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Get Off My Lawn
Silicon Valley rainmaker Doug Handsman has "retired" back to his wife Ruth Ann's native Wisconsin.
Together they fight to survive the apocalypse with a unique technologist's perspective. Zombies are massing in hordes numbering in the millions. The Government has an agenda. Ruth Ann has stone cold hunter's skills and Doug has a data center.
Containing a number of twists and observations possibly not seen in the genre before, Get Off My L@wn takes you through more than 40 days post breakout and tells a complete story.
We all know that one zombie's bellowing will attract others. What happens when this process continues indefinitely?
How can a military mount an effective defense of humanity without nuclear weapons?
Would you have to sign a waiver of liability in order to receive help from the Government?
Where's the best place to form a refugee camp to house hundreds of thousands?
How do you keep those people happy?
What will happen to the nature of Congress as a result of the Zombie Apocalypse?
All these questions and much much more are answered in this thoughtful book.
Thank you to the many hundreds who downloaded my book during its first free promotion. Please consider writing a review of this, my first effort.
Together they fight to survive the apocalypse with a unique technologist's perspective. Zombies are massing in hordes numbering in the millions. The Government has an agenda. Ruth Ann has stone cold hunter's skills and Doug has a data center.
Containing a number of twists and observations possibly not seen in the genre before, Get Off My L@wn takes you through more than 40 days post breakout and tells a complete story.
We all know that one zombie's bellowing will attract others. What happens when this process continues indefinitely?
How can a military mount an effective defense of humanity without nuclear weapons?
Would you have to sign a waiver of liability in order to receive help from the Government?
Where's the best place to form a refugee camp to house hundreds of thousands?
How do you keep those people happy?
What will happen to the nature of Congress as a result of the Zombie Apocalypse?
All these questions and much much more are answered in this thoughtful book.
Thank you to the many hundreds who downloaded my book during its first free promotion. Please consider writing a review of this, my first effort.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2013
9 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 10, 2014
The blurb of this book doesn't do it justice. Now, I'm no techie - not by a long shot. Generally, I cringe at the thought of reading anything written from a technologist's viewpoint. But when you throw in a zombie outbreak, well, I'm willing to give it a go.
And how glad I am that I did! While techonology plays an inherent role in the story, it does not overshadow the story itself. The explanations about the various technology used is basic but satisfying, even for those of us who really need a copy of 'Technology for Dummies' everytime we get a new gadget. I can't pretend to have a solid understanding of every widget mentioned, but it gives enough info for me to accept how it all fit together. Those with greater knoweldge than I may really enjoy the technology in this, but if you're clueless like me about it all, no worries. It doesn't bog the story down and you are not required to be Steve Wozniak to enjoy it. The author did a terrific job of making it techinical without turning off readers who generally aren't interested in that kind of thing.
The explantion offered to explain the outbreak is both believable and well developed without going into excessive explanations. I despise vague, weak ideas about the cause of a zombie outbreak, but I also dislike books that waste a lot of time trying to get me on board with the offered explanation. This one has it just right- enough to hang my hat on without trying to force it down my throat.
I liked the main characters immensly, especially Ruth Ann, the wife. So often lead female characters are either hardened serial killers or helpless, witless twits. Ruth Ann is neither. She is knowledgeable and capable but not so much so that I see her as a one-dimensional soldier type. Doug is an enjoyable character as well, and while he is no fighter, he brings a different set of valuable skills to the table to help them survive the zombie outbreak. Their realtionship as an established married couple felt very real on both the loving and sometimes-irritated-with-each-other sides. Doug's personal transformation throughout the story gave this one more depth than many.
There's a lot of government involvement in this book. Instead of the usual bumbling, inept government attempts to deal with a zombie outbreak that are found in so many other books in the genre, the author chose a different path. It's not smooth sailing, but I enjoyed reading a zombie book where the government actually has an intellectual and somewhat effective role in dealing with the crisis. Very well done there, and a welcome change from the usual expected 'stupid' or 'evil' government so often portrayed. While Doug and his wife have a cautiously symbiotic relationship with the government, there's some suspense and edge to the relationship there, giving this one another layer of trouble as it gets underway.
There are some in-your-face zombie fights, but they're not the focus here. This book is more of a wider perspective of how the outbreak unfolds with a particular couple's personal struggles intermingled. The two very different aspects of the zombie outbreak are beautifully intertwined in such a way that the two unfold simultaneously.
I do so love some snark thrown in, and this one didn't disappoint. It's not a chucklefest on every page, but there are some snarky zingers in there that gave me a good snicker.
