One Second After Audiobook By William R. Forstchen cover art

One Second After

 Preview
Get this deal Try for $0.00
Offer ends December 16, 2025 11:59pm PT.
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible? Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Just $0.99/mo for your first 3 months of Audible.
1 audiobook per month of your choice from our unparalleled catalog.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, podcasts, and Originals.
Auto-renews at $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

One Second After

By: William R. Forstchen
Narrated by: Joe Barrett
Get this deal Try for $0.00

$14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime. Offers ends December 16, 2025 11:59pm PT.

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.74

Buy for $19.74

LIMITED TIME OFFER. Get 3 months for $0.99 a month. Get this deal.

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. Fantasy Fiction Post-Apocalyptic Science Fiction Suspense Technothrillers Thriller Thriller & Suspense Technology Scary

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)

Featured Article: The 20 Best Survival Audiobooks for the Prepper in All of Us


Whether we’re focused on the apocalypse or just an ill-timed breakdown on the side of a particularly remote road, there’s something about imagining survival scenarios that can be addictive. On some level, we all wonder if we would have what it takes to pit ourselves against the worst the world can possibly offer and make it out alive. That’s why it’s no surprise that survival literature is so popular, and that the stories in the genre are so diverse.

Featured Article The 20 Best Survival Audiobooks for the Prepper in All of Us
Frighteningly Plausible Scenario • Emotional Impact • Brilliant Narration • Realistic Societal Breakdown • Clear Pacing

Highly rated for:

All stars
Most relevant
After 9/11 Americans have been made aware of the many different ways the United States could be attacked and how these attacks could disrupt our way of life. One Second After describes in chilling detail how one such method could be carried out and how in a blink of an eye our way life, culture and nation would change forever. What makes this book so frightening is how easy it would be for such an attack to occur and what the result would mean for my family's future. It is simply too scary to think about!

One of the Scariest Books I have Ever Read!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I didn't care for this reader at first, but by the second section, I was growing fond of him. The book itself is excellent. I have seen criticism of the details - life is DETAILS - if you don't like details, get the Reader's Digest version. Some call it jingoistic - if so, give me a triple helping. This is Mr. Forstchen's finest book so far, and I can agree with Mr. Gingrich's position that everyone should read it, particularly those in law enforcement, public administration, and all state and national representatives and Congress people. It is truly "Alas Babylon" for a new century. The events depicted in this book may never occur, but something comparable, another Katrina, another 9-11, might come about. The whole message is to be prepared to take care of youself, your family and ultimately your community. You'll never look the same way at a full plate of food again.

One of the best audio books I have

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Makes "On The Beach" seem calm. This is an eye opener and, if true, very scary and depressing. a great listen

Doomsday

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Wow! Scary stuff, this book. It is said to be a fictional telling of the facts related to what would happen to a modern, electronically dependent civilization after an electro-magnetic pulse (EMP), caused by nuclear detonations high in the atmosphere, hits the United States. (Note: This weapon actually exists and the US has threatened its use! If enemies of the US also have it, the story becomes prophecy.)

The characters and setting are fictional, but for the most part, very relatable and believable. The central character, a retired military man-turned college history professor, is cast into roles he never dreamed he would have as the affects of the international war-induced destroy all communication, transportation, importation, and shuts down everything that requires electricity in any form.

Medical services, even medicines are non existent, so those dependent on insulin, beta blockers, statins and the like are among the first casualties. But disease, roving bands of thugs, suicide and infection from injury are rampant.

It is not a book for the squeamish. It makes you think about your own survivability even in a less serious disaster or catastrophe; i.e. are you fit and healthy? Do you have backup electricity? A store house of water, food, clothing, medicines? How would you defend yourself and your family from the criminal element? Who would you look to for leadership and information? And more. . .

A worthy read. . . somewhat like the book Alas Babylon which is also very good.

Caution -- This Book May Induce Anxiety!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
The fictitious story holds much validity and is quite eye opening. I found myself thinking long and hard for what could possibly be, and where would I go if such events really happened. Even as a grown man there were parts of the story that brought me to tears. You find yourself relating to many of the characters and greatly saddened when they're gone. Well written and much enjoyed.

Too close to home.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Hi,

Over all I enjoyed the story. Narration top notch, couldn't hope for more.

Story misses wide a few times. If you're even semi-serious about prepping (I'm not hardly at all but have played a couple scenarios and have some essentials but would struggle after a week or two under One Sec. After scenario) you'll find serious holes in the story.

It seems to me a lot of people who would play a central role under such circumstances would be larger character as opposed to those thrust into it.

A couple passages are agonizing sad and long.

While a work of fiction it should get you thinking. Makes you look around the house and at least not be waiting till you're almost out of essentials.

Debating if I'll continue with the series.

Great Listen But....

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
What a well written and presented book! Frightening how obvious and overlooked this issue of EMP is in today's society.

One of the best books I've had the pleasure of listening to in years!

Great book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
First off, great story and an equally great performance. Second, WOW! Eye-opening and scary to think just how fragile our society is.

Best word to describe it is WOW!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In the spirit of Lucifer's Hammer, this is a great post-Apocalyptic yarn. Like Robinson Crusoe and Swiss Family Robinson, Forstchen's characters are forced to reinvent their lives, but with a decidedly dark 21st century undercurrent. The story depends a lot on understanding the technology that underpins modern life. I did have to suspend disbelief that Ham radio operators didn't play a more prominent role in the plot. The big concept, and the one most readers will find disturbing, is that modern civilization is balanced on an exquisitely fine edge - one push is all it takes to send it tumbling. And Forstchen develops a convincing story to demonstrate that tumble. Forstchen's writing style is spare; I like that. He doesn't waste time with fruity overtones. This is a gritty and tough story. Some say it is depressing and I agree that it could have that effect. On the other hand, you could respond by rushing out and stocking up on emergency food and medical supplies! All of you former Boy Scouts out there will recognize this as a classic story of "Being Prepared"; or this case, not prepared. Read it. It's a great story. And, not to be too melodramatic, the author just might save some lives by making people more aware of their dependence on technology.

Exquisite, scary, and sobering

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
With the threat of the Taliban taking over nukes in Pakistan this novel really makes you take pause and ask yourself,"Could I survive if the lights went out tomorrow?" This is a great book, no mohawk motorbike punks, wasteland mutants or legions of undead(slow or fast...lol) just very scary, in itself, reality. It is good combination of caution and hope.

I would forget about your "Zombie Plan" and start thinking about your "Lights Out Plan."

What a wakeup call

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews