Bugging Out

Bugging Out #1

by Noah Mann

Get out. Hunker down. Stay alive.

It came without warning. A microscopic enemy that methodically turned the green earth grey. Decimating the food chain until only the prepared were left.

But preparation alone is not enough to shelter Eric Fletcher from the chaos to befall the world as governments fail their citizens. Seeking refuge at his remote property in the north of Montana while society devolves into starving anarchy, he finds himself facing not only the rigors of survival, but also the appearance of a self-proclaimed ruler promising to set his piece of the withered world right for those who follow. Those who don't will suffer the consequences of his sadistic retribution.

Finding another survivor near his refuge, Eric attempts to steer clear of the conflict brewing in nearby towns. But soon he and his new found partner in survival are targeted by the dictatorial leader, leaving them two options--run, or fight for what is right.

Genres: Post Apocalyptic, Apocalyptic, Dystopia, Survival, Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure

246 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2014

About the author

Noah Mann lives in the West and has been involved in personal survival and disaster preparedness for more than two decades. He has extensive training in firearms, as well as urban and wilderness Search & Rescue operations, including tracking and the application of technology in victim searches.

Reviews

[Melissa Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book because one of my favorite genres is post-apocalyptic/dystopian. I would have to say that when I went to read it, I flipped to the back of the book and read about the author first. My heart sank when I did this. The author is a prepper. While this is not a bad thing, it tends to be when writing a book. Since post-apocalyptic books have become the craze, everyone seems to be writing them. The experience I've received in reading ones by preppers is that they would be better off writing non-fiction than fiction. Most of them know what they are talking about when it comes to surviving but cannot write a story. This is not the case with Mann. Not only did he know what he was talking about, the story also flowed and was very interesting. The characters and setting were fantastic. There were prepper ideas sprinkled through the book, but it was an outright fleshed out story that kept you entertained. Can't wait to continue with the series!

[chucklesthescot · Rating 3 out of 5]

A farmer in Poland sees something strange on his crops and the Blight is soon spreading across Europe and then overseas, killing crops and animals. Fletch gets a visit from an old friend Neil who tells him the Blight has just arrived in Oregon and Fletch needs to leave for his safe house before it is too late, and ride out the disaster in the countryside. Fletch flees and finds that having supplies won't keep you safe when a violent militia in the area want everything for themselves.

This is a pretty frustrating story in many ways. It was well written and I very much liked the idea of the Blight. I always enjoy a good apocalypse story with a bug out plot. It had action, bad guys and a solid enough plot, along with a really great character in Fletch's neighbour Del, who I loved. There is plenty to like about this book which makes it a solid three star read. But it should have been a higher rating. I just got so annoyed by the countless stupid things that Fletch chose to do, things that a prepper should have known better than to do. It did affect my enjoyment of the book a bit.

Fletch was given warning about the coming disaster and told there would be an alert when things went out of control. He was a prepper, he had a safe place with supplies to go to outside the city, he was given warning and uses the time to move extra supplies out to his bug out location...but he doesn't move there. He stays at home until the emergency alert goes out and almost doesn't get by the cops roadblock alive. Now how stupid is that? As soon as he got all of his supplies moved, he should have moved there BEFORE everyone knew that disaster was coming! He even waits until the US itself goes into quarantine and sits home wondering when a good time to bug out would be. I was yelling 'just GO!' at the book every few minutes! Even when the alert comes he is so slow to get moving!

Once at his location, Fletch doesn't get any smarter. Despite receiving the warning about a natural apocalypse coming, he forgets to do some very basic things like get medical supplies. The barn where he is storing vital supplies hasn't been repaired and now the weather is going to turn bad and he still hasn't got round to dealing with it. He failed to use all his money to get extra food supplies to last more than a year. What exactly is he going to do when the year is up? He decides to just light fires so the smoke exits the chimney and alerts every bad guy in the area that this house is occupied and has supplies. Even when he knows that people are casing the house, he continually wanders off leaving it unattended and wondering how he got robbed instead of taking care of his problem visitors. The dumb things just keep on coming from him as the story progresses.

I know I'm moaning about it but overall, despite some plot holes, it was a fairly entertaining apocalypse book. There is no shortage of action in the fight scenes between Fletch and Del against the militia. There were plenty tense scenes as Fletch realises that he is being watched, and that dangerous people are nearby. You put your head in your hands at some of the stupid decisions he takes which puts his life in danger. The story gets a bit mad at times but I don't mind that if it is entertaining and it was entertaining for the most part. So I was ok with the story maybe going into far fetched territory.

I was interested in the way the book finished and part of me does want to know what happens next but I'm not sure if I'm going to continue with the series. I'll decide on that at a later date.

[Brad Theado · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have struggled on writing a review of this book. I liked it well enough. The editing was good.

