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Last Stand #1
Last Stand: Surviving America's Collapse
John Mack, a prepper and former soldier, struggles to save his family and community after an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) takes out the country’s electrical grid. With most electronics, communications and transportation destroyed in a matter of seconds, the nation quickly collapses into anarchy. For John and the other residents of Willow Creek Drive, the breakdown of social order throws them back to the 1800s. As the community tries to come together, a powerful outside force appears that threatens their survival. Will John’s years of military and prepping experience be enough to keep them safe? Mixing tons of useful prepping tips into an action-packed story, (working title) is a must-read for any fans of survival fiction.
234 pages, Paperback
First published April 27, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
November 24, 2020
One lone man fights to rebuild the patriarchy and prevent penises from entering his daughter's vagina in post apocalyptic America.
September 11, 2014
Gun porn, gear porn, a LOT of product placement. The author even tells you what kind of stoves he's using. The book is short and the pace pulled me along enough to buy the sequel (a guilty pleasure, I'll confess I like gun porn). I'll also admit to having survivalist tendencies since the sixties but the recent use of prepper and prep as both a noun and verb annoys the prep out of me.
Forgot to say, all the bad guys are cartoons, all the good guys have square chins, and based on the protagonist's recollections of teenage courtship he's apparently about 120 years old (even though he served in Iraq in this century).
If I buy book three of this series, I'll be deeply ashamed of myself.
Forgot to say, all the bad guys are cartoons, all the good guys have square chins, and based on the protagonist's recollections of teenage courtship he's apparently about 120 years old (even though he served in Iraq in this century).
If I buy book three of this series, I'll be deeply ashamed of myself.
March 24, 2015
Long before I even considered writing a book, I loved nothing more than reading them. Although I don’t allow myself much time for reading other novels, when I do, I tear through them pretty quick. I was actually saving William H. Weber’s first novel, Last Stand: Surviving America’s Collapse for my upcoming cruise. However, once I started this post-apocalyptic story, I couldn’t put the darn thing down.
Set in a suburban Tennessee neighborhood, when America comes under a nuclear-EMP-attack, a prepper and his family decide to protect their neighbors rather than play it safe and head to their bug-out location. You’ll recognize one part of the storyline: the American power grid goes down and chaos reigns.
I can see why William’s books (book#2 and book#3 are both out) sell so well. The pace is fairly rapid, almost right from the opening pages, and continues to the very end. You cannot help but be there alongside the main character, whose primary drive is to protect his family at all costs, but is also drawn to protecting his neighbors.
I vastly enjoyed Last Stand. If you’ve liked either of my books, you’ll relish this one. It’s not only a quick read, it’s informative too. I’m so happy to see another book providing fair warning about how vulnerable our power grid is to being taken down–this time from an invading country due to an EMP, rather than the sun inducing electrical currents–and what that will mean to each of us. For both possibilities, the message from my books and this one is, we all need to prepare! Now, I’m speaking to the knowledgeable as well as the novice preppers in my audience: William throws many bones your way. I learned quite a bit, savoring the details (none done to excess). But then the unthinkable happened much too quickly, the book ended. Alas, Last Stand: Patriots (Book 2) is now downloaded and on my Kindle ready to be savored shortly.
It won't win awards in literary fiction, but if you like crisp, faced-paced, post-apocalyptic fiction, you'll enjoy this one.
Disclosure: I know the author, William H. Webber, and he was kind enough to write glowing words about yours truly on the back cover of my last book, DESOLATION.
Set in a suburban Tennessee neighborhood, when America comes under a nuclear-EMP-attack, a prepper and his family decide to protect their neighbors rather than play it safe and head to their bug-out location. You’ll recognize one part of the storyline: the American power grid goes down and chaos reigns.
I can see why William’s books (book#2 and book#3 are both out) sell so well. The pace is fairly rapid, almost right from the opening pages, and continues to the very end. You cannot help but be there alongside the main character, whose primary drive is to protect his family at all costs, but is also drawn to protecting his neighbors.
I vastly enjoyed Last Stand. If you’ve liked either of my books, you’ll relish this one. It’s not only a quick read, it’s informative too. I’m so happy to see another book providing fair warning about how vulnerable our power grid is to being taken down–this time from an invading country due to an EMP, rather than the sun inducing electrical currents–and what that will mean to each of us. For both possibilities, the message from my books and this one is, we all need to prepare! Now, I’m speaking to the knowledgeable as well as the novice preppers in my audience: William throws many bones your way. I learned quite a bit, savoring the details (none done to excess). But then the unthinkable happened much too quickly, the book ended. Alas, Last Stand: Patriots (Book 2) is now downloaded and on my Kindle ready to be savored shortly.
It won't win awards in literary fiction, but if you like crisp, faced-paced, post-apocalyptic fiction, you'll enjoy this one.
Disclosure: I know the author, William H. Webber, and he was kind enough to write glowing words about yours truly on the back cover of my last book, DESOLATION.
August 4, 2014
Actually surprised me, especially after reading the first few pages. After the beginning 10 pages or so, I thought this isn't going to be any good at all. Then it picked up steam and I think the writing got better. I liked the idea that they didn't just run away. Looking forward to something else from this writer.
January 16, 2015
Disappointing prepper/TEOTWAWKI book. The Jakarta Pandemic and One Second After are still the standard I hold all other prepper books to.
February 11, 2020
Enjoyed this book,another prepper book but this one had a few twists that others I have read didn’t have. It showed that even though everything goes wrong there can still be good people in the world.
June 10, 2026
John Mack is a prepper and former soldier who is working as a general contractor. He lives with his estate agent wife Diane and his children Emma and Gregory. He has tried to prepare for everything without telling everyone what he is doing, including a cabin to go to if things get messed up. When the EMP hits, his priority is to get to his family and bring them back to the safety of the street, where they can plan their next move. Do they stay and try to help those around them to prepare themselves or take their chances on the road to the cabin?
John has been getting ready for years so I admit I was surprised when he decides not to take his family straight to the cabin as soon as the power goes off. He knows instantly what has happened so it seems strange to me that a prepper wouldn't take advantage of the few days lull before the panic and violence start to set in. Instead he decides to stay for a few days to help his neighbours Al and Missy get organized. Prices quickly rise in the shops as food starts to run out so John tries to get the people in his street to accept what is ahead and band together as a small community to look out for each other. They start to think how they are going to get food, water and medical supplies and of course deal with security. I liked seeing the people working together and listening to John's advice rather than the 'I don't believe you' angst that can appear in these apocalypse books.
By blocking off their street, it gives them better security and they can only watch as neighbouring streets fall to the armed gangs. There is a moral issue here that is nicely explored. John's street are safe and getting supplies in to sustain them but when neighbours from other streets flee the violence and look for sanctuary, do they let them in? If they do they can save them from the uncertainty of the new society and the local dangers forming, but would that risk the people on John's street if extra people come flooding in? Would their supplies stretch to allow them to help? Should they take these people in? It was an interesting dilemma that the author handled well, and a question that many preppers think about when they do their disaster planning.
Cain is a psycho drug lord who sees the apocalypse as an opportunity to rule the area and he starts to attack the people in the nearby area, taking anything of value that they have and destroying their homes. The people run for their lives and look for sanctuary but will John and his group take them in or turn them away? Cain's eye soon falls on this street who are not fleeing and as he plots to destroy them, it is up to John to try and find a way to save his community. It is always fun when the survivors of an apocalypse have to deal with these life and death situations and this book certainly ramps up the pressure when Cain comes into the equation.
I liked John as a main character, and the way that he decided to try and help the people on the street. He had no idea that these people were going to be so quickly threatened despite the preparations they were making and he feels he cannot abandon them, despite the danger it places his family in. I'll be first to admit that my plan would be to get out to the cabin as soon as I realised it was an EMP, perhaps asking Al and Missy to come along to save them from what is coming. Waiting until the collapse is complete does endanger his kids so John in my book made a few questionable choices but of course that was the point of the plot, exploring the choices that he has. I did enjoy watching him struggle with the choice. The one character I really detested was his whiny daughter Emma. Yes I get that an EMP would be tough for her but she was annoying and her rule breaking shows that she learned nothing from her dad.
The book had very mixed reviews but I was pleased to actually enjoy it. It was a typical EMP disaster plot so it was familiar territory to read about. I have the rest of the series waiting for me which I hope to finish soon.
John has been getting ready for years so I admit I was surprised when he decides not to take his family straight to the cabin as soon as the power goes off. He knows instantly what has happened so it seems strange to me that a prepper wouldn't take advantage of the few days lull before the panic and violence start to set in. Instead he decides to stay for a few days to help his neighbours Al and Missy get organized. Prices quickly rise in the shops as food starts to run out so John tries to get the people in his street to accept what is ahead and band together as a small community to look out for each other. They start to think how they are going to get food, water and medical supplies and of course deal with security. I liked seeing the people working together and listening to John's advice rather than the 'I don't believe you' angst that can appear in these apocalypse books.
By blocking off their street, it gives them better security and they can only watch as neighbouring streets fall to the armed gangs. There is a moral issue here that is nicely explored. John's street are safe and getting supplies in to sustain them but when neighbours from other streets flee the violence and look for sanctuary, do they let them in? If they do they can save them from the uncertainty of the new society and the local dangers forming, but would that risk the people on John's street if extra people come flooding in? Would their supplies stretch to allow them to help? Should they take these people in? It was an interesting dilemma that the author handled well, and a question that many preppers think about when they do their disaster planning.
Cain is a psycho drug lord who sees the apocalypse as an opportunity to rule the area and he starts to attack the people in the nearby area, taking anything of value that they have and destroying their homes. The people run for their lives and look for sanctuary but will John and his group take them in or turn them away? Cain's eye soon falls on this street who are not fleeing and as he plots to destroy them, it is up to John to try and find a way to save his community. It is always fun when the survivors of an apocalypse have to deal with these life and death situations and this book certainly ramps up the pressure when Cain comes into the equation.
I liked John as a main character, and the way that he decided to try and help the people on the street. He had no idea that these people were going to be so quickly threatened despite the preparations they were making and he feels he cannot abandon them, despite the danger it places his family in. I'll be first to admit that my plan would be to get out to the cabin as soon as I realised it was an EMP, perhaps asking Al and Missy to come along to save them from what is coming. Waiting until the collapse is complete does endanger his kids so John in my book made a few questionable choices but of course that was the point of the plot, exploring the choices that he has. I did enjoy watching him struggle with the choice. The one character I really detested was his whiny daughter Emma. Yes I get that an EMP would be tough for her but she was annoying and her rule breaking shows that she learned nothing from her dad.
The book had very mixed reviews but I was pleased to actually enjoy it. It was a typical EMP disaster plot so it was familiar territory to read about. I have the rest of the series waiting for me which I hope to finish soon.
January 1, 2015
At a little over 200 pages, this is a quick read. Very little needless dialogue between characters.
Pretty much directed at Preppers or those who are looking at becoming a Prepper. It goes into details as to the guns the protagonist (John Mack) has as well as those people on his cul de sac. For a typical American residential street, these people were already armed to the teeth. I did find it quite strange that Mack, a well prepared Prepper, waited four days before realizing that medicine would be needed.
As far as the storyline goes, an EMP has knocked out almost everything that relies on computer chips and such. I found that William Forstchen's "One Second After" was a better story for how an event like that affects the population. Last Stand is more about fighting for survival against a drug gang, where One Second After is just about survival.
There are at least two follow on novels, but I don't think I'm going to bother.
Pretty much directed at Preppers or those who are looking at becoming a Prepper. It goes into details as to the guns the protagonist (John Mack) has as well as those people on his cul de sac. For a typical American residential street, these people were already armed to the teeth. I did find it quite strange that Mack, a well prepared Prepper, waited four days before realizing that medicine would be needed.
As far as the storyline goes, an EMP has knocked out almost everything that relies on computer chips and such. I found that William Forstchen's "One Second After" was a better story for how an event like that affects the population. Last Stand is more about fighting for survival against a drug gang, where One Second After is just about survival.
