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Population Zero
When Todd was just a child, he learned that sometimes it was necessary to sterilize or euthanize animals in order to keep their population from growing too rapidly. It was the humane thing to do, the best thing for the environment. Yet, every day at his job at the Welfare Department, Todd sees the dregs of humanity multiplying unchecked, overburdening the earth with a tidal wave of humanity. But if he can convince them not to reproduce, if he can convince everyone to voluntarily sterilize themselves, then he might just prevent the coming population explosion. And those who can't be convinced… Population Zero is the story of an environmental activist named Todd Hammerstein who is on a mission to save the planet. In just 50 years the population of the planet is expected to double. But not if Todd can help it.
111 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
21 people are currently reading
1147 people want to read
About the author
Wrath James White
127 books1,163 followersWrath James White is a badass motherfucker who writes baddasss books for other badass motherfuckers. He is a J.F. Gonzalez Lifetime Achievement Award winner and a Bram Stoker Award nominee with over two dozen books in print.
Wrath is the author of RABBIT HUNT, THE BUG COLLECTOR, and such extreme horror classics as THE RESURRECTIONIST (now a major motion picture titled "Come Back To Me") SUCCULENT PREY, it's sequel PREY DRIVE, 400 DAYS OF OPPRESSION, and many others.
To follow his Substack, purchase books, get the latest updates about upcoming releases, signed books, merchandise, and more, go to:
https://linktr.ee/wrathjameswhite
Wrath is the author of RABBIT HUNT, THE BUG COLLECTOR, and such extreme horror classics as THE RESURRECTIONIST (now a major motion picture titled "Come Back To Me") SUCCULENT PREY, it's sequel PREY DRIVE, 400 DAYS OF OPPRESSION, and many others.
To follow his Substack, purchase books, get the latest updates about upcoming releases, signed books, merchandise, and more, go to:
https://linktr.ee/wrathjameswhite
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
December 24, 2021
Taking a stab in the dark, but I think Todd is not pro-life. Todd works at the Welfare Department and everyday he sees people that should have never had children. He believes in sterilization. Voluntarily or involuntarily. Todd is on a mission to save this planet from overpopulation. A one man activist mission. He is coming for your reproduction organs whether you consent or not.
Wow. This book is hardcore. Todd makes you want to hide your uterus and never come back.
Wow. This book is hardcore. Todd makes you want to hide your uterus and never come back.
March 5, 2021
Holy guacamole. This was an intense and frequently brutal read. My warning: if you are Pro-Life and have an aversion to violence, skip this book. If you believe that the world is grossly overpopulated and that something needs to be done about it, give it a read. This is a gripping novella with many twists and an antinatal logic to it. You just can't go wrong with Wrath James White.
February 17, 2022
Population Zero is a story that outlines the ideas of a crazyman hell-bent on protecting the world by controlling and reducing the world population...but on an individual basis.
Setting the scene quite nicely, we are invited into a strong and quite believable workplace opening that quickly spirals into total free-fall. Soon we find the deeply disturbed and manically outraged Todd taking his own personal brand of practical action on his private crusade to ensure that he meets his targets in order to complete his mission and help save the world from a most calamitous future.
Contains heaps of wicked, brutal and totally gruesome action, which may well turn the stomachs of some readers - 'pro-life' supporters, look away now!
A good story, but definitely not for everyone.
Rating: 3.8 blood red stars of the terminating variety.
Setting the scene quite nicely, we are invited into a strong and quite believable workplace opening that quickly spirals into total free-fall. Soon we find the deeply disturbed and manically outraged Todd taking his own personal brand of practical action on his private crusade to ensure that he meets his targets in order to complete his mission and help save the world from a most calamitous future.
Contains heaps of wicked, brutal and totally gruesome action, which may well turn the stomachs of some readers - 'pro-life' supporters, look away now!
A good story, but definitely not for everyone.
Rating: 3.8 blood red stars of the terminating variety.
December 28, 2025
"POPULATION ZERO" was one of several works I purchased recently by the Hardcore King Of Extreme Horror Wrath James White. It constitutes a Novella due to its word count. The horror author manages to narrate a fully fleshed out antagonist in the character of Todd, and the gore flows fast and furious once the young extremist got his footing and strangled his conscience. The author's use of first person serves to inject more emotion, disgust, and immediacy into the storyline. I love WJW because he hasn't met a taboo topic or a politically charged one. There is plenty of extreme horror to go around, but what I was most engrossed by was the grip of Todd's obsession tightening around his neck as he progressed to carry out the more heinous and monstrous atrocities on a larger scale. It is to be noted he stopped hearing his dwindling humanity talking back to him. Todd was "sewing his own version of wild oats" and loving it when the lady of vengeance ended his roll. I really liked this work of extreme horror by WJW. It was a close up examination of extremism and how it begins as a seed and grows to murderous proportions when fed.
February 13, 2021
You'll never look at a wire hanger the same again.
March 2, 2011
Population Zero by Wrath James White
Ok I fully expected to hate this book. The world of fiction has not been kind to vegans, the depiction in the media is pretty awful. The worst being the scene in 12 monkeys when a group of animal rights activists celebrate but making monkey sounds and stratching themselves.
So when I heard extreme horror writer and former MMA fighter Wrath James White had written a novella with a vegan environmentalist serial killer I was afraid to read it. I am sure not all vegans will be happy about White’s Vegan character, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is not a politically correct book by any means and I think many will call it classist, maybe even subtly racist.
The fact is this is a challenging book, like many great works of ecological and political horror it challenges us to look hard at things we refuse to see, in this case that is not the torn and ripped of fetuses, and mangled limbs. This book has those but that is not what makes this book extreme horror if you ask me.
Todd Hammerstein, is vegan, rides his bike to his social services job at the welfare department. This is a short novel but White does a great job, giving depth to Todd’s environmental beliefs quickly and for me that is more interesting than the blood and gore in the second half. An incident with the dog that was his first love plants a seed with Todd, if you can’t support the population, you shouldn’t breed.
From his job at the welfare department he sees an endless stream of people with children they have no means to support. When he fails convince some that they should have an abortion Todd resorts to violence.
I clearly don’t agree with serial killing as a means of population control but I love this method of story telling to talk about the serious issue of human overpopulation. Add population zero to the cannon of great Ecological horror with Skipp and Spector’s The Bridge, Shirley’s Demons and Brunner’s The Sheep Look Up.
Ok I fully expected to hate this book. The world of fiction has not been kind to vegans, the depiction in the media is pretty awful. The worst being the scene in 12 monkeys when a group of animal rights activists celebrate but making monkey sounds and stratching themselves.
So when I heard extreme horror writer and former MMA fighter Wrath James White had written a novella with a vegan environmentalist serial killer I was afraid to read it. I am sure not all vegans will be happy about White’s Vegan character, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is not a politically correct book by any means and I think many will call it classist, maybe even subtly racist.
The fact is this is a challenging book, like many great works of ecological and political horror it challenges us to look hard at things we refuse to see, in this case that is not the torn and ripped of fetuses, and mangled limbs. This book has those but that is not what makes this book extreme horror if you ask me.
Todd Hammerstein, is vegan, rides his bike to his social services job at the welfare department. This is a short novel but White does a great job, giving depth to Todd’s environmental beliefs quickly and for me that is more interesting than the blood and gore in the second half. An incident with the dog that was his first love plants a seed with Todd, if you can’t support the population, you shouldn’t breed.
From his job at the welfare department he sees an endless stream of people with children they have no means to support. When he fails convince some that they should have an abortion Todd resorts to violence.
I clearly don’t agree with serial killing as a means of population control but I love this method of story telling to talk about the serious issue of human overpopulation. Add population zero to the cannon of great Ecological horror with Skipp and Spector’s The Bridge, Shirley’s Demons and Brunner’s The Sheep Look Up.
November 26, 2023
He opened up a paper bag and began dumping the pills into the water. He opened the next bag and the next one, emptying their contents into the water basins. He was just about to open the next bag when a loud boom echoed in his ears and a burning pain speared through his back and into his chest. He tried to inhale and blood bubbled up in his lungs. Todd turned slowly as black spots danced before his eyes. The world tilted and shifted out of focus.
March 9, 2022
As a kid, Todd Hammerstein never understood putting animals to sleep due to overpopulation, and not doing the same to humans - how was it any different, he wondered. Now as an adult, he has become obsessed with the overpopulation crisis.
Todd works for the Welfare department and sees the dregs of society walk into his office every day. Fed up with all the mothers who can't take care of the kids they already have, yet keep getting pregnant and applying for government assistance, he blurts out to his applicant that she should get an abortion. In exchange for this, he offers her the incentive of approving her claim. When she agrees, Todd is elated. For the first time, he is feeling like he has finally done some good in the world, and is feeling less cynical at work.
Todd gets more and more bold, offering welfare checks in exchange for abortions, tubal ligations, and vasectomies to any of the scourge that enter his office.
However, some applicants don't want to accept Todd's proposition. But he's not willing to let that stop him; Todd will not take no for an answer and let anyone keep him from accomplishing his goals, and he has special plans for anyone that should reject his offer.
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WJW is one of my favorite authors, I just love everything he writes. This book was sick and I felt the secondhand pain, let me tell you. If you're into extreme horror, this is one author you definitely don't want to sleep on.
Todd works for the Welfare department and sees the dregs of society walk into his office every day. Fed up with all the mothers who can't take care of the kids they already have, yet keep getting pregnant and applying for government assistance, he blurts out to his applicant that she should get an abortion. In exchange for this, he offers her the incentive of approving her claim. When she agrees, Todd is elated. For the first time, he is feeling like he has finally done some good in the world, and is feeling less cynical at work.
Todd gets more and more bold, offering welfare checks in exchange for abortions, tubal ligations, and vasectomies to any of the scourge that enter his office.
However, some applicants don't want to accept Todd's proposition. But he's not willing to let that stop him; Todd will not take no for an answer and let anyone keep him from accomplishing his goals, and he has special plans for anyone that should reject his offer.
--------------
WJW is one of my favorite authors, I just love everything he writes. This book was sick and I felt the secondhand pain, let me tell you. If you're into extreme horror, this is one author you definitely don't want to sleep on.
May 8, 2024
Another amazing read by Wrath!
Do you ever wonder that the Earth is overpopulated and willing to do anything to fix that problem?
If so, then our leading character has the exact same mind-set as you! Prepare for some brutality in this story.
4/5
Do you ever wonder that the Earth is overpopulated and willing to do anything to fix that problem?
If so, then our leading character has the exact same mind-set as you! Prepare for some brutality in this story.
4/5
May 29, 2022
More gore than you can shake a wire hanger at. Todd is a hero.
March 10, 2015
Auf eine Kurzzusammenfassung möchte ich an dieser Stelle verzichten, da der Klapptext schon sehr viel über den Inhalt aussagt und wirklich klasse gewählt wurde.
Dieses Buch hat es einfach in sich - 160 Seiten Horror, Brutalität und Realität. In Population Zero werden Fakten klar und deutlich dargelegt. Die Bevölkerungszahl der Menschen hat sich in den letzten Jahren um ein X-Faches vervielfacht und in 50 Jahren werden, wenn es so weitergeht, doppelt so viele Menschen wie heute auf dem Planeten leben.
Erschreckend? Ja, bestimmt, aber auch eine Tatsache. Und wir alle wissen, wo es enden wird, wenn die Menschen eines Tages keinen Platz mehr auf der Erde haben - sie rotten sich früher oder später selbst aus (was sie mit vielen Tieren und Pflanzen schon getan haben und immer noch tun) und der Planet wird Jahrtausende brauchen, bis er sich wieder erholt hat (falls dies überhaupt noch möglich ist).
Natürlich finde ich die Methoden, die Todd zur Anwendung bringt, nicht in Ordnung - ich bin mir sicher, es gäbe eine humanere Lösung, die nicht so brutal und blutig enden muss. Aber ich kann ihn auch verstehen. Seine Gedankengänge sind extrem, fanatisch - und doch nicht einmal so abwegig.
Was würde passieren, wenn ein Teil der Menschen sich sterilisieren lassen würde? Würde sich unser Planet nach und nach erholen? Würde die Menschheit überleben? Auf diese Fragen habe ich keine Antwort, aber ich finde, es wäre immerhin ein Anfang, auf dem sich aufbauen liesse.
Obwohl ich Todd in gewissen Dingen verstehen kann, ist er ein Paradebeispiel von Extremismus!
In diesem Buch wird uns, auf brutalste Weise gezeigt, wo es enden kann, wenn jemand durchdreht und die Dinge selbst in die Hand nimmt - extrem, skrupellos und blutig.
Wo ich ihn am Besten verstehen konnte, war bei seiner Arbeit - ich weiss nicht, ob ich so viel Geduld und Verständnis aufbringen könnte, wie es bei einem solchen Beruf normalerweise erwartet wird. Und daher kann ich auch ein wenig nachvollziehen, woher sein Extremismus kommt und was ihn weiter gefördert hat.
Was interessant war und mich dennoch ein wenig gestört hat, sind die Selbstzweifel, die ihn immer wieder bei seinen Taten plagen. Ich denke, für seine Einstellung, seinen Extremismus sind diese Zweifel - ausser am Anfang, ein wenig fehl am Platz.
Ein paar Szenen waren ziemlich heftig - ja, Extrem halt *zwinker* - und ich muss sagen, ich bin nicht zart besaitet, aber an einer Stelle hat mein Körper gesagt: So, jetzt machst du 10 Minuten Lesepause, dann geht es dir wieder besser. Ich habe damit echt nicht gerechnet, da ich einiges ertragen kann - aber diese eine Szene! Die hat mich doch mehr umgehauen, als gedacht. Sehr beeindruckend und ein absoluter Pluspunkt! Ich habe schon lange nichts mehr gelesen, dass mich so mitgenommen und beschäftigt hat. Klasse.
Der Schreibstil von White hat mir gut gefallen - ich habe das Buch fast in einem Rutsch durchgelesen und es hat mir wirklich gut gefallen! Auch das Ende ist ihm, wie ich finde, sehr gelungen. Es beantwortet einige Fragen - aber es bleiben noch viele Fragen offen und der Leser kann sich selbst ausmahlen, wie es vielleicht weiter geht.
Das Cover hat mir auch gut gefallen - und irgendwie finde ich es passend gewählt.
Ein sehr gelungenes Buch zu einem aktuellen Thema - Überbevölkerung und deren Folgen. Und ich muss zugeben, so richtig beschäftigt einen das Buch eher nach dem Lesen, wenn man alles noch mal durchgeht, es noch einmal Revue passieren lässt. Denn es ist nicht einfach ein Horrorbuch, es ist auch ein Buch mit Tiefgang. Es ist näher an der Realität, als wir vielleicht glauben - und das ist das erschreckende daran.
Blutig, brutal, skrupellos - Population Zero ist nichts für schwache Nerven! Für alle hartgesottenen Leseratten da draussen: Bestellen, lesen, lieben! Klare fünf Sterne von mir!
Dieses Buch hat es einfach in sich - 160 Seiten Horror, Brutalität und Realität. In Population Zero werden Fakten klar und deutlich dargelegt. Die Bevölkerungszahl der Menschen hat sich in den letzten Jahren um ein X-Faches vervielfacht und in 50 Jahren werden, wenn es so weitergeht, doppelt so viele Menschen wie heute auf dem Planeten leben.
Erschreckend? Ja, bestimmt, aber auch eine Tatsache. Und wir alle wissen, wo es enden wird, wenn die Menschen eines Tages keinen Platz mehr auf der Erde haben - sie rotten sich früher oder später selbst aus (was sie mit vielen Tieren und Pflanzen schon getan haben und immer noch tun) und der Planet wird Jahrtausende brauchen, bis er sich wieder erholt hat (falls dies überhaupt noch möglich ist).
Natürlich finde ich die Methoden, die Todd zur Anwendung bringt, nicht in Ordnung - ich bin mir sicher, es gäbe eine humanere Lösung, die nicht so brutal und blutig enden muss. Aber ich kann ihn auch verstehen. Seine Gedankengänge sind extrem, fanatisch - und doch nicht einmal so abwegig.
Was würde passieren, wenn ein Teil der Menschen sich sterilisieren lassen würde? Würde sich unser Planet nach und nach erholen? Würde die Menschheit überleben? Auf diese Fragen habe ich keine Antwort, aber ich finde, es wäre immerhin ein Anfang, auf dem sich aufbauen liesse.
Obwohl ich Todd in gewissen Dingen verstehen kann, ist er ein Paradebeispiel von Extremismus!
In diesem Buch wird uns, auf brutalste Weise gezeigt, wo es enden kann, wenn jemand durchdreht und die Dinge selbst in die Hand nimmt - extrem, skrupellos und blutig.
Wo ich ihn am Besten verstehen konnte, war bei seiner Arbeit - ich weiss nicht, ob ich so viel Geduld und Verständnis aufbringen könnte, wie es bei einem solchen Beruf normalerweise erwartet wird. Und daher kann ich auch ein wenig nachvollziehen, woher sein Extremismus kommt und was ihn weiter gefördert hat.
Was interessant war und mich dennoch ein wenig gestört hat, sind die Selbstzweifel, die ihn immer wieder bei seinen Taten plagen. Ich denke, für seine Einstellung, seinen Extremismus sind diese Zweifel - ausser am Anfang, ein wenig fehl am Platz.
Ein paar Szenen waren ziemlich heftig - ja, Extrem halt *zwinker* - und ich muss sagen, ich bin nicht zart besaitet, aber an einer Stelle hat mein Körper gesagt: So, jetzt machst du 10 Minuten Lesepause, dann geht es dir wieder besser. Ich habe damit echt nicht gerechnet, da ich einiges ertragen kann - aber diese eine Szene! Die hat mich doch mehr umgehauen, als gedacht. Sehr beeindruckend und ein absoluter Pluspunkt! Ich habe schon lange nichts mehr gelesen, dass mich so mitgenommen und beschäftigt hat. Klasse.
Der Schreibstil von White hat mir gut gefallen - ich habe das Buch fast in einem Rutsch durchgelesen und es hat mir wirklich gut gefallen! Auch das Ende ist ihm, wie ich finde, sehr gelungen. Es beantwortet einige Fragen - aber es bleiben noch viele Fragen offen und der Leser kann sich selbst ausmahlen, wie es vielleicht weiter geht.
Das Cover hat mir auch gut gefallen - und irgendwie finde ich es passend gewählt.
Ein sehr gelungenes Buch zu einem aktuellen Thema - Überbevölkerung und deren Folgen. Und ich muss zugeben, so richtig beschäftigt einen das Buch eher nach dem Lesen, wenn man alles noch mal durchgeht, es noch einmal Revue passieren lässt. Denn es ist nicht einfach ein Horrorbuch, es ist auch ein Buch mit Tiefgang. Es ist näher an der Realität, als wir vielleicht glauben - und das ist das erschreckende daran.
Blutig, brutal, skrupellos - Population Zero ist nichts für schwache Nerven! Für alle hartgesottenen Leseratten da draussen: Bestellen, lesen, lieben! Klare fünf Sterne von mir!
November 13, 2012
This is the third book by Wrath James White that I have read and he did not let me down. I recommend this book to anyone who loves extreme horror or wants to even give it a try. If you are more of a Jane Austin or Twilight reader (me saying this after I started to read this after I just finished a Harry Potter book), or someone that things blood and violence is a bad thing, well, this is not the book for you. This is some harsh stuff and I winced more than once, a pretty hard task to do these days. It was a fast, fun and disgusting ride, and I look forward to the next.
July 20, 2023
Well this was pretty fucked up. This book was crazy but that being said with the way the world is I could see some crazy shit like this happening. Wrath James White is a awesome fucking writer. I enjoyed this one read it in a few hours because I wanted to know what the fuck was going to happen and how far shit was going to go and man did White bring it awesome brutal story that'll stick with me for a bit. Highly recommend this one
April 8, 2021
Well, that was an intense read! Definitely DO NOT READ if you don't like baby/fetus killing. A quick, horrific, brutal story with a very messy ending!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2019
Buch 12 in 2019: "Population Zero" von Wrath James White
Ihr habt abgestimmt und gesagt, dass ich dieses Buch lesen soll und was soll ich sagen? FERTIG!
Ist aber auch keine Kunst bei etwas mehr als 100 Seiten.
Todd Hammerstein ist sehr umweltbewusst. Er isst kein Fleisch, fährt kein Auto und hängt einer Bewegung an, die propagiert, dass man die Welt nur vor einer Überbevölkerung und dem damit verbundenen Kollaps schützen kann, wenn man die Fortpflanzung beschränkt bis untersagt. Beeinflusst durch seine familiäre Vergangenheit beschließt er schließlich ein Vorreiter dieser Bewegung zu werden. Es reicht ihm jedoch nicht aus nur selbst zeugungsunfähig zu sein und so geht er dieses Problem tatkräftig an.
Diese sehr kurzweilige und gut geschriebene Novelle aus dem Hause @festaverlag geht dieses Thema gewohnt Extrem an. Durchaus glaubwürdig wird dargestellt, warum Todd handelt, wie er handelt und was ihn dabei bewegt. Auch wenn er grausame und grausige Dinge tut, so kann man ihn nicht als reinen Bösewicht ansehen, da er durch diese Taten in seinen Augen etwas Gutes erreichen will.
Man darf jedoch nicht logisch denkend an viele Szenen herangehen, da es einfach unglaubwürdig ist, dass Todd manche Praktiken derart passabel ausführt, nur weil er einmal etwas nachgelesen hat.
Zu verschweigen ist auch nicht, dass dieses Büchlein doch recht brutal und heftig ist und man Dinge wie praktizierte laienhafte Abtreibungen und Sterilisationen aushalten können muss.
Ich fand das Buch ok. Es hat mich nun nicht so geschockt wie erwartet und war schlicht ganz nett zu lesen. Der kleine Slasherhorror für Zwischendurch.
#populationzero @wrath_james_white
Ihr habt abgestimmt und gesagt, dass ich dieses Buch lesen soll und was soll ich sagen? FERTIG!
Ist aber auch keine Kunst bei etwas mehr als 100 Seiten.
Todd Hammerstein ist sehr umweltbewusst. Er isst kein Fleisch, fährt kein Auto und hängt einer Bewegung an, die propagiert, dass man die Welt nur vor einer Überbevölkerung und dem damit verbundenen Kollaps schützen kann, wenn man die Fortpflanzung beschränkt bis untersagt. Beeinflusst durch seine familiäre Vergangenheit beschließt er schließlich ein Vorreiter dieser Bewegung zu werden. Es reicht ihm jedoch nicht aus nur selbst zeugungsunfähig zu sein und so geht er dieses Problem tatkräftig an.
Diese sehr kurzweilige und gut geschriebene Novelle aus dem Hause @festaverlag geht dieses Thema gewohnt Extrem an. Durchaus glaubwürdig wird dargestellt, warum Todd handelt, wie er handelt und was ihn dabei bewegt. Auch wenn er grausame und grausige Dinge tut, so kann man ihn nicht als reinen Bösewicht ansehen, da er durch diese Taten in seinen Augen etwas Gutes erreichen will.
Man darf jedoch nicht logisch denkend an viele Szenen herangehen, da es einfach unglaubwürdig ist, dass Todd manche Praktiken derart passabel ausführt, nur weil er einmal etwas nachgelesen hat.
Zu verschweigen ist auch nicht, dass dieses Büchlein doch recht brutal und heftig ist und man Dinge wie praktizierte laienhafte Abtreibungen und Sterilisationen aushalten können muss.
Ich fand das Buch ok. Es hat mich nun nicht so geschockt wie erwartet und war schlicht ganz nett zu lesen. Der kleine Slasherhorror für Zwischendurch.
#populationzero @wrath_james_white
February 7, 2012
Actually, this is a 4.5 star review but I can't assign half-stars. So yeah, whatever.
Review snippet: "For reasons that I have discussed in the past, I have been watching Wrath James White’s writing for a while. I was introduced to him via a collaboration that was so bad it remains in my top ten category for worst books I have ever read (Teratologist was the book, the sort of book wherein the protagonist’s name is spelled three different ways in one paragraph). So I sought out White’s web presence and his well-written, interesting blog did not mesh with the hot mess I had read so I gave him another chance. I next read Book of a Thousand Sins and saw that in some respects, my belief he was a far better writer than Teratologist presented him was justified. There were problems with that story collection, but White got enough right that I was heartened.
Population Zero is pretty much a vindication that my instincts were correct. All the issues that I saw in Book of a Thousand Sins were reconciled. Whereas characters might rant for pages on end in BoaTS, in Population Zero the protagonist’s issues were woven into the plot and showed a character arc. White’s at times baroque writing style was a bit more restrained in this book and his characterization was excellent. The villain in Teratologist embodied Dean Venture when he declared, “I dare you to make less sense!” (Dean also had a terrible problem with his testicles, and the applicability of me telling you this will become clear as you read my discussion.)"
Read my entire review here.
Review snippet: "For reasons that I have discussed in the past, I have been watching Wrath James White’s writing for a while. I was introduced to him via a collaboration that was so bad it remains in my top ten category for worst books I have ever read (Teratologist was the book, the sort of book wherein the protagonist’s name is spelled three different ways in one paragraph). So I sought out White’s web presence and his well-written, interesting blog did not mesh with the hot mess I had read so I gave him another chance. I next read Book of a Thousand Sins and saw that in some respects, my belief he was a far better writer than Teratologist presented him was justified. There were problems with that story collection, but White got enough right that I was heartened.
Population Zero is pretty much a vindication that my instincts were correct. All the issues that I saw in Book of a Thousand Sins were reconciled. Whereas characters might rant for pages on end in BoaTS, in Population Zero the protagonist’s issues were woven into the plot and showed a character arc. White’s at times baroque writing style was a bit more restrained in this book and his characterization was excellent. The villain in Teratologist embodied Dean Venture when he declared, “I dare you to make less sense!” (Dean also had a terrible problem with his testicles, and the applicability of me telling you this will become clear as you read my discussion.)"
Read my entire review here.
February 23, 2012
I grew up reading Richard Laymon and Jack Ketchum, so it was a neat little surprise to find a new author to add to that lofty list of hardcore, no-fear horror writers. Population Zero was my first brush with Wrath James White's writing, and I have to say...I really enjoyed it (and I'm a little hard to please when it comes to horror). I read it straight through, no stops, and promptly went to Amazon and added a bunch of his other books to my Kindle. So thanks, Wrath, for making sure I eat nothing but Ramen for the next few weeks.
Population Zero is not a bit sympathetic to the welfare class. The main character believes that they're literally "worthless eaters" and that they're destroying the earth with their nonstop breeding and manipulation of the system. So he gets the idea that maybe he can do something about it by suggesting that one welfare mother get herself 'fixed' in exchange for extra food stamps and other privileges. When that works, he goes further...and further...and the next thing you know he's Googling 'how to do a vasectomy.'
This book isn't for the faint of heart. It's graphic and gross and disgusting and cringe-worthy, and--in my opinion--absolutely worth the cover price. Every now and then, 'subtle' just doesn't do it for me. Let others have their quiet horror...I'll take visceral terror every time.
Recommended...but only for those who have the stomach for it.
Population Zero is not a bit sympathetic to the welfare class. The main character believes that they're literally "worthless eaters" and that they're destroying the earth with their nonstop breeding and manipulation of the system. So he gets the idea that maybe he can do something about it by suggesting that one welfare mother get herself 'fixed' in exchange for extra food stamps and other privileges. When that works, he goes further...and further...and the next thing you know he's Googling 'how to do a vasectomy.'
This book isn't for the faint of heart. It's graphic and gross and disgusting and cringe-worthy, and--in my opinion--absolutely worth the cover price. Every now and then, 'subtle' just doesn't do it for me. Let others have their quiet horror...I'll take visceral terror every time.
Recommended...but only for those who have the stomach for it.
January 9, 2025
An exhilarating ride alongside an MC that becomes increasingly detached from reality, while we get a first-hand look as his psyche devolves into madness. As is tradition with WJW, he doesn’t disappoint with the gore, and one of the final chapters was especially gruesome. Great read but one that may be polarizing depending on your worldview.
January 29, 2025
Me in five years.
June 30, 2011
Population Zero is a horror novella written by Wrath James White. White is known for his no-holds-barred splatterpunk horror and here he delivers in spades.
Todd Hammerstein is part of a group called Zero Population that believes in decreasing the world’s population by any means necessary. The extremist leader of the group gets thrown in jail for attempting to put a sterilizing chemical in a large water supply. With Todd’s inspiration behind bars, he feels a sense of duty to carry on his leader’s mission.
Todd’s actions gradually become more desperate and brutal as the novella progresses. There are murder scenes that are described in graphic detail and I couldn’t help but cringe at some of the dark imagery.
Now everything isn’t blood and splatter. There are flashbacks to Todd’s troubled childhood chocked full of emotion and misery. This helps explain his motivation behind his mission.
Eventually, there’s a great twist three quarters through the book. It’s a curve-ball that momentarily deters Todd and makes him rethink everything that has previously happened. There are a few more twists and turns that all lead to a satisfying ending.
Wrath James White is an exciting author and with Population Zero he provokes both your mind and your body.
Todd Hammerstein is part of a group called Zero Population that believes in decreasing the world’s population by any means necessary. The extremist leader of the group gets thrown in jail for attempting to put a sterilizing chemical in a large water supply. With Todd’s inspiration behind bars, he feels a sense of duty to carry on his leader’s mission.
Todd’s actions gradually become more desperate and brutal as the novella progresses. There are murder scenes that are described in graphic detail and I couldn’t help but cringe at some of the dark imagery.
Now everything isn’t blood and splatter. There are flashbacks to Todd’s troubled childhood chocked full of emotion and misery. This helps explain his motivation behind his mission.
Eventually, there’s a great twist three quarters through the book. It’s a curve-ball that momentarily deters Todd and makes him rethink everything that has previously happened. There are a few more twists and turns that all lead to a satisfying ending.
Wrath James White is an exciting author and with Population Zero he provokes both your mind and your body.
February 3, 2015
My insides were hurting at 3/4 of the book.
Gorey, bloody, not for the faint-hearted, not for reading it while eating, great subject, great plot, totally debatable, gorey and bloody again... loved it!
Gorey, bloody, not for the faint-hearted, not for reading it while eating, great subject, great plot, totally debatable, gorey and bloody again... loved it!
December 10, 2022
Intense extremely mean and bloody book that had me hooked start to finish. Always love books with characters with strong convictions, even when they're frightening and fucking crazy. Definitely going to be reading more of the authors work.
July 22, 2013
probably one of my favourite books I've ever read! and personally I think a great idea!
June 2, 2022
Има цял раздел литература, която е "ужаси" ама бая по-кървави от Стивън Кинг и другите там мейнстрийм автори - явно са по-кървави и ужасни отколкото стандартния читател може да понесе. И не, не ми казвайте че Стивън Кинг не е за стандартния читател - той си е норми автор отвсякъде, със стотици милиони фенове.
В тия, да речем второразредни книжки авторите си позволяват да му отпуснат края на кървищата, мъченията и сексуалното насилие. Но за съжаление литературните им умения най-често са под всякаква критика.
И да, това е общо ревю за почти всички такива книжки които съм прочел, няма смисъл да ги изброявам отделно, не че има разлика между тях, освен основния сюжет.
В тия, да речем второразредни книжки авторите си позволяват да му отпуснат края на кървищата, мъченията и сексуалното насилие. Но за съжаление литературните им умения най-често са под всякаква критика.
И да, това е общо ревю за почти всички такива книжки които съм прочел, няма смисъл да ги изброявам отделно, не че има разлика между тях, освен основния сюжет.
July 23, 2018
This book gets extreme and vile, but it does more than simply shock the reader with its horrible scenes and imagery. The protagonist, Todd, is immediately sympathetic. The reader cannot help but feel for him, and as his journey descends into madness and horror, the reader finds that it's too late to bail out. Wrath James White has a gift for making the reader complicit in the crimes of the protagonist. It's certainly not a book for everyone, but if you've got the stomach, and the nerve, it's a powerful tour de force of Extreme Horror.
MLD
MLD
March 20, 2024
I don't know where to begin. This book is so violent and graphic and Wrath James White has a way of REALLY painting a picture. Now dead babies is a hard line for me and after the first one I thought I'd have to put the book down multiple times but I just couldn't. White absolutely grips you with his writing and story and by the end you really sit thinking "how the fuck did we get here?!*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2018
Das Buch war teilweise wirklich hart an der Grenze zum Erträglichen. Nicht empfehlenswert für Leute, die nichts lesen können mit der Thematik Kinder.
August 18, 2019
This book.. WOW. Can I say I loved this book? I love the way it's written, how fully immersed you become in the characters. The violence is horrific and I cringed, but if you love extreme horror Wrath James White is a top author to read.
August 13, 2014
When Todd's dog has puppies that the family can't afford, he is distraught about them being destroyed when humans do not suffer the same fate for kids they can't afford. Now an adult, Todd is disgusted by his welfare job, watching scrounging wasters pop out babies with no thought for the environment. Todd now has a mission to stop them by any means necessary.
OK, pay attention now-if you are offended by abortion, gorefests and murder then don't even think of picking up this book. It is the most graphic horror book I've read with descriptions of torture, forced abortion and vasectomy, and is not for the weak stomached. I also thought that it was twisted, funny and ironic and very well written.
You can fully understand Todd's frustration as a man who cares about the planet. Every day he watches pregnant women demand food stamps and welfare payments as they prepare to pop out yet another kid that they can't afford. Drug addicts having mutated children because they won't stop using. Men impregnating multiple women then needing a handout. And his hero has just been arrested for trying to add a drug to the water supply to make people sterile as a population control method. So now it is all up to Todd to sort things out, one case at a time. It is his methods that turn him into a raging psycho.
Todd starts by trying to persuade women to have abortions and gets their tubes tied in return for him putting through their welfare claims. He has a small success with a client or two but few are convinced by his arguments including a man who has fathered several children. It is time for Todd to force these people to do what he suggests through kidnap and operations without pain relief. It is shocking to see someone do what Todd does to other humans in the name of saving the planet but I couldn't help laughing at the crazy situations that he gets into. I mean, most people with a brain would realise that kidnapping a man and giving him a vasectomy will not end up well. It was pretty funny to see Todd suddenly understanding that he will be getting reported to the police for this and trying to work out what the hell to do next.
The situations get crazier as he plans to abort the baby of a drug addict and tie her tubes with a helpful internet guide to the procedure. Then there is the problem of what to do about his pregnant ex girlfriend who is now a lesbian, and the home for women who have been persuaded not to abort their babies. Todd is knee deep in trouble(and gore) and I just found this gross bloodfest to be full of dark humour despite the disturbing plot. Todd is bothered by the fact that he might be a sociopath or a psychopath during his evil activities and these worries made me snigger.
If you like Jack Ketchum and Edward Lee and don't mind the shocking and gory content, then you might well enjoy this short novella.
OK, pay attention now-if you are offended by abortion, gorefests and murder then don't even think of picking up this book. It is the most graphic horror book I've read with descriptions of torture, forced abortion and vasectomy, and is not for the weak stomached. I also thought that it was twisted, funny and ironic and very well written.
You can fully understand Todd's frustration as a man who cares about the planet. Every day he watches pregnant women demand food stamps and welfare payments as they prepare to pop out yet another kid that they can't afford. Drug addicts having mutated children because they won't stop using. Men impregnating multiple women then needing a handout. And his hero has just been arrested for trying to add a drug to the water supply to make people sterile as a population control method. So now it is all up to Todd to sort things out, one case at a time. It is his methods that turn him into a raging psycho.
