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Zombie War: An account of the zombie apocalypse that swept across America
An alternate cover edition can be found here.
It was conceived in the deserts of Iran – a monstrous terrorist plot that would change America forever – and it was unleashed in a football stadium one sunny Sunday afternoon.
‘Zombie War’ is a detailed account of the zombie apocalypse as it sweeps through the southern states of the USA and how the American military struggles to contain the infection. Written as a combination of narrative followed by interviews with the combatants, the book is a chillingly realistic portrayal of the devastation and the dreadful cost to all those who survive…
It was conceived in the deserts of Iran – a monstrous terrorist plot that would change America forever – and it was unleashed in a football stadium one sunny Sunday afternoon.
‘Zombie War’ is a detailed account of the zombie apocalypse as it sweeps through the southern states of the USA and how the American military struggles to contain the infection. Written as a combination of narrative followed by interviews with the combatants, the book is a chillingly realistic portrayal of the devastation and the dreadful cost to all those who survive…
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 17, 2014
190 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Nicholas Ryan
20 books87 followersTo keep up to date with all the latest Nicholas Ryan news and new book release information visit him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nickryanauth...
You can contact Nick directly at nicholasryanpublicist@gmail.com.
You can contact Nick directly at nicholasryanpublicist@gmail.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
February 18, 2015
I have not read World War Z and therefore can not compare it with Zombie War. I've read Mr. Ryan's other zombie series and enjoyed those books, Zombie War is completely different from that earlier series. The first chapters introduces us to the Iranian leaders and their Russian scientists who finally perfect a man-made zombie virus that they plan to let loose in the U.S.. It is spread from person to person within minutes and without an antidote should destroy the entire country within weeks. Thus, the battle began!
Zombie War follows a reporter, John Culver, as he interviews members of the military and government - including the President himself, to record their responses to the virus, and the way our Armed Forces went to war to defend our nation. Many of the combatants - especially higher ranked officers, compared this zombie war to the trench fighting of WWI. As a result, the military had drawn a box on the ground from the Atlantic shoreline of South Carolina to the Gulf shores of Louisiana and designated it the final defensive trench line - hoping to contain the virus and limit the exposure to only the few south eastern states.
The zombie advance had been stopped at the trench line. It's a year later, the interviews telling the story of this war from the viewpoints of military men and women as they fought for their lives to stop the spread and then push it back into Florida where it all began. Mr. Carver pushes the envelope during many of his interviews, sometimes angering the interviewees, to learn the truths of this year-long war. The author shows some redundancy when interviewing others about the same battles, but the different perspectives sometimes uncover truths that were missed earlier.
The war was unique and a first for the U.S. military. Soldiers did not have to dodge artillery rounds, strafing jets, or fire fire from the advancing enemy. Their jobs were simple: destroy an unarmed enemy - former human beings - intent on killing them in hand to hand combat. Artillery and bombs were not effective...killing them required a bullet to the head. Unlike all wars since the beginning of time, this enemy did not stop to regroup, re-arm, retreat, remove bodies from the battlefield, plan their attack, call a truce or surrender - this enemy was relentless and continued their attacks until a bullet stopped them. The Civil War brings to mind a line of soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder out in the open - exhibiting a disciplined rate of fire to stop the advancing enemy.
America was extremely vulnerable during this war - Russia and China were sniffing at our heels and ready to take over the country when the time was right. There were no U.S. military assets stationed around the globe - all were pulled back to fight these battles in their own backyards, so it was a free-for-all, and the aggressive countries in Europe, Asia and Middle East expanded their borders without interferrence . As the interviews continue up the ranks, the view of the war and global overviews are seen from a much higher perspective - giving readers a better look at the overall picture and how our military and government reacted.
Highly recommend Zombie War! Great job Mr. Ryan!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
Zombie War follows a reporter, John Culver, as he interviews members of the military and government - including the President himself, to record their responses to the virus, and the way our Armed Forces went to war to defend our nation. Many of the combatants - especially higher ranked officers, compared this zombie war to the trench fighting of WWI. As a result, the military had drawn a box on the ground from the Atlantic shoreline of South Carolina to the Gulf shores of Louisiana and designated it the final defensive trench line - hoping to contain the virus and limit the exposure to only the few south eastern states.
The zombie advance had been stopped at the trench line. It's a year later, the interviews telling the story of this war from the viewpoints of military men and women as they fought for their lives to stop the spread and then push it back into Florida where it all began. Mr. Carver pushes the envelope during many of his interviews, sometimes angering the interviewees, to learn the truths of this year-long war. The author shows some redundancy when interviewing others about the same battles, but the different perspectives sometimes uncover truths that were missed earlier.
The war was unique and a first for the U.S. military. Soldiers did not have to dodge artillery rounds, strafing jets, or fire fire from the advancing enemy. Their jobs were simple: destroy an unarmed enemy - former human beings - intent on killing them in hand to hand combat. Artillery and bombs were not effective...killing them required a bullet to the head. Unlike all wars since the beginning of time, this enemy did not stop to regroup, re-arm, retreat, remove bodies from the battlefield, plan their attack, call a truce or surrender - this enemy was relentless and continued their attacks until a bullet stopped them. The Civil War brings to mind a line of soldiers standing shoulder to shoulder out in the open - exhibiting a disciplined rate of fire to stop the advancing enemy.
America was extremely vulnerable during this war - Russia and China were sniffing at our heels and ready to take over the country when the time was right. There were no U.S. military assets stationed around the globe - all were pulled back to fight these battles in their own backyards, so it was a free-for-all, and the aggressive countries in Europe, Asia and Middle East expanded their borders without interferrence . As the interviews continue up the ranks, the view of the war and global overviews are seen from a much higher perspective - giving readers a better look at the overall picture and how our military and government reacted.
Highly recommend Zombie War! Great job Mr. Ryan!
John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel
December 31, 2015
If you like epic movies like Patton, The Longest Day and The Eagle has Landed; then this book and the author Nicholas Ryan should be on your radar. It reads like a 'current events' tale if those current events included Zombies along with terrorism and murder. My mind did wander to the 'what ifs' of a viral apocalypse, but we don't need a Zombie virus just small pox or Spanish influenza, they did enough damage on their own, weaponization would be total destruction. Ryan writes a cautionary tale wrapped in epic horror.
This is my first Zombie book, so I can't compare it to any others. As idea Zombies and rabid bats scare the ever living crude out of me. This is also a book that fans of Benjamin Percy's Red Moon may like. But, the characters interpersonal relationships need to be cultivated by Ryan, as I would have liked to have had a more one on one identification with the books characters. I felt safe reading this book and I think Ryan has the skill as a writer to make me feel a deeper connections with characters to make me feel unsafe and immersed in his books.
The social commentary in this novel is good, but a did feel like a few of the baddies were caricatures standard evil villain or mad scientist. He also used western terminology in speaking about some weapons, but the average reader would more than likely not care. Unfortunately my brain has a ton load of minutiae floats around in it, which pointed this out in my freaky synapses. BTW if any of you care my brains name is Bob, and it is just overflowing with stupid factoids, that no one really gives damn about. :-)
This is my first Zombie book, so I can't compare it to any others. As idea Zombies and rabid bats scare the ever living crude out of me. This is also a book that fans of Benjamin Percy's Red Moon may like. But, the characters interpersonal relationships need to be cultivated by Ryan, as I would have liked to have had a more one on one identification with the books characters. I felt safe reading this book and I think Ryan has the skill as a writer to make me feel a deeper connections with characters to make me feel unsafe and immersed in his books.
The social commentary in this novel is good, but a did feel like a few of the baddies were caricatures standard evil villain or mad scientist. He also used western terminology in speaking about some weapons, but the average reader would more than likely not care. Unfortunately my brain has a ton load of minutiae floats around in it, which pointed this out in my freaky synapses. BTW if any of you care my brains name is Bob, and it is just overflowing with stupid factoids, that no one really gives damn about. :-)
May 29, 2018
It's bound to be compared to "World War Z" by Brooks but I like the story Ryan uses. In his telling, the zombie virus is used as an intentional act of terror by the Iranians against the United States. Ryan works in a reverse chronology, telling the story of how the virus was developed/employed first and then takes us to the end (containment) to recap how the US dealt with the outbreak.
Ryan does this through a series of interviews with civilian, warfighters, military and political leaders (all the way up to the president) in order to give us a "whole" picture of how the virus affected the U.S. and the people in it, the world and the US's role in the world moving forward. While there are no "ah ha" moments in the book since we know what happened going in, Ryan's time is spent exploring the human side of the fight, its effect on those that participated and the mental and emotional scars left behind. The story and the characters are engaging, easy to identify with and why I couldn't put the book down until it was finished (hence read it in 2 days). The mere fact of how Ryan sets the zombie outbreak as a "U.S. problem" and examines it through those eyes is worth the read alone.
Ryan does this through a series of interviews with civilian, warfighters, military and political leaders (all the way up to the president) in order to give us a "whole" picture of how the virus affected the U.S. and the people in it, the world and the US's role in the world moving forward. While there are no "ah ha" moments in the book since we know what happened going in, Ryan's time is spent exploring the human side of the fight, its effect on those that participated and the mental and emotional scars left behind. The story and the characters are engaging, easy to identify with and why I couldn't put the book down until it was finished (hence read it in 2 days). The mere fact of how Ryan sets the zombie outbreak as a "U.S. problem" and examines it through those eyes is worth the read alone.
August 16, 2023
Better than World War Z
I really liked the changes in focus of this story. The examining of tiny parts of a huge story was great. The Max Brooks story was similar in style and that was a book I loved...this was better. Much better.
I really liked the changes in focus of this story. The examining of tiny parts of a huge story was great. The Max Brooks story was similar in style and that was a book I loved...this was better. Much better.
May 9, 2015
Very similar but not as good as WWZ.
If u liked wwz u Prolly like this. The story is very similar. More about the American battle than WWZ.
If u liked wwz u Prolly like this. The story is very similar. More about the American battle than WWZ.
August 10, 2025
A near rip-off of WWZ.
Imitation is the sincerely form of flattery, Max Brooks would be extremely flattered after reading this book. A reporter goes around, meets a grumpy guy in a place, antagonizes him with questions, and the story slowly reveals itself.
At its heart, this book is well-written, but it’s boring, it’s repetitive to the point of being a chore to read. There are clumsy attempts to humanize the conflict throughout, but if you read this you’re going to get a vague hand-waving about how the military solved the zombie problem and not a lot else. Except very detailed descriptions of each person the reporter met with.
Anyway, I’ve read a lot of zombie fiction, a LOT. And the best thing I can say about this book it that it’s one of them.
Imitation is the sincerely form of flattery, Max Brooks would be extremely flattered after reading this book. A reporter goes around, meets a grumpy guy in a place, antagonizes him with questions, and the story slowly reveals itself.
At its heart, this book is well-written, but it’s boring, it’s repetitive to the point of being a chore to read. There are clumsy attempts to humanize the conflict throughout, but if you read this you’re going to get a vague hand-waving about how the military solved the zombie problem and not a lot else. Except very detailed descriptions of each person the reporter met with.
Anyway, I’ve read a lot of zombie fiction, a LOT. And the best thing I can say about this book it that it’s one of them.
June 7, 2017
These zombie books by Nicholas Ryan are pretty entertaining. I think the more traditional storyline novels (e.g. Ground Zero) are better than this documentary style book, though. It's impossible to not compare this book to World War Z, which in my opinion is a great book. I did not think this book came up to the same standard, even though it uses a very similar narrative structure.
The entire book is structured as a series of interviews by a journalist, primarily with American military personnel, about events in the zombie war. There are some interesting ideas here and if you enjoy a good military novel, like some of the stuff in a Tom Clancy book or perhaps Andy McNab is more on the mark, you will enjoy this book more than if you just like zombies. There are some good ideas in the way the events unfold and I appreciated these, as they make the book fundamentally different in some clever ways to World War Z (without wanting to give away any spoilers!)
But the writing just did not seem to be up to the same standard, the structure of each section is a bit formulaic, and the characters are a bit two dimensional. Still, I did enjoy it, hence a 3 star rating.
The entire book is structured as a series of interviews by a journalist, primarily with American military personnel, about events in the zombie war. There are some interesting ideas here and if you enjoy a good military novel, like some of the stuff in a Tom Clancy book or perhaps Andy McNab is more on the mark, you will enjoy this book more than if you just like zombies. There are some good ideas in the way the events unfold and I appreciated these, as they make the book fundamentally different in some clever ways to World War Z (without wanting to give away any spoilers!)
But the writing just did not seem to be up to the same standard, the structure of each section is a bit formulaic, and the characters are a bit two dimensional. Still, I did enjoy it, hence a 3 star rating.
March 8, 2021
DNF @38%
Zombie books should not be boring; this book is. The critical elements of this book are what the journalist/narrator is thinking as he pens this "history". I give zombie fiction a lot of literary leeway, but this book is awful.
I get why the format of "oral history" is appealing: the author only has to pen a series of short stories that vaguely link together, rather than a complete narrative. The problem is that none of these short stories have the elements of story. They all read as 100% denouement.
Zombie books should not be boring; this book is. The critical elements of this book are what the journalist/narrator is thinking as he pens this "history". I give zombie fiction a lot of literary leeway, but this book is awful.
