One second after is a frightening and thought-provoking read. Forstchen has crafted a very realistic scenario of the aftermath of an EMP (Electromagnetic pulse) attack  that’s hard to get off your mind once you finish the book. The idea that we’re vulnerable to this kind of attack is enough to make me run for the hills with a stockpile of survival gear.

The story is told through the eyes of John Matherson, a history professor, widower, and former U.S. Army Colonel living with his two daughters in the small town of Black Mountain, North Carolina. John is someone with integrity, a good father, and a devoted teacher and active member of the community. He takes on a leadership role after the attack and despite horrible losses, guides his town through the nightmarish months that ensue.

This is one of those books that pulls you in and keeps you engaged – I found myself reaching for it every time I had a spare minute.  I felt a connection to the characters and shed a tear at a couple of the losses. I think it served its purpose very well (it was written as a warning of the real possibility of an EMP attack).

I tend to be left-leaning in my political views, so at times the conservative mindset bothered me a little, but I have to admit that it made me rethink some of my ideas, which is a powerful thing for an author to accomplish. If my home and children were threatened in a scenario like this, I’d use whatever means possible to keep them safe, so I guess I’m not the pacifist I thought I was. It’s easy to follow an ideology and define your politics based on distant events. When you imagine these circumstances in your own back yard, your true beliefs become apparent.

If you enjoyed books like Swansong or The Stand, you won’t be disappointed by this, although this is a much more realistic story. Trust me, you’ll never ignore a power outage again. When I was nearing the last chapter, our power went off briefly, and I was actually feeling panicked until I heard the roar of traffic from a nearby road. It’s worth the paranoia though, and it’s a good summer read. Hopefully, it will also prompt you to assess your family’s preparedness for an emergency.

Tags: apocalypse, EMP, William Forstchen