William R. Forstchen has written an apocalyptic novel with a twist. Three electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) triggered by high altitude nuclear explosions wave down upon America. In theory, these would wipe out America's power grid, all computers, cell phones, many types of transportation, and common appliances. Contact with ourselves and the rest of the world would be cut. Welcome back to the medieval times!
The story is set in a town in North Carolina called Black Mountain and centers on John Matherson, a retired Army colonel. He is celebrating his diabetic daughter's birthday when the EMPs strike. There isn't any explosion heard, just a electrical blackout, causing him no initial alarm, until he finds out that no modern transportation is running. Luckily his mother-in-law has an old Edsel that runs. Why? Because it has no computers. He goes to town the next day and finds out things are already get getting dicey.
How long after an catastrophic event would it take for panic to set in? With all communication cut off, it wouldn't be long. No television or radio to tell us what happened. No President advising us. Is there even still a President? Or a government? What happened and what should I be doing? Once people find out, there would be a panicked run on food, drugs, weapons, cigarettes, alcohol, anything for survival.
This story deals with the first 365 days after the Event. Can a well organized Town Council, led by the colonel, survive until help comes? With the nation under martial law, which we learn from the only government radio station working, cult gangs are out of control. The town needs military training to defend itself from the Posse gang heading their way. The students at Montreat College are trained by an ex-Marine D.I. to defend the town. The town is almost out of food, prescription drugs, and energy. The town's doctor, Kellor, warns that the U.S.A. is now technically a third world country and to expect many deaths from cholera, dysentery, and plague. Will the Colonel's daughter get her insulin in time? Will they defeat the Posse gang? Will the town survive the EMP attack, or is it curtains for them and the U.S.A. way of life?
This novel was very enjoyable and a big time eye opener. Mr. Forstchen has written the worst case scenario, but he could be right on the money. It's possible that a bomb dropped on the ground could actually be less damaging. It seems to me that President Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative in 1984 was a great idea, but killed by President Clinton in 1993 as Star Wars fodder!
RATING: 4 out of 5 stars
Comment: Mr. Forstchen has written over 40 books and is a history professor at the college in the novel, Montreat in N.C. His book caught the attention of Congress and the House Armed Services Committee. Hopefully, they are studying the possibility of an EMP attack. Most of his current work has been historical fiction with writting partner, Newt Gingrich.
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