Death Watch

The Survivalist #27

by Jerry Ahern

IF CIVILIZATION WERE DESTROYED TODAY-WOULD JOHN THOMAS ROURKE BE ABLE TO SURVIVE...? The lucky died fast. Millions suffered unspeakable agonies as a tide of toxic death rolled across America's once majestic land. Now, in the years after world war III, the land of the free is struggling for its very survival, facing the crushing onslaught of a powerful enemy's killing machine, in this blasted landscape one man stands forth as the last hero: ex-CIA Covert Operations Officer, weapons specialist, and survivalist, John Thomas Rourke... Leaving his hospital bed against doctor's orders, John Rourke must do what he can to stop the war and gain control of the world's nuclear arsenal. With the Nazis preparing their final assault on the Trans-Global Alliance and madman Deitrich Zimmer infuriated by the destruction of his cloning facility in the Himalayas, time is running out. Overcoming his wounds, Rourke formulates a daring plan to reach a secretly rebellious Nazi officer who envies Zimmer's power-and to trust this man with the fate of the world. For while war rages, an even greater danger looms: a volcanic vent that is tunneling its way eastward and can only be stopped one way: with the last nuclear warheads on earth!

Genres: Post Apocalyptic

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Jerry Ahern (born Jerome Morrell Ahern) was a science fiction and action novel author best known for his post apocalyptic survivalist series The Survivalist. The books in this series are heavy with descriptions of the weapons the protagonists use to survive and prosecute a seemingly never-ending war amongst the remnants of the superpowers from pre-apocalypse times.

Ahern was also a firearms writer, who published numerous articles in magazines such as Guns & Ammo, Handguns and Gun World.

Jerry Ahern passed away on July 24, 2012 after a long struggle with cancer.

Ahern also released books under pseudonym Axel Kilgore.

Reviews

[Little Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite adventure series. Dr John Thomas Rourke leads his family and friends through a post apocalyptic world fighting ever step if the way. Fantastic characters and plots. Very detailed weapon descriptions. Excellent series. My highest recommendation

[Joseph B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world faces imminent destruction as the supervolcano threat seems inevitable. Zimmer and Martin have ensured they'll live forever. Meanwhile John recovers from his heart transplant; that heart ripped from the body of his clone. Ahern explores the ethics of using the clone as an organ donor. As well as some somewhat preachy moments about what made John and Co. in the right so often (expect more Aryn Rand references!). Given this is the final book in the series, at least initially was before the 2010s continuation. However peace is within grasp; as a splinter group of Nazi forces vows against Zimmer. Allying with the Trans-Global Alliance after learning of the omega contingency. A virus Zimmer will unleash to wipe out every living thing on the planet. Rourke and everyone he has allied with races to stop Zimmer.

John Rourke, Natalia Tiemerovna, Paul Rubenstein. We have journeyed with them for 29 books. It is almost bittersweet to see it all end. It is a satisfying if not predictable ending. 4 1/2 stars out of 5 for pulp fans.