There are at least two follow on novels, but I don't think I'm going to bother.
August 17, 2021
Interesting book. Mostly standard prepper fiction with an EMP, society build in the neighborhood before bugging out. Mostly standard fair. What I found interesting was how the main character made good use of a bad situation when he discovered his daughter had broken OPSEC about the bug out location. I don't know if I could be as even handed as he was. It raised some good questions in my mind and a topic of discussion for my family.
March 26, 2022
This was just okay- a bit unrealistic. I could see organizing your street in a situation like this...though within 48 hours seems a bit much. But creating a committee with jobs like liason and talk of bartering with other communities seems unrealistic so incredibly early on.
Also deputizing people then saying you'll be punished if you don't show up for your shift- really? How? Jail? Beat them? Dumb thing to say.
I also think it is funny that they were going to plant herbs and berries "because they are perennial" and won't have to be planted every year like tomatoes. They need to plant foods that will give them the most bang for their buck! Herbs? Really? How about potatoes? Corn? Carrots? They need to be able to feed themselves and a house's lawns do not come anywhere close to being able to feed a family of 4!!!!
And 72-94 hours after, they are sterilizing cloth for bandages. Is that really the best use of their time? I mean, hello! You have only two weeks worth of food for the community, maybe planting or scavenging might be more important! Also, surely there are more then a few first aid kits in a group of over 100 people!
And trading food and supplies for insulin- which needs to be refrigerated, and heart medicine for an 80 year old isn't practical. As sad as it is, anyone on serious medication would be as good as dead after society shut down. No point wasting supplies to only delay the inevitable. ( I'm diabetic so I can get away with saying this. I know the score.)
Then after losing over 80 people, John says he's glad he stayed because those who survived now have a chance. Except they are all abandoning the neighborhood and have no chance since they have nowhere to go. The only thing gained by waiting is now getting to the cabin will be a lot riskier.
Also, love the line, " some preppers worry about practicality and forget about taste" ...uh, duh! Because it is about survival. They worry more about having enough food to keep them alive than how enjoyable the food is!
The author also goes on about vitamin c and how the vegetables they are planting will help with that....but none of the vegetables listed are sources of vitamin c! Lol
I made it through this book bur won't be reading book 2! Kinda preachy and the writing doesn't feel natural, for lack of a better word.
Also deputizing people then saying you'll be punished if you don't show up for your shift- really? How? Jail? Beat them? Dumb thing to say.
I also think it is funny that they were going to plant herbs and berries "because they are perennial" and won't have to be planted every year like tomatoes. They need to plant foods that will give them the most bang for their buck! Herbs? Really? How about potatoes? Corn? Carrots? They need to be able to feed themselves and a house's lawns do not come anywhere close to being able to feed a family of 4!!!!
And 72-94 hours after, they are sterilizing cloth for bandages. Is that really the best use of their time? I mean, hello! You have only two weeks worth of food for the community, maybe planting or scavenging might be more important! Also, surely there are more then a few first aid kits in a group of over 100 people!
And trading food and supplies for insulin- which needs to be refrigerated, and heart medicine for an 80 year old isn't practical. As sad as it is, anyone on serious medication would be as good as dead after society shut down. No point wasting supplies to only delay the inevitable. ( I'm diabetic so I can get away with saying this. I know the score.)
Then after losing over 80 people, John says he's glad he stayed because those who survived now have a chance. Except they are all abandoning the neighborhood and have no chance since they have nowhere to go. The only thing gained by waiting is now getting to the cabin will be a lot riskier.
Also, love the line, " some preppers worry about practicality and forget about taste" ...uh, duh! Because it is about survival. They worry more about having enough food to keep them alive than how enjoyable the food is!
