http://onesecondafter.com/index.html (http://onesecondafter.com/index.html)
One Second After by William R. Forstchen
http://www.amazon.com/One-Second-After-William-Forstchen/dp/0765317583 (http://www.amazon.com/One-Second-After-William-Forstchen/dp/0765317583)
Quote
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. Newt Gingrich provides a foreword. (Mar.)
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Has anybody else read this? While what he describes in the book is pretty much a worst-case scenario (small town, little agriculture, zero preparation), there's a lot that rings true. I had given no thought to what happens to hospitals and nursing homes should this (God forbid!) ever happen. And I'd be miserable without communication.
We've always stockpikled some supplies against a hurricanes and the like. Now I'm thinking a Faraday cage is a good addition to that.
Neal Boortz talked about this several weeks ago; thanks for jogging my memory. I need to pick this up.