This book has now maybe overtaken my fear of zombies.
Thoughts?
If you believe the report of the EMP commission, the EMP effects would not be nearly as dire as the book presents. For instance, the commission found that many modern vehicles wouldn't be affected, and those that were could be repaired fairly quickly. But critics say the commission's tests on those vehicles did not expose them to what they believed to be the full strength that an EMP attack would have.
I think what most impresses me with the book is string of connections between livestock, transportation and infrastructure. I work in a distribution support company and the turnover of total product in a large end grocery store is about 2 weeks (other then the oddball items in central placed items/non-refrigerated) I believe without the communication sending supplies anywhere would be limited.
Maybe the writer was a bit hasty in how many people would die and at what rate but I believe him being spot on in medical supplies that keep people alive. Refrigeration, food, waste removal..... scary stuff yo.
If there's one thing I've learned from reading post-apocalyptic novels, it's that in any world with even 19th century technology, it's going to suck to be diabetic or to have a staph infection.
oblongo - If there's one thing I've learned from reading post-apocalyptic novels, it's that in any world with even 19th century technology, it's going to suck to be diabetic or to have a staph infection.
I know right. Both my parents are diabetics and my dad is on shots every couple days. Older family members just running out of medications. It (even as fiction) is just a scary scary world someone can paint by taking hard facts and showing us what happens when you have a town of 20,000 people and a just in time delivery supply chain that is broken. I mean right now, how much food do you have in your pantry (probably preaching the choir but still) If you were stuck at home for three months would you make it?
I dont know why I quoted you with only four quotes on this page.
I will check it out. I have already re-assessed my small supply of food, water, medication, clothing and plans for if something might happen. I think people think of the extremes when something happens, but stuff happens all the time so might as well be careful. It took my wife a couple of months to understand what I was doing but now she is ok with stockpiling and whatnot.
Border's is going out of business so maybe they have Lights Out on sale or something.
kvr29 - read lights out
I have this on pdf, its a good read. Its just as good if not a little better than One Second After.