Book Review: One Second After
May 19, 2009
St. Charles County, MO
By Kris Kolk
Yesterday, I finished reading William R. Forstchen’s One Second After, recently published apocalyptic fiction about an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack and a small town’s reaction to it.
The notion of EMP attack is not new and is quite possible. Forstchen recently appeared on Fox News, describing an EMP attack and what we can do to prepare. Watch it here.
Former Speak of the House, Newt Gingrich, contributed the foreword to the book and has stated that One Second After “has been endorsed by a number of nuclear physicists as technically exactly right.”
In the story, a mystery enemy attacks the United States by high-altitude nuclear detonation. The attack does not cause direct harm to the residents, but creates a burst of electromagnetic energy, making life quite unusual without electricity, newer cars, telephones and even digital diabetic testing equipment. Actually, except for vintage and manual items, many products, once valuable, became unusable.
The townspeople found themselves dealing with practical issues of nourishing their residents but also ethical situations such as deciding which residents to “write-off” so others may live.
One Second After made me regret trashing merely stale food, not stocking up on essentials, as well as delaying dental appointments and procrastinating getting into shape. If such an attack were to occur, skills such as preserving foods and any kind of medical knowledge would become vital—and, only the strong will survive.
The sleeve of the book states that it has been cited on the floor of Congress as a book all Americans should read. It also says that One Second After has been discussed at the Pentagon as a realistic look at effects of an EMP attack.
One Second After can be found in the St. Charles City-County Library; however, if you wish to borrow a copy, you’ll have to get in line. The six copies the library owns are in hot demand as is the CD sound recording.
This book is uncomfortable at times but a necessary eye opener. Pick up a copy at the book store or place a reserve on your library card. It is worth the wait.
Copyright 2009 Neighbors About Town
