Rating: 
Summary: A very interesting and possible take on a nuclear apocalypse
Review: This novel gives a very possible, and frighteningly probable, view of the way things could easily end up, as small and unstable countries enter the growing club of nuclear armament. The most eery (yet unfortunately difficult to swallow) aspect of the book is the refusal by many of the supposedly intelligent characters to truly absorb the reality of the situation. Bit by bit, over the space of a couple of years, radiation is slowly drifting across the equator from the heavily bombed, destroyed, and radioactive northern continents, to invade and kill the southern half of the globe in turn. But people continue to plan for the future, and act as though that future will come.Unfortunately, the characters are so 2-dimensional, and act such trite and ordinary roles, that they failed to come alive for me. I never could quite believe in their reactions, either. That they could so fully split their consciousness of the approaching radiation from the actions of their daily life boggled my mind, and blew my suspension of disbelief. Sorry. Great concept, unconvincingly executed.
Rating: 
Summary: boring
Review: This book is not for seniors in high school. Educators need to find more interesting things to read about.
Rating: 
Summary: absolutely terrific and amazing work
Review: i had read this book around 4-5 yrs. back.and recently got a chance to read it again..its absolutely fantastic the way author had gone deep in the psyches of different people dealing with the coming catastrophe.....it actually makes one realise the horrifying results of a nuclear war if it takes place. i think that all the world leaders should be reading this book ...esp. the leaders of the nuclear countries...i suggest anyone who is in for a good reading should necessarily be reading this book. place.
Rating:
Summary: Heart-rending and Thought provoking
Review: I am re-reading this book and had to put it down. Everytime I read this book I end up in tears from the pain. It isn't a book that you can't put down because you have to put it down. It is far to powerful to take in all at once. You are left instantly without hope, yet despite that he causes you to hope beyond hope. As well as being an excellent read it carries a powerful and important message that this world may too easily become our own.
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Summary: I read it many years ago, and it still haunts me.
Review: Shute makes his depiction of daily life after a nuclear holocaust (in our current back yard) clear and compelling. A must read for all levels of reader.
Rating:
Summary: Great,Touching,and the only book that will tear at the heart
Review: I was amazed by the quality of this novel. Though I never really care for science fiction. I was impressed by the validity of Shute's nuclear war. It is explained subtly and you get a chill realizing in fact that if it was going to happen this is exactly what it would be like. For a few bucks and a quiet evening you can't beat this book!
Rating:
Summary: Chilling, shocking, depressing, and excellent all in one.
Review: I just finished this novel several minutes ago and am completely shocked. It's not very often a book or movie can make me cry, but this did it for me. It's nothing like the 'disaster' stories of recent years, which have very little in charactization. Instead, this novel focuses on the last few months in the lives of the characters, which are well-presented and realistic. The scary thing is, the scenario presented in this novel is quite real and could happen at any moment, and almost did on several past occasions: a full-scale world nuclear war. This is a must read for anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Story
Review: Nevil Shute creates a realistic portrayal of life after nuclear war and the psychological dilema of facing death. I liked the story and the writing was pretty good - save that Shute was not the greatest action writer. The story is classic and though it is pretty depressing, it made me value the little things in every day life. It reminds you to live for today knowing tomorrow may never come.
Rating:
Summary: Engrossing and thought-provoking
Review: I know a book is good when I come to the end of it and I can't rid myself of certain feelings the author is trying to convey to me through the characters. For example, when I read the Grapes of Wrath I felt tired and hungry like the characters in the book! After reading On the Beach I felt the horror the characters felt knowing the world was coming to an end. I have re-read this book several times and would recommend it to anyone. Shute is an exceptional storyteller.
Rating:
Summary: A haunting view of very real possibilities...
Review: "On the Beach" has haunted my nights and my days since I read it. The war that caused Nevil Shute's nuclear holocaust began in Albania, a fact not lost on readers today. It should be required reading not only for all students, but for all politicians.
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