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Zombie Theorem #1
The Culling
Dan, a middle manager working in San Francisco, is thrust into a fight for his life. He must overcome who he is and learn to fight for his life and lead those around him. While surviving, he finds the real reason for the Zombie outbreak and is pulled into a whole new fight. This time against a shadowy power calling themselves the Culling Initiative.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2016
About the author
James Wallace
153 books23 followersJames I. Wallace, Ph.D., has spent his career practicing as a clinical psychologist, educational psychologist, and sport psychologist. He has practiced golf a lot, too, with little success. He has earned his knowledge of aikido by serving as the chief instructor (Sensei) of two dojos in Southern California and one in Ithaca, NY, before running the Colgate University Aikido Club in Hamilton, NY, the past quarter of a century. He lives there with his wife, Colgate University Professor Ann Jane Tierney, and he teaches P.E. courses in wellness, as well. They have two young adult daughters, Jasmine and Gemma, striving to live well in Virginia and Colorado, respectively.
In addition to his more recent book, Holy Rollers, Dr. Wallace is the author of a nonfiction book about the physical and mental aspects of athletics, [Book:On Target: Comparative Challenges of Sports & Games|31917960], along with several magazine articles about aikido.
In addition to his more recent book, Holy Rollers, Dr. Wallace is the author of a nonfiction book about the physical and mental aspects of athletics, [Book:On Target: Comparative Challenges of Sports & Games|31917960], along with several magazine articles about aikido.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
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August 21, 2017I loved this book. I was gripped from the outset. The authentic characters and plot sucked me straight in. The fear, tension and loss, were all palpable, and the way disparate characters were thrown together forming bonds thicker than blood was skilfully done. Looking forward to reading the next one.
March 28, 2017
Awesome read
This was a great read. Can't wait to start the rest of the series. Love the action and the closeness of the group!!!
This was a great read. Can't wait to start the rest of the series. Love the action and the closeness of the group!!!
May 29, 2021
This was a pretty good zompoc tale involving a middle manager named Dan who goes to work one day at a high rise office building in San Francisco. He soon finds himself in a fight for his life against zombies. The first part of the book is told as a narrative from Dan as he is interrogated by the SFPD. Of course, that seems reasonable when you are one of two survivors in a building full of dead people!
The only other survivor, Brian, is a bruiser of a man who follows Dan's lead in fighting the undead. The second part of the book finds Dan and Brian being accepted as part of the SFPD Swat Team. Brian's military background makes him a good fit, but Dan is a little out of his element. This group decides to head north to try to find Dan's girlfriend, then head to his father's hideaway.
The book is full of zombie killing action, the obligatory villains that always seem to emerge in these books and a lot of talk about tactics and guns. I enjoyed the book for the most part, but Dan being accepted as a leader in this group was a bit of a stretch. Also, during the first part of the book in the office building, every single chapter had a description of somebody (or several somebodies) using the bathroom/urinals! That got a little old IMHO.
The narrator did a pretty good job, but was a little monotone at times. Also, the break between chapters was non-existent and made it hard to stop the audio when you wanted to do so at the chapter end. I will probably continue this series just to see what happens and since I enjoy reading books in the zompoc genre. I was given the chance to listen to this book by the author/narrator/publisher and chose to review it.
The only other survivor, Brian, is a bruiser of a man who follows Dan's lead in fighting the undead. The second part of the book finds Dan and Brian being accepted as part of the SFPD Swat Team. Brian's military background makes him a good fit, but Dan is a little out of his element. This group decides to head north to try to find Dan's girlfriend, then head to his father's hideaway.
The book is full of zombie killing action, the obligatory villains that always seem to emerge in these books and a lot of talk about tactics and guns. I enjoyed the book for the most part, but Dan being accepted as a leader in this group was a bit of a stretch. Also, during the first part of the book in the office building, every single chapter had a description of somebody (or several somebodies) using the bathroom/urinals! That got a little old IMHO.
The narrator did a pretty good job, but was a little monotone at times. Also, the break between chapters was non-existent and made it hard to stop the audio when you wanted to do so at the chapter end. I will probably continue this series just to see what happens and since I enjoy reading books in the zompoc genre. I was given the chance to listen to this book by the author/narrator/publisher and chose to review it.
Read
June 2, 2022DNF'd halfway through. The characters ar so dull I've already forgotten most of their names. To be honest, I was skimming quite a bit even before the halfway mark. The plot should be interesting, but it isn't. It's scattered and wasn't making much sense. Granted I didn't finish the book so I probably missed things, but I'm fairly sure the second half of the book wasn't going to improve much .
Just a quick tip. I'm not sure I've ever seen so many fake reviews in one place before. This wasn't a 4 or 5 star book, so a steady stream of 4 to 5 star reviews looked suspicious right from the start. People have different taste, of course, but I don't buy that here for several reasons. None of the glowing reviews include a single word about the continuous grammer and spelling mistakes, poor sentence structure, and overall writing quality throughout the book. The other big givaway is content of the reviews.
"sucks you in and won't leg go,'
'keeps you on the edge of your seat,'
'great character development,'
'so glad I found this, can't wait for the next book.'
And so on. Call me crazy, but I just can't bring myself to trust a stream of glowing reviews that don't mention any details about the book. They used generic advertising lingo and mixed it up a bit. The. It's very obvious that most of these reviews are coming from people that never read the book.
Just a quick tip. I'm not sure I've ever seen so many fake reviews in one place before. This wasn't a 4 or 5 star book, so a steady stream of 4 to 5 star reviews looked suspicious right from the start. People have different taste, of course, but I don't buy that here for several reasons. None of the glowing reviews include a single word about the continuous grammer and spelling mistakes, poor sentence structure, and overall writing quality throughout the book. The other big givaway is content of the reviews.
"sucks you in and won't leg go,'
'keeps you on the edge of your seat,'
'great character development,'
'so glad I found this, can't wait for the next book.'
And so on. Call me crazy, but I just can't bring myself to trust a stream of glowing reviews that don't mention any details about the book. They used generic advertising lingo and mixed it up a bit. The. It's very obvious that most of these reviews are coming from people that never read the book.
November 11, 2017
The Culling is enjoyable with a dash of annoying
The Culling is very fast paced and interesting. The relationship between Dan and Angel reminds me of aspects of The Stand. Who is this little girl and why is she joined to Dan? I find her very endearing and adorable.
I found I was a little torn between cheering for Dan as he quickly learned talents and finding him annoying because of his quickness and accuracy at so many new skills. His relationship with Brian is sweet and awesome.
Brian is a loveable, caring, loyal friend who has had some tough breaks that he has chosen to turn into opportunities. Dan is extremely lucky to have had Brian in his office when this all goes down.
The Culling would have gotten 4 stars if it had not been for the ending. I felt like the ending was written more as a TV show season finale instead of the ending of a book. I felt there were other ways to end it and still have a lead into the next book.
I voluntarily wrote this review after reading a free copy of the book I received.
The Culling is very fast paced and interesting. The relationship between Dan and Angel reminds me of aspects of The Stand. Who is this little girl and why is she joined to Dan? I find her very endearing and adorable.
I found I was a little torn between cheering for Dan as he quickly learned talents and finding him annoying because of his quickness and accuracy at so many new skills. His relationship with Brian is sweet and awesome.
Brian is a loveable, caring, loyal friend who has had some tough breaks that he has chosen to turn into opportunities. Dan is extremely lucky to have had Brian in his office when this all goes down.
The Culling would have gotten 4 stars if it had not been for the ending. I felt like the ending was written more as a TV show season finale instead of the ending of a book. I felt there were other ways to end it and still have a lead into the next book.
I voluntarily wrote this review after reading a free copy of the book I received.
July 21, 2023
Dan living in San Francisco is forced into a fight for his life, he becomes a great leader and finds reason for him and his friends to fight their way out of their big office building. He and office mate Brian are the only two to make it out of their office building alive, so as they are questioned by the SFPD but when more things happen and it is only the SFPD swat left they decide to join up with Brian and Dan and head north to find Dan’s girlfriend all the while they find out more about the mystery pandemic labeled the culling.
Wallace has a great story here and I can’t wait for more. Narrator is great and makes you feel as though you are there. There is so much action and suspense in this book you just can’t stop listening.
Wallace has a great story here and I can’t wait for more. Narrator is great and makes you feel as though you are there. There is so much action and suspense in this book you just can’t stop listening.