Todd starts by trying to persuade women to have abortions and gets their tubes tied in return for him putting through their welfare claims. He has a small success with a client or two but few are convinced by his arguments including a man who has fathered several children. It is time for Todd to force these people to do what he suggests through kidnap and operations without pain relief. It is shocking to see someone do what Todd does to other humans in the name of saving the planet but I couldn't help laughing at the crazy situations that he gets into. I mean, most people with a brain would realise that kidnapping a man and giving him a vasectomy will not end up well. It was pretty funny to see Todd suddenly understanding that he will be getting reported to the police for this and trying to work out what the hell to do next.
The situations get crazier as he plans to abort the baby of a drug addict and tie her tubes with a helpful internet guide to the procedure. Then there is the problem of what to do about his pregnant ex girlfriend who is now a lesbian, and the home for women who have been persuaded not to abort their babies. Todd is knee deep in trouble(and gore) and I just found this gross bloodfest to be full of dark humour despite the disturbing plot. Todd is bothered by the fact that he might be a sociopath or a psychopath during his evil activities and these worries made me snigger.
If you like Jack Ketchum and Edward Lee and don't mind the shocking and gory content, then you might well enjoy this short novella.
August 2, 2013
Yeah, we know how it feels
when the passion is running high.
Your dick's so hard,
you're wet between your thighs.
A tongue-fest, caress.
Hands fumbling.
Lips to chest.
Grab hold lest
you fall forever, together.
The same music playing in your ears.
Sinking into one another.
Your friend, your lover.
Oh, God, you're burning, busting up inside.
You close your eyes, hear cries.
His leg between your thighs.
Grind on it. Sigh.
He's telling you comforting lies.
Yes, Daddy, it's yours you say,
as he's undressing you, vexing you.
Taking too long to get into you.
An explosion occurs, whirs, scrambles your mind
as you touch breast to breast, flesh to flesh,
and you can no longer contain the need, the longing,
the desire to give and to get, to thrust to rush.
You moan in ecstasy and he growls in your ear.
Go deeper, you can take, harder, no fear.
You're riding the orgasm, you can feel it, it's near.
He's puffing and breathing, and smacking' your rear.
Muscles flexing, nails biting, fighting for a hold.
He screams, you scream, you both lose control.
Your thigh muscles quiver and his kiss sends a shiver
up your spine, so divine, what a winner.
He watches you shower away his spend seed.
You watch him walk away, walk away and leave.
Should have know better. You knew it. You did.
Nine months later you're having his kid.
You didn't want it, but you did.
Thought a fairy tale would you be in.
That he would happily agree and be the man you need
bouncing Jr. joyously on his knee.
Instead he's not calling, out ballin',
wishing he could flee, be free,
of this ball and chain you turned out to be.
You cry your crocodiles tears, but it changes nothing.
Year after year you keep going, strugglin' sufferin'.
All for nothing because in the end,
You spread your legs for his friend.
Damn...Pregnant again.
by Nikki
This read was harsh.
Todd works at the Welfare office and flips one day and tries to reduce the population. He's tired of giving out food stamps to drug addicts and multiple offenders(people that can't afford the children they have, but keep having more). He's got figures in his head of how much money and food a person uses and consumes and goes on a crusade to stop some of it from happening.
when the passion is running high.
Your dick's so hard,
you're wet between your thighs.
A tongue-fest, caress.
Hands fumbling.
Lips to chest.
Grab hold lest
you fall forever, together.
The same music playing in your ears.
Sinking into one another.
Your friend, your lover.
Oh, God, you're burning, busting up inside.
You close your eyes, hear cries.
His leg between your thighs.
Grind on it. Sigh.
He's telling you comforting lies.
Yes, Daddy, it's yours you say,
as he's undressing you, vexing you.
Taking too long to get into you.
An explosion occurs, whirs, scrambles your mind
as you touch breast to breast, flesh to flesh,
and you can no longer contain the need, the longing,
the desire to give and to get, to thrust to rush.
You moan in ecstasy and he growls in your ear.
Go deeper, you can take, harder, no fear.
You're riding the orgasm, you can feel it, it's near.
He's puffing and breathing, and smacking' your rear.
Muscles flexing, nails biting, fighting for a hold.
He screams, you scream, you both lose control.
Your thigh muscles quiver and his kiss sends a shiver
up your spine, so divine, what a winner.
He watches you shower away his spend seed.
You watch him walk away, walk away and leave.
Should have know better. You knew it. You did.
Nine months later you're having his kid.
You didn't want it, but you did.
Thought a fairy tale would you be in.
That he would happily agree and be the man you need
bouncing Jr. joyously on his knee.
Instead he's not calling, out ballin',
wishing he could flee, be free,
of this ball and chain you turned out to be.
You cry your crocodiles tears, but it changes nothing.
Year after year you keep going, strugglin' sufferin'.
All for nothing because in the end,
You spread your legs for his friend.
Damn...Pregnant again.
by Nikki
This read was harsh.
Todd works at the Welfare office and flips one day and tries to reduce the population. He's tired of giving out food stamps to drug addicts and multiple offenders(people that can't afford the children they have, but keep having more). He's got figures in his head of how much money and food a person uses and consumes and goes on a crusade to stop some of it from happening.
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