The author also goes on about vitamin c and how the vegetables they are planting will help with that....but none of the vegetables listed are sources of vitamin c! Lol
I made it through this book bur won't be reading book 2! Kinda preachy and the writing doesn't feel natural, for lack of a better word.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2021
John, a former US military, prepared well for doomsday or any apocalyptic event. He did not knew that he would need to actually use his preparation when an unknown phenomenon made all electronics useless, the cars wont start, mobile phones stopped working, electricity was down - literally everything was brought to a standstill. John presumed this is because of an EMP attach or Solr event, and since the later is a rare phenomenon, it is more likely an EMP attack.
As a part of preparation, John had an old mechanical car, a cabin in the woods with supplies upto one year and his secret basement was equipped with one month worth of supply. While he decided to leave with his family to his cabin, his wife persuaded to stay and help the community and neighbors.
John quickly took charge and together with neighbors, fortified their neighbourhood with whatever defences were available as they anticipated that looting will begin soon due to shortage in food supplies. What happened next was nobody wanted.
Overall the book has been written with no non-sense discussion among charater, all dialogues are to the point. The author has been able to convey the true nature of mankind in these emergencies very beautifully.
The audiobook version is 46 chapters long and little over 5 hours. The naration by Kevin Stillwell is very catching and keeps the listner glued for the next suspense.
Looking forward for the next part in the series.
As a part of preparation, John had an old mechanical car, a cabin in the woods with supplies upto one year and his secret basement was equipped with one month worth of supply. While he decided to leave with his family to his cabin, his wife persuaded to stay and help the community and neighbors.
John quickly took charge and together with neighbors, fortified their neighbourhood with whatever defences were available as they anticipated that looting will begin soon due to shortage in food supplies. What happened next was nobody wanted.
Overall the book has been written with no non-sense discussion among charater, all dialogues are to the point. The author has been able to convey the true nature of mankind in these emergencies very beautifully.
The audiobook version is 46 chapters long and little over 5 hours. The naration by Kevin Stillwell is very catching and keeps the listner glued for the next suspense.
Looking forward for the next part in the series.
July 3, 2020
John Mack along with the rest of the world is thrown into the 1800s as a result of an EMP or a solar flare. His first instinct is to take his family to their bug out location. But his morality keeps him close to home in order to help his neighborhood. Will this be the biggest mistake of his life?
Weber's first novel in The Last Stand Series, Surviving America's Collapse examines the microcosm of one street within a neighborhood as they tried to survive in this world without electricity or transportation. Hearing gunshots nearby and seeing fires set to homes in other neighborhoods quickly become as important as trying to keep water and food spread out amongst them.
Mack’s military training and prepping are taxed to the limit as he tries to guide his neighbors. Drug dealers quickly try to take over. It's clearly a nerve-racking event for all.
Four out of five stars.
Weber's first novel in The Last Stand Series, Surviving America's Collapse examines the microcosm of one street within a neighborhood as they tried to survive in this world without electricity or transportation. Hearing gunshots nearby and seeing fires set to homes in other neighborhoods quickly become as important as trying to keep water and food spread out amongst them.
Mack’s military training and prepping are taxed to the limit as he tries to guide his neighbors. Drug dealers quickly try to take over. It's clearly a nerve-racking event for all.
Four out of five stars.
May 6, 2022
Just Okay
I’m beginning to think I have read too many of these TEOTWAWKI stories because they are ALL the same. Ex-military guy leads a group of locals against a gang of bad guys when everything goes to hell in a hand basket. This one is no different. Has some editing issues, the characters are cardboard shallow and you really don’t get pulled into the story by them, lots of gun names no one cares about and an all too predictable plot. The only redeeming factor is some of the practical prep info that a lot of books in this genre surprisingly lack. Can’t decide if it’s recommendable.
I’m beginning to think I have read too many of these TEOTWAWKI stories because they are ALL the same. Ex-military guy leads a group of locals against a gang of bad guys when everything goes to hell in a hand basket. This one is no different. Has some editing issues, the characters are cardboard shallow and you really don’t get pulled into the story by them, lots of gun names no one cares about and an all too predictable plot. The only redeeming factor is some of the practical prep info that a lot of books in this genre surprisingly lack. Can’t decide if it’s recommendable.
August 13, 2018
In terms of writing, this got better as the story went forward, though there were some grammar issues etc. Once the main characters decided to stay, I'm a little surprised that getting to a pharmacy and gun store wasn't an immediate action item to hopefully get some stuff before the main looting occurred. I'm also surprised that there was not more with respect to running short on food in the neighborhood. There is a lot of detail on guns that seemed a little excessive but overall, I found this to be an interesting tale and will read the next in the series to see what happens.
February 22, 2019
John Mack is a prepper who has planned for worst case scenario apocolypse. After an EMP strike that takes down all electricity and anything with a computer chip John tries to get his suburban Tennessee neighbors organized to feed and protect themselves. Of course, things go awry and John is left to defend his family at their cabin retreat in the mountains. It's an easy read and interesting enough to keep me going. Maybe the short length of these books is its downfall.
April 13, 2019
Interesting save for the know-it-all main character who was portrayed as annoyingly perfect with an encyclopedic weapon memory with every gun model EVER known. He’s the perfect hubby and dad and neighbor and prepper and EVERYONE adores him, but he makes a show of being all, “Shucks, you love lil ol’ me?”
May 11, 2024
This is the five-star rating system I use:
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I read it again.
★★★★★ Great book! Can’t wait to read it again (and I will).
★★★★☆ Good book. I am glad I read this.
★★★☆☆ OK book. Nothing special but not bad.
★★☆☆☆ Not good. Why did I waste my time?
★☆☆☆☆ Lousy. I didn’t finish.
If for whatever reason, I go back and reread a good book, I will change the rating to five-star because I read it again.
March 15, 2018
I liked this book. Quick and easy read. The only issue is I don’t believe everything would break down that fast. Sure crime would jump but you wouldn’t have roving gangs killing indiscriminately after 2 days.
January 5, 2020
A fast and rewarding read!
In these uncertain times, this story is dead on!
Good action packed story line, realistic characters and situations, and a few helpful tips along the way.
Good job!!
In these uncertain times, this story is dead on!
Good action packed story line, realistic characters and situations, and a few helpful tips along the way.
Good job!!
Read
January 17, 2020Good
As usual there were parts of this book that was enjoyable and then also certain parts that I did not enjoy so much. But overall I have to say that I will buy the second book in the series.
As usual there were parts of this book that was enjoyable and then also certain parts that I did not enjoy so much. But overall I have to say that I will buy the second book in the series.
January 29, 2023
Fast action and very possible plot. Very believable
I liked the read with the plausible military background for organization and dealing with untrained civilians. Very convincing, the writer has got his stuff together.
I liked the read with the plausible military background for organization and dealing with untrained civilians. Very convincing, the writer has got his stuff together.
November 20, 2017
Just right.
May 30, 2019
Finished the first of a four book set.
Will write the review when I complete book four.
Will write the review when I complete book four.
August 20, 2019
My book club went off the rails with this one.
March 20, 2020
Great action
For a post apocalyptic book this was very fun and I enjoyed the characters. Glad to see someone had a plan which made the difference between life and death
For a post apocalyptic book this was very fun and I enjoyed the characters. Glad to see someone had a plan which made the difference between life and death
April 11, 2022
Lights Out
Solid post-apoc book. Characters have to deal with some well chosen dilemmas. The writing and grammar are pretty good. The author makes good use of tension.
Solid post-apoc book. Characters have to deal with some well chosen dilemmas. The writing and grammar are pretty good. The author makes good use of tension.
May 5, 2022
Must read
This book leaves you wanting more. It has it all. Young love, danger, the end of the world as we know it ... Great read.
This book leaves you wanting more. It has it all. Young love, danger, the end of the world as we know it ... Great read.
July 4, 2022
great story
A great story, with believable characters and storyline. I will enjoy the next book in the series just as much I think.
A great story, with believable characters and storyline. I will enjoy the next book in the series just as much I think.
August 21, 2022
A riveting read, open's one's eyes at what could befall us. I'd better start prepping!
November 19, 2022
I actually liked it. People like me want to read a tale of survival and perseverance and not somy novel with too much gory stuff.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews