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Ashes #7
Smoke from the Ashes
A Nation's Last Hope
The devastating nuclear nightmare of the Great War of '88 brings civilization to the brink of destruction. Only Ben Raines, famed soldier and survival expert, and his ragged band of followers share the dream of rebuilding a new country out of the smoldering ashes - a country once known a America.
In this hellish new world, Ben Raines must confront two of the world's deadliest threats to freedom's cause. Swarming westward across America's southern tier march the avenging soldiers of Libyan blood terrorist Khamsin, intent on reducing all that remains of "The Great Satan" to an impoverished slave state. Lurking in the blackened ruins of America's once great citics are the real devils among men - the mutant Night People, crazed killers of all who dare to enter their plague-ridden domain. Only Ben Raines, his son Buddy, and a hadful of Ben's rebel army remain to strike a blow for the survival of America and the future of the free world!
The devastating nuclear nightmare of the Great War of '88 brings civilization to the brink of destruction. Only Ben Raines, famed soldier and survival expert, and his ragged band of followers share the dream of rebuilding a new country out of the smoldering ashes - a country once known a America.
In this hellish new world, Ben Raines must confront two of the world's deadliest threats to freedom's cause. Swarming westward across America's southern tier march the avenging soldiers of Libyan blood terrorist Khamsin, intent on reducing all that remains of "The Great Satan" to an impoverished slave state. Lurking in the blackened ruins of America's once great citics are the real devils among men - the mutant Night People, crazed killers of all who dare to enter their plague-ridden domain. Only Ben Raines, his son Buddy, and a hadful of Ben's rebel army remain to strike a blow for the survival of America and the future of the free world!
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
59 people are currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
William W. Johnstone
1,055 books1,396 followersWilliam W. Johnstone is the #1 bestselling Western writer in America and the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of hundreds of books, with over 50 million copies sold. Born in southern Missouri, he was raised with strong moral and family values by his minister father, and tutored by his schoolteacher mother. He left school at fifteen to work in a carnival and then as a deputy sheriff before serving in the army. He went on to become known as "the Greatest Western writer of the 21st Century." Visit him online at WilliamJohnstone.net.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 26, 2020
It's another year and that means another journey to the war-torn wasteland of William W. Johnstone's "Ashes" series, the books I love to hate, the series I read like others stare, jaws agape, at a terrible train wreck.
This year's book, "Smoke From The Ashes" picks up after Ben Raines finally defeated his enemy, the Russian soldier Straginov, in the last volume. Of course there's no time to rest because there are two new enemies waiting to take him out: the terrorist Khamsin, and a mysterious old foe known only as Ashley.
Oh, and there's a fucking stupid subplot about a couple of feuding religious con-artists. I'm pretty sure that one of these guys has been a side story for at least one book previous, maybe more, and I'm honestly waiting for it to have anything to do with the central story.
So what happens in this epic novel of adventure and conflict? Well, not very much actually.
The more I read Johnstone's "Ashes" series the more I realize that nothing much actually happens. It's a lot of people driving around from place to place. Then they stop for awhile and look at maps and talk about strategy and trying to figure out what the other guy is doing. And then they drive somewhere else. There's so much time spent on the minutae of where everyone is travelling that I'm sure this would all be at least slightly more interesting did I care at all about that level of American geography. But I don't.
Every once and awhile all that travel gets broken up by an encounter with some warlords who are promptly killed by Raines' Rebels without anyone losing their life. Then it's back on the road again.
I think I've read recipes that had more conflict and tension than this series.
New to this series is Buddy, the long rumored son of hero Ben Raines. And in case there was any worry that he might not live up to his father's standards, well let me assure that he looks just like his dad, is a natural leader, a perfect soldier, and can easily interest the ladies without breaking a sweat. Because characters with flaws shouldn't exist in this post apocalyptic landscape.
Extra credit to Smoke from the Ashes for getting all the way through to the end without having to deal with any of the two conflicts in progress. There's also not much of a cliffhanger. Things just kind of ... slow down.
Wow! Can't wait until next time!
This year's book, "Smoke From The Ashes" picks up after Ben Raines finally defeated his enemy, the Russian soldier Straginov, in the last volume. Of course there's no time to rest because there are two new enemies waiting to take him out: the terrorist Khamsin, and a mysterious old foe known only as Ashley.
Oh, and there's a fucking stupid subplot about a couple of feuding religious con-artists. I'm pretty sure that one of these guys has been a side story for at least one book previous, maybe more, and I'm honestly waiting for it to have anything to do with the central story.
So what happens in this epic novel of adventure and conflict? Well, not very much actually.
The more I read Johnstone's "Ashes" series the more I realize that nothing much actually happens. It's a lot of people driving around from place to place. Then they stop for awhile and look at maps and talk about strategy and trying to figure out what the other guy is doing. And then they drive somewhere else. There's so much time spent on the minutae of where everyone is travelling that I'm sure this would all be at least slightly more interesting did I care at all about that level of American geography. But I don't.
Every once and awhile all that travel gets broken up by an encounter with some warlords who are promptly killed by Raines' Rebels without anyone losing their life. Then it's back on the road again.
I think I've read recipes that had more conflict and tension than this series.
New to this series is Buddy, the long rumored son of hero Ben Raines. And in case there was any worry that he might not live up to his father's standards, well let me assure that he looks just like his dad, is a natural leader, a perfect soldier, and can easily interest the ladies without breaking a sweat. Because characters with flaws shouldn't exist in this post apocalyptic landscape.
Extra credit to Smoke from the Ashes for getting all the way through to the end without having to deal with any of the two conflicts in progress. There's also not much of a cliffhanger. Things just kind of ... slow down.
Wow! Can't wait until next time!
August 2, 2016
When you read a book so bad that it's good, an the order of books to read on the inside cover is completely out of order...... and it doesn't even matter. Thanks to good reads, I got the order correct and I can go ahead and read the 3 books I missed. It's a simple formula really, Ben Raines tries to set up a new America and he runs into 3 or 4 Warlords that try and stop him. and 3 of them will be shuffled off to the next book. Filled with Sex, Violence, and some minor right wing philosophy bordering on a comedy routine.
February 15, 2023
Another great book by Mr. Johnstone.
Smoke from the Ashes furthers the exploits of Ben Raines and his Rebels just trying to form a livable society for normal people. With new and old enemies, some defeated, some just temporarily beaten down, there is much action enjoyed and old & new characters developed.
Smoke from the Ashes furthers the exploits of Ben Raines and his Rebels just trying to form a livable society for normal people. With new and old enemies, some defeated, some just temporarily beaten down, there is much action enjoyed and old & new characters developed.
October 5, 2025
Smoke from the ashes
Another good story by Mr. Johnstone. Each adventure of Ben Raines lets us see how the rebels take care of the different enemies that they have to deal with. Can't wait to read more in the series.
Another good story by Mr. Johnstone. Each adventure of Ben Raines lets us see how the rebels take care of the different enemies that they have to deal with. Can't wait to read more in the series.
February 2, 2022
good read
While writing itself is somewhat simplistic and repetitive, the Ashes series remains a good read for those who like the post-apocalyptic genre.
While writing itself is somewhat simplistic and repetitive, the Ashes series remains a good read for those who like the post-apocalyptic genre.
August 28, 2010
Ben Raines is thwarted in his attempts to put civilization back together by a group of Libyan terrorist, bent on making what's left of America into a nation enslaved.
The series seems to have settled into a formula; plans to put civilization back together get put on hold because they have to go out and fight the bad guys.
Warning, strong language, violence, torture and sex.
The series seems to have settled into a formula; plans to put civilization back together get put on hold because they have to go out and fight the bad guys.
Warning, strong language, violence, torture and sex.
December 13, 2014
Old friends and enemies reveal themselves in this book. Cecil gets some strong play and even institutes a draft in a small town. The Libyan is a main enemy in this book, but there are plenty of other problems to deal with as well. We begin to get a look at the Shadow People in the cities. And Buddy Raines makes his first major appearance. I like Buddy and he is a great addition to the story.
December 22, 2013
WOW.
I gave this book 5 stars because it kept my attention. I would find myself reading when I should have been sleeping. If you are looking for a look into the future read this series of books.
I gave this book 5 stars because it kept my attention. I would find myself reading when I should have been sleeping. If you are looking for a look into the future read this series of books.
January 25, 2016
Very good adventure series. Basically the forming of a new United States after WW3 and the story of the man who leads and forms it. If you like men's adventure stories you will enjoy it. Recommended
July 6, 2015
Formula writing but entertaining brainless read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews