcomes that may take place in the USA under such circumstances.

Though I'm happy for the education, I'm unhappy with the experience.

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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First time I thought Uh Oh.

A little slow in the first 40mins setting it up and I thought I would put it down and then bang. Game on. If I ended up in the apocalypse tomorrow and suddenly had to get it together this would be my go to. Enough honest prep for the regular folk that dont have hordes of beans and rice under the house. Enough reality so that the characters were real. Real people died. Real people survived. Surprised but one of my favourite in the genre. Loved the narrator of the first book but you get used to the second one soon enough (I just listened back to back while doing the garden). Narrator did a great job of the voices in this one and thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Worth the read right to the end.

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scary

I found some elements of this title implausible however the vast majority was simply frightening in its simplicity.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Cringe fest

this genre is right in my wheel house. it's slow it's boring basically rubbish

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Powerful book

It's been along time since a book has moved me like this one has.
Very realistic and terrifying
Heartbreaking and soul crushing but well written and narrated
Even if your not into this genre it is a powerful novel that tells a very possible future
Obi

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Excellent Series.

Each book gets better.
Unfortunately the narration in first book let it down. But different Narrator in other 2.

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