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Alas, Babylon
by Pat Frank
by Pat Frank
Jon's review
bookshelves: apocalyptic, fiction, science-fiction, read-in-my-40s, liked-it
Apr 01, 13
bookshelves: apocalyptic, fiction, science-fiction, read-in-my-40s, liked-it
Recommended to Jon by:
Valerie Neer
Read in March, 2009, read count: 1
4 stars.
Not even my review could survive Amazon's nuclear strike against GoodReads. Remnants reside at my blog: http://bit.ly/16rwwxf
Not even my review could survive Amazon's nuclear strike against GoodReads. Remnants reside at my blog: http://bit.ly/16rwwxf
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Reading Progress
| 03/16/2009 | page 1 |
|
0.31% | |
| 03/17/2009 | page 21 |
|
6.5% | "Starting chapter 2 - Wow! This is weird to be plopped down in to 1959 Cold War Americana." |
| 03/17/2009 | page 206 |
|
63.78% | "Four months after The Day. It really helps having a retired Air Force Colonel in the family to ask questions about the Cold War." |
| 03/17/2009 | page 260 |
|
80.5% | "Doc was attacked by highwaymen, crawled five miles back to Randy's compound, and now Randy is getting a posse and ambush of his own ready." |
Comments (showing 1-15 of 15) (15 new)
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It was the only bicycle specifically mentioned. Other modes of transportation include the mule Balaam (love that name!), a horse, sailboats and in extreme emergencies the automobiles from hoarded gasoline. 
JON: I read this years ago and it made a great impression on me. Still a gripping tale, even after so many years.
Yes, I thought it held up well. Sort of crossed two or three genres for me. Post-apocalyptic and historical fiction (or possibly alternate history). It also sparked great discussions with my dad and his brother. My dad was in high school in 1959 (probably a sophomore). My grandfather was also Air Force and did reconnaissance photography (WW II and Korea).
I recall reading this at summer camp, and liking it. Haven't seen a copy since (it was another kid's book). Might have to look for it again, to see how it holds up.
This is one of my all time favorite books.Even with some inaccuracies with the back drop of the disaster it is a human story of loss, hope and how people cna be at their best nd worse whne the world falls apart.
It is one of the few books I reread every few years. even though I know it well it is like an old movie I have seen 100 times. It is always new to me.
Happy Mooching!
Sent to a BookMoocher in Maine today.
Nice review! It sounds like the book was ultimately positive considering the devastation. I also like your insight around the radio. How many of us here on goodreads are going to know about amateur radios? Well not me that's for sure....Its amazing how a little detail like that can change your feelings about a story....
Thanks, Shellie. There are fewer and fewer Amateur Radio operators every year, sadly. I personally haven't actually used an amateur radio in years and don't currently have a rig setup at home. However, in a disaster where cell phones (and land lines) become non-functional, I know all the local amateur radio operators (my dad in particular and his contemporaries).
Sounds like its would be good to know someone with this skill...Are they anything like the CB radios that were so popular in the 70's?
I think I recall seeing a local news story (a "feel good" piece) about a local ham operator who was only 9 or 10. Nice story.
Yes, bikes would be really useful in such a situation!