"One Second After" by William Fortschen tells the story of what happens in a small North Carolina town following an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) attack. It was published in 2009 and was on the New York Times best seller list.
A number of reviewers over at http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4922079-one-second-after gave the book bad reviews. I'll agree that there was lots of pontificating by the main character (ex military college professor) and lots of "we're still Americans". However I read the book not as a literary work but as a cautionary tale. Sure many of us are prepared for short term disasters but what if the crisis continues on for months or even years? Points to ponder:
- Medication needs for individuals with long term healthcare issues. Affects of disasters on those in hospitals / nursing homes.
- Ethics of food rationing.
- Us vs Them-- who are we ethically bound to feed and protect. What about those stranded while traveling?
- Conflicts between cities/ neighborhoods. The exodus of people leaving cities for more rural areas. Instituting martial law.
- Raising children during SHTF scenarios.
- Maintaining traditions during trying times.
- Do I or those around me have the necessary skills to survive and contribute to society?
- Poor sanitation, lack of food and no antibiotics can cause death from simple cuts or animal bites. Epidemics / pandemics of typhoid fever, cholera, etc.
The "average" die-off for the country was 90% leaving 30 million surviving out of original 300 million US population. The food-rich Midwest had the highest survival rate with a 50% die-off. New York City and Florida had a 95% die-off from infighting among their large populations, low levels of cultivated land, high elderly population, a lack of air conditioning, rampant transmission of disease, and natural disasters such as hurricanes.
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