“Alas, Babylon.” Those fateful words heralded the end. When a nuclear holocaust ravages the United States, a thousand years of civilization are stripped away overnight, and tens of millions of people are killed instantly. But for one small town in Florida, miraculously spared, the struggle is just beginning, as men and women of all backgrounds join together to confront the darkness.
great book; read it years ago in paperback and got it for my Kindle because of some good tips on how to survive.
I read this years ago, it was the kernal that grew into my interest in dystopian, end of world fiction. Canticle for Leobwitz, or Earth Abides came later. All good stories.
This is a classic but a little dated . Still good.
Excellent story, unique plot
I read Alas, Babylon when it was first written. It sent chills down my spine then. It is one of the best books related to a potential apocalypse that there is. I got it as an ebook as soon as I saw it. Recommended for everyone!
Excