Aftermath: Prepare For and Survive Apocalypse 2012

by Lawrence E. Joseph

In his celebrated previous book, Apocalypse 2012: An Investigation Into Civilization’s End , Lawrence E. Joseph appraised the likelihood of planet-wide catastrophe in 2012 by presenting convincing scientific evidence of looming chaos and even mass extinction.  Now, in    A Guide to Preparing For And Surviving Apocalypse 2012 he answers the most pressing question to arise from the What can we do to mitigate the coming cataclysm? 
Here Joseph presents the latest findings about the threats to our life on earth – including an all-out collapse of power grids and satellite systems resulting from solar flares expected to climax with unprecedented ferocity in 2012. Incipient plagues, famines, droughts and runaway global warming are also assessed for their catastrophic potential.  When it comes to formulating a response to an impending apocalypse, the field of options is narrow, but Joseph argues that there is plenty of constructive action that can be taken at the personal, local, national, and global level, individually and collectively, to prepare for, endure and emerge from disaster.  And Joseph takes readers beyond the end-of-the-world mania of the “Apoca-freaks,”  by offering visions of the post-apocalyptic future, ranging from the Enlightened Age the Maya foresaw to a re-drawn geopolitical map that could result from global upheaval. 
        Authoritative and written with Joseph’s trademark lighthearted skepticism and wit, AFTERMATH brings together investigative reportage from sources ranging from NASA and National Academy of Sciences to a shaman conclave in Siberia, to the Cave of the Apocalypse in Patmos, Greece, where the book of Revelation was written, plus historical research and scenario planning to offer pragmatic advice about how to control the damage should the world as we know it end in 2012.
 

 

Genres: Nonfiction

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Tee Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the prequel to this book and I enjoyed it, but I am pleasantly surprised to find that upon finishing Aftermath that I liked this book more. Strangely there is something refreshing about this title; it's not all bad, doom and gloom, end-of-the-world stuff, but rather a "if it happens we will deal with it and move on" sort of book. Nonetheless, the basic premise, more than anything, is that governments of the world should get prepared to "deal with it" sooner rather than later--whatever "it" may be.
Some of the biggest threats that our planet faces and for which we are ill-prepared for are comets and solar flares frying the power grid, both of which would send civilization back to the stone age. Joseph posits some great points about spending more on preparation and defense for these sorts of scenarios, rather than on the usual war budget, global warming FUD (for both the proponents and opponents) and fear-mongering that is typical in public discourse today.
The last couple chapters are sort of "meh," circuitous and repetitive and reminiscent of something written with a certain word count/page count needing to be achieved to be finished. I won't call it "filler," there is stuff to be learned, but the most important and interesting stuff takes place in the first two-thirds of Aftermath. For this reason I have not given it five stars.

[Lianne Burwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was frustrating. It had three layers that really didn't go well together.

In the first layer, it was a description of possible catastrophes that could happen next year (solar storms, asteroid hit, pandemic, etc) and what could be done to prepare for/mitigate them, all build around the 2012 disaster cult of recent years.

The second layer got a little more woo-woo in talking about Mayan prophecies (which must be trusted because they predicted that that their society would be destroyed by butterflies, and then the Spanish destroyed them -- see if you can follow that), as well as other religious end-of-world iconography.

The third layer was pure self-aggrandizement. Two unconnected shamen tell him that he's destined to do important things because he is descended (55 generations) from someone who tried to kill Mohammed (any proof, pal?). He performed an interfaith wedding because his friend, the bride, had a dream that he would. He's now studying in a program to become a full interfaith minister.

The first layer was interesting. The second layer was annoying. The third layer almost made me toss the book across the room. Thankfully I didn't, since the book was a library book.

I give the book two stars, because there were some interesting nuggets, but I can't really recommend it to anyone.

[Matt Sears · Rating 1 out of 5]

Fear mongering and pop culture references. Reads like a blog.

There is little 'preparation' involved in this book, just a lot of snubs at Obama not putting 'solar activity is going to kill us' into his budget.

At least it's short!

[Kenneth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Year 2012 has come and gone without an apocalypse, but potential threats from unexpected events similar to the Carrington event of 1859 are still possible, to say nothing of manmade disasters such as Electromagnetic Pulses (EMPs). This book has ideas on how to survive afterwards.

[Mister MN · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poor flowing crap. Disappointed. Now it explains why there were 20+ copies at Half Priced Books for $4 each.

[Aingeal Stone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this in 2013 is rather anticlimactic.