My biggest complaint with this one is that one character who is an intergral part of the story kind of just...disappears...in the middle of it. If an explanation was given to this shift, I missed it. He was an important catalyst and then just -poof- a minor mention here or there in passing, but that's it. It didn't ruin the book in the slightest, it just felt like a detail that was kind of shoved to the side when more could have been done with it.
All in all, a well-written, thoughtful departure from the cookie cutter zombie reads out there and worth the read when you're looking for a good zombie book that breaks the usual mold.
And how glad I am that I did! While techonology plays an inherent role in the story, it does not overshadow the story itself. The explanations about the various technology used is basic but satisfying, even for those of us who really need a copy of 'Technology for Dummies' everytime we get a new gadget. I can't pretend to have a solid understanding of every widget mentioned, but it gives enough info for me to accept how it all fit together. Those with greater knoweldge than I may really enjoy the technology in this, but if you're clueless like me about it all, no worries. It doesn't bog the story down and you are not required to be Steve Wozniak to enjoy it. The author did a terrific job of making it techinical without turning off readers who generally aren't interested in that kind of thing.
The explantion offered to explain the outbreak is both believable and well developed without going into excessive explanations. I despise vague, weak ideas about the cause of a zombie outbreak, but I also dislike books that waste a lot of time trying to get me on board with the offered explanation. This one has it just right- enough to hang my hat on without trying to force it down my throat.
I liked the main characters immensly, especially Ruth Ann, the wife. So often lead female characters are either hardened serial killers or helpless, witless twits. Ruth Ann is neither. She is knowledgeable and capable but not so much so that I see her as a one-dimensional soldier type. Doug is an enjoyable character as well, and while he is no fighter, he brings a different set of valuable skills to the table to help them survive the zombie outbreak. Their realtionship as an established married couple felt very real on both the loving and sometimes-irritated-with-each-other sides. Doug's personal transformation throughout the story gave this one more depth than many.
There's a lot of government involvement in this book. Instead of the usual bumbling, inept government attempts to deal with a zombie outbreak that are found in so many other books in the genre, the author chose a different path. It's not smooth sailing, but I enjoyed reading a zombie book where the government actually has an intellectual and somewhat effective role in dealing with the crisis. Very well done there, and a welcome change from the usual expected 'stupid' or 'evil' government so often portrayed. While Doug and his wife have a cautiously symbiotic relationship with the government, there's some suspense and edge to the relationship there, giving this one another layer of trouble as it gets underway.
There are some in-your-face zombie fights, but they're not the focus here. This book is more of a wider perspective of how the outbreak unfolds with a particular couple's personal struggles intermingled. The two very different aspects of the zombie outbreak are beautifully intertwined in such a way that the two unfold simultaneously.
I do so love some snark thrown in, and this one didn't disappoint. It's not a chucklefest on every page, but there are some snarky zingers in there that gave me a good snicker.
My biggest complaint with this one is that one character who is an intergral part of the story kind of just...disappears...in the middle of it. If an explanation was given to this shift, I missed it. He was an important catalyst and then just -poof- a minor mention here or there in passing, but that's it. It didn't ruin the book in the slightest, it just felt like a detail that was kind of shoved to the side when more could have been done with it.
All in all, a well-written, thoughtful departure from the cookie cutter zombie reads out there and worth the read when you're looking for a good zombie book that breaks the usual mold.
April 21, 2014
ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE FOR NERDS. Sadly, the zombie genre is getting tiresome to me what with all its predictability. Still, this was a breath of somewhat fresher air. The author worked in the strategy of re-creating a computer network and using technology to defeat the zombie menace. Other innovations included a description of the horde behavior of the undead and "survivor camps." The biggest plus, though, was that all the action took place in my home home state of Wisconsin, so I could easily visualize the areas of devastation. Not a bad way to kill time, if you'll pardon the reference.
August 13, 2014
First, I noticed the title...I thought of how fresh that was. Then I read the synopsis and again I thought wow, this sounds a little different from the ZA books out there. I started reading and it became hard to put down. It's sprinkled with techno geek speak throughout but that just made the story better because after all the main character is a tech geek and quite successful at it (arrogant and smart). I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters and many times I'd laugh at loud at some of the exchanges. I thought this was very well done for a ZA and as someone stated in another review I consider this a gem and would recommend it to anyone who loves a well written ZA story. It was hard not to wonder at the end though what happened during those 18 months after the "end" of the story but it was good to know what happened to so many of the characters in the book. It's a stand-alone book but it did have me wanting more!
October 13, 2018
Thoughtful take on zombie genre with Midwest flavor & a computer nerd hero!
So many zombie books/movies take the ‘big picture view’—the world at war kind of thing.
Perry Kivolowitz starts small and stays (mostly) small, chronicling the saga of a Wisconsin couple who did some prior preparation for disasters of more predictable origin, then tested them against a trickle, then a flood, then torrents of the undead.
It’s not a typical zombie story, and it’s not a typical ‘survivalist’ story (with an Uber-prepared ex-commando who can run any weapons system and plan small-unit tactical engagements). Instead, it’s an average-couple story (assuming a silicon-valley CS professor and his farm-raised, sharpshooting wife are ‘average’) of people who improvise, adapt and survive.
A couple of interesting twists made it an even more fun read (why did the government take a special interest in a couple and their zombie-torn neighborhood, for example).
And if you’re a computer nerd, you’ll appreciate the author’s technical skills (he’s a professor in real-life).
All in all, an interesting take on a familiar genre, and a great first novel.
So many zombie books/movies take the ‘big picture view’—the world at war kind of thing.
Perry Kivolowitz starts small and stays (mostly) small, chronicling the saga of a Wisconsin couple who did some prior preparation for disasters of more predictable origin, then tested them against a trickle, then a flood, then torrents of the undead.
It’s not a typical zombie story, and it’s not a typical ‘survivalist’ story (with an Uber-prepared ex-commando who can run any weapons system and plan small-unit tactical engagements). Instead, it’s an average-couple story (assuming a silicon-valley CS professor and his farm-raised, sharpshooting wife are ‘average’) of people who improvise, adapt and survive.
A couple of interesting twists made it an even more fun read (why did the government take a special interest in a couple and their zombie-torn neighborhood, for example).
And if you’re a computer nerd, you’ll appreciate the author’s technical skills (he’s a professor in real-life).
All in all, an interesting take on a familiar genre, and a great first novel.
May 6, 2018
Awesome book
Great zombie story with humor. Refreshing! Doug and Ruthann are kick ass (well, mainly Ruthann). Really recommend if you want something different in the zompoc genre.
Great zombie story with humor. Refreshing! Doug and Ruthann are kick ass (well, mainly Ruthann). Really recommend if you want something different in the zompoc genre.
January 14, 2019
Interesting premise
Story moved at fast pace. Spent many late night hours turning pages. A different view of the apocalypse. I would recommend this book.
Story moved at fast pace. Spent many late night hours turning pages. A different view of the apocalypse. I would recommend this book.
July 25, 2019
Really enjoyed this book. A different take on the zombie genre where the protagonists are not suffering or helpless. Definitely worth a read.
August 27, 2020
Would recommend
Easy to read great zombie book. A different take on the genre. Enjoyed reading and will definitely be looking for more from this author.
Easy to read great zombie book. A different take on the genre. Enjoyed reading and will definitely be looking for more from this author.
December 1, 2016
I love the title of this book because what the narrator is really saying is: "Get off my lawn, you stinking zombies". So right away you know this isn't going to be your average zombie story.
And that's really good. This is a story of the zombie apocalypse, but the characters are smart, prepared, adaptable, and helpful to their fellow humans. We know all about the looting and pillaging and raping that usually takes up a lot of space in most zombie books, but that is not what this book is about--thankfully. It's about a husband--a genius computer programmer--and wife--a great shot, a great gardener, and very practical about what needs to be done.
I also like this book because the military is shown in a positive light. The soldiers are smart and efficient. They're brave and heroic and they do the right thing. Their job is to keep the living safe and they use everything at their disposal to do just that--and that includes using the computer programmer genius to help them track the movements of the zombie hordes so they know where to attack them.
This is really one of only a few zombie books I have read where the military survives with enough capacity to strike back at the zombies, and I liked reading about their strategies and tactics. As I already said, they are smart and very good at what they do. Working with the computer guy gives the human race a chance, so this is actually a hopeful zombie book.
One other unique part of this book was the description of living through a horde of zombies (in the millions)--the sounds, the smells, the fear, and finally, the, "Get off my lawn" impatience for it to be over. I could imagine being in that house and hearing those millions of zombies go by, banging into the doors and the windows, and wondering if any of my defenses were going to let me down.
I definitely recommend this book for zombie fans. It's different, but that's good--and this book is very good. It is even funny at times. The narrator is self-deprecating and sarcastic and he makes getting through the zombie apocalypse into a challenge that he is intent on winning.
And that's really good. This is a story of the zombie apocalypse, but the characters are smart, prepared, adaptable, and helpful to their fellow humans. We know all about the looting and pillaging and raping that usually takes up a lot of space in most zombie books, but that is not what this book is about--thankfully. It's about a husband--a genius computer programmer--and wife--a great shot, a great gardener, and very practical about what needs to be done.
I also like this book because the military is shown in a positive light. The soldiers are smart and efficient. They're brave and heroic and they do the right thing. Their job is to keep the living safe and they use everything at their disposal to do just that--and that includes using the computer programmer genius to help them track the movements of the zombie hordes so they know where to attack them.
This is really one of only a few zombie books I have read where the military survives with enough capacity to strike back at the zombies, and I liked reading about their strategies and tactics. As I already said, they are smart and very good at what they do. Working with the computer guy gives the human race a chance, so this is actually a hopeful zombie book.
One other unique part of this book was the description of living through a horde of zombies (in the millions)--the sounds, the smells, the fear, and finally, the, "Get off my lawn" impatience for it to be over. I could imagine being in that house and hearing those millions of zombies go by, banging into the doors and the windows, and wondering if any of my defenses were going to let me down.
I definitely recommend this book for zombie fans. It's different, but that's good--and this book is very good. It is even funny at times. The narrator is self-deprecating and sarcastic and he makes getting through the zombie apocalypse into a challenge that he is intent on winning.
January 27, 2016
A unique take on the zombie apocalypse through the eyes of a computer geek.
This was a refreshing departure, and it was filled with interesting ideas on how to deal with the (inevitable!!) zombie hordes.
The narrator had a casual voice, which I liked, and he had mostly believable reactions. I get very frustrated when a character is super-tough and deals with everything in a matter-of-fact of way. "Ho Hum, better shoot some former people in the head..." This helped offset some of the rather incredible preparations they had made beforehand - apparently in case of earthquake. I had to remind myself a few times that stories are about the exceptions, not the rule...
All in all, recommended. If there's any sort of sequel, I'll be happy to read it.
This was a refreshing departure, and it was filled with interesting ideas on how to deal with the (inevitable!!) zombie hordes.
The narrator had a casual voice, which I liked, and he had mostly believable reactions. I get very frustrated when a character is super-tough and deals with everything in a matter-of-fact of way. "Ho Hum, better shoot some former people in the head..." This helped offset some of the rather incredible preparations they had made beforehand - apparently in case of earthquake. I had to remind myself a few times that stories are about the exceptions, not the rule...
All in all, recommended. If there's any sort of sequel, I'll be happy to read it.
August 18, 2013
Yesterday I finished reading Get Off My L@wn by Perry Kivolowitz. Independent “doomsday prepper” techie Doug Handsman and his practical, heavily armed wife Ruth Ann decide to ride out the zombie apocalypse on their own—at least, at first. I liked the Wisconsin references and the dash of humor. The book offers more emphasis on plot than on character development, but by the end I felt like I knew Doug as a person and I appreciated his strong voice. Overall, I enjoy books and films about zombies—we sometimes get some catharsis with violence, and violence seems less offensive when the targets are “walking dead.” Recommended for those who enjoy humor and the supernatural.
August 13, 2014
This is a zombie tale about a computer geek with dry humor and his practical wife who custom built a concrete house (castle) in hopes of surviving through a tornado in Wisconsin. Instead of the usual running around trying to survive an apocalypse and the undead, you have these two who are prepped and ready to stay in their home and battle it out. As long as you have the MONEY and RESOURCES!!
Overall, a good story with tons of hi-tech terms that you have no idea what they are but are detailed while you read. Characters and plot are believable and interesting.
Overall, a good story with tons of hi-tech terms that you have no idea what they are but are detailed while you read. Characters and plot are believable and interesting.
April 8, 2014
I'm not normally a zombie-genre fan, but for this story I made an exception. The characters were interesting and well developed, the story kept my interest and moved right along. If my computer literacy were a bit higher, my rating would have been even higher-- but I ended up skimming the jargon heavy bits.
April 12, 2024
This was very good and better than I was expecting. As a tech guy, I got and appreciated a lot of the references. Some parts of the story didn't make sense to me (specifically, ), but none of that hurt the story enough for me to not like the book.
December 7, 2013
Very well done zombie apocalypse story... different take in that much of the novel deals with how the main survivors prepared for this event and then shifts slightly to how they survive. 99% of the story takes place within their home. Read through this book quickly as I really enjoyed it.
April 14, 2014
Not your typical zombie novel
oh sure, we have the zombies, the weapons, the survival stuff - all for the typical apocalypse but we also have a fast-paced fun read that keeps you engaged. Try it for yourself.
oh sure, we have the zombies, the weapons, the survival stuff - all for the typical apocalypse but we also have a fast-paced fun read that keeps you engaged. Try it for yourself.
March 7, 2014
Well written and fun, while being pretty much as realistic as zombie fiction can be. I loved Ruth Ann especially, maybe because I'm from Wisconsin...
April 1, 2014
Review to come.
May 5, 2014
A fun read. It was a nerd-friendly take on the typical zombie tale. Overall I enjoyed the book. The end was a bit abrupt, however.
August 1, 2015
Want to read more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews