Good books on power grid collapse apocalypse?

[jgradyc]

I know we have a thread on good post-apocalypse fiction books, but I'd like to read more books on what might happen if our power grid was disrupted.  I'm more interested in realistic possible scenarios of what might happen if the power grid went down and stayed down.  

 

I'm thinking of getting the nonfiction book A Nation Forsaken. Has anyone read any good nonfiction on the power grid collapse scenarios?

[dawgdoc]

One Second After by William Forstchen seemed like a very realistic book of that type.  There are some who argue that a massive EMP would not cause as widespread damage as it does in the book, but most of the story focuses on how one small town deals with suddenly having no electricity, few working cars, the massive refugees who were on the nearby interstate, etc.  

 

I suppose if it was just the power grid going down, it would be less severe because your electronics could still be powered by alternative means, cars would still work, etc., but this book paints a realistic picture (which makes it scarier than a supernatural story) of life without power, and the subsequent human reaction.

[felinesNfreedom]

One second after was a good read.

[NextExit]

Life without power?  Ask the Amish or go live in their community.  They're surviving.   :)

[10-Ring]

The Amish are not going to let an outsider just go live in their community.  It's still not the same though.  They have the infrastructure to make it without electricity we do not. We are dependent on it.  If there is an EMP we are immobile, they hitch up the buggy to the horse and go, just like they did yesterday.  We have no lights in our house, they light a lamp, because that is what they have always done.  If you want to see how much we are dependant go flip the main breaker on your house and take the battery out of your car for 3 days.  Without major preparation it will not be easy.  Most people in today's society are going to freak out when the TV doesn't come on and their modem doesn't work, let alone when they have no AC, their refrigerator doesn't work, and they have no hot water.  With an EMP thrown in the possibility that our cars won't work and we are really screwed seeing as so much of America lives so far from areas where we get things.   There is a whole plethora of problems to face that most of us haven't even given thought to, I too will recommend One Second After it will make you think about these things.

[hipower]

One Second After is one of the best books in the post apocalyptic world I have ever read.

 

It focuses on the real world people and issues, some weapon play; but mostly just a realistic(I think) treatise on how normal people might live and react to the loss of their "real world" and how to face it on a day to day basis.

 

The most frightening aspect to me was the core storyline on dealing with the loss of critical medications. In this case insulin and other diabetic meds. 

 

It was an eye opener on our dependence issues in the modern society of ours.

 

I read this before my wife was diagnosed  with diabetes, and it still shook me as nothing in the fiction world ever has.

Edited February 12, 2015 by hipower

[felinesNfreedom]

Hipower you are correct. I think most people over look how many people in the country are dependtant on Modern meds that either keep them alive or funtioning as a person. I also think Most people don't realize how what a minor accident now could be a life threatening one if somehting like the fall of society were to happen. One second after has been one of my favorites to read, I also enjoyed the 299 days series.

[hipower]

Haven't gotten to them yet, but the 299 Days series is on my list. Along with several hundred others. lol

Too may guns...too many books to read...and way, way too little time.

[K191145]

One Second After by William Forstchen seemed like a very realistic book of that type.  There are some who argue that a massive EMP would not cause as widespread damage as it does in the book, but most of the story focuses on how one small town deals with suddenly having no electricity, few working cars, the massive refugees who were on the nearby interstate, etc.  
 
I suppose if it was just the power grid going down, it would be less severe because your electronics could still be powered by alternative means, cars would still work, etc., but this book paints a realistic picture (which makes it scarier than a supernatural story) of life without power, and the subsequent human reaction.

I can imagine an EMP's effect on newer vehicles with alot of fragile electronics and circuit boards. Probably all the working vehicles would be 1970's models, all the po hillbillys would still be chugging along.

[dawgdoc]

Ever since reading One Second After, I have had an idea for a plot point in similar story.  The townspeople could use go-carts to get around.  In the book, the main character used an Edsel to get from his house outside of town to the town proper; most everyone else had to walk or bike.  Go-cartst would be better than walking everywhere.