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)

Just Incredible!!!!!!!

This was scary as this could happen to us. Very realistic and narrator was awesome!

Interesting Lecture/story,

The author is obviously very concerned about the real threat of an EMP attack and the lack of mitigation efforts by the country's leadership. At times he drifts into long description of the horrors of such an event rather than expanding the plot. Perhaps this was the only feasible way to cover such a huge national disaster or he provides the detail in his second book. I would have preferred more story than lecture, but this is a must read book.

Great and pretty damn scary

What made the experience of listening to One Second After the most enjoyable?

The fact that it sounds very plausible

Who was your favorite character and why?

John

Which character – as performed by Joe Barrett – was your favorite?

John

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no, it was over 11 hours

Any additional comments?

you should have hired the same narrator for the "One Year After" book. The "performer" you got to do it was abysmal. Don't listen to the next book. Read it.

Interesting read

Story was interesting and Narrator did a good job. Overall audio volume in this book was much lower then the last few I have read.

Could be a scary reality

Would you listen to One Second After again? Why?

Yes, every American should read / listen to this book. The potential of this happening in our country is no so far reaching and the impact would be like nothing we have ever known. This is a great story and keeps you wanting to listen more and more.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes! You don't think it could get any worse but it does - each day that goes by further breaks down our society.

Which character – as performed by Joe Barrett – was your favorite?

The doctor.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Shock - scared to think if this were to happen here in the us - I hope our national defense has a plan to eliminate this threat or if not, how to get us back on the grid.

Any additional comments?

Highly recommend although many might fine this quite disturbing.

Too realistic!

It's terrifying and, unfortunately, potentially our future! This book has made a prepper out of me!

fabulous but chilling

Captivating and disturbing that our current lifestyle is ultimately unsustainable. I'm really pleased I read it but fear it will haunt me forever.

So good!

This book is written like a historical novel. The events are so well written it felt like it really happened! Forstchen obviously did his research to find out the many, many we would be screwed and (mostly) all die from an EMP blast. Time to beef up the food storage!
...and I'm downloading the next book..

A shocking but great novel.

What made the experience of listening to One Second After the most enjoyable?

One second after is very real.

What other book might you compare One Second After to and why?

Have you listened to any of Joe Barrett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The moment that really moved me was right after the war.

Any additional comments?

No

Loved it.

One of the best books I've ever read. the story is realistic and compelling. I found myself staying up late to get through it as quickly as I could. I really could not put it down.