Alas, Babylon

Alas, Babylon A story written back in 1957, Pat Frank put into writing what almost all americans felt during the Cold War.

The book, now considered a literary masterpiece, shocked and opened the worlds eyes. It opened the eyes not only to a possible scenario involving nuclear war, but also, how the world and america would react and function after such an event.

Well written, with excellent character developement and interaction, the reader can't help but feel sympathetic for the plight that has befallen mankind This story is far from being an apocolyptic chapter in the tangle of american pop culture. The characters endure and struggle to survive, each one takng different actions to survive in the wasteland.

Randy Bragg, the protagonist of the story, lives in Ft. Repose, Florida. He notices the latest news bulletins about the space race, the assembly of nuclear warheads, and ICBM's (Intercontinental Ballistic Missles). As static between the Middle East, Russia, and other countries intensifies, all it takes is one misfired missle from a US Airforce fighter jet, to kick off one of the most harrowing alternate realities.

The story takes place in the late 50's, a few years after the Korean war. When the book was written, Sputnik had orbitted the earth, nuclear weapons were being armed, and communism was on the rise. The story is read and see from that decades point of view, before cable tv, cell phones, computers, and other modern day gadgetry. Another great feature to the story, is the way the cast of characters improvise their ways of transportation, water supply, food, and defense.

You'll find yourself asking questions such as, "Where would Igo? What would I do? Who would I try to save?"
These questions and more, pop up as you turn the pages. At times the story is violent, harrowing, romantic, gritty, and utterly human. Pat Frank does a good job at adding enough detail to his characters and plot as to not hunker it down with useless and trivial items. Not only are the characters believable in their dialogue, actions, and reactions, but you grow to love them, cheering them on as eac passing day comes and goes.

With raiders, radiation, disease, starvation, dehydration, and exposure, the dangers are real and well thought out. When Pat Frank wrote this book of his, he made sure to not leave any subject untouched. Not to mention, he did his research on the ins and outs of the military, the political structure of nations, political events, and the ultimate possibility of a nuclear showdown between two super powers.

Read it, and pass it on.
It will change your outlook on your own existance.

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