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)

Great for what it is

If you like disaster and survival stories, this is a very entertaining listen, with adept narration, and some amusing attempts at regional accents. There are a lot of nifty details, as well as some totally hearbreaking battle and other crisis-related sequences.

The author seems like a guy with integrity and strong old fashioned values. this comes through in the choices he makes with his characters, with lots of very admirable military men and so forth. i've worked as an army contractor and have nothing but respect and admiration for the people i met.

that said, his main character (a guy just like the author, in many respects) accepts the wartime pregnancy of his young daughter with aplomb and is amiably tolerant of the local weirdos and potheads.

Of course the writer of the introduction is a ham and loves a soapbox, but it's funny to hear.

Overall the book left me with the feeling that I could be better prepared in my home in NYC, just as much for a bad storm as for another terrorist attack.

Final analysis: a super entertaining book, well read.

G R E A T!!

This book will give you something to think about, as this is one of those books that could happen. At any time.

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

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

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.

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!).

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

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.

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......

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.