2024: A Military Thriller

by H. Berkeley Rourke

He wanted to save his family. Instead, he took them to hell.

Will de Young read the signs before the rest of the world. He saw the mistakes people in power made to their benefit, and knew the consequences of such actions. Now, Russia is waging a nuclear war with The United States, and only one thing bears on Will's mind: get his family to safety. Trying to escape the fallout, they travel to Frenchtown, Wyoming, but land in the middle of a guerrilla war on U.S. soil. With the world on the brink of nuclear apocalypse, can Will protect his family from both sides and lead them to safety?

H. Berkeley Rourke's 2024 is a vividly realistic novel of survival in a post-apocalyptic world. If you like dystopian thrillers or military fiction, then you'll love a book that combines the best of both worlds in an unrelenting story of war, tragedy and family.

Buy this post-apocalyptic thriller filled with unexpected twists and turns today!

Genres: Apocalyptic

184 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 3, 2015

Reviews

[John Dizon · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024 by Berkeley Rourke is a high-tension action novel that combines the best of what-if scenarios (a la Red Dawn) and nightmare predicaments (think of The Walking Dead) to come up with a post-apocalyptic thriller you won’t forget. The author takes us to a world where international enmity brings forth a nuclear war which opens a chapter of depravity that mankind may not survive. With the capitols of the world destroyed, the global economy collapses and governments are rendered powerless. The major protagonist, William De Young, is a member of a militia force in Missoula, one of many trying to establish a system of order in an increasingly anarchic environment. Cecil Fordner and Jonathan Corning are leaders of a rogue militia ruling by force in terrorizing the neighboring communities into succumbing to their will. De Young’s group finds itself on a collision course with the marauders, and the future of what is left of American society may hang in the balance.

With the acquisition of nuclear weapons by extremist nations such as Iran and North Korea, Rourke’s novel resonates with the theme of headlines around the world. The rise of local militias in response to socialist groups’ demands to suspend or abrogate America’s right to bear arms is also a sign of the times. Food shortages, economic instability and political collapse appear as widespread problems, and Rourke gives us plenty of food for thought with this timely story. 2024 by Berkeley Rourke is a speculative fiction tale you won’t want to miss.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book when I first read it, but hearing the author added a few changes, I had to read it again. Glad I did! I mean who doesn't worry about an all out war, especially with so many countries having nuclear capabilities. Berkeley Rourke has updated this story to include what is happening in the turmoil of our world today and to predict what might just happen in the years to come, After all out war, one which might have been prevented if countries and leaders weren't so involved with who is right and who is stronger, or maybe it was inevitable. Either way, readers journey to Montana as William De Young joins his family to survive the destruction that continues. If you have never lived some where that has a militia it may be hard to understand what the people are doing and why, but the author did a great job in a novel that takes readers through the horror of war when it is in your own backyard. This is a story about survival even when it means doing things you wouldn't normally do. In our world, diseases, germ warfare, nuclear weapons, dirty bombs, etc. have changed what is a normal part of our vocabulary and who knows, sometime soon we may be using BNE and ANE also. (Before Nuclear Exchange and After Nuclear Exchange) I love the new additions and found this to be a five star suspenseful read.

[Frank Scozzari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one! That which we all fear—All-Out Nuclear War—happens with vivid realism and casts Will de Young and his family into guerrilla warfare survival mode in 2024.

So many things we take or granted are lost when we are thrown back into a primitive state of living where day-to-day survival is not just about avoiding the enemy’s bullets, but also about enduring the elements without all the normal comforts of civilization. In this novel, we see how it might be and bears the question of how you would endure in a post apocalyptic world.

H. Berkeley Rourke writing style is unique, his attention to military detail worthy of praise, and his character development strong. If you liked the movie "Red Dawn," you are going to love this one.

[Lydia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good story. Bad research.

Good concept. Good action.  Needs a better editor.

Several incorrect notions.
Uninformed on some basic things. Called a magazine a clip. Called a suppressor a silencer. 

Writes as if it is common knowledge that  all militia are people determined to rape and kill others, as well as burn and destroy property for no reason.  Makes him appear to be  prejudice.

Suggestions for the next book:  use correct terminology, pick up a map for the area you are writing about, meet and interview some people who actually do what you are writing about or live where you are writing about. 

[A.J. Griffiths-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the outbreak of a nuclear attack, Government Official de Young finds himself in a race against time to find his family & take them to safety. However, arriving in Frenchtown, where he knows his wife & children should be, the area has been overtaken by out of control militia. Using marine-style tactics to outwit the enemy, this is a fast-paced & thrilling ride. Rourke describes each chapter with precision & a great knowledge of weaponry. It’s easy to imagine this book as a full-length film, so realistic is the storyline.

[Cherye Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024

Well written book. Enjoyed it. The first 75% of the book had me riveted. Experiencing how the war started, their background, getting the family together and fighting to stay alive. The last part, was dedicated to those who know all about guns, missiles, bombs....the military aspect and setting up a new government.

Giving the book 5 stars for the entertainment! It was a great read. Looking forward to reading more from this author. Thanks H. Berkeley Rourke!

[Ted Jonsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fine novel from Mr Rourke. In a world decimated by nuclear war, the new order is chaos. The story follows a good man, a Marine, who, along with his father, and other likeminded individuals, attempts to restore order to their parts. The authors descriptive writing makes for good reading and it’s easy to imagine how real this could be. I recommend you read it and enjoy it as I did.

[Jaime Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my jam

I wanted to like it but it wasn't for me.
I did find the similarities to today's political unrest completely unnerving....in a good way. How'd you know this crap in 2015? 😆

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a interesting read the first time I read it. The author has edited the book and added a few things to the story, so of course I had to read it again. I mean who doesn't worry about an all out war, especially with so many countries having nuclear capabilities. Berkeley Rourke has updated this story to include what is happening in the turmoil of our world today and to predict what might just happen in the years to come, After all out war, one which might have been prevented if countries and leaders weren't so involved with who is right and who is stronger, or maybe it was inevitable. Either way, readers journey to Montana as William De Young joins his family to survive the destruction that continues. If you have never lived some where that has a militia it may be hard to understand what the people are doing and why, but the author did a great job in a novel that takes readers through the horror of war when it is in your own backyard. This is a story about survival even when it means doing things you wouldn't normally do. In our world, diseases, germ warfare, nuclear weapons, dirty bombs, etc. have changed what is a normal part of our vocabulary and who knows, sometime soon we may be using BNE and ANE also. (Before Nuclear Exchange and After Nuclear Exchange) I love the new additions and found this to be a five star suspenseful read.

[J.M. Northup · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Haunting Story of War and the Darkness of the Human Spirit!
This is a very interesting story, told in a post-war diary style. It sort of stressed me out with all of the battles, as I am certain it was intended to. The author takes the "old school" military mentality and uses it as a premise for the survival of his protagonists. It is reminiscent of the Viet Nam era veterans I grew up listening to. Of course, any military member from any time or branch will relate to the sense of duty and the defense of country and family.
I thought the author was spot on with how a nuclear war could be triggered and how clusters of militia could and would cause territorial wars within the different countries. I can't say that I would have handled the NSI in the same manner as the book portrayed. During war, an act of treason is grounds for death. I felt the writer made his ruthless killers a little too forgiving towards those who surrendered. Still, I admire the goodness of his lead characters and the thirst they had for peace.
This was a very technical book in regards to the weapons and guerrilla warfare. I understood the story was consumed with battles because it paralleled the life that had become “normal” for the main man, Will. However, I found I wanted to know everyone on a more intimate level than I was allowed… at least until I realized that sense of disconnect and isolation was probably intentional in order to bring the feel of the war to life. I am sure the way Will and his family had to live felt very harsh and forsaken in many ways.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys military stories or war tales with tactical strategies and a sense of patriotism.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Action-packed TEOTWAWKI if more than a bit far-fetched

2024 offers-up TEOTWAWKI survival with an astronomically bloated body count inflicted by the book's ex-Marine Recon protagonist and his ex-Marine Recon survivalist Father.
There are too many far-fetched aspects, including:
>>Our protagonist declares that he was in "the NAM" in the later stages of that conflict, which ended in 1975. His exploits are not those of a 70-ish year-old in 2024, nor are his Father's, who'd be in his 90's.
>>Our protagonist and his Father single-handed slay a dozen to dozens of Militia bad guys on an almost nightly basis for weeks.
>>Our protagonist and his Father suffer nary a scratch (I recall dear old Dad suffering 1 scrape on the noggin) during their nightly Militia slaughter, which eventually numbered in the 100's.
>>After a lull in the marauding of Militias, our heroes are faced with the inevitable invasion from a larger, more adept Militia army. Nonetheless, with the addition of only a handful of additional ex-Marines, our protagonist, et al. dispatch well-over a thousand of the enemy in a series of daily battles over a week or two. Oh, and these battles result in '0' deaths or even injuries to our heroes (again, vs. a 1000 or more of the enemy).
>>Finally and most-implausibly, 2024 makes present-day Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel the Vice Prez of a reconstituted US government, when anyone knows the man couldn't be elected Dog Catcher after his every-day-increasing debacle of a mayoral legacy.
You like action and lots of bad guy deaths in your SHTF reading? Then you'll like 2024 (if you can comfortably suspend disbelief)

[Bernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024 review

2024 is a post apocalyptic book written by author H. Berkley Rourke. It is about America after a Nuclear attack and is truly frightening.