September 13, 2017
Zombie Theorem a Conspiracy Military Survival book: The Culling Book One by James Wallace
The book was well written and edited. The characters are fleshed out and their dialogue is great. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to see where the story goes in book two.
The only negative was the repeated find zombies, kill them and do it all over again and again.
4 out of 5 stars.
Gary Deariso
The book was well written and edited. The characters are fleshed out and their dialogue is great. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to see where the story goes in book two.
The only negative was the repeated find zombies, kill them and do it all over again and again.
4 out of 5 stars.
Gary Deariso
September 23, 2017
The first installment in the series ... what can I say? An exceptional read. I knew I would read this series and was a little hesitant initially, concerned it would be difficult to get into ... perhaps a bit too "military" for me. And it was. The story is also excellently written, intense, and a definite 5-star read. As I write this review, I will confess that I have already completed the second book in the series. And I'm looking forward to the third.
February 14, 2023
Good beginning!
What a day Dan and Brian had! Who could have guessed that the world as they knew it was going to end right before their eyes.
Dan is a good man, looking out for his coworkers, trying to help anyone he can survive the hell they find themselves in.
Then his dream of the young child in the white dress, waiting for him. Him…her protector.
I look forward to reading more of their story.
What a day Dan and Brian had! Who could have guessed that the world as they knew it was going to end right before their eyes.
Dan is a good man, looking out for his coworkers, trying to help anyone he can survive the hell they find themselves in.
Then his dream of the young child in the white dress, waiting for him. Him…her protector.
I look forward to reading more of their story.
May 17, 2017
Awesomeness in book form!
This book really was a fantastical, adrenaline roaring good read from page one to the very last word! Viruses, everyday people finding that they are not as ordinary as they believe themselves to be, and of course zombies to boot! Excellent characters and well thought out! This one screams read me!
This book really was a fantastical, adrenaline roaring good read from page one to the very last word! Viruses, everyday people finding that they are not as ordinary as they believe themselves to be, and of course zombies to boot! Excellent characters and well thought out! This one screams read me!
September 5, 2018
Wallace delivers a hard-driving, in your face, story with great characters at its heart. And he's done something rare in the zombie genre: given something new & different. Brian and Dan are totally different from each other, but each are completely engrossing. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
May 24, 2017
awesome read
This is a well thought out story of a modern every day man whom finds his life forever changed one morning after showing up at work. The day started out badly and just gets worse from there.
This is a well thought out story of a modern every day man whom finds his life forever changed one morning after showing up at work. The day started out badly and just gets worse from there.
February 4, 2018
Action packed well written thrill ride
Loved this book. It was a fun read that kept me up until 2am before I cried uncle and went to bed. Can't wait to read the rest of the series. Kudos to James..
Loved this book. It was a fun read that kept me up until 2am before I cried uncle and went to bed. Can't wait to read the rest of the series. Kudos to James..
February 23, 2018
Holy crap i couldn't put it down
I absolutely love the characters in this book & cried when some were lost! I can not wait to read book 2!? Wallace does not disappoint in the action, humor, emotions, so much more.
I absolutely love the characters in this book & cried when some were lost! I can not wait to read book 2!? Wallace does not disappoint in the action, humor, emotions, so much more.
May 16, 2017
Fast reading
Zoom. Zombies every where. If a middle age middle manager can learn to fight zombies then there is hope. Predictable plot but the characters are interesting.
Zoom. Zombies every where. If a middle age middle manager can learn to fight zombies then there is hope. Predictable plot but the characters are interesting.
February 16, 2018
Awesome read
I love the characters . They are so easy to relate to. Great job getting me hooked from the start.
I love the characters . They are so easy to relate to. Great job getting me hooked from the start.
August 13, 2020
Enjoyed
This is an exciting book that develops characters well. I enjoyed the story and the way it moves through the beginning of an outbreak.
This is an exciting book that develops characters well. I enjoyed the story and the way it moves through the beginning of an outbreak.
