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One Second After  By  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)

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.

What listeners say about One Second After

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    19,592
  • 4 Stars
    6,072
  • 3 Stars
    1,992
  • 2 Stars
    726
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Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    17,351
  • 4 Stars
    5,277
  • 3 Stars
    1,649
  • 2 Stars
    369
  • 1 Stars
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    17,536
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    4,564
  • 3 Stars
    1,653
  • 2 Stars
    607
  • 1 Stars
    538

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A Must Read Makes you think

This is a great book. I enjoyed every second of it. I listened in the shower, in the car,,,cleaning house etc. It also makes you want to go out and stock up on canned foods and dried meat. haha

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

One Second After

I was scared to death listening to this book on how the US is so unprotected and then when the news reported a North Korean ship heading to Hawii it made this book all to real. A great read and a better listen to book. Highly recomment

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A novel for the ill-prepared

This is an interesting take on what an EMP attack on the US might look like. It is not a "how to survive" manual, rather it is a book about what will likely happen to ill prepared individuals.

This book will make you think about your own personal responsibility toward yourself and your family.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

This book was freaking tremendous!

Never heard of this author, but WOW what a great story. Narration was great, story was great, didn't want to stop the car (and therefore stop listening). My all-time favorite book is Stephen King's "The Stand," and this story swept me up much like that one did. I absolutely, positively recommend this to everyone. Great, great book (found myself wanting a sequel!).

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book!

Its rare that I listen to a book and find I can't turn it off....except when the i pod loses its charge. I work in health care and was greatly moved by all the horrific things that certainly would happen in a void of technology. And I driven and worked on VWs for years....so I was pumping my fist in the air when they were still trugging along after the attack..lol

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Thought Provoking

I have listened to this book many times, I enjoyed the story very much, I think it was well written and narrated. Most importantly I think it raises big questions of how secure we, in the US, really are. I believe this is a very real picture of what our future could be if our government continues to ignore this threat. If you don't know what EMP is look it up the web, If you dont understand the threat get this book.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

One of my Favorite Books EVER

This is a thought provoking wake up call about just how much we rely on technology, and how ill-prepared we are for any kind of national disaster. It was a very realistic, and well-done, glimpse into what would happen if we suddenly had to survive without electricity, running water, grocery stores, prescription medications, sanitary conditions, etc. Definitely one of my favorite books ever. It's made me much more aware......

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

One Second After

Loved this book. Its interesting and thought provoking. The reader is fantastic. I've read some of the negative reviews - I honestyly think they were listening to something other than this book. It is brilliant.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Jo
  • 04-17-11

Great Story - Makes you think

I have listened to this story a couple of times now - it's very enjoyable. It makes you think about just how vunrable we are...

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

ONE SECOND AFTER

This was an excellent book, really make you think about things! Enjoyed tremendously! A must read!

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1 person found this helpful