Survivors: A Novel of the Coming Collapse

A Novel of the Coming Collapse (Coming Collapse, Book 2)

By: James Wesley Rawles

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 13 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

America is in the thrall of a full-scale socioeconomic breakdown. The stock market plummets, hyperinflation destroys the value of the dollar, and the population, unprepared for hardship, panics. Practically overnight, the high-technology infrastructure and chains of supply collapse, and wholesale rioting and looting grip every city. Law enforcement, transportation, electricity, fuel, and medical supplies are all in the past now, as the country staggers beneath its own weight. Lawless bands of killers roam the countryside, leaving devastation in their wake and now that the government is gone, the Constitution is at stake. Who will carry on?

In this chaotic and dangerous environment, a few families and individuals, bound together by their faith, skills, and foresight, must struggle not only to survive day by day but defend themselves against a new and vicious predator - their fellow man.

Survivors is a shockingly realistic and lightening fast thriller about the coming implosion of America as we know it. Renowned survivalist expert James Wesley, Rawles has packed this story with the cold hard facts about how to stay alive in the face of mass riots, starvation, and anarchy. His expertise lends unforgettable, authentic detail to this season's most chilling novel. Listeners will not only be entralled, they will learn invaluable lessons on how to survive the coming collapse.

©2011 James Wesley Rawles (P)2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

What happened?

What would have made Survivors better?

I had two main problems with this book.
First, the book is misrepresented as a fictional account of survival in the aftermath of a civilization ending economic crisis. Instead, it should be billed as a book about how Christian people who pray often have a better chance of survival when the stuff hits the fan.

Second, the author did not seem to finish the book. One gets the impression that various story lines were thrown together from scraps the author had on his computer with no hint or resolution or explanation at the end.

Way Too Preachy

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Rawles needs to consider other faiths and not have all his

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Kind of flat, and if you have read the Patriots you know the rest.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Dick Hill?

He tries but sounds too much like he is reading a text book.

Could you see Survivors being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

A low budget TV at best. I mean how would a movie/ TV show be able to hold most people with all the good guy praying and quoting the bible all the time? On screen that would get old.

Any additional comments?

I think Rawles is using his fame to write books that if they where just how to books would be fine but and end of the world story fails. I wouldn't read this for the action, but the thoughts and the how to parts.

Not a “Patriots,” But Pretty Good!

I liked the long trek covering 3 continents and many miles. I liked the help of strangers along the way. This book is an excellent complement to Patriots. And the narration on the audiobook was very good. Also Rawles, very pleasantly, does NOT make all the usual errors of grammar and nomenclature that most SHTF writers make. That enables the reader to focus on the good storytelling without distraction.

Great story!!!

Excellent novel … I highly recommend it!!
Great companion piece to Patriots by the same author! The entire series is top notch!

A hard look at a real possibility

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, definitely, but it's not for those who imagine that civilization and social stability come from government.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Survivors?

The confrontation with the prissy, upper-class woman on the sailboat who hates guns, but just had her life saved by a guy who knows how to use one, and did.

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

This is the best of his that I have heard.

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

The cop in England who befriends the main character out of simple Christian charity.

Any additional comments?

For me, Survivors was a very interesting read, even if it wasn't Hemingway or Faulkner.
Rawles may not be exactly right about future events, but if things do go South socio-economically in a big way, his scenarios would likely not be too far off the mark. The story is believable in many respects, and the author is at his best when describing scenes of a tactical/military nature. It is obvious that he has done his homework in this regard, and lots of it. As for Christianity in the novel, some might view it as too strong, but I would wager that in an apocalyptic event, all of the chic atheists and pagans out there would find that their ersatz morality was as dust in a windstorm. Rawles is something of a cross between the admonition of George Washington, si vis pacem, para bellum (If you wish for peace, prepare for war), and John Adams refrain that,

A powerful story

This book is a powerful story of what might happen after an economic crisis. The amount of research that has gone into this book is astonishing. The author did an amazing job using descriptions of real life gear. This one is worth your time.

Not bad but like Patriots better

I didn’t think the book was bad. It spent a whole lot of time on the main characters troubles in the journey from Southwest Asia to New Mexico, which I think could have been shorter. I also think that it needed more action, like what was in “Patriots”.

so good

the story line takes time to develope but once you get to know the characters its a wonderful book and I very much enjoyed listening to it and Im sure I will listen to it again.

Rawls is the best

If you are looking for prepper fiction, this is it. Rwales is simply the best. There is many other good authors that came after him but all will get compared to the master.

Interesting and somewhat informative story.

A good story that holds your interest. it also provides some decent ideas regarding preparing for disaster or collapse.