When the Lights Went Out - An LDS/EMP Scenario

by Jack Monnett

140pg. paperback book (5x8 inch) Nauvoo House c2011

Paperback

Published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

My interest in this book was the after effects of an EMP pulse. I am more concerned about a huge CME or micronova event causing the power outage than a EMP bomb. Either way the result is same in the Intermountain area of United States.

I liked this perspective with the indirect scripture references as dialogue. It reminds how much inspired leadership is needed in this unpleasant long event .

Most of the scenarios I knew, but the disruption of medical services was the most alarming.


The book didn’t really discuss civil government on a large scale

[Eddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I found this book interesting as an LDS take on an EMP scenario, I didn't find it nearly as fulfulling a readh as 'one second after' by William R. Forstchen (OSA). I had heard from others (and the back cover also mentions) that people liked this better than OSA, however I felt that this book was almsost a response rather than a novel itself. I can't say I was particularly attached to any of the characters, and the story managed to skip through about 18 months of time in ~90 pages.

I found the information interesting, as it give a bit of a 'fill in' of how a more LDS culture may have handled ths situation, I found it quite incomplete in other ways and think of it more as a fill-in to OSA.

Also, the story is set in a small town (700 people) so it didn't really feel like it gave a good representation of what we would really be going through since I'd wager that most of the US doesn't live in towns this small or this well situated to defened themselves.

Personally I perfered OSA to this one, others have said that they found OSA vulgar, I didn't think that I felt that way. It was certainly more descriptive of the descruction and of the kind of scenarios that are likey to arise when civilization deteriates, so I supposed that I would label most of distrubing or possibly graphic, rather than vulgar. Either way, I'd consider 'When the Lights Went Out' a suppliment to OSA, not a replacement.

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like Jack Monnett, and have heard him speak a couple of times. I do like his gift of telling things how they are. This book, although I think it achieved it's purpose of making the reader think about what the real effects of an EMP would look like, was depressing! I need to read something very uplifting now! I will remember this story in my disaster prep. It has given me some new ideas, for which I am grateful. Three and a half stars.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Fictionalized account of what could possibly happen in the event of an EMP, from an LDS perspective. I would recommend 'One Second After' instead.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting - book about an EMP (Electro Magnetic Pulse) detonated & all of America is affected. Scary to think it could actually happen - makes me want to get my food storage & gardening perfected!

[Mrs. · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book

[Bob Conder · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of an outline than a book, However it makes you think.