A review by penleguin
One Second After by William R. Forstchen

3.0

Oof. A hard-hitting, no-holds-barred look at a possible future of America in the instance that an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) weapon is used on the country, frying ALL electronics and plunging the entire country into the dark ages. It follows retired army colonel and current history professor John Matherson as he and his small community in North Carolina navigate the challenges and terrors of life without functioning cars, internet, phones, etc. Hospitals and other essential community centers shut down, due to the loss of backup generators and anything that runs on electricity. The situation quickly downspirals as thousands in the town are left without medicine, a dwindling food supply, and fire/police/medical departments that are severely limited in what they're able to provide for their citizens. A lot of the book (more than I care for) is focused on military strategy and American patriotism, but it was still an exciting, nerve-wracking read and I have no doubt that it was a reasonably accurate portrayal of how a disaster like this would affect the nation. Scary stuff.