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E.M.P.: The End Of The Grid As We Know It
The United States may have just come to an end in this exciting post-apocalyptic, dystopian thriller about several electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks all at once. Not only has the electrical grid come crashing down, but all other critical infrastructures of the country have ceased to exist, leaving the country a vast wasteland, where only the ruthless and resourceful survive. Jim Burkett is stuck on a business trip when it all happens, and he must battle prison breaks, food riots, criminal gangs, looters, cannibals, terrorist sleeper cells, nuclear fallout, and otherwise total anarchy in his quest to get home to his family. Will he make it?
- GenresDystopiaScience Fiction
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2016
110 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 3, 2016
Not trying.
I chose the two star rating because with guidance, advice, or a good editor this book could be good.
The problems I had: premise was overwrought and impractical in execution. ( I could explain but it would require spoilers). The characters had little to no emotions, the development of the characters through 'hardship' (also unemotional) was too fast and required nearly zero training. The hardships were too numerous and laughably impractical, seems as if almost no research went into these encounters.
I'm obsessed with this genre, so when I say this it comes from having read a HUGE amount of apocalyptic, post-apocalyptic, and dystopian books both good and bad.
I hate it when an author uses these books as a political soap box, or a religious pulpit. This author did both in a rather abrupt manner that did not mix with either the story (I can accept it if its interwoven with the story) or the Main character or other characters that he created and introduced to us...
In the end I forgave many mistakes in the style of the storytelling after I learned that the author had also written a non-fiction how-to prep book as that is my main complaint and what my other complaints add up to.. it was more instructional-y than I cared for in my fiction.
Good luck in your next book.
I chose the two star rating because with guidance, advice, or a good editor this book could be good.
The problems I had: premise was overwrought and impractical in execution. ( I could explain but it would require spoilers). The characters had little to no emotions, the development of the characters through 'hardship' (also unemotional) was too fast and required nearly zero training. The hardships were too numerous and laughably impractical, seems as if almost no research went into these encounters.
I'm obsessed with this genre, so when I say this it comes from having read a HUGE amount of apocalyptic, post-apocalyptic, and dystopian books both good and bad.
I hate it when an author uses these books as a political soap box, or a religious pulpit. This author did both in a rather abrupt manner that did not mix with either the story (I can accept it if its interwoven with the story) or the Main character or other characters that he created and introduced to us...
In the end I forgave many mistakes in the style of the storytelling after I learned that the author had also written a non-fiction how-to prep book as that is my main complaint and what my other complaints add up to.. it was more instructional-y than I cared for in my fiction.
Good luck in your next book.
April 23, 2020
This surprised me as had a good storyline to it. Very scary but then an EMP anywhere would be nevermind New York!
December 12, 2017
We follow Jim, a long time prepper, as the EMP hits stranding him in Charleston, South Carolina during a company seminar. The big problem I have with Jim is that as a long time prepper he has no inkling that an EMP has struck and is just as confused as everyone else in the beginning. Seems to me a prepper would be well aware of the results of an EMP and recognize it pretty quickly. The story basically chronicles Jim as he travels back to his home in Knoxville, Tennessee. There are a few decent folks he comes across, but the majority are far from decent, some downright crazy; “Clownigula” was pretty wild. The crowd that surrounded Jim and friends, which turned into a mob was a bit terrifying knowing that this type of behavior was indeed probable. The writing is good, the story interesting, although in a simpler or more basic manner. There is a follow-up book, but I don’t believe it has been released yet.
March 17, 2024
An interesting subject dulled by preaching
This is typically a subject I would be super interested in, but the story was more or less ruined for me by the author shoving their beliefs down the reader's throat. The plot feels forced into a specific direction based on a lesson plan while plot armor runs rampant. The author managed not to mention scripture for the majority of the story then manages inject it last minute with little reason to do so other than painting a group in a certain light.
This is typically a subject I would be super interested in, but the story was more or less ruined for me by the author shoving their beliefs down the reader's throat. The plot feels forced into a specific direction based on a lesson plan while plot armor runs rampant. The author managed not to mention scripture for the majority of the story then manages inject it last minute with little reason to do so other than painting a group in a certain light.
October 6, 2017
I have now read numerous survivalist type books regarding EMP disasters, so I have those that I like, those that I so not. This one was a shoot everyone up book, for the most part, and with a main character who can almost do no wrong. So, no need for me to expound any more as I did not care for it but spared Wilson a one star review. That's all.
June 16, 2021
EMP-A Stab in the Back
This was a well written story about an EMP that was launched by some of our enemies of freedom- North Korea and some of the Middle Eastern countries. They took down our power grid throughout America, Canada, Mexico and even in Japan and Korea. Good plot and can wait to read number two!
This was a well written story about an EMP that was launched by some of our enemies of freedom- North Korea and some of the Middle Eastern countries. They took down our power grid throughout America, Canada, Mexico and even in Japan and Korea. Good plot and can wait to read number two!
November 28, 2016
Wow
Very interesting book with relevant information & realistic characters. Desperate people will do whatever it takes to survive. This book illustrates the dangers of being complacent & waiting to be taken care of.
Very interesting book with relevant information & realistic characters. Desperate people will do whatever it takes to survive. This book illustrates the dangers of being complacent & waiting to be taken care of.
July 11, 2019
E. M. P.: The End of the Grid as We Know It review
E. M. P.: The End of the Grid as We Know It is the first post apocalyptic survival book in the All At Once series written by author Cal Wilson.
E. M. P.: The End of the Grid as We Know It is the first post apocalyptic survival book in the All At Once series written by author Cal Wilson.
September 16, 2019
Great story
While the story was good and well worth reading, the author definitely could have used a proof reader or editor. There were a few typos, but the bigger problem was the redundancy and repetition. With that done I would give the book 4 stars
While the story was good and well worth reading, the author definitely could have used a proof reader or editor. There were a few typos, but the bigger problem was the redundancy and repetition. With that done I would give the book 4 stars
July 19, 2018
A story wrapped around prepping
Though the story was okay, the author should have stuck to either writing a story or telling you about preparing for Armageddon. Not both at once.
Though the story was okay, the author should have stuck to either writing a story or telling you about preparing for Armageddon. Not both at once.
April 17, 2020
Enjoyed the book!
I think this is not only an entertaining read but informative as well...just taking my first steps but we all begin somewhere...thanks!
I think this is not only an entertaining read but informative as well...just taking my first steps but we all begin somewhere...thanks!
March 15, 2017
Well done story, and exceptional guide to preparing
EMP is the very real danger we all face, potentially day, at any time. This has been a well told tale of what can go wrong, and some things that can be done to survive and mitigate the effects.
I highly recommend this as a fun way to learn too, all about this potentially devastating weapon in its various forms.
EMP is the very real danger we all face, potentially day, at any time. This has been a well told tale of what can go wrong, and some things that can be done to survive and mitigate the effects.
I highly recommend this as a fun way to learn too, all about this potentially devastating weapon in its various forms.
August 7, 2016
A great book! Jim is on a business trip when the power goes out.....not a big deal until there is a problem with his boss (and his pacemaker). And then there's the traffic stopping with people just standing around....and when a plane starts to fall out of the sky?.... This is no simple power outage, there's something seriously wrong.
As Jim attempts to make it back to his ranch and family, he'll meet many people. Good? Bad? Desperate? He'll need to figure that out as soon as he can or his chances of survival will diminish quickly. And he'll get a front row seat to how humanity can persevere....and break down.
A great book with unending lessons about what should be done to survive a grid down world....and more importantly, what should NOT be done. An informative and entertaining read with very real and relatable characters. I recommend this book!
As Jim attempts to make it back to his ranch and family, he'll meet many people. Good? Bad? Desperate? He'll need to figure that out as soon as he can or his chances of survival will diminish quickly. And he'll get a front row seat to how humanity can persevere....and break down.
A great book with unending lessons about what should be done to survive a grid down world....and more importantly, what should NOT be done. An informative and entertaining read with very real and relatable characters. I recommend this book!
September 5, 2016
Must read by everyone!
Like most Americans, I had never heard of EMP's until "One Second After" was recommended by my son., along with his sequel. Sure made me aware how vulnerable we are, sitting in our land of electronics, living the good life, knowing the end of life as we know it could happen in an instant! Now I recommend books on the subject to whoever will listen. (Most look at me like I'm a nut case)
Loved this book (and I've read plenty). Would have given it 5 stars but thought the use of the individual's names over and over in the same paragraph, instead of using "he" or "she", especially since there were only two people in that particular story line. Very minor complaint, and does not take away from a thrilling story.
Like most Americans, I had never heard of EMP's until "One Second After" was recommended by my son., along with his sequel. Sure made me aware how vulnerable we are, sitting in our land of electronics, living the good life, knowing the end of life as we know it could happen in an instant! Now I recommend books on the subject to whoever will listen. (Most look at me like I'm a nut case)
Loved this book (and I've read plenty). Would have given it 5 stars but thought the use of the individual's names over and over in the same paragraph, instead of using "he" or "she", especially since there were only two people in that particular story line. Very minor complaint, and does not take away from a thrilling story.
September 4, 2016
This starts off pretty well in a fairly plausible cause for the disaster. Jim, though a professed prepper, seems very slow to realize it was an EMP and not very well versed as to this possibility. He also is kind of a shiny keys guy who was periodically distracted by his cigars and wanting whiskey. Many of the side stories added nothing to the actual ambiance of the situation. There was also a tendency to repeat parts (like thinking it was ok to sleep in the dumpster) or recap what had very recently happened. Overall, it was a very uneven story with a main character that was hard to really engage.
October 2, 2016
So, it's preaching to an audience...
So, it's preaching to an audience that will accept Middle Eastern bad guys, cannibals, and the instant fall of society, Christians as moral and upright, and the Federalist Papers as a trope. The only thing he missed was communist raping babies while spouting from the Little Red Book.
All that being said, I read it to the end, because I started it, although the two chapters of preaching at the beginning I skipped. I kept hoping for better, but apparently everyone thinks PAW fiction should read like Patriots and not One Second After, which to be honest, fell flat with the cannibal bikers at the end as well.
The search goes on...
So, it's preaching to an audience that will accept Middle Eastern bad guys, cannibals, and the instant fall of society, Christians as moral and upright, and the Federalist Papers as a trope. The only thing he missed was communist raping babies while spouting from the Little Red Book.
All that being said, I read it to the end, because I started it, although the two chapters of preaching at the beginning I skipped. I kept hoping for better, but apparently everyone thinks PAW fiction should read like Patriots and not One Second After, which to be honest, fell flat with the cannibal bikers at the end as well.
The search goes on...
December 26, 2016
A really good Book.
This book touches on some of the ways life would be in a post EMP event.
The EMP commission estimates 90 percent of the population would be dead in a year. This book helps to show why.
This book touches on some of the ways life would be in a post EMP event.
The EMP commission estimates 90 percent of the population would be dead in a year. This book helps to show why.
December 5, 2016
Good book
Scary stuff here. Makes you really think and start to personally decide what you would need to survive in any disaster situation.
Scary stuff here. Makes you really think and start to personally decide what you would need to survive in any disaster situation.
December 22, 2016
Wow! A very informing and interesting to read book. I thouroughly enjoyed it.
January 2, 2017
It was entertaining but if you a person who reads this kind of book it's just OK. If this is your first time you will no doubt learn something.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews