Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by steveab
Earth Abides by George R. Stewart
4.0
Published in 1949, just fear of "atomic war" began to heat up, Earth Abides instead considers apocalypse-by-viral outbreak. Almost all human life perishes very quickly. Before they disappear, scientists speculate on three possible causes - intentional attack, research center leak, spread from wild animals suddenly in proximity to expanding human communities. Sound familiar?
I find it fascinating that he anticipates all this without nuclear war.
The book has fairly decent writing though dated social relations (particularly around gender).
Stewart had other, more popular (novels, and Earth Abides has begun to gain notice. While dated in some ways, it has an interesting take on how what's left of human civilization degenerates -- and not through war and savagery, as in other such stories.
I find it fascinating that he anticipates all this without nuclear war.
The book has fairly decent writing though dated social relations (particularly around gender).
Stewart had other, more popular (novels, and Earth Abides has begun to gain notice. While dated in some ways, it has an interesting take on how what's left of human civilization degenerates -- and not through war and savagery, as in other such stories.