One Second After by William R. Forstchen

This is one scary book! The fact that this could happen at any time is positively frightening! It made me want to stock up on medical supplies, medications and canned foods. I always think about war as only damaging the areas that are directly involved, or directly "hit". To think that this type of war could wipe us out without any initial blood shed is mind-blowing.

I like how this book explored decisions based on morality as well as the decisions based on what's better for the greater good. It would have been incredibly difficult for the pharmacist and the doctor, who both stood their ground against John when he was so desperately trying to get more insulin for his daughter. He was a well known and important man in his community, yet they had to treat him like everyone else. Also, John did his own "looting" (although for the most part, too late), even while it was being condemned by community leaders. I know I would have done the same thing if that was the way to try to save my family.

It was interesting how John's input, which was indeed valuable, involved his knowledge of history. I wouldn't have thought that a history professor would bring much value to a situation like this, but he certainly did. We do need to learn from the past successes and past mistakes/defeats in war time. I liked how the town leaders decided to let people walk through their town (the "outsiders") instead of trying to barricade the town. There would have been a lot more deaths early on if they had tried to keep everyone out. Also John's idea about letting the Posse in, in order to trap them, was scary but brilliant. It's sad that so many of the students died - as well as community leaders - in the process, but freedom from tyranny comes with a price.

This was a sad book; an eye-opening book. I hope our government is making a plan for survival if this ever happens.

Wendy's Rating: ****