Alas, Babylon

Rating:
Summary: Haunting and Beautiful
Review: "Alas, Babylon--those fateful words heralded the end" Indeed. Alas, Babylon chills the reader down to the core of their soul. Why? Because it speaks from within each person--it speaks of the internal terror of the end. Not the end of your own life, only, but the end of humanity. What person doesn't fear oblivion? All of humanity wiped out in several moments of insanity. Yet, Frank includes a ray of hope so poignant and believable that it staves off the nightmares. He writes not about destruction, but about survival. Not about the downfall of humanity, but about its most glorious time. Somewhere between Florence's parakeets and Peyton's "if I live," the book creeps into your heart and stays there. More than worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: A volital novel of human courage, and survival!
Review: Pat Frank's, Alas, Babylon is one of the best books I have ever read. I first read it in 1983 when it was given to my daughter as a school assignment. I gingerly picked it up and expected it to be a Sci-Fi book, not usually my favorite. I was so moved by the story, it's characters and the detail Frank uses to describe the struggle of a few people trying to survive a nuclear attack!! I couldn't put it down. Over the years I have purchased many copies from the used book store here in town. I have loaned them all out to friends as I usually do with books I adore, and as usual I don't get them back. This book is a must read for anyone who has ever contemplated whether or not we have grown weak as a culture because of our vast technological advances. Frank wrote this book back in the late sixties and the issues have not changed. How would we survive? A stimulating, thought provoking work written in a wonderfully refreshing vivid manner that most people can relate to. This book was science fiction when written but done in such a personable manner that all of us who have no ability to relate to the average sci-fi lazor filled stories, can relate to this one. Frank had tremendous insight into the human psyche, the will to survive, and a great sense of humor. This book is a classic of its time, and Frank ranks up there with Steinbeck, and other great authors, in my humble opinion.

Rating:
Summary: Excellenet Reading
Review: As the other reviews suggest, this is a fine book. I would give it 4 1/2 stars if I could. I wish more books like these were introduced to me when I was in high shcool.

Rating:
Summary: Every one should read this book !
Review: Yes, this should be required reading in every high school. I have read this book many times since the 60's. I am surprised each time I read it, to find a simple "truth" I didn't see the time before. WE CAN and WILL SURVIVE, but we must be prepared. Get a copy, keep it handy. God forbid , if the time ever comes that we need to use it, but if it does....you'll want this as a reference.

Rating:
Summary: It was a great book about the end of the world
Review: I first read it for school and it became one of my fravorites ever since. A great book for any one who wants to imagine what would happen after WWIII.

Rating:
Summary: A striking, attention-grabbing tale of nuclear war.
Review: I first read this book as a sophomore English student in Titusville, FL. Since one of the locales mentioned in the book was Patrick Air Force Base, FL (very near me), I imagined this story happening to me and the people I knew. It was an eye opening experience-would we be able to survive such a thing, and if we did, what kind of people would we become? It is now 33 years later, and the questions remain the same. This is a very thought-provoking book. It makes one want to never be a part of mass destruction of the human race. I think it should be mandatory reading for all high school or college students. It is a tale significant for those who retain their humanity, against all odds, vs. those who display animalistic tendencies as soon as they are challenged by adversity.

Rating:
Summary: One of a handful of classics from The Age of Anxiety
Review: I first read "Alas, Babylon!" when I was in Eighth Grade and it has remained a favorite of mine ever since. It is one of a small number of books about Nuclear War that will, in time, rank as -- well, a classic of the genre. Along with a few others -- Philip Wylie's "Tomorrow!", and Neville Shute's "On The Beach" being two that immediately spring to mind-- it is required reading for anyone who wants a gut-level understanding of the fears of an entire generation. These three books run the gamut between optimism (the Wylie book) and the most poignant pessimism (the Shute book) -- this book falling somewhere between, but more optimistic than not. Well written, credible, with well-developed characters, and some eerie writing of the war itself as seen on the periphery. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: A thought provoking read
Review: I just read this book for the first time, on the advice of a friend and was glad I did. It was well written and nicely paced. It really makes you think about the things you take for granted. If you are survival minded, it is a good place to start.

Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: This is a great book! It really makes you think about how anything can happen to anyone, at any moment.

Rating:
Summary: A Clasic for the Ages
Review: I read Alas Babylon in the 7th grade, that was 2 years ago, and I still remeber every word of it. Even though the book was published a while back some of the scenarios are popping up today. The economic problemwit Russia, the Nuclear problems between Pakistan and India. These problems might seem old to us but at the time of publshing it was brand new and yet the book will still probaly tie into real life years from now. This book, is a 5 star ay day of the week. It should be mandatory reading in Grammer School, and if you haven`t read the book yet, get it before your time runs out and then "....Alas, the walls of Bbaylon Fall...'