I get why the format of "oral history" is appealing: the author only has to pen a series of short stories that vaguely link together, rather than a complete narrative. The problem is that none of these short stories have the elements of story. They all read as 100% denouement.
October 27, 2019
Great read
This book is a great read. An account of after the virus released and Americans responded in military sense. A journalist is interviewing individuals as to their participation in the response to contain the infection. Check it out
This book is a great read. An account of after the virus released and Americans responded in military sense. A journalist is interviewing individuals as to their participation in the response to contain the infection. Check it out
July 29, 2025
So good
One of the best zombie books I have read. It was so detailed and well written. If there ever is a true apocalypse like this, the government needs to have this book as a play book for what to do.
One of the best zombie books I have read. It was so detailed and well written. If there ever is a true apocalypse like this, the government needs to have this book as a play book for what to do.
May 18, 2022
great book
Great book. Has fear during the reporting and always follows with hope. Even though the future is uncertain, a stronger country is born.
Great book. Has fear during the reporting and always follows with hope. Even though the future is uncertain, a stronger country is born.
January 3, 2023
Interesting take on Zombie Apocalypse
Great story telling and an interesting take on the zombie apocalypse genre. Highly recommended read for fans of zombie stories
Great story telling and an interesting take on the zombie apocalypse genre. Highly recommended read for fans of zombie stories
January 30, 2023
I did not finish the book, I made it 3/4 of the way and left it. The story is too disjointed for me to connect with it.
March 10, 2017
Just, Wow!
What a great , kick ass story. I would rank this every bit as great as World War Z. I would say Hollywood should make this into a movie, but I won't. They would screw it up like the did World War.
What a great , kick ass story. I would rank this every bit as great as World War Z. I would say Hollywood should make this into a movie, but I won't. They would screw it up like the did World War.
February 25, 2015
I thought this book was okay. Good even. One of the few books to show the military in a good light. Also one of the few books that says its possible to win against fast zombies. So why not 5 stars? Because some other reviewers went out there and said that it was like World War Z, then a few more really lost it and said it was better the World War Z. IMO they are wrong, "dead" wrong (see what I did there?). Full disclosure, I have a biased because while I think WWZ is one of the best zombie books out there, its made 20 times better by the audio book, which I consider the best audio book I have heard (so far, 2666 by Roberto Bolano is really close). Different voice cast makes all the difference.
Like World War Z, its theme follows a journalist/author as he travels the U.S. interviewing people about the zombie war. I would say its 90% military and 10% civilian interviews. This made for some straight forward explanation of tactics and methodology for dealing with zombies. Interviews fell onto the planners and the executioners, so we got to see lots of angles. This leads to fascinating tactics that I have never seen in any other book. Where did it fall apart for me? Why 3 stars (tempted for 2)? ...
-The biggest crime was comparing it to WWZ. WWZ was global, all encompassing, civilian, military, odd ball stories, fascinating ideas, different perspectives. I also found the stories more engrossing. I felt more detail and scope. Cut away the world stuff and leave only the US stuff and it trumps it so much better. DISTRES, Yonkers, The march East, the dog teams, the female fighter pilot, the fleeing north, the rich people holdouts ... When I saw people compare it and say better, it seriously wrecked my liking of this book.
-I did not get into it until 60% into the book. The first half was terrible. Not in the story but in the rushed sense and cutoff. Our protagonist at EACH AND EVERY interview up to that point met with people who did not want to speak to him. Their answers were short and left wanting. There would be promised interview of time but it was always cut short. One interview had him going on helicopter and arriving late to interview civilians. He only got like 20 minutes. The civilians had an interesting story but they never elaborated on it or said "this one time ...". It was just, "we did this, oh you have to go now". Interviews seems to cut short, people never gave full responses. It was frustrating. Tell me more, don't hide it!!. By 75% in it got better, but by then it was too far gone. I was tainted.
-This book I feel suffered (for me in this case), the same issue as the film World War Z. The film WWZ would have stood well on its own with a different title. This book could have stood well on its own but I made the mistake of reading some reviews that made a comparison to WWZ.
If you haven't read WWZ then I think you will like this book. It's a decent book, but in my case it was ruined.
Like World War Z, its theme follows a journalist/author as he travels the U.S. interviewing people about the zombie war. I would say its 90% military and 10% civilian interviews. This made for some straight forward explanation of tactics and methodology for dealing with zombies. Interviews fell onto the planners and the executioners, so we got to see lots of angles. This leads to fascinating tactics that I have never seen in any other book. Where did it fall apart for me? Why 3 stars (tempted for 2)? ...
-The biggest crime was comparing it to WWZ. WWZ was global, all encompassing, civilian, military, odd ball stories, fascinating ideas, different perspectives. I also found the stories more engrossing. I felt more detail and scope. Cut away the world stuff and leave only the US stuff and it trumps it so much better. DISTRES, Yonkers, The march East, the dog teams, the female fighter pilot, the fleeing north, the rich people holdouts ... When I saw people compare it and say better, it seriously wrecked my liking of this book.
-I did not get into it until 60% into the book. The first half was terrible. Not in the story but in the rushed sense and cutoff. Our protagonist at EACH AND EVERY interview up to that point met with people who did not want to speak to him. Their answers were short and left wanting. There would be promised interview of time but it was always cut short. One interview had him going on helicopter and arriving late to interview civilians. He only got like 20 minutes. The civilians had an interesting story but they never elaborated on it or said "this one time ...". It was just, "we did this, oh you have to go now". Interviews seems to cut short, people never gave full responses. It was frustrating. Tell me more, don't hide it!!. By 75% in it got better, but by then it was too far gone. I was tainted.
-This book I feel suffered (for me in this case), the same issue as the film World War Z. The film WWZ would have stood well on its own with a different title. This book could have stood well on its own but I made the mistake of reading some reviews that made a comparison to WWZ.
If you haven't read WWZ then I think you will like this book. It's a decent book, but in my case it was ruined.
September 19, 2024
Edited from original review of May 9th, 2023
With a manmade virus supplied by a greedy Russian scientist, a small group of handpicked Iranians make their way to the United States. Their mission: Bring America to its knees.
Dispersed in the stands of a packed football stadium in Miami, these men dedicated to radical Islam & the hatred of America inject themselves with the virus. They die in their seats....and then reanimate. They are killing machines...and their bites turn others into killing machines.
13 months later...
The military was able to cordon off several states, preventing the spread to the rest of the country. Although the fighting is pretty much over in all but one state, the communities in these states are in ruins with signs of death all around.
Reporter John Culver travels to Washington D.C., refugee camps & military bases in/around the quarantine zone, gathering first-hand accounts of the battles to reclaim American soil from the Undead, smaller military ops to rescue civilians & one political VIP in a hot zone, civilian experiences in the early days of the outbreak & the quest to learn the origin of the attack of the Undead.
----------------------------------
Pros:
- Unlike Max Brooks' World War Z, the American military isn't portrayed as incompetent on a Keystone Kops level. The military suffers casualties & small failures, sure, but it isn't all fumbling & bumbling.
- The emotional states of the "interviewees" is diverse. Some are confident, some are humble, others are stable but frail emotionally and one suffers from what seems to be portrayed as PTSD.
- You could easily picture the scenes of battles & panic situations.
Cons:
- The repetitive "we had to learn to fight a war without the high-tech" line from almost every military "interviewee".
- Could've done with more civilian survivor insights.
Overall Opinion: Way better then Max Brooks' World War Z. Ryan's Zombie War feels much more "realistic" and less cluttered and not hollow compared to Brooks' book.
With a manmade virus supplied by a greedy Russian scientist, a small group of handpicked Iranians make their way to the United States. Their mission: Bring America to its knees.
Dispersed in the stands of a packed football stadium in Miami, these men dedicated to radical Islam & the hatred of America inject themselves with the virus. They die in their seats....and then reanimate. They are killing machines...and their bites turn others into killing machines.
13 months later...
The military was able to cordon off several states, preventing the spread to the rest of the country. Although the fighting is pretty much over in all but one state, the communities in these states are in ruins with signs of death all around.
Reporter John Culver travels to Washington D.C., refugee camps & military bases in/around the quarantine zone, gathering first-hand accounts of the battles to reclaim American soil from the Undead, smaller military ops to rescue civilians & one political VIP in a hot zone, civilian experiences in the early days of the outbreak & the quest to learn the origin of the attack of the Undead.
----------------------------------
Pros:
- Unlike Max Brooks' World War Z, the American military isn't portrayed as incompetent on a Keystone Kops level. The military suffers casualties & small failures, sure, but it isn't all fumbling & bumbling.
- The emotional states of the "interviewees" is diverse. Some are confident, some are humble, others are stable but frail emotionally and one suffers from what seems to be portrayed as PTSD.
- You could easily picture the scenes of battles & panic situations.
Cons:
- The repetitive "we had to learn to fight a war without the high-tech" line from almost every military "interviewee".
- Could've done with more civilian survivor insights.
Overall Opinion: Way better then Max Brooks' World War Z. Ryan's Zombie War feels much more "realistic" and less cluttered and not hollow compared to Brooks' book.
March 13, 2016
Nicholas Ryan continues to raise the bar with each book he writes. He will not settle for writing the same book, and he really stepped it up when he wrote `Zombie War'.
`Zombie War' is more than your typical zombie book. Nicholas Ryan flawlessly delivers a book that includes compelling interviews that conveys patriotism, bravery, courageous leadership, human emotion, and honor. The pride that Ryan instilled as I progressed through the book was surprising and incredible. I often had to remind myself that the US military is fighting our fellow Americans that have turned into zombies, and I was proud of our military and their bravery. Even though `Zombie War' is a work of fiction, I often felt that I was reading a non-fiction piece regarding our American history.
I appreciated each interview and Ryan's ability to bring each character to life. I can't even begin to count the number of people that John Culver, the main character, interviewed throughout the book. How Ryan was able to write so many characters is beyond me. He was able to create unique characteristics that brought each character to life; in addition, I was able to feel connected to them through their words as they relived the war. I also appreciated the human emotion that Ryan brought out as Culver interviewed citizens that survived and continue to struggle each day. Just when you think Ryan is getting ready to wrap up the book, he brings you to the edge of your seat - leaving you wanting more.
After reading `Zombie War', I gifted the book to my cousin, an Army Colonel, to get his thoughts about the book. He shared with me that he has worked with several of the groups mentioned in the book (USAMRIID, SOCOM, Pentagon, State Department, 82nd Airborne, National Guard, FEMA) and lived many of the scenarios (minus the zombies). He also said the book was a great read.
I look forward to future books by Nicholas Ryan.
`Zombie War' is more than your typical zombie book. Nicholas Ryan flawlessly delivers a book that includes compelling interviews that conveys patriotism, bravery, courageous leadership, human emotion, and honor. The pride that Ryan instilled as I progressed through the book was surprising and incredible. I often had to remind myself that the US military is fighting our fellow Americans that have turned into zombies, and I was proud of our military and their bravery. Even though `Zombie War' is a work of fiction, I often felt that I was reading a non-fiction piece regarding our American history.
I appreciated each interview and Ryan's ability to bring each character to life. I can't even begin to count the number of people that John Culver, the main character, interviewed throughout the book. How Ryan was able to write so many characters is beyond me. He was able to create unique characteristics that brought each character to life; in addition, I was able to feel connected to them through their words as they relived the war. I also appreciated the human emotion that Ryan brought out as Culver interviewed citizens that survived and continue to struggle each day. Just when you think Ryan is getting ready to wrap up the book, he brings you to the edge of your seat - leaving you wanting more.
After reading `Zombie War', I gifted the book to my cousin, an Army Colonel, to get his thoughts about the book. He shared with me that he has worked with several of the groups mentioned in the book (USAMRIID, SOCOM, Pentagon, State Department, 82nd Airborne, National Guard, FEMA) and lived many of the scenarios (minus the zombies). He also said the book was a great read.
I look forward to future books by Nicholas Ryan.
April 12, 2016
I liked this book better than World War Z. This book was about an attack on America and all the people interviewed by the reporter in the book are Americans. They range from the President of the US to a soldier on the ground to survivors. The book was more intense than the typical Zombie book for me. We know why it happened, how it happened, and how the US responded to it. I think it was more intense because the whole book is about the war on American soil.
In some Zombie books, it is easy to forget the zombies were once people. It isn't in this one because they were once our family, friends, and neighbors. Soldiers fighting the war knew they could be killing family members who had turned, which was poignant.
I found the discussion about the military strategies and techniques to be fascinating. The military had to go back in time because all its technology wouldn't work on enemies that didn't care if they died (they were already dead) and could only be killed by killing the brain (again). It was very interesting to hear from the generals who knew about the history of warfare and were able to apply it to this war.
The interview with the Secretary of State is particularly interesting (and kind of funny in light of the situation).
I definitely recommend this book.
In some Zombie books, it is easy to forget the zombies were once people. It isn't in this one because they were once our family, friends, and neighbors. Soldiers fighting the war knew they could be killing family members who had turned, which was poignant.
I found the discussion about the military strategies and techniques to be fascinating. The military had to go back in time because all its technology wouldn't work on enemies that didn't care if they died (they were already dead) and could only be killed by killing the brain (again). It was very interesting to hear from the generals who knew about the history of warfare and were able to apply it to this war.
The interview with the Secretary of State is particularly interesting (and kind of funny in light of the situation).
I definitely recommend this book.
March 15, 2016
An okay read
As something that tries to take a different spin on World War Z, the novel wasn't as good as WWZ, often falling flat when it comes to the emotional accounts from survivors. When reading WWZ, I felt connected to the characters and could immerse myself in all their accounts, both the military ones and the civilian ones. Here, I had difficulty immersing myself into the story, but I will acknowledge that that was likely because the story was attempting to explain the events of the zombie apocalypse from singularly a military perspective. Also, one of the things that constantly bothered me while reading the accounts was that pretty much everyone (with the exception of maybe 3 to 5 people) was a white male. I do know that many people in the upper brass of the military are white and male, but I feel that there should be been more diversity among the characters in the form more minority groups (women and people of color in particular) since the rest of the military isn't like the upper brass, ethnicity-wise or gender-wise.
I do applaud the author for his world-building, his military knowledge and his use of military terminology in the novel, though.
As something that tries to take a different spin on World War Z, the novel wasn't as good as WWZ, often falling flat when it comes to the emotional accounts from survivors. When reading WWZ, I felt connected to the characters and could immerse myself in all their accounts, both the military ones and the civilian ones. Here, I had difficulty immersing myself into the story, but I will acknowledge that that was likely because the story was attempting to explain the events of the zombie apocalypse from singularly a military perspective. Also, one of the things that constantly bothered me while reading the accounts was that pretty much everyone (with the exception of maybe 3 to 5 people) was a white male. I do know that many people in the upper brass of the military are white and male, but I feel that there should be been more diversity among the characters in the form more minority groups (women and people of color in particular) since the rest of the military isn't like the upper brass, ethnicity-wise or gender-wise.
I do applaud the author for his world-building, his military knowledge and his use of military terminology in the novel, though.
March 1, 2015
Dry............
The only reason I purchased this book was the review on the cover, "As good as World War Z." It is nowhere close to WWZ. Mr Ryan, if you put this on the cover to get people to buy your book, then congratulations. It worked on me. The opening chapter started out really good. After that, the rest of the book lost momentum. The remaining accounts is the main character jumping from one military base to the next, interviewing top officials on the military strategies that took place during the terrorist attack on the southern U.S. Each account starts to quickly sound like the last. The book dries up quick. I found myself wanting to hurry up and finish this book so that I could move on to something else. This book is not even in the same ballpark as the holy grail of zombie apocalyptic fiction, World War Z.
The only reason I purchased this book was the review on the cover, "As good as World War Z." It is nowhere close to WWZ. Mr Ryan, if you put this on the cover to get people to buy your book, then congratulations. It worked on me. The opening chapter started out really good. After that, the rest of the book lost momentum. The remaining accounts is the main character jumping from one military base to the next, interviewing top officials on the military strategies that took place during the terrorist attack on the southern U.S. Each account starts to quickly sound like the last. The book dries up quick. I found myself wanting to hurry up and finish this book so that I could move on to something else. This book is not even in the same ballpark as the holy grail of zombie apocalyptic fiction, World War Z.
March 27, 2016
I love zombie and military novels so when you combine the two I really look forward to the story. I was not disappointed here. I love the direction this book . First you have Iranian terrorists unleashing The Fist of Allah zombie virus on an unsuspecting crowd during a Sunday afternoon football game in a Miami stadium and as it sweeps across the southern states of the US it becomes hell on earth.
The next three parts of the book are a reporter John Culver interviewing various branches of the military and survivors. There is Part One: Operation Containment, Part Two: Operation Conquest and Part Three: Operation Compress. Through the interviews you read about the devastation, loss of life, horror, the fight for survival at any cost and the retaliation across Iran. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the zombie/military genre. Well done Nicholas Ryan.
The next three parts of the book are a reporter John Culver interviewing various branches of the military and survivors. There is Part One: Operation Containment, Part Two: Operation Conquest and Part Three: Operation Compress. Through the interviews you read about the devastation, loss of life, horror, the fight for survival at any cost and the retaliation across Iran. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the zombie/military genre. Well done Nicholas Ryan.
December 22, 2014
Zombie War was easy to follow and never let the readers forget the urgency of what every single person involved was going through and the situation they are in. The intricate interviewees and the journalist as the narrator kept things real. The research made it feel authentic and each character was designed very intricately to move the story in a certain direction to bring a good idea of how everything was at each stage of the operation in healing America.
Zombie War is an impressive read and definitely one of the best novels I’ve read this year. I highly recommend this!
Full review: http://klling.wordpress.com/2014/12/2...
Zombie War is an impressive read and definitely one of the best novels I’ve read this year. I highly recommend this!
Full review: http://klling.wordpress.com/2014/12/2...
November 22, 2014
I picked up this book even though I don’t normally read horror, and certainly not zombies. A friend told me it was every bit as good as World War Z, which I enjoyed. I was skeptical—I do like Max Brooks, but didn’t think I’d be into a similar book. I was wrong! This one is every bit as good as World War Z, and about so much more than zombies. The depth of the characters, the way the story unfolds in the interviews—it truly gripped me from beginning to end. The idea of America in a post-apocalyptic crisis is terrifying, and this book doesn’t pull punches. I’m glad that I picked it up, and I can’t wait for more from Nicholas Ryan.
November 26, 2014
I liked this more than World War Z. Just thought I would throw that out there, since everyone compares the two!
Anyways, this Zombie book is semi-unique in that it actually gives us a reason for everything to go down. Then when the s#@! hits the fan action is taken. Instead of total collapse, there is actually an effective containment and reprisal protocol employed. This is actually one of the first Z books i can remember that utilizes an effective government.
If you are looking for a Z book that's just a bit off the standard, i would recommend this. I couldn't put it down till i was finished, and look forward to reading the next in the series.
Anyways, this Zombie book is semi-unique in that it actually gives us a reason for everything to go down. Then when the s#@! hits the fan action is taken. Instead of total collapse, there is actually an effective containment and reprisal protocol employed. This is actually one of the first Z books i can remember that utilizes an effective government.
If you are looking for a Z book that's just a bit off the standard, i would recommend this. I couldn't put it down till i was finished, and look forward to reading the next in the series.
April 19, 2015
Zombie War by Nicholas Ryan is by far one of the best books I have ever read, in any genre, period! His writing is so descriptive, so unique, that he has a way of drawing the reader right into the action. I love how the apocalypse started and how he describes the aftermath. This book was so realistic, I found myself believing that it had actually really happened and kept having to remind myself that it was only fiction. The human aspect of this story was so touching, there were several moments where I had tears in my eyes. Yes, it's THAT good! Zombie War is so much more than just another zombie book. I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys a great read!
December 8, 2014
This story was similar to World War Z. However, I enjoyed this version much more. Yes, it lacks some of outside pov's unlike World War Z. The main focus was how the US military handle the situation. For once it was nice to see the military in action and holding the line. Unlike most other stores have the military wiped out. In reality, I don't see us building a large trench line in 30 plus days to cut off the infected areas. Some of the other tactics that were used are possible. All in all, this was a great read. I couldn't put down and just had to reach the end.
March 7, 2015
perception of military is poor
I'm not sure where the author came up with his idea of how military people behave but it seems he does not have a good impression of the military. His descriptions of the attitudes and mannerisms of his military subjects are very negative and not anything I've ever witnessed. I like the story of the war, how it was fought, but I really disliked his portrayal of almost every single interview subject.
I'm not sure where the author came up with his idea of how military people behave but it seems he does not have a good impression of the military. His descriptions of the attitudes and mannerisms of his military subjects are very negative and not anything I've ever witnessed. I like the story of the war, how it was fought, but I really disliked his portrayal of almost every single interview subject.
December 14, 2014
Couldn't finish it
After a hundred grueling pages I started flipping quickly through scanning for something to catch my attention. Didn't happen. Zero character development. Story read like a newspaper byline. Found myself looking for advertisements.
After a hundred grueling pages I started flipping quickly through scanning for something to catch my attention. Didn't happen. Zero character development. Story read like a newspaper byline. Found myself looking for advertisements.
January 9, 2015
Average
This is another average zombie tale. Scratch that. A survival story with zombies as the bad guy. This book struggles to grab your interest. Blah leads to blah, which leads to blah blah. I suggest you find something else to waste your time.
This is another average zombie tale. Scratch that. A survival story with zombies as the bad guy. This book struggles to grab your interest. Blah leads to blah, which leads to blah blah. I suggest you find something else to waste your time.
February 16, 2015
Despite some contrary reviews, I found this to be a poor imitation of World War Z. Predictable, lifeless (irony not intended) and just plan boring. Although I only wasted £2 on this, I still feel it was a waste of my money. Avoid this limp, turgid offering.
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