Join our discussion of "One Second After" by William R. Forstchen.
One Second After chronicles the events ocurring after an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) attack has been made on the United States. One man struggles to seave his family and his small North Carolina town after America loses a war that sends our nation back to the Dark Ages.
This book is often considered a cautionary tale. How prepared would you be in the event of an EMP strike.
Have you every thought about how you life would change without the telephone, television, a microwave?
Click on "comments" below to read the discussion.
This book was a huge eye opener for me. My husband asked me to read it and I did so reluctantly. Although I have read better written books, I have read few books that have impacted my life like this book. The idea of an EMP attack was nowhere in my radar before I read this book. I was living in blissful ignorance. But this book made me realize how feasible an attack like this really is. I stopped to think about what would happen if we had no electricity, cars, communications, etc. It would be devastating to say the least. I thought about how I would take care of my family if something like this happened. I realized how unprepared my family is. It scared me to the core. If I did nothing to prepare, I do not believe that my family could survive this type cataclysmic event for a long period of time. My husband and I have done small, but important things to get prepared for any emergency. We have stocked up on soap, toothpaste, and other hygeine items. We are going to buy some grain that we can store for up to 20 years that could feed us for up to a year. While some may say it's crazy, we figure "why not?" Who does it hurt to be prepared if nothing happens? But it will definitely help if something does.
ReplyDeleteI haven’t started reading the book yet, but to comment on the questions about life without modern conveniences. While it would take some adjusting, and may be somewhat difficult for certain things, but I would love it. If I could choose to lead a simpler lifestyle without modern conveniences, I would welcome it. I actually lived this way for three months while on vacation in Mexico. All I had was a simple room, a transmitter radio and it was awesome!
ReplyDeleteOf course, I would have a different perspective if there was a catastrophic event. I am not prepared but I would go to my parent’s farm. They have the ability to sustain us, for a while at least, with their garden and farm animals.
I understand the appeal of the simplicity of a life without electronics. I also, see Lisa R.'s point about the difference between a catastrophic or terrorist event and the choice of living simply. I visited an Amish community about six months ago, and the appeal was amazing. By just being in the area I was able to slow down and think.
ReplyDeleteIt is terrifying to see how much we rely on technology. I am sure that our government is working on the problem. I wonder how easy it would be for this type of terrorist assault to be Nationwide.
I think the biggest issue with the simple life is preparation. If one has everything they need to be self-sustainable, then I don't think it's a bad thing to live simply. In fact, it would probably be a good thing. Unfortunately, not many people are prepared like that. I think that there is a stigma for those who do prepare. People think they are paranoid or conspiracy theorists. I think that that is the good thing about books like this. They make you stoop and take stock of your life and preparedness for emergengies. Being prepared can't hurt anybody, but it can help.
ReplyDeleteI am reminded of several novels in which the "crazy" or "paranoid" people end up being the only people prepared. Right now I am reading "The Host." Only the previously considered paranoid individuals are able to survive. In the movie "Independence Day" one of the groups surviving an alien attack are the sky watchers who have been waiting for it.
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