What do you think?
Rate this book
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot #1
Escaping the Dead
The radio goes quiet while on convoy in Afghanistan, a lost patrol alone in the desert.
With his unit and his home base destroyed, Staff Sergeant Brad Thompson suddenly finds himself isolated and in command of a small group of men trying to survive in the Afghan wasteland.
The local population has been afflicted with an illness that turns them into rabid animals. They pursue him and his men at every corner and stop.
Struggling to hold his team together and unite survivors, he must fight and evade his way to safety.
With his unit and his home base destroyed, Staff Sergeant Brad Thompson suddenly finds himself isolated and in command of a small group of men trying to survive in the Afghan wasteland.
The local population has been afflicted with an illness that turns them into rabid animals. They pursue him and his men at every corner and stop.
Struggling to hold his team together and unite survivors, he must fight and evade his way to safety.
78 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 8, 2013
604 people are currently reading
940 people want to read
About the author
W.J. Lundy
37 books269 followersW. J. Lundy is a still serving Veteran of the U.S. Military with service in Afghanistan. He has over 12 years of combined service with the Army and Navy in Europe, the Balkans and Southwest Asia. W.J. is an avid athlete, writer, backpacker and shooting enthusiast. He currently resides with his wife and daughter in Central Michigan.
I developed the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot series from notes and ideas I had put together while deployed to Afghanistan. I had been jokingly asked how we would defend against a zombie attack.
I wanted to tell a story that portrays the military that I know, that displays our actual capabilities. These are my thoughts, I hope you enjoy them, and thank you for reading.
facebook.com/WARONPRIMALS
wjlundy.wtf@gmail.com
I developed the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot series from notes and ideas I had put together while deployed to Afghanistan. I had been jokingly asked how we would defend against a zombie attack.
I wanted to tell a story that portrays the military that I know, that displays our actual capabilities. These are my thoughts, I hope you enjoy them, and thank you for reading.
facebook.com/WARONPRIMALS
wjlundy.wtf@gmail.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
August 5, 2021
Rabies Or Zombiism?
Sargent Brad Thompson is in Afghanistan, minding his business, when the world becomes a cluster-f.
He and his team are quickly overwhelmed by the violent, rabid natives. They use all the weapons and ingenuity they can gather to survive.
Is the world that they know over? Will they be able to survive?
A fast paced thriller, full of action and horror. You will be constantly holding your breath while reading.
Sargent Brad Thompson is in Afghanistan, minding his business, when the world becomes a cluster-f.
He and his team are quickly overwhelmed by the violent, rabid natives. They use all the weapons and ingenuity they can gather to survive.
Is the world that they know over? Will they be able to survive?
A fast paced thriller, full of action and horror. You will be constantly holding your breath while reading.
March 8, 2015
You had me at the title.
WTF is really an introduction to what looks to be a great series.
You meet the good guys, the crew of an army "MRAP", don't ask me what it stands for but it is one bad a$$ vehicle, capable of surviving just about anything. they team up with a couple of navy seals (the military special ops dudes...not marine life with flippers covered in dark blue paint).
You meet the bad guys, roving hoards of ravenous zombies, just waiting for the opportunity to eat you alive.
What I enjoyed most about WTF is how it was so well paced and so well written. It was not rushed with nonstop action, the characters took the time to get their bearings and set up properly, with dialogue and character building.
I look forward to continuing my adventure with Staff Sergeant Brad Thompson.
http://www.2bookloversreviews.com/whi...
WTF is really an introduction to what looks to be a great series.
You meet the good guys, the crew of an army "MRAP", don't ask me what it stands for but it is one bad a$$ vehicle, capable of surviving just about anything. they team up with a couple of navy seals (the military special ops dudes...not marine life with flippers covered in dark blue paint).
You meet the bad guys, roving hoards of ravenous zombies, just waiting for the opportunity to eat you alive.
What I enjoyed most about WTF is how it was so well paced and so well written. It was not rushed with nonstop action, the characters took the time to get their bearings and set up properly, with dialogue and character building.
I look forward to continuing my adventure with Staff Sergeant Brad Thompson.
http://www.2bookloversreviews.com/whi...
March 25, 2013
Oh my goodness, is this book in need of a few serious rounds of proofreading. Numerous incorrect words (e.g. defiantly instead of definitely a number of times) and frequent poor punctuation. Especially on dialog. A little more character development would help as well, especially when going to the length of a novel.
However, in spite of those issues, I loved the story. It was fast paced, and a real page turner. And I liked that the main characters put a little thought and planning behind their actions.
I'll definitely be tuning in for the follow-up novel that is promised. But, PLEASE, take more time on editing and proofreading.
However, in spite of those issues, I loved the story. It was fast paced, and a real page turner. And I liked that the main characters put a little thought and planning behind their actions.
I'll definitely be tuning in for the follow-up novel that is promised. But, PLEASE, take more time on editing and proofreading.
October 3, 2016
Nice military end of life as we know it book. The series is off to a good start.
March 11, 2015
Lets face it there are lots of zombie books out there and many of them published on the kindle...the only problem is most are poor and "Escaping the Dead" is certainly not the most exciting short stoy I have read recently. It's simply the adventures of a lost patrol in the desert in Afghanistan trying to fight off the living dead as the world faces an outbreak of "zombie" virus. That's about the height of the excitement, I would recommend that W. J. Lundy does not give up his day job (still a serving soldier) and leave the art of writing to those more capable....If you want to see how it should be done then refer to my review of the highly enjoyable "The Rising" by Brian Keene...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Escaping the Dead is the start of a series of books and I for one will be venturing no further into the desert in search of marauding zombies....
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Escaping the Dead is the start of a series of books and I for one will be venturing no further into the desert in search of marauding zombies....
November 6, 2013
A very enjoyable addition to the zombie universe of books. This was especially fun since it had such a realistic feel on the ground with an isolated military convoy in Afghanistan. The writing was clean and sharp and the military feel to everything was sketched perfectly. I found the characters to be believable and attractive and their situation compelling. Finally, realistic zombies that are fast and creepy but that have a (somewhat) believable first cause. I was hooked from the get go and happily rode right beside them page after page.
The text had a few typos and grammar issues but surprisingly few, really. The dialogue was good, the radio chatter apt, and the growing realization of the extent of their isolation and the world's dire situation was terrific.
I highly recommend this book. I am already happily plowing through the next volume in the story.
The text had a few typos and grammar issues but surprisingly few, really. The dialogue was good, the radio chatter apt, and the growing realization of the extent of their isolation and the world's dire situation was terrific.
I highly recommend this book. I am already happily plowing through the next volume in the story.
December 19, 2018
An OK story.
January 5, 2021
I am an old Zombie Apocalypse veteran having been born into the generation that watched George Romero movies at the drive-in, thought Charlton Heston's greatest role was in The Omega Man, and considered "I Am Legend" to be the best end-of-the-world story every written. But that was then and this is now. The weird confluence of the self-published fiction industry and zombie apocalypse cultural conquest has produced what should be a perfect storm of great Zombie story-telling. But alas, the current glut of self-published Zombie TEOTWAWKI fiction mostly sucks. But then along comes this near perfect little gem from Afghan War Veteran W.J. Lundy. Escaping the Dead is a terse, well-written, fast-moving, run-for-your-life zombie apocalypse novella about a group of US soldiers in Afghanistan who return from a combat patrol only to discover that the entire US military and all of Afghanistan have been overrun by mobs of berserk, infected zombies. It takes awhile for everyone involved to discover exactly what is happening. But that's part of the fun. Eventually, the patrol joins forces with other small groups of US and Afghan survivors who must work together to try to set up a stronghold to wait out the epidemic. The military action is well crafted and well-written. Lundy knows his stuff... unlike the amateur military stuff that ruins most of these zombie books for us Veterans. Plot-wise, there is little to this story other than a running gunfight. But it moves so flawlessly that you won't realize how short and fast this is until the book comes to a screeching halt and it's over. It's an adrenaline rush that leaves you hoping for more. And there is more. Escaping the Dead is just the first episode in a series that is sure to include more imaginative twists in the road as things progress and characters and scenarios develop. But, wow. Lundy hits it out of the park. Okay, I admit, there is zero character development and a few scenarios in which the zombies overwhelm people entirely too quickly given the dismembering power of .50 caliber rounds and grenades but hey, if you want literature, read Moby Dick; if you need realism, stick to non-fiction. But if you are in the mood for a short, novella-sized sprint through a fast-shooting military Zombie apocalypse, this is your series. Recommended.
August 25, 2017
A team of American soldiers on patrol in Afghanistan are attacked by a mob of crazed civilians injected with a rage virus that makes them hard to kill. As they lose colleagues, they decide to head to the border for help, only to find it overrun with crazed people. Now they need to find a way to defend themselves and stay alive.
This was a decent enough story. It was well written and there was nothing really wrong with it. It just lacked the excitement of the kind of 'zombie' books that I like, where ordinary people or preppers take on the zombies and venture out for supplies or roadtrips. I don't find these military ones as interesting, with the focus more on weapons, tactics and equipment. Still, I knew what kind of book it was when I chose to download it so I can't complain.
As I said, decent enough book and if you like military zombie type books you'll probably like this one.
This was a decent enough story. It was well written and there was nothing really wrong with it. It just lacked the excitement of the kind of 'zombie' books that I like, where ordinary people or preppers take on the zombies and venture out for supplies or roadtrips. I don't find these military ones as interesting, with the focus more on weapons, tactics and equipment. Still, I knew what kind of book it was when I chose to download it so I can't complain.
As I said, decent enough book and if you like military zombie type books you'll probably like this one.
January 10, 2014
Enjoyed this book enough to immediately purchase and read #2 & #3. Fast-paced, decent character development, as is true with the genre there's a level of implausibility in the invincibility of the primary protagonists, but that's what you get with these survival fiction narratives. Some typo & grammatical & Spell Check errors, but not enough to distract from the reading experience for me.
April 1, 2013
Loved it. Exciting and fast moving. A great mix of military and zombie fiction. I cant wait for the next book from Mr. Lundy. I really enjoyed WTF.
January 1, 2014
Really good book and a very well written story. I eneded up reading all three during the weekend.
November 23, 2014
I was duped. I totally thought this was Whiskey Tango Foxtrot by David Shafer--the best-selling, critically acclaimed book from this summer. Since I didn't know anything about the Shafer book except it's supposed to be good, I managed to finish this whole thing without realizing my mistake.
Not knowing much about the book, I was a little confused by the typos in the first few pages, and the military jargon, and the fact that it's about zombies (my actual reaction was this is boring, this is boring, this is--ZOMBIES!). But the copy I got is on my Nook, so knowing that those sometimes have mistakes, I pressed on. And then got to the end and realized wait a second, this isn't even the book I thought it was, there's no way a best-selling novel is only like 60 pages long. And then I realized my mistake. I am dumb.
Anyway. Even though it wasn't the book I wanted to read, it wasn't a bad book. It's your basic zombie outbreak book. The author knows what he's talking about when it comes to the military which is pretty cool. It doesn't concern itself with crap like "oh my god, what if my whole family is dead" or "hey someone got bitten, let's keep them around for a while and see what happens." No. This is a zombie book that doesn't screw around with emotion or sentimentality. There's just the cold glint of steel in these soldiers' eyes as they decapitate hordes of crazies.
In a way, it's refreshing, because these people actually do smart things to protect themselves from zombies and learn quickly from their experiences instead of falling into stupid traps and mistakes like in every other zombie movie and book (AHEM-Walking Dead, I'm speaking to you). It's kind of weirdly satisfying to read, in the way it's satisfying to watch someone really good play a video game--there's not much fear of messing up, or losing. You just know things will work out.
On the other hand, because it's so practical and militaristic, it's missing the human element of fear so necessary to good horror. By the end of the book, our hero Brad hasn't expressed one iota of fear for his dear old mom and dad, or his sweetheart back home, or even the city he loves, or his dog, or ANYTHING. In fact, he really doesn't express much at all.
Ok, now I'm going to go request the book I actually wanted from the library.
Not knowing much about the book, I was a little confused by the typos in the first few pages, and the military jargon, and the fact that it's about zombies (my actual reaction was this is boring, this is boring, this is--ZOMBIES!). But the copy I got is on my Nook, so knowing that those sometimes have mistakes, I pressed on. And then got to the end and realized wait a second, this isn't even the book I thought it was, there's no way a best-selling novel is only like 60 pages long. And then I realized my mistake. I am dumb.
Anyway. Even though it wasn't the book I wanted to read, it wasn't a bad book. It's your basic zombie outbreak book. The author knows what he's talking about when it comes to the military which is pretty cool. It doesn't concern itself with crap like "oh my god, what if my whole family is dead" or "hey someone got bitten, let's keep them around for a while and see what happens." No. This is a zombie book that doesn't screw around with emotion or sentimentality. There's just the cold glint of steel in these soldiers' eyes as they decapitate hordes of crazies.
In a way, it's refreshing, because these people actually do smart things to protect themselves from zombies and learn quickly from their experiences instead of falling into stupid traps and mistakes like in every other zombie movie and book (AHEM-Walking Dead, I'm speaking to you). It's kind of weirdly satisfying to read, in the way it's satisfying to watch someone really good play a video game--there's not much fear of messing up, or losing. You just know things will work out.
On the other hand, because it's so practical and militaristic, it's missing the human element of fear so necessary to good horror. By the end of the book, our hero Brad hasn't expressed one iota of fear for his dear old mom and dad, or his sweetheart back home, or even the city he loves, or his dog, or ANYTHING. In fact, he really doesn't express much at all.
Ok, now I'm going to go request the book I actually wanted from the library.
October 9, 2013
Given to me by the author for an honest review... As the author of [[ASIN:B00FLK0T1E RayzorWire: Julie Rayzor Zombie War Book Two (Julie Rayzor Zombie War Series)]] this zombie book comes the closest to my own series. What an awesome treat with a strong knowledge of the military and equipment. Patrols, snipers, zombie hordes charging the wire, chasing trucks, trucks getting drilled by machine guns for racing towards checkpoints, crowd dispersal rounds used by mistake!!! (Wish I thought of that one!) Hooked at page one but then it took a little getting into the main story because the author jumps around a bit, but then it settles down into a great story of survival. A dozen soldiers abandoned in a war zone 15 thousand miles away from home. Their enemies in war becoming their friends just to survive. Awesome! Four and a half-stars because few like Tolkien and Dick Francis get five stars! Buy this book. Buy it now or miss out forever!
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot - I just got it. W.T.F.!!! LOL!
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot - I just got it. W.T.F.!!! LOL!
August 30, 2016
I really enjoyed this book! I did. It was a different outtake on zombies and what not. I enjoyed not only the overseas aspect, but the soldiers, the way things unfold, all of it. I'm going to have to pick up the next book. The cliffhanger was done well! It's very rare I find a cliff hanger that doesn't make me hate the book. This certainly has me interested in the next one! Plus, some of the proceeds go to a great cause! You need to buy this book if you like zombies, soldiers, war, action! My only downfall, was the length. I would have loved just a little bit more detail as to how everyone got along. I feel that as it skipped over a month or so, it was a little lacking. But really, who cares.. that's just my opinion. Read this book!
April 5, 2017
READING THIS SERIES A SECOND TIME. 5 STARS ALL THE WAY.
I read this book awhile back and I feel terrible to say I didn't leave a review for this book and through Book 6 as I've recently received Book 7. So I decided to read all the books in the series and leave a proper review. I hope Mr. Lundy forgives me for this as I've loved all his books and will make sure they are all taken care of, not just this series but everything else I've read by him. This is the start of one awesome series and gets 5 stars all the way, if I could leave a higher review I would. I highly recommend this book to everyone who like to read about the Apocalypse with the Military included. This really is the first book of a great series, sit back, relax and enjoy.
I read this book awhile back and I feel terrible to say I didn't leave a review for this book and through Book 6 as I've recently received Book 7. So I decided to read all the books in the series and leave a proper review. I hope Mr. Lundy forgives me for this as I've loved all his books and will make sure they are all taken care of, not just this series but everything else I've read by him. This is the start of one awesome series and gets 5 stars all the way, if I could leave a higher review I would. I highly recommend this book to everyone who like to read about the Apocalypse with the Military included. This really is the first book of a great series, sit back, relax and enjoy.
August 5, 2013
I really enjoy Zombie novels, especially when the novels are a part of a series. When selecting a book I will also read about the author to help me in my decision on rather to purchase the book. Mr. Lundy has a military background (as copied from his FB page) "W. J. Lundy is a member of the U.S. Military with multiple deployments in the War on Terror. W.J. is an avid athlete, writer, backpacker and shooter. He is the author of the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot series." I found both novels very well written; the story flowed; and was very exciting. They were both very hard to put down and I look forward to a third.
May 26, 2020
There's are a tons of Zombie books out there, and it's hard to find the good ones. This one goes in the category of "good enough", as i was looking for a quick read to fix my zombie book for a hour or two. Writing is good, i got a good sense of action and setting was interesting.
I wasn't expecting a literature masterpiece, after all it's a zombie-action novella/book. But there wasn't character building at all, just names for the soldiers and mostly with a blank faces. If I'm in a mood for another quick zombie-action read i may pick up the second chapter of this saga.
I wasn't expecting a literature masterpiece, after all it's a zombie-action novella/book. But there wasn't character building at all, just names for the soldiers and mostly with a blank faces. If I'm in a mood for another quick zombie-action read i may pick up the second chapter of this saga.
December 26, 2015
A great, quick read to introduce you to an intriguing story! Everyone has heard of the zombie apocalypse theme, but what would happen to our soldiers oversees? What would they do? Panic? Freak out? Nope. They'd open up some kick-butt and just switch to the next target.
This really was a great introduction story and I really liked the quick, succinct writing with a very realistic dialogue. A good start to what should be a very interesting series!
This really was a great introduction story and I really liked the quick, succinct writing with a very realistic dialogue. A good start to what should be a very interesting series!
February 1, 2015
Suspenseful novella
There could be more to this story and I am hoping to see it in the next story, but I wish I could have read it in the first one. I didn't feel as the reader that I could connect with the characters. I don't know that I like Afghanistan as the setting, not because of anything political, it is just not a good setting for myself as the reader.
There could be more to this story and I am hoping to see it in the next story, but I wish I could have read it in the first one. I didn't feel as the reader that I could connect with the characters. I don't know that I like Afghanistan as the setting, not because of anything political, it is just not a good setting for myself as the reader.
November 15, 2015
This is a zombie novella, but with a refreshing twist. The protagonists are soldiers! I love the zombie genre (let's face it, it has basically become a stand alone genre), but when it is done in such a unique and refreshing way, it makes it all the more worthwhile! I enjoyed it from start to finish and recommend it to anyone. I'll certainly be reading more books by Lundy.
June 17, 2014
Enjoyable
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot – Escaping the Dead by W. J. Lundy was an interesting read. If you like army vs. zombies type of books, then you will definitely enjoy this series. I will be reading the next installment for sure.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot – Escaping the Dead by W. J. Lundy was an interesting read. If you like army vs. zombies type of books, then you will definitely enjoy this series. I will be reading the next installment for sure.
January 22, 2015
Excel
A good start to an end of the world scenario. The character development is quick and definitive. Descriptions of equipment, weapons, and tactics are somewhat limited but effective. All in all, a good read.
A good start to an end of the world scenario. The character development is quick and definitive. Descriptions of equipment, weapons, and tactics are somewhat limited but effective. All in all, a good read.
March 26, 2015
Good action-packed book. Very similar to another series I have been reading called Arisen. This one takes place in Afghanistan, where the US military and the Taliban need to forget about fighting each other, and team up to survive the zombie attacks, which are called primals.
April 3, 2013
I read this book for free, fast paced and great military details. This is a fun read till the finish.
May 12, 2013
The story is aptly named as is evident after the first two chapters. Excellent story and fantastically written! Loved it!
July 15, 2013
Not horrible zombie tale. Too short.
March 13, 2014
Short, but very enjoyable.
May 10, 2014
Walking Dead meets the Afghan War!
November 1, 2014
Interesting
Not normally involved in reading the paranormal type of literature, however some what intrigued by this one so so ordered and paid for next in the series
Not normally involved in reading the paranormal type of literature, however some what intrigued by this one so so ordered and paid for next in the series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews