One Second After

By: William R. Forstchen

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 13 hrs and 17 mins

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)

give you pause

absolutely amazing!! end of world that makes you think hard...is this a possibility? is this how the world ends?

What a warning

This book is pure warning. Of course this is possible. Of course we will fall apart in the same frightening ways depicted here.

Wonderfully written. Beautifully told. Riveting.

Too realistic to ignore

The audio performance was, if possible, better than the book itself; and the book is fantastic!

Scary, sad, hopeful

Thought provoking. I homestead and fear that would not be enough. And to defend it.

Great read for Preppers. Realistic and scary.

Living in a world of uncertain times and new ways to bring down a country, this gives a very realistic view of what could happen should we experience a EMP. Many would die, many would turn on another, many would fight for survival.

The author did not sugar coat the characters, family members will struggle, our pets will to. Scary to think what could happen if a attack occurs.

Must read

This novel encapsulates the hard truths of of communities in times of emergency, and the danger of how loss of moral compass can create enemies from neighbors. The realism of war waged by people who never thought it would come to that. Mesmerizing in emotion and detail.

John Matherson is the reason I’ve read this book 4 times. Incredible character.

About every year or two I decide it’s time to listen or read this book again. So far I’ve read the trilogy 4 times and every time I love it. Amazing story, amazing characters, and scary potential prediction of the future

Great story

Great story with a very real and terrifying actuality within it. The fact that it is very possible to happen.

Well written. Thought provoking.

Factual basis of a possible, if not probable, event. Insightful and thought provoking. What would you do one second after?

A scary tale that could turn into our future reality

This book is an eye opener for all those who believe our society is built to survive any attack from outside (or even inside) our nation. Preparing for this frightening reality is something most Americans are not even remotely considering and most will cave within the first few weeks of an EMP attack.
A truly horrifying possibility lurks, and this book highlights the gravity of our fragile situations