American Apocalypse: The Beginning (Beginnings)
by nova
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Book Summary Information
Author: novaEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-11-11
ISBN: 1449575285
Number of pages: 200
Publisher: CreateSpace
Book Reviews of American Apocalypse: The Beginning (Beginnings)
Book Review: Grabs you by the throat and kicks you in the gut
Summary: 5 Stars
This book, the first of three, is written from the standpoint of one of the tens of thousands of DC area contractors, for whom a GDP collapse would pose the same choices. In the beginning, the protagonist merely finds himself unemployed, along with a host of others. Then more of the area population becomes unemployed and unemployable - resulting in a slow wave of homelessness and relationship dissolution. The author follows the sequelae of collapse, step by step. Despite my initial skepticism, the story got me - lock, stock and barrel.
The time period in question may be telescoped, as another reviewer has noted.
The questions posed are realistic. The economy IS fragile. Exportable goods - the only real source of national wealth outside of flipping electronic transactions - are on a decline. Low to mid level jobs have been decisively offshored. The country IS fueling its recovery with imaginary money. The countries upon whom we rely to buy Treasuries, themselves created out of air - they're on poor economic footing as well. The initiating event - a cessation of the money flow - is easy to imagine. Most people in the DC area make their livings as administrators for the Federal government. How long will the standard of living be sustainable if the government business comes to an abrupt halt?
It is an outcome that few people have thought through. The author thinks it through, step by step. It is unfortunate that Book 1 was issued without the accompanying Book 2. Book 1 portrays the protagonist's depersonalization, his focus on day to day, and then hour to hour life needs. From a middle class worker bee with an IRA and a checking account, he now thinks to the next meal. Books 2 and 3 show his emergence from shock, and the healing power of community. The protagonist grows into his role in a diminished civilization, and re-acquires the nuances of character he must previously have had, when he was part of the vanished middle class.
How long would you keep working if you weren't paid? The scenarios portrayed in the book, of widespread failures in infrastructure and food supply, are believable given the premise that salaries trickle away. Another reviewer noted that there simply aren't enough people for the area. Under today's conditions, I would agree. However, how many would be left after a winter without adequate food, water and shelter? It would most likely be a lower population level, and the survivors would likely have different characteristics than those on view today.
I agree with the comments about typos and grammar. This is a self published book. The author does not have editorial support. Have we become so elitist that we begrudge a venue to folks who need editors but can't afford them? Shame on you! Better yet, take an oar.
The series of books, of which this is the first, portrays one man's disintegration, adaptation and survival. I'll grant you, I don't see many books that go the whole spectrum, and it's hard to start with the 'disintegration' part. Nevertheless, the themes are enduring, and the setting is well presented. It doesn't take much to envision myself in the protagonist's shoes. I am a hard sell. But I give this book, the first in the series, five stars.
Summary of American Apocalypse: The Beginning (Beginnings)
In the not so distant future, the American economy fails, stumbling from a sharp decline into full out collapse. One casualty of the fallout finds himself homeless in the suburbs of Washington D.C. and faces new challenges at every turn just trying to survive. As he changes and adapts he learns hard lessons, makes new friends and ultimately becomes a formidable force of harsh justice in a lawless land. An unrelenting coming of age story set in the backdrop of a once proud America spiraling downward into third world squalor and violence.Literary Books
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