Inevitably, I always end up in an English classroom when I proctor the SAT and the most recent administration of it was no different. A day before the exam, I noticed a few of my seniors - students who I don't really have pegged as "readers" - reading
One Second After in spare moments before their next class. Coincidentally enough, the SAT room had a pile of the very same book, so I picked it up and started reading it... and didn't really stop until I went to bed that night... and I read through it every spare moment on the following Sunday. Because I'm a slow reader, I still had two or three chapters to finish the following weekend.
When it comes to media in general, I rarely think much about the ideas or topics or themes presented. Most of them seem cliched or poorly researched at best. And even though this book is categorized as science-fiction, it's tangibility is frightening and all too believable. Without spoilers, the premise of Forstchen's book takes place in present-day America and a weapon known as an EMP detonates across the entire country, leaving almost everything electrical dead and useless. It's effects are far reaching and, personally, frieghtening to watch as the country descends into a technology-level equivalent of the nineteenth century. Being unequipped both physically and psychologically, the citizens of America immediately transforms into a city-state like way of living where people act in hysteria and panic. Forstechen has a special way of communicating how the removal of one profound, modern convenience - electricity - brings out the very worst in everyone.
It comes to no surprise that Forstchen is very educated and fascinated with world history through the lens of military and conflict. The central characters all have a military background and use that type of diction and mindset fluently throughout the novel. Furthermore, Forstchen makes numerous references to popular book, TV programs and movies to help the reader get into the mindset of the central characters and understand the lifestyle required to survive in such a unknown and dangerous time. While I found the constant referral to these references to be cheesy at times, I think it's repetition speaks as to how people in first-world countries choose to prioritize entertainment. The author is most certainly a patriot, and he definitely has strong ideas of what America should be like. This book is probably his worst nightmare and I severely wonder how he brought himself to write this.
Perhaps the biggest impact this book will have on me is how realistic the opening chapters were. The attack, the suddenness, and the inability of the country, state, and town governments to be prepared for an attack that isn't as unrealistic as some would hope. This book starts a conversation on how fragile this country truly is to any group or country that wishes to do us harm. Although the EMP is a special type of attack that requires hi-tech equipment, there is still a potential of a regional attack that requires far less effort to carry out successfully. As I was reading the first chapters, it was frightening as a citizen and a father, how often I was thinking, "Yes, this is possible," or "That's not too far from the truth," or simply, "My God, that would probably happen." Additionally, it's worth noting that this book also addresses the utter neglect and disrespect of an entire demographic and how much we take many of our modern conveniences for granted. Remove electricity, and you quickly find out how independent we have become of others, and how much a resourceful and united community is a necessity for survival.
Where as the first chapters easily replicable throughout the entire country, it's later chapters are very specific to its setting, Black Mountain, NC, and it's residents. The author chooses to place many military and southern-culture Christians in his book, and at times, it both types are a bit over-the-top in presentation. I suppose that is required in a sale of a novel, but the bigger picture lessons are invaluable. It's undeniable that large scale death would occur through a variety of means such as starvation, lack of nutrition, a winter season, lawlessness and disease. If you can separate the local events from the bigger picture that Forstchen is trying to paint, you'll glean a lot more from this reading.
Admittedly, I haven't read a lot of books that are either apocalyptic or militaristic; so I might be easily influenced here. But since reading this, I'm consistently thinking, "If an EMP took out all the electric right now, what would my family do?" or the less dramatic case, "How am I prepared for _______-type emergency." I've had deep and interesting conversations with my wife about the events in this book, and it's been invigorating to have such living discussion about our own, personal emergency readiness.
At this point, I question how secure and prepared we are as a country, as a state, or even as a town, for a devastating natural or terrorist sources. (Watching how my community dealt with the last flood in particular, I don't think I'm alone in that thought.) However, it's undeniable that I can not view my country or community the same way again.
I'll close with the same sentiments as the author. It would be a joy is no one would have to witness what happens in the book. But if our country becomes suddenly disabled in the way described above, it will be devastating on every level imaginable.
Rating: 4 out of 5
