Karl Anderson

I rated this five stars because of the usefullness of the information. The writing style is only ok, it isn't Cormac McCarthy, but the author's intent I think is to write a primer for survival in an entertaining format. I this he is grandly successful. Considering the fragile condition of the republic, I have been thinking more about peparedness and so found this book engrossing. Good to own in hard copy, because of the wealth of specific references to gear and tactics.

I agree with the gushing reviews presented here, and I really enjoyed this romp through historical espionage. But when we get to the 1980's, Littell badly mishandles the Ronald Reagan character with cheap shots and ahistorical cardboard characterization. (Gee, ya think he doesn't like Reagan?) His ham handedness took me right out of the story. Very off putting. For me it marred an otherwise great ride, and makes me cautious about buying his other books.
Three stars for an otherwise five star title.

(Spoiler alert) Zombies plus terrorists, everything you need for a great horror thriller. This book delivers solid entertainment on that account. But then just when I'm really enjoying the read it shoots itself in the foot with the same old "evil corporate greed behind it all because capitolism is the root of all evil" dud surprise ending. Yawn.

The doctor, who sounded exactly like Raul Julia.

Went out and shot zombies! They definitely were zombies, right?

Interesting and unusual shift between first person narration for the hero and then third person for the villians and everyone else. I think it worked well.

Well written in a modern narrative style, reminded me of the TV series "Jericho" except grittier and ultimately more frightening. A holocaust such as the one described is within the means of a determined and ruthless enemy and there's no shortage of those. Gives me shudders.
(If some of the characters in this book are regular Americans and not patterned on the sensitivity-trained-politically-corrected nouveau elitist model then that is at least a small comfort!)

Vivid, poetic and powerful, read masterfully by Mr. Stechschulte. A really special book. The kind of book that one can return to and listen to multiple times, like a great piece of music.