Here is where I struggle with this book. Its like everyone else's first prepper novel. If you have never read a prepper novel you would probably enjoy this one. Its just that this has every meme possible in a prepper novel. The main character has a bug out location with everything he could ever need to survive if it weren't for that nasty military leader/dictator. Enter the similarly prepped neighbor who helps out but gets killed. Its been done, and its been done to death.

Ok, that said. The book is well written and it does introduce a new twist. the cause of our destruction is an all encompassing death to plants virus. I haven't seen that form of apocalypse too often but how believable is it? It serves as a vehicle for the story so we have to overlook that a bit.

I enjoyed it enough to say I liked it. I will look for book 2 just because i can't envision where the book will go next.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bugging out, hm. I do believe it was fairly well written but it failed to keep my interest in the mc. The plot is as from what I could tell: a blight, (or some kind toxin or chemical, never fully went into detail on that just it started in a foreign country and ended up eventually over taking America as well), anyway this blight as he calls it kills all of nature from trees to grass, to the animals that feed on it, eventually killing off the animals that preyed on the herbivores.

Eventually this began to effect humans because food wasn’t being produced, and unless you had a stock-pile somewhere you’d eventually die of starvation, or by the sounds of it sometimes killed by other humans and eventually eaten.

The MC ran some kind self-employed company that allowed him to even stock pile some gas for his generators and trucks, and then of course had a tuck away place he used for camping/hunting which he had fully stocked with at least a years’ worth of food. Until he leaves his compound (if you can call it that) unguarded when he realizes he doesn’t have any antibiotics which if you’re 100% he really doesn’t need, he only has the feeling he may need this after he almost injured himself fixing his roof. Coming back to a raided garage he finally meets up with his neighbor who explained what happened. Then proceeds to head back to the small town to help a traveling woman with her child…kudos for him I guess helping people in times of need but after you were just robbed by an unseen group why would you yet again head off and leave your property unguarded?

Turns out at least his neighbor is friendly and willing to help him, they develop quite the friendship as the story progresses. Then the end well…I guess I can’t talk about that without spoiling it so fair warning stop now if you don’t want any alerts. The least spoiling way I can put this, he makes a decision in my mind that would make him no different than the person he is after. He kills innocent lives simply for a personal vendetta against; I’ll agree not a nice guy, but not a guy worth killing innocent people just trying to survive.

I don’t know…I guess the part that annoyed me was the MC was pretty much a solitary character, at least until he met up with his neighbor. He seemed a decent enough man, just didn’t register well with me for some reason. You know how when you meet someone and you just can’t tell if you like the person or not? Or you know you don’t like the person but you can’t pin-point the reason?
I’ve read some reviews saying how he made stupid decisions based on a prepper’s stand point. I'm not a prepper so I can't speak from that point of view and if technically speaking if you ask me I don’t think he was a hard core prepper either, just someone who was somewhat prepared, and this mostly was because he was given a heads up that bad things were going to happen and happen quickly. He did try and help people, but he also seemed to hurt more people than he helped.

[Pam Shelton-Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that this had a different twist of an unstoppable disease destroying plant life. (But what happens when the trees are all gone and with it, oxygen?) The unique situation is a bit spoiled when it turns into a more cliche story of guy makes to his incredibly well stocked hideaway but it is all threatened by a megalomaniac. The dying side-kick is even there. Even after some warnings of trouble nearby, Fletch makes some classic errors that leave him vulnerable. I will probably read book 2 to find out what happens with the new arrivals.

[Ebony Irby · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book started off good. A killer of all vegetation (Blight) that is guaranteed to end the worl population due to lack of food? Sign me up! Meh: Shallow character development. lightweight narrative. Way too many cliché's. Not worth it. Who would put 60% of their food in a outside shed that can be compromised so easily? Why would you bug out like that by yourself? Doesn't make sense Why would you want to be alone like that, but then invite people you just met???

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty good end-of-civilization-as-we-know-it story

I don't normally like this genre, but this was an exception. Good character development, and an interesting, unusual story. Definitely worth the time.

[Peggy Pancherz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Read all of the books in order to really enjoy. Characters are realistic and get better and better. Storyline continues to grow and develop

[Aubrey James Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

One of the best I have read in awhile. Fast moving, good characters, and will played plot. Hope the rest are as good.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow starting but in the end it was good enough to want to listen to the next book. I'm not a huge fan of the narrator.

[Bill Zawrotny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good first book in what I hope will be a promising new series for me to read in the SHTF genre.

[michael alan cast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different spin on the apocalyptic genre.

...Whew, thank goodness I found a good series here. I've read a few duds here lately and was beginning to wonder how many duds I'd have to endure before finding another decent read. This is my first novel written by Noah Mann and it's very readable. I was hooked from the start. It was an exciting read and I have gotten the rest of the series and am anxious to move on. In this apocalyptic yarn, the end does not come from a flash of nuclear fire or EMP, nor solar flares, nor a human disease running rampant...no, this is something different. Mother nature decides we've been around long enough and produces a BLIGHT that has eradicated every living plant on earth...all plants : Trees, crops, grass, grains...nothing survives. This story by Mann is not a quick extermination of man kind, like a massive meteor strike but instead, a painfully slow decent into starvation on a global scale; as all life that feeds off of plant life, and all the animals that feed off of the animals that do, die off. Only those who have prepared are left alive. This series moves along quickly and is very well written. Not a dull moment. I would recommend this series -- not only just for all the preppers out there-- but also for anyone else who likes a good "Mad Max" or survivor genre type read.

[RJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The summary sounded interesting so I went with it. It's not bad, but it's a common tale and doesn't bring much new to the genre. I was literally aggravated with our hero when he left his cabin and all his supplies unprotected coming back to find half of it gone. And this is after he was sure he was being watched. Duh! This Major Leighton is the atypical corrupt militia leader with grandiose plans of his own. I thought his new found friend was much smarter, but of course he got himself killed in a selfless suicidal sacrifice (or did he?). 03/30/2015
I decided to try book two so in preparation I wanted to refresh my book one memory. I still agree mostly with my initial impression of the characters and the plot. Our boy Eric is pretty naive. I'm surprised he survived as long as he did. Book two has a higher member rating so I'm hoping for a much better experience this time around.

[Brandon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wasn't overly impressed with this one. The story wasn't very original, the characters were rather bland, and most of all, the "average guy" turned amateur prepper premise is getting a bit old; especially if there is nothing to make it stand out among some of the veteran writers of the genre. It was also annoying when the main character continues to naively act in opposition to his better judgement; granted most average people do this, but it gets old reading about characters acting without common sense. I get that it teaches newbies what not to do and why, but the general audience for the genre already knows better and this just becomes annoying.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I started this book thinking it was a guide on how to bug out. Even after the first few sentences when I figured out it wasn't, I didn't want to put it down. It got better and better, and then I finished it and found out it was actually part of series. So now I have to shell out the money for three more books to find out how this story ends. So consider this a warning that if you read this book, you should have the money to buy the next ones. You will not want to finish this book and just stop. Also, make sure you start this on a vacation, because you probably won't want to put it down either.

[Melinda Weprin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book, very realistic in some perspectives on what you'd need to do in order to be prepared for a major incident. Unbelievable parts..he leaves his property knowing that someone is watching and testing his defenses. For what you ask....antibiotics...after being told by his friend that the shelves have been stripped. But again overall has some intriguing parts and well worth the read if you are looking for something quick. Will probably not continue with the story given though.

[Tremont G · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only made it about 15 pages and have no idea if it would be a good book or not. I just didn't like the setting. For me, it's too depressing to read about a totally ravaged world, killing off humanity is fine but I can't read about death to all plants and animals, especially animals! So I didn't bother to read.

[Shauna Yanke · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can definitely skip this series

If there is anything that turns me off of a book fast, it's a stupid main character, and this book has one of the dumbest. I got about fifty percent through and tossed in the towel. And I certainly won't be reading any other books in this series. Just a little tip, save yourself some aggravation and skip anything by this particular author.

[Jeremy Redmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mind blowing just wow

I loved this book I felt it offered so much to give to the reader the author put forward such great thoughts and ideas of the planet it was a lot like a future. Anything is possible

[George Eiland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story.

I honestly thought this would be just another zombie book but it wasn't . His story was very well told and I really enjoyed it. Looking forward to the next.

[Bernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bugging Out review

Book one in The Bugging Out series is a post apocalyptic story written by author Noah Mann. This apocalypse is caused by a blight that kills all vegetation worldwide.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book; loved the concept. I had trouble getting into the characters but I think that for me this book suffered due to the lack of characters. I am planning on reading the second one, though.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different in a good way

I enjoyed the first installment in this series. The writing is really good and editing better than most in this genre. Characters were well developed and not the usual tactical superhero. The plot was also a nice change

[Nancy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first in a new series of post-apocolytic books. Well done.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great post apocalyptic story

while some of the character's actions were not believable, overall it was a great story with an interesting take on the genre. I want to read book two.

[Frank Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. I totally different type of post apocalyptic book, it was refreshing to read something fresh. I intend on reading the second one in the series right away.

[billy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I really enjoyed this book. It was probably close to the truth. This world can't last much longer at the rate we're going.

[Blakek96 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good entertaining read.

A decent read. Not the typical list of specs and product placements like you find in so many of this genre.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED IT