One Second After

by William R. Forstchen
One Second After cover
Good Books rating 2.67
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
Technical
  • ID: 4989
  • Added: 2025-10-22
  • Updated: 2025-10-22
  • ISBN: 9780765356864
  • Publisher: St. Martin's Press
  • Published: 2011-04-26
  • Reviews: 3

One Second After is the gripping first book in the John Matherson trilogy, set in a world where an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack has devastated modern civilization. The story follows John Matherson, a former Army colonel, as he struggles to keep his small town of Black Mountain, North Carolina, alive in the face of lawlessness and desperation. With resources scarce and the government in shambles, Matherson must rely on his military training and leadership skills to maintain order and protect his community. The novel explores themes of survival, resilience, and the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity. It delves into the psychological and emotional toll of such a catastrophic event, as well as the moral dilemmas that arise when society's rules no longer apply. Written by William R. Forstchen, this book is a chilling and realistic portrayal of what could happen if our modern infrastructure were to collapse overnight.

Reviews
AllSciFiAllTheTime · 2021-10-23
good 3.00

The reviewer appreciates the unique setting and well-written main character, but finds the story somewhat thin. They highlight the thoughtful and action-oriented protagonist as a strong point.

The reviewer at AllSciFiAllTheTime finds the novel's setting and main character to be its strongest assets. They praise the thoughtful and action-oriented nature of the protagonist, which makes the story engaging. However, they also note that the story itself is somewhat thin, which might leave some readers wanting more depth. Overall, they appreciate the effort and creativity put into the novel, but feel it could have benefited from more substantial plot development.

Quick quotes

    Decent storytelling and an interesting unique setting

    A thoughtful and action-oriented main character, mostly well-written

    Though the story is somewhat thin

Reddit · 2021-01-01
poor 1.50

The reviewer criticizes the book for its poor writing and contrived plot, finding it challenging to suspend disbelief. They suggest it might not be worth the read despite its popularity.

The Reddit reviewer is quite critical of 'One Second After', citing poor writing and a contrived plot as major drawbacks. They find the book's attempt to explore a post-apocalyptic scenario unconvincing and overly simplistic. The reviewer suggests that the book's popularity might be overstated and that readers might find it disappointing, especially given the high expectations set by its must-read status.

Quick quotes

    It's poorly written, and constantly telling and not showing

    So much of it is overly contrived

    Constantly challenging one's suspension of disbelief

The Storygraph · 2021-01-01
good 3.50

The reviewer acknowledges that the book is not well-written but praises its intense perspective and realistic responses, making it a must-read despite its literary shortcomings.

The Storygraph reviewer points out that 'One Second After' might not be the best-written book, but they still consider it a must-read due to its intense perspective and realistic portrayal of events. They appreciate the novel's ability to make the apocalyptic scenario feel tangible and relatable, which sets it apart from other books in the genre. The reviewer suggests that the book's strengths lie in its exploration of human responses to catastrophe, rather than its literary merit.

Quick quotes

    One Second After might not be the best written book

    It has claimed a spot as a must read due to its intense perspective

    Realistic responses

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