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The Doomsday Playbook #0.5-2
Countdown: The Wasteland Chronicles Book One
"Do not go gentle into that good night."Our World is ending...How or why is unknown, but make no mistake about it, we are living on borrowed time. Millions dead in a matter of days, billions in a matter of weeks. Yet somehow through the destruction and rubble, Lenny Brewster has staked his claim on survival.A former Special Forces soldier, a current womanizing alcoholic and a hardcore survivalist, Lenny is a conflicted man. He doesn't care much for this world, but he'll be damned if he leaves it quietly.
174 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2014
569 people are currently reading
697 people want to read
About the author
Rashad Freeman
61 books94 followersThe date was October 31, 1979. The air was cool and a light fog blew in from the gulf, cloaking the Tampa area in an ominous, tight-fitting tunic. The annual Halloween festivities had just begun and a night of mischievous tomfoolery was afoot.
Scandalous and nefarious characters took flight. Doorbells were rung and ill-boding tricks were played regardless of the treats given. This was the dark reality of the bustling Florida metropolitan.
To the north, Grateful Dead crooned the night's theme music at the Nassau Coliseum. Within earshot of the concert, witnesses stated a UFO hovered over the grounds for thirty minutes before vanishing.
At the same time the Cromarty's were busy hosting their notorious Halloween party at 112 Ocean Ave., better known as the Amityville Horror House. Screams and cries for help were reported throughout the night, punctuated with the disappearance of the family next door. They were never heard from again.
Unknowingly altering the course of history, Kurt Vonnegut released "Jailbird" the same week KISS gained infamy on The Tomorrow Show. The aftermath of this collision would not be felt for decades until the emergence of Justin Bieber.
After a night filled with mayhem and destruction and the deaths of several prominent entertainers, politicians and a notorious bank robber, the Federal government was forced to loan $1.5 billion dollars to Chrysler. This spurred a series of violent protests, resulting in the Brunah Agate oil spill. Over 10.7 million gallons of oil were dumped into the Galveston Bay. This became the worst oil spill disaster in U.S. history.
A few hours later on November 1, 1979, Rashad Freeman was born. Feel free to draw your own conclusions.
Scandalous and nefarious characters took flight. Doorbells were rung and ill-boding tricks were played regardless of the treats given. This was the dark reality of the bustling Florida metropolitan.
To the north, Grateful Dead crooned the night's theme music at the Nassau Coliseum. Within earshot of the concert, witnesses stated a UFO hovered over the grounds for thirty minutes before vanishing.
At the same time the Cromarty's were busy hosting their notorious Halloween party at 112 Ocean Ave., better known as the Amityville Horror House. Screams and cries for help were reported throughout the night, punctuated with the disappearance of the family next door. They were never heard from again.
Unknowingly altering the course of history, Kurt Vonnegut released "Jailbird" the same week KISS gained infamy on The Tomorrow Show. The aftermath of this collision would not be felt for decades until the emergence of Justin Bieber.
After a night filled with mayhem and destruction and the deaths of several prominent entertainers, politicians and a notorious bank robber, the Federal government was forced to loan $1.5 billion dollars to Chrysler. This spurred a series of violent protests, resulting in the Brunah Agate oil spill. Over 10.7 million gallons of oil were dumped into the Galveston Bay. This became the worst oil spill disaster in U.S. history.
A few hours later on November 1, 1979, Rashad Freeman was born. Feel free to draw your own conclusions.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
February 3, 2015
Where have all papa's heroes gone?
This starts out with Lenny, the hero of this book, as a soldier fighting in Afghanistan.
Lenny is kind of a jerk about women. He makes several remarks that are chauvinistic and belittling towards women. He isn't intentionally mean or rude, but he doesn't speak highly of women, either.
Lenny's back in the States now, working to get his forty acre compound fully stocked and ready for whatever disaster may come. It's very well stocked and fitted out for almost any problem. I wondered how he had the money to pay for his very expensive prepper compound, but his father left him millions.
He meets Rebecca, who is working as a sales clerk in a feed store, but it turns out she's also a mechanical engineer. (Why is she working as a clerk?)
They hit it off, so when a major disaster strikes he goes to get her.
This book ends in a cliffhanger, setting up for the next installment.
The characters were not really fleshed out, except for Lenny, and the book is your basic prepper/end of world scenario.
Results: I disliked it, probably because I disliked Lenny. But the story was formulaic and the characters tedious.
This starts out with Lenny, the hero of this book, as a soldier fighting in Afghanistan.
Lenny is kind of a jerk about women. He makes several remarks that are chauvinistic and belittling towards women. He isn't intentionally mean or rude, but he doesn't speak highly of women, either.
Lenny's back in the States now, working to get his forty acre compound fully stocked and ready for whatever disaster may come. It's very well stocked and fitted out for almost any problem. I wondered how he had the money to pay for his very expensive prepper compound, but his father left him millions.
He meets Rebecca, who is working as a sales clerk in a feed store, but it turns out she's also a mechanical engineer. (Why is she working as a clerk?)
They hit it off, so when a major disaster strikes he goes to get her.
This book ends in a cliffhanger, setting up for the next installment.
The characters were not really fleshed out, except for Lenny, and the book is your basic prepper/end of world scenario.
Results: I disliked it, probably because I disliked Lenny. But the story was formulaic and the characters tedious.
January 20, 2015
WOW. What an intense, gripping novel! I couldn't put it down. Vivid scenes, real, honest, genuine (and flawed!) characters, and just enough uncertainty to keep reeling you in, never knowing what is lurking around the corner, or on the next page.
MINOR SPOILER ALERT: THIS PARAGRAPH
There were a couple of things that felt a bit "forced" (such as a brilliant mechanical engineer masquerading as a stock clerk), but honestly it did not detract from the story, as hellfire rained down onto the main characters from all sides.
END SPOILER ALERT
Modern-era military novels aren't exactly my favorite genre, but this one breaks the mold. An exciting read, from start to finish. Eagerly awaiting the next installment!!!
MINOR SPOILER ALERT: THIS PARAGRAPH
There were a couple of things that felt a bit "forced" (such as a brilliant mechanical engineer masquerading as a stock clerk), but honestly it did not detract from the story, as hellfire rained down onto the main characters from all sides.
END SPOILER ALERT
Modern-era military novels aren't exactly my favorite genre, but this one breaks the mold. An exciting read, from start to finish. Eagerly awaiting the next installment!!!
April 27, 2015
Good storyline and strong characters...
This author has written a strong, action thriller that is very readable and enjoyable. I had a little trouble with the fact that he doesn't spend much time on character development, but rather stays right with the action all the way through the book. I appreciated that his main man, Lenny, Was an ex-marine, and took everything as serious as he did, otherwise the doomsday scenario wouldn't have worked too well.
I do recommend this book for all action/adventure fans.
Gaston Sanders, Author
This author has written a strong, action thriller that is very readable and enjoyable. I had a little trouble with the fact that he doesn't spend much time on character development, but rather stays right with the action all the way through the book. I appreciated that his main man, Lenny, Was an ex-marine, and took everything as serious as he did, otherwise the doomsday scenario wouldn't have worked too well.
I do recommend this book for all action/adventure fans.
Gaston Sanders, Author
November 16, 2015
Overall a fun and exciting read. Full of non-stop action. It appears this story is going to be yet another post-apocalyptic zombie story... but it's not. Something quite different. A bit mysterious. "Countdown" is a short introduction to The Wasteland Chronicles series. I'm typically not a fan of series, but this one reels you in wanting more and more. The biggest disappointment for me was that the characters all seemed a bit shallow. And, everyone is rude to one another. Other than that, this is a fantastic read.
November 28, 2015
This book is so bad I don't even know where to begin. The plot is disjointed, the writing is quite terrible, and the characters leave much to be desired. And if that wasn't enough to contend with, it seems that this book has never met an editor at any point (spell check would have been helpful).
As a confirmed lifelong bookworm, I know books. And this is a truly terrible book (even the dog dies).
As a confirmed lifelong bookworm, I know books. And this is a truly terrible book (even the dog dies).
January 30, 2015
Break-neck action and crazy details. This was a fast paced opener for what is certain to be one of my favorite series. This action was intense but what I appreciated more was the level of detail in the writing. It wasn't over done but enough to make me feel like I was watching a movie or even right there when it happened. Awesome read!!!
January 19, 2015
From the first sentence to the last, I loved the story. Others here have already written the synopsis of the book so I won't add to that. Really loved the characters and their development. I can't wait to continue with the series.
January 16, 2015
Countdown review
Countdown is the prequel and the first two parts in the Doomsday Playbook by author Rashad Freeman. I definitely will rest of the series. It's a post apocalyptic story.
Countdown is the prequel and the first two parts in the Doomsday Playbook by author Rashad Freeman. I definitely will rest of the series. It's a post apocalyptic story.
February 8, 2018
This was free on Amazon, and includes the first two in this post-apocalypse series, with the rest going cheap, so I downloaded them all as I like this genre.
Book 1, Countdown, shows Lenny Brewster, special forces soldier, on a disastrous mission in Afghanistan, then ten years later as an alcoholic prepper living in Florida, who meets a young woman, takes her Home, then rescues her when the world suddenly ends. They spend months living in his underground bunker, then are forced out to see what’s left.
This was very short, and really is just an introduction to the rest of the series. I found the extended war sequence tedious and wanted him to just get in with the story. I also didn’t like the extreme chauvinism, but will give him the benefit of the doubt and continue the series.
Book 1, Countdown, shows Lenny Brewster, special forces soldier, on a disastrous mission in Afghanistan, then ten years later as an alcoholic prepper living in Florida, who meets a young woman, takes her Home, then rescues her when the world suddenly ends. They spend months living in his underground bunker, then are forced out to see what’s left.
This was very short, and really is just an introduction to the rest of the series. I found the extended war sequence tedious and wanted him to just get in with the story. I also didn’t like the extreme chauvinism, but will give him the benefit of the doubt and continue the series.
February 23, 2019
Not sure how to grade this book. At first I thought it was going to be a military story that really went nowhere, except everyone getting killed? Friendly fire, hell fire missile? Then Lenny showed up and I got some interest. Problem is it’s lack of clarity- goes crazy trying to build a story that isn’t even plausible? Then it ends and Freeman try’s to sell his next book by starting the first couple of chapters, what a waste! I hate authors who do that and this is all Freeman gets from me— no more. Don’t waste your time. 3
February 5, 2018
For Romance books, its boy meets girl and falls in love
For post-apocalyptical thrillers, its unknown event leaves hero and girl who set off on a journey. Now we have to try to sell some more books by extending it over more volumes.
Yes, we have some character building. Believable? somewhat doubtful.
Will I seek out the next books .................................if they were left on the shelf after a post-apocalyptical event possibly.
For post-apocalyptical thrillers, its unknown event leaves hero and girl who set off on a journey. Now we have to try to sell some more books by extending it over more volumes.
Yes, we have some character building. Believable? somewhat doubtful.
Will I seek out the next books .................................if they were left on the shelf after a post-apocalyptical event possibly.
February 4, 2018
Read or Not Read
I am not a particular fan of science fiction or pseudo science fiction, but after telling myself that I'd just finish the book and move on, I found myself ordering the second book in the series. I'd better get started so I can find out what happens to Penny and Rebecca and the others.
I am not a particular fan of science fiction or pseudo science fiction, but after telling myself that I'd just finish the book and move on, I found myself ordering the second book in the series. I'd better get started so I can find out what happens to Penny and Rebecca and the others.
February 16, 2017
VERY GOOD !!!!!!
When the SHTF, underground is probably a good place to be. Thank you for an engaging story. If you like apocalyptic books, then you should read this one. Thank you, Danny Scott.
When the SHTF, underground is probably a good place to be. Thank you for an engaging story. If you like apocalyptic books, then you should read this one. Thank you, Danny Scott.
May 11, 2017
Not bad
Not too bad of a story but it didn't really tell you much about who was the enemy. This is geared more towards a series that you have to keep reading to get answers. It is more like a tv series that keeps you in suspense and off kilter.
Not too bad of a story but it didn't really tell you much about who was the enemy. This is geared more towards a series that you have to keep reading to get answers. It is more like a tv series that keeps you in suspense and off kilter.
March 16, 2018
This is a good action book. Reminded me a little bit of watching The walking dead in parts although there are no zombies. A little graphic with blood and gore so if your not into that this is not for you.
April 2, 2018
Fast action and full of surprises
The author has written a very interesting story of intrigue and suspense. The action is nonstop and sure to keep you entertained and wanting more.
The author has written a very interesting story of intrigue and suspense. The action is nonstop and sure to keep you entertained and wanting more.
July 25, 2018
Interesting
I want to buy the next one. Hopefully it will tie everything together. I really don’t think anything is involved but the government. We will see. Hopefully in the next book.
I want to buy the next one. Hopefully it will tie everything together. I really don’t think anything is involved but the government. We will see. Hopefully in the next book.
February 11, 2019
Sci_fi
Great reading, lots of action and a interesting story line. Too bad it is one of the short story books you have to pay for to read the rest of. If book one was free I would have paid to read the rest of the series.
Great reading, lots of action and a interesting story line. Too bad it is one of the short story books you have to pay for to read the rest of. If book one was free I would have paid to read the rest of the series.
December 5, 2021
Couldn’t get into it
I read the first third of the book and couldn’t get into it. The first chapter was good, then the second chapter was a dead end, the rest just didn’t work. Needs a lot of work.
I read the first third of the book and couldn’t get into it. The first chapter was good, then the second chapter was a dead end, the rest just didn’t work. Needs a lot of work.
February 7, 2018
This is not a good book. It's impossible to like Lenny, everything is set up perfectly, he can do and get anything as he is rolling in $$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
Even the writing is not great.
Ewwww.
Even the writing is not great.
Ewwww.
April 29, 2018
I would rate this book a three star. I would have went four but I don't think 77 pages is long enough to be a book.
May 18, 2018
Fast read
This was an easy book to read. I couldn't put this book down. I think I would like the series as well.
This was an easy book to read. I couldn't put this book down. I think I would like the series as well.
February 5, 2019
Total waste
There really is no story here. I can’t imagine how the author could possibly have written something as bizarre as this fable.
There really is no story here. I can’t imagine how the author could possibly have written something as bizarre as this fable.
October 18, 2019
Meh. It's ok. The writing is pretty simplistic. The world isn't painted in any kind of detail. Everything is glossed over. Dialogue is cheesy, like an average hollywood action movie.
January 11, 2015
Not my kind of book. This one starts off with some exciting Special Forces action in Iran or somewhere similar. There seem to be several guys that could be the main character to the story, but they are all soon eliminated when the enemy base they attack is completely destoryed. Only Lenny survives.
Back home, Lenny becomes a Survivalist because he can see the world is getting ready to destroy itself and he wants to try and survive, for a while anyway. He's got some land and has built an underground shelter and now he just waits for doomsday!
The rest of the story goes as predicted. The world does come to a quick end with nuclear explosions covering most of Florida. Strangely, we don't actually know what happens. Lenny, who should have been listening to the news every second, took some sleeping pills and was dead to the world while it was blowing up. Coming awake, he can't get CNN or anything else for news, but he can see dead bodies and people wandering around outside his fence which certainly isn't usual.
The rest of the book is about Lenny's fight for survival. It's believed that the attack on America wasn't by some hostile foreign power but by aliens. The aliens are never clearly explained and they don't necessarily cause that much of a problem, but the surviving humans must stay away from them. So Lenny and the group of survivors, he pairs up with begin to run, somewhere, anywhere the aliens are not.
The writing is pretty good, although somewhat predictable. There is some underlying strangeness going on with Lenny's girl friend. One minute she seems sane and an asset, the next she acts weird and should be shot! Most of the stories are very short. Even this complete set of Parts 1 and 2 were extremely short, so short that I don't know if I'd want to pay for something that reads like a set of short-stories.
Still, it is an interesting read, not all that graphic, there are no zombies and there is some mystery to what's going on. But, this is not real strong science fiction, at least not so far. I'm not sure I'd read more; maybe if I had nothing else to read again, but this is not my type of story.
Back home, Lenny becomes a Survivalist because he can see the world is getting ready to destroy itself and he wants to try and survive, for a while anyway. He's got some land and has built an underground shelter and now he just waits for doomsday!
The rest of the story goes as predicted. The world does come to a quick end with nuclear explosions covering most of Florida. Strangely, we don't actually know what happens. Lenny, who should have been listening to the news every second, took some sleeping pills and was dead to the world while it was blowing up. Coming awake, he can't get CNN or anything else for news, but he can see dead bodies and people wandering around outside his fence which certainly isn't usual.
The rest of the book is about Lenny's fight for survival. It's believed that the attack on America wasn't by some hostile foreign power but by aliens. The aliens are never clearly explained and they don't necessarily cause that much of a problem, but the surviving humans must stay away from them. So Lenny and the group of survivors, he pairs up with begin to run, somewhere, anywhere the aliens are not.
The writing is pretty good, although somewhat predictable. There is some underlying strangeness going on with Lenny's girl friend. One minute she seems sane and an asset, the next she acts weird and should be shot! Most of the stories are very short. Even this complete set of Parts 1 and 2 were extremely short, so short that I don't know if I'd want to pay for something that reads like a set of short-stories.
Still, it is an interesting read, not all that graphic, there are no zombies and there is some mystery to what's going on. But, this is not real strong science fiction, at least not so far. I'm not sure I'd read more; maybe if I had nothing else to read again, but this is not my type of story.
August 15, 2015
Well, I promised to review this book and I was pleasantly surprised. I didn't know what to think at first but as it progressed, it certainly kept my interest. Lenny Brewster is a (spoiler)lone survivor of bad intel. Many years later, he is somewhere in small town Florida and somewhat of a prepper. The US economy is slowly spiraling out of control due to high tensions with Iran and Lenny is wishing he was somewhere else but he is there and making the best of it. A one night stand with, Rebecca, a convenience store clerk leads to much more as they are caught in a sudden breakdown of society. Not sure what happened other than there was an attack on American soil they hole up in Lenny's underground bunker to wait it out. Once they are forced out of the bunker must make their way through what is much of a wasteland to what is supposed to be a FEMA safe zone. Upon reaching it, they realize things are much more dire than they realized. And they find the cause of it all. The End....and this is where I was really disappointed since it was a very short story. However I was very happy to see that this particular book was not only free it also includes several chapters of the next installment in the series. And that had me hooked...The beginning of it was like a cross between Tremors, the horned hounds of Predators and attack of the Pod People. There are only a few chapters but lead very well from the first installment and will keep you on edge so you will want to download the next book ESCAPE. I will not go into it further since I want to read that one and give it it's own review. My only complaint is that while the first installment is very well written it is a short story and we get some background on Lenny Brewster and some on Rebecca and what might have happened is also at the very end. The sneak peak chapters should have been allowed in the first book which would have lead to the next installment. But the book is free so my suggestion is to pick it up and make up your own mind. And the sneak peak makes it well worth your time and will have you wanting the next installment. It did me and has now became part of my Kindle library collection as well.
August 4, 2015
I just finished reading "Countdown", Book 1 of "The Wasteland Chronicles", and thoroughly enjoyed it. The story begins by introducing us to one of the main players, detailing events which solidified his worldview, and led to his subsequent actions.
The story then shifts to a pivotal, but unexplained, event involving a couple teenaged boys in a shack, celebrating the birthday of one of them. We are left wondering how they fit into the story, until Rashad clarifies that at the end of Book 1.
We are then taken back to the main character, Lenny, and his then-current lifestyle. Shortly thereafter things get really exciting, really fast. We are left in the dark, every bit as much as is Lenny, and we don't know what precipitated the global apocalypse until the final line in Book 1.
At this point, Freeman has masterfully teased us into wanting Book 2. Fortunately, a preview of that sequel is included. Once again, Freeman masterfully teases us as that preview concludes.
This is a series you will want to obtain and read from beginning to end. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go buy the next exciting episode!
The story then shifts to a pivotal, but unexplained, event involving a couple teenaged boys in a shack, celebrating the birthday of one of them. We are left wondering how they fit into the story, until Rashad clarifies that at the end of Book 1.
We are then taken back to the main character, Lenny, and his then-current lifestyle. Shortly thereafter things get really exciting, really fast. We are left in the dark, every bit as much as is Lenny, and we don't know what precipitated the global apocalypse until the final line in Book 1.
At this point, Freeman has masterfully teased us into wanting Book 2. Fortunately, a preview of that sequel is included. Once again, Freeman masterfully teases us as that preview concludes.
This is a series you will want to obtain and read from beginning to end. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go buy the next exciting episode!
May 5, 2015
WOW! This story ended with a BANG! I mean, I never in a million years saw that coming. That last line was super awesome, I'm still in shock.
I absolutely loved the story, all of it. It starts with a lot of action so it's not a slow start to build the story up, nope, this one starts good and finished even better. I think the characters were great even if we didn't get to know much about Rebecca. I liked Lenny and Rango and was a bit sad about what happened to Rango.
The story is well written, the plot is great and the story is not boring at all. The end will surprise you, it was definitely a twist I did not expect. Maybe I've been reading too many zombie stories, lol!
It's a quick read and the end will make you want to read book 2.
I will recommend to my friends for a good action packed story.
I absolutely loved the story, all of it. It starts with a lot of action so it's not a slow start to build the story up, nope, this one starts good and finished even better. I think the characters were great even if we didn't get to know much about Rebecca. I liked Lenny and Rango and was a bit sad about what happened to Rango.
The story is well written, the plot is great and the story is not boring at all. The end will surprise you, it was definitely a twist I did not expect. Maybe I've been reading too many zombie stories, lol!
It's a quick read and the end will make you want to read book 2.
I will recommend to my friends for a good action packed story.
August 1, 2015
Great read
This book was a gift and I started reading it and just could not stop. The book starts out with a lot of action and ended the same way. The series is so good so far that I have already bought the next book in it, to make things worse I have about six other books to read. They are going to have to wait a little longer than expected. Mr. Freeman definitely has a talent that will keep you turning pages just to see what happens next. Thanks for you time and talent and letting me read your fine work. Give it a try ,it's not like you have anything to lose and I bet you will find yourself like me and and adding a new author to your list of one's to keep an eye on. Thank you Mr. Freeman.
This book was a gift and I started reading it and just could not stop. The book starts out with a lot of action and ended the same way. The series is so good so far that I have already bought the next book in it, to make things worse I have about six other books to read. They are going to have to wait a little longer than expected. Mr. Freeman definitely has a talent that will keep you turning pages just to see what happens next. Thanks for you time and talent and letting me read your fine work. Give it a try ,it's not like you have anything to lose and I bet you will find yourself like me and and adding a new author to your list of one's to keep an eye on. Thank you Mr. Freeman.
February 4, 2015
I received "Countdown:The Doomsday Playbook" in exchange for an honest review. I liked the premise of this book, but the execution just wasn't what I had hoped. The story begins with quite a lot of backstory, and frankly this was my favorite part. There was quite a lot of swearing, and the author warned me in advance as the main characters are ex-military. If you don't have an issue with that then you can add an extra star. I find that any words that are overused, swear words or not, can distract from the storyline. If you like military, dystopian, and aliens, then this book is for you. I give it two stars. It was "ok."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews