One Second After by William R. Forstchen... the ultimate power outtage...

[agracie]

This book is very believable. You will think about it long after you finish reading it.

FROM PUBLISHERS WEEKLY:

In this entertaining apocalyptic thriller from Forstchen (We Look Like Men of War), a high-altitude nuclear bomb of uncertain origin explodes, unleashing a deadly electromagnetic pulse that instantly disables almost every electrical device in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world. Airplanes, most cars, cellphones, refrigerators—all are fried as the country plunges into literal and metaphoric darkness. History professor John Matherson, who lives with his two daughters in a small North Carolina town, soon figures out what has happened. Aided by local officials, Matherson begins to deal with such long-term effects of the disaster as starvation, disease and roving gangs of barbarians. While the material sometimes threatens to veer into jingoism, and heartstrings are tugged a little too vigorously, fans of such classics as Alas, Babylon and On the Beachwill have a good time as Forstchen tackles the obvious and some not-so-obvious questions the apocalypse tends to raise.

[Curmudgeoness]

1. Apocalyptic novels scare the shit out of me.

So many of them are completely believable, and that is terrifying. I do read them, but I worry that one day, after reading one, I will put a bunker in the back yard and stock the house with guns.

The power outage novel that I have never forgotten, even after 30 years, was Arthur Hailey's Overload. Maybe that is because it was not so much end-of-world, but it was on the verge of happening at that time. Although I am still environmentally active, I did think very seriously about the dilemma we have with our need for electricity....and have had to come to terms with what it takes to fill that need.

[agracie]

2. This one is the most realistic account I have read. After the power goes out, it doesn't take long

for things to go to hell in a handcart - only confiming my worst fears re/ our dependence on electricity.

[Curmudgeoness]

3. LOL, the comment about our dependence on electricity

reminds me of the time I was without power for 8 days after a hurricane. I know what you say is true, because all the neighbors were getting pretty testy after a few days of no TV or video games, and no light at night. It was fine for a few days, like a camping trip---until all the food went bad and the temperatures soared and boredom set in. I can only imagine what would happen, and how quickly, if these people had seen no end to it.

[agracie]

4. 6 days without power in an Ohio summer 2012 - temps in upper 90s - one small generator that ...

allowed us to run the 'fridge, a fan, and a light to read by... no medical needs that require electricity, thank goodness... the worst for me was no hot shower... but our neighbor was in a panic and that was a real concern... harbinger of things to come, perhaps...

[SheilaT]

5. I recall starting that book and

not finishing it. I seem to recall a strong right-wing bias which turned me off, and that there were some other things in the first couple of chapters that just felt not believable. I wish I could remember more specifics.

I am someone who reads a lot of s-f, and I've read most of the post-apocalyptic novels out there. Not The Road. That was another one that didn't work for me, so I put it down after a few chapters.