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Summary: An interesting story, definitely makes you think
Review: I had to read this book last year for my English class. It's about a small town in Florida watching a nuclear war take place around them. Overall I'd say it's a pretty interesting book, but if given the choice, I would've picked other books to read instead. If you like sci-fi novels about nuclear war, give it a shot. Otherwise, keep looking...there are other books out there.
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Summary: It Struck a Chord in the 60s
Review: I did not HAVE to read Alas, Babylon for school, but did so anyway. This was in the early 60s, shortly after the Cuban Missle Crisis. It was one of the scariest books of it's day because it COULD be real. One morning in 1965 I was jolted out of my bed by an explosion and a mushroom cloud on the horizon. The light kept going for hours. We all went out of the house to get a look, but Alas, Babylon was all I could think of and I dragged my family into the house to avoid "fallout". It took a while to find that a pipeline had exploded on the other side of Natchitoches, La. and I was at school before the plume of fire dwindled away. That experience seared this book, it's title and premise into my mind. I may forget the author, but not feelings, for in those first few minutes I KNEW what it was like to be inside that book.Recommending reading for "what might have been...and may yet be."
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Summary: A Disaster Classic!
Review: Written by Pat Frank (a.k.a. Harry Hart) in the late 1950's at the height of the cold war, this novel illustrates the terror of nuclear war and the struggle for survival in it's aftermath. The story centers around a small town in central Florida and how the inhabitants cope with shortages of almost everything, as trade and commerce break down following a nuclear war. The characters are fully formed and believeable and the words flow off the pages in an easy to read style. Being written about 45 years ago, this book does reflect the fears, and technology, of it's time. For example, Soviet submarines had to move close to our shores before they fired their missiles, today's longer ranged missiles don't require that, and there are references to long ago retired B-47 and B-58 bombers, etc.. Also, racial prejudices are evident in this novel, as segregation was still active in the southern U.S. in the 1950's, by no means am I saying that Pat Frank is a racist, he was not condoning it, in fact, quite the opposite. All of this gives this novel an interesting historical flair, kind of like stepping back into the 50's as you read this book, a fascinating perspective indeed. This book is one of the classic "end of the world as we know it" novels, well worth reading and hard to put down at times. The trials and tribulations the survivors went through, and their triumphs, are amazing, it is a timeless story. If you like these types of novels two other books of this genre that I liked are EARTH ABIDES by George Stewart, and THE POSTMAN, by David Brin.
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Summary: Basically a Romance...
Review: I mean a romance because the book never delves too deeply into the characters, who are basically good and without any human flaws or quirks. In trying to describe the conditions of apocalypse, the author builds in a plot line to describe the military angles that led up to the war (even Stephen King could not resist this angle in The Stand), and maintains a fascination for the militaristic stuff throughout. The book almost writes itself; in a land of anarchy evil will arise in highwaymen and a new law and order must be maintained with violent methods. There is never a doubt the characters will succeed. The author is so eager to get to the gunfight at OK corral that he breezes through the protagonist's wedding (which has to take place on the same day) as if it were a page three half-column announcement. I'm not joking; it's written in exactly that style. It's just as well; the bride is bland and the romance non-existent. The book feels exactly like a story a journalist who covers military affairs would write, a precursor to the Clancy genre. It's not a complete waste: it actually starts off okay, with what might be interesting character development, and the mechanics and contingencies of the loss of electricity and modern civilization for a semi-rural communuity over the course of a year are pretty thoroughly explored. For a student of modern apocalypse fiction it will be useful. If irony and tragedy are needed, Earth Abides would be a more satisfying read.
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Summary: a unique view
Review: I had heard a lot of commotion surrounding this book but as it had been phased out of my high school's required reading it was not until after my first year of college that I read it. For me the cold war was ancient history, I'm 20 and I grew up with America's superiority a for gone conclusion and no understanding of the trauma of that period in American history. While I expected "Alas, Babylon" to be an interesting, if out dated and tedious work, I gave it a try simply to see what all the fuss was about. Boy was I wrong to ever think this book could be anything but provocative. Written in a attention catching style that makes even dismantled organizations like SAC seem relevant, this book portrays a plausible "what if?" to the cold war question. The main character Randy Bragg, an aimless lawyer, epitomizes the unique and yet connectable characters that are seen throughout this book. From the librarian who only feels alive after the rest of the world has fallen into nuclear disarray to the young children that are faced with knowing of their father's imminent death. This compelling story of an accidental war between the US and the U.S.S.R is shown in an almost unbiased light. The characters take almost a back seat the interesting points made by the author. Such as; what would happen to the world power structure if its two most prominent players were suddenly thrust into third world status? Who would govern the country if Washington was attacked and nearly every public official were killed? Written over forty years ago "Alas Babylon" had me wondering what I would do in each character's situation. From the fact that I lived in Abilene, TX (one of the towns mentioned as destroyed), to the fact that I had never realized just how important things like salt are. Give this book a try. It might require an inquiry into some history books for explanations to things like what exactly SAC is, it is well worth it.
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Summary: Essential story of courage
Review: I read this book while a freshman in high school in 1975 and the impression it made on me carries over to this day. Perhaps because I lived in Sanford, FL on the St. Johns river, not far from the setting of this well-crafted story that's not so much about the horrific events portrayed, but the human drama of their effects on the people. Throughout my life and travels I return to this book and with each re-reading I appreciate it all the more.
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Summary: Alas, Masterpiece
Review: This is one of my all-time favorite books. Written in 1959, it's still the most satisfying post-apocalyptic book I've ever read. The story is so believable and the characters become flesh-and-blood. It's a rare thing to read a book where you begin to love the fictional folks that live in it's pages. In this book you'll encounter Randy Bragg and his clan of survivors, making their way the best they can after the bomb drops near their small Florida town. If you're like me, you'll hang onto your worn out copy and re-read it every few years. This is a classic and it would be worth your while to add it to your collection.
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Summary: Alas, Babylon - Just Wonderful!
Review: Pat Frank knew what he was doing when he wrote this book.
The setting, the toils and tribulations the characters go through deeply move you to a point where you feel the pain yourself. The strategies that Randy plays out are very meaningful to our survival in this time of war. This is truly a masterpiece in all categories!
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Summary: Frank's Cold War Novel Packs Narrative Heat
Review: Pat Frank has captured in quick, gripping narrative style the chilling possibilities of nuclear holocaust. The insights he offers seem both believable and terrifying. With the detonation of a few bombs, the whole sham of bureaucracy would come undone, his novel suggests. The critical finger he points at government and its failure to serve its most basic function--administering to its people's needs--warns twenty-first century Americans not to put too much trust in symbolism and paper assurances. Like so many other great hero tales, this one also shows the resiliency and determination of humanity, those indelible traits of courage that go untapped during times of peace and luxury. As the great works have reminded readers for centuries, only during times of extreme chaos and conflict does the human spirit really ascend to the mythic lands of gods and heroes. The remarkably nondescript characters in Alas, Babylon make that ascension through seemingly routine, yet courageous deeds: Jim Hickey's giving of the honey; Dan Gunn's selfless devotion to aiding the sick; Helen's steady reliance as nurse and helpmeet; and even little Peyton's catching of fish and rediscovery of music all have the aura of the heroic about them. The stress of turmoil brings renewed vigor to closeted, unfulfilled lives that had languished in quiet desperation before The Day arrived. Like Flannery O'Connor, Frank allows violence and upheaval to shake his characters out of their spiritual, creative deadness. Alice suddenly assumes importance as the town's librarian; Florence becomes indispensable as seamstress and record keeper; and Lib's father finds renewed purpose after suffering a humiliating, manhood-destroying retirement. Crisis and purpose force them to look beyond their own selves and see the needs of others. Perhaps the greatest attribute of the hero is this special vision, and the primary characters of Alas, Babylon have it. As a narrative the novel succeeds at virtually every level. The prose itself is not remarkable in its eloquence or its rhetorical power, but the story which it tells moves quickly and never fails to build suspense and intrigue. Without becoming a philosphical document, one that languishes in authorial commentary, the novel succeeds in confronting readers with many ontological issues: What is man? How does he endure? Where is he headed? What is the meaning of his existence? Finally, one must wonder if Frank's novel, as bleak as it is at times, does not offer too hopeful a vision of nuclear holocaust. The little enclave that Fort Repose becomes occasionally seems too contrived to be true. Where is nuclear winter in this ravaged world? Where are the consequences of nuclear fallout? And Frank's last note, that America apparently won a pyrrhic victory, is his last nod to American optimism in an age when the Russians seemed our equal in their ability to vanquish and conquer. Still, the novel presents a terrifying enough story to sober readers ensconced in the luxuries and complacency of modern life.
It is a must read for anyone looking for a compelling story in the age after our own terrifying DAY, 9/11/01. Even that comparatively smaller catastrophe was enough to upset normalcy around the entire country. One can only imagine what an all-out nuclear attack would do to American life. Frank has imagined the consequences for us, and what he foresees is chilling.
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Summary: Alas, Babylon still a great read
Review: I rcently picked this book up again after 15 years. While it was definitely written from a 1950's idealized perception, there is still so much commentary that makes sense. Working with a bunch of Admiral Rickover accolytes and nuclear engineers, I find it interesting that the book projected a day when "Rickover was right, the nuclear Navy saved us". This book should help to remind us that after a nuclear war, there will be survivors and they will have to find a way to stay alive long after the conflict is over and there is no government and no infrastructure. Life goes on.
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