Friday, May 14, 2010

One Second After

Newt Gingrich's introduction sets the tone for this book. Unfortunately, its not good. It gives away the source of the problem as an EMP devise that shuts down all electronics. It also lets us know that the book takes it way to seriously.

The characters come across as characatures of utopian rednecks. Everyone seems to be perpetually smoking (I guess they are in tobacco country). The hero always seems to do what is right (except for the obligatory times he goes ballistic in support of his family at the expense of others.) The doctor is perfectly detached and has perfect foresight in to the future calamities that will befall the community. And the college students, the hero's daughter, the woman mayor, the "Satan worshiping bad guys" - well, the characters are not very original.

My impulse after reading was to become a survivalist. How could I have everything needed for survival if a calamity did strike? Of course, the other point brought out by the book was that it didn't really matter. Even if you were prepared, many others would not be prepared, and they would likely seek out those that were. (It may take the Amish a few days to notice that there is no electricity - however, they will probably quickly have other show up at their door begging.)

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