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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
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    19,584
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a story for everyone

we all need to think about issues such as this presents. we each find it easy to ignore potentially catastrophic events and go on with our busy lives. this story is woefully predictive of can happen.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Very Well Thought Out

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

The author lays out the likely effects of an EMP attack in a calm methodical way and then the events of the story spin out from there.

Who was your favorite character and why?

John for trying to handle the details of reconstructing basic services while also wrestling with the larger ethical and societal issues at the same time.

Any additional comments?

This book really makes you think about all the things you take for granted. Not just electricity and computers, but what they allow you do to. For example the ability to communicate over long distance, access to medicine and hygene. I'm not as pessimistic as the author about society collapsing but most of the story rings true.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Terrific, Troubling

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

The reader was authentic without being overly dramatic

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

On the Beach

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

The narrator

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Civilization is a thin veneer

Any additional comments?

Terrific book about a genuine threat, well-told and effectively grim.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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What Are You Waiting For?

You have got to listen to this book! We loved it! Instead of watching TV, we would listen to the audiobook. Spectacular!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Deep story, narrow scope, good narration.

The premise is deep, the story is emotional, but the scope is through one character's viewpoint. That said emotions of the character aren't very deep. The narrator does a good job of conveying emotions of the characters.
The story itself is eye opening and the science is based on some facts. That said science has shown that some things might be safer than originally thought.
Enjoy the story, but look into the science if you want to take this story to heart.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Great information

This. Book should scare the hell out of us all. Only problem with reading was Baddd southern accents😣

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    4 out of 5 stars

Very unsettling

great performance, great story. It's so unsettling that it can be hard to keep reading.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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well done

This story is intense. The author tells an incredible tale of the aftermath of an EMP strike. There are several books/series out there on an EMP strike, but this author is able to connect his readers on a seemingly personal level. I can now understand why this book is/was referenced in the US Congress.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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The performance could have been better

The story got the point across very well. the story kept you interested but the reader did not have the range of characters in his voice.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Must read

Absolutely a must read book (or listen). Riveting storyline plus eye opener as to what could happen to our country.

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