November 2, 2022
Fantastic read
Normal guy thrown into a zombie apocalypse and makes the most of it. Great action and very believable scenerios. Highly recommend
Normal guy thrown into a zombie apocalypse and makes the most of it. Great action and very believable scenerios. Highly recommend
October 8, 2017
I was thoroughly thrilled with "Zombie Theorem" by James Wallace and found that it was difficult to put the book down. As with most zombie books, a virus causes chaos in an office building at the beginning of a global epidemic. Brian, a former Marine and his boss, Dan, find that many employees in his building were calling off sick...a virus was rapidly circulating on the East Cost and large cities were falling silent. The west coast were monitoring the reports, but before stopping all flights in the country, some employees had managed to return to S.F. from the east coast after visiting relatives. Without knowing it, they were carrying the virus, transmitted the contagion to fellow employees, and was the first to be found dead in the restrooms.
Dan and Brian soon learned that surviving now became a learning experience while they battled zombiefied fellow employees and soon discovered how to kill them. After reading so many zombie books, I kept sending subliminal messages to the two of them on how to kill them, but they weren't listening and had to learn the hard way.
During the telling of the story, Dan and Brian are both interviewed at the police at the station - officials having a difficult time believing the story of their survival and success at escaping the office building. Soon, officials are trying to control what they are calling riots in many parts of the city. It doesn't take long for them to believe the two men. Brian and Dan are looked upon as experts on how to deal with the hordes and they are befriended by the precincts' swat team. Together, they find themselves overwhelmed and fighting for survival. Dan convinces the team to join him in finding his girlfriend up north and then heading to his father's ranch in Washington.
In their journey, the team learns that this virus was produced by a radical group of government officials with a goal of "culling" or reducing the world population so they can rule the world.
Great read Mr. Wallace! I have already downloaded the second of four books in this story and will continue to follow the group in their survival. Highly recommended.
John Podlaski, author
"Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel" and "When Can I Stop Running?"
Dan and Brian soon learned that surviving now became a learning experience while they battled zombiefied fellow employees and soon discovered how to kill them. After reading so many zombie books, I kept sending subliminal messages to the two of them on how to kill them, but they weren't listening and had to learn the hard way.
During the telling of the story, Dan and Brian are both interviewed at the police at the station - officials having a difficult time believing the story of their survival and success at escaping the office building. Soon, officials are trying to control what they are calling riots in many parts of the city. It doesn't take long for them to believe the two men. Brian and Dan are looked upon as experts on how to deal with the hordes and they are befriended by the precincts' swat team. Together, they find themselves overwhelmed and fighting for survival. Dan convinces the team to join him in finding his girlfriend up north and then heading to his father's ranch in Washington.
In their journey, the team learns that this virus was produced by a radical group of government officials with a goal of "culling" or reducing the world population so they can rule the world.
Great read Mr. Wallace! I have already downloaded the second of four books in this story and will continue to follow the group in their survival. Highly recommended.
John Podlaski, author
"Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel" and "When Can I Stop Running?"
March 29, 2016
A frantic and fast-paced zombie story! This book begins with an introduction to Dan, a mid-level manager who starts having a rough day....and his whole world goes quickly downhill from there! The interactions between Dan and his ex-military co-worker, Brian creates some much needed humor and levity as their whole situation continues to deteriorate. As more co-workers are dying, Dan and Brian try valiantly to survive and protect those around them. Just one problem....those dead co-workers are walking around? And trying to take a bite out of anyone near them? Oh yeah....the rough day just got worse!
For his first book, Mr. Wallace has created a terrific story. Just starting the first few chapters, I was hooked! Reading this book in one sitting, and I still want more.
The four star review was due to a very real need for another run with editing for grammar and such, but the story was extremely addictive. I'll definitely be waiting for more. I still need to find out what will happen with all of the characters that I've come to know through a great storyteller!
For his first book, Mr. Wallace has created a terrific story. Just starting the first few chapters, I was hooked! Reading this book in one sitting, and I still want more.
The four star review was due to a very real need for another run with editing for grammar and such, but the story was extremely addictive. I'll definitely be waiting for more. I still need to find out what will happen with all of the characters that I've come to know through a great storyteller!
June 20, 2016
Hold on to your hat while reading this one folks because you are in for one helluva ride! From the very beginning I was sucked into the world that James Wallace created and I was let go until I turned that last page! I loved everything about this story. From the well developed characters, the non-stop action, the scenes that were painted in words by this very talented author right down to ending which had me screaming for more. I found it totally engrossing! With so many zombie apocalyptic books out there, it is so hard to find something different and this one is definitely different from the rest! The way the story starts and all the in-betweens, it is just fantastic! If you are a reader of zombie stories or are just looking for something a little different out of your normal genre then please get a copy of Zombie Theorem and sit and enjoy! You won’t be disappointed and you will be saying Thank you to me for recommending it! You’re welcome in advance.
August 27, 2019
Now I see why his books do so well. I checked out this book as a beginning adventure into the world of Zombieland. I never thought I was a good person to review zombie books because the genre just isn't my taste, but I am more a fan of good writing than I am picky about the subject matter. As a student of literature, I found the book to be written with full attention to the target audience. There was no superfluous verbiage, no "fluff and stuff," and the characters, situations, conflicts, and problem solving were presented at a pace that keeps the reader moving, which I like. Spending fifty million pages to describe some lady-in-waiting's toothbrush while she waits to dress the dutchess of some period piece in the late 1800s is just not my bag. Wallace sticks to the verb, gives just enough description, and wastes no time in serving it up. The Culling (Zombie Theorem #1) is my first look into the world of zombie books, and I'm glad I chose it. On to the next one!
June 22, 2016
A Great Read
This is the first book in what is no doubt going to be great series. The action packed story of two men Dan and Brian fighting for survival against many of the undead. They team up with some police SWAT members, a police detective Vic and some military personal and that's when the battle really heats up. The well developed characters really are the heart of this story. The banter between Dan and Brian adds some humour to this harrowing tale of survival. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves the zombie/horror genre. Well done James Wallace, you have yourself a new fan.
This is the first book in what is no doubt going to be great series. The action packed story of two men Dan and Brian fighting for survival against many of the undead. They team up with some police SWAT members, a police detective Vic and some military personal and that's when the battle really heats up. The well developed characters really are the heart of this story. The banter between Dan and Brian adds some humour to this harrowing tale of survival. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves the zombie/horror genre. Well done James Wallace, you have yourself a new fan.
November 9, 2016
Could I love this series any more than l do?.....
I think not. It's seriously about an ordinary man thrust into the realms of chaos that no one would know how to handle. Then watch this ordinary man, stand up to his (my) own fears and learn to be the hero that was inside him all along. I found myself saying, no way could I do that, but Dan is every ordinary mans fears come to fruition and it's fight or die. He fights and we fight along side him because he is us.
I think not. It's seriously about an ordinary man thrust into the realms of chaos that no one would know how to handle. Then watch this ordinary man, stand up to his (my) own fears and learn to be the hero that was inside him all along. I found myself saying, no way could I do that, but Dan is every ordinary mans fears come to fruition and it's fight or die. He fights and we fight along side him because he is us.
December 25, 2016
Great new series!
I've had this book for awhile, but finally read it. This story is amazing, well written, lots of zombie and military style action, with a conspiracy thrown in to keep the plot going. Looking for a new series? This is it! You won't be disappointed! I will definitely be continuing on with this series
I've had this book for awhile, but finally read it. This story is amazing, well written, lots of zombie and military style action, with a conspiracy thrown in to keep the plot going. Looking for a new series? This is it! You won't be disappointed! I will definitely be continuing on with this series
April 6, 2016
A cliffhanger...
Good read but we're left with a cliffhanger as to what has happened to Dan and his team. And where is Angel?
Good storyline, macho characters and a middle management nerd who is our hero. Sounds good to me!
Good read but we're left with a cliffhanger as to what has happened to Dan and his team. And where is Angel?
Good storyline, macho characters and a middle management nerd who is our hero. Sounds good to me!
September 25, 2016
I really enjoyed this book, it was fast passed, interesting and with great characters. Seeing a great gay character in the mix was so lovely. I am quite excited for the continuation of the series really want to find out what happens next now!
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February 12, 2019Cool
This is an action packed tale from start to finish. Two office workers find themselves battling zombies first in their building and then in the world. This book is filled with excitement.
This is an action packed tale from start to finish. Two office workers find themselves battling zombies first in their building and then in the world. This book is filled with excitement.
February 8, 2016
Awesome
Slow start, but full speed once going. Cannot wait for next chapter. Keep up the writing my new friend. Thanks.
Slow start, but full speed once going. Cannot wait for next chapter. Keep up the writing my new friend. Thanks.
April 19, 2016
Fast paced, great zombie read! Loved main character, and what an ending!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews