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Summary: The Best Book Ever Written About Post -Apocalyptic America
Review: I first read this book in 1977. It became my favorite book, ever. Although somewhat dated now, this does not get in the way of the terror felt for Randy and his brave friends. They create a small community that is comprised of people of all ages, sexes and races, everyone being equal and having an important purpose. Although Randy sometimes thinks of the women as "needing a man around", they prove themselves resourcful by creating an education system and finding new food sources. The Henry's, a black family, are excepted into the community as equals, without any thought at all (the book was published and takes place in 1959). Everyone is involved, from Peyton, the youngest, to Preacher Henry, the oldest, all living with the threat of radiation hanging over their heads. This book is a must read for anyone who believes in the truimph of the human spirit.
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Summary: It was mostly about a town trying to survive after a bomb.
Review: The book had a slow beginning but, it began to get more interesting after the bomb occured. I thought it was great in the fact that you looked through many different character's points of views. The book got intense at the end and was, overall, wonderful. It was also wonderful being able to look at how things changed from before the bomb to after the bomb. You began to see how people can get easily discouraged if everyone does not pull together to help one another. The book really showed me that these people were afraid but, never the less, worked as a team in trying to make their lives as they had once been. It also showed how some people can become greeedy and only begin to think about themselves. It changed my point of view on life and how something so dear and precious to you can be taken away in an instant. The book was touching and great.
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Summary: Apocalypse -- from a small-town perspective
Review: I read _Alas, Babylon_ as a high school freshman, and it helped captivate me and bond me inexoribly to reading. It was one of my first favorites, and still is!
The story of the surviors of Fort Repose, a central Florida town spared the direct effects of an all-out nuclear war; they nevertheless suffer profoundly: cut off from electricity, supplies, news and at the mercy of disease, contamination and marauding highwaymen.
It is a story of the spirit of survival amid chaos and the prevalence of human dignity and ingenuity. A great story!
I spent four years in Sanford, Florida on the St. John's river -- only miles from the setting of this story. Every scene, every word, every situation felt horribly real!
Kurt Wagner, Hawthorne NJ
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Summary: One of two books.
Review: I read this book wa-a-a-y back in 1964! And I have it confused with "Earth Abides" which I read during the same time. But, I remember that both books were good. The story lines I have pretty well mixed up. Thirty-three years is a long time ago. Ah, well, I give both books a 10
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Summary: This book is a realistic portrayal of post nuclear war.
Review: Pat Frank did an excellent job in realistically portraying all the ramifications of survival of a nuclear holocaust. Also interesting was his presentation of race relations especially since it was written pre civil war era. This is the first of the genre of post WWIII books and as such is a classic in 312 pages. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in post WWIII life
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Summary: an intriguing, unpredictable, exciting novel
Review: I too found this book so very hard to put down . I marveled at the destruction that was done. I marveled at the dedication to survive and the dedication to your family. And I can only imagine what type of destruction was done to the Soviet Union, if the United States clobbered them, seeing as how the United States was burned to stubble. I never had a single idea of what was going to happen next, I could only guess, and it was usually wrong
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Summary: The Quintessential 'Survivalist' Start-Up Manual.
Review: This text details the struggles encountered by both individuals and a community following the end of the world as they knew it. Although authored in 1959, the scenario is timeless and even more chilling in this day and age.
You read of heroism and cowardice; Governmental dominance and localized common-sense. After you read this book, you will want to do 2 things. The first will be to loan it to a good friend, secondly, to stock up your pantry
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Summary: A book that held a 16 year old student captive!
Review: I am only 20 years old. Alas Babylon was an optional book toread 4 years ago in my Science Fiction class. I was the only personin the class who read it. I don't read much (only 2 full books in my life time), Ender's Game being the other one. Alas Babylon made me read every moment I had a chance. Almost every other book I have tried to read bored me in the first 2-3 days. This one on the other hand wouldn't let me go!!
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Summary: A memorable book that had a profound impact.
Review: This novel about a small town's struggle to survive after a nuclear war has stayed with me more than most books I have read. Although I first read it more than thirty years ago, it still remains fresh in my mind. For those of us who grew up in the 50's and 60's, when the "Doomsday Clock" inexorably crept toward midnight, "Alas, Babylon" put all our fears into text. While frightening, it also gave us some hope that, in the event the unthinkable did occur, mankind, and civilization in general, could survive. It is a book I would like my two young sons to read some day so that they can develop an understanding of what it was like to grow up with the fear of imminent destruction hanging over your head
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Summary: It was great
Review: It should me the terrors that war bring and how dangerous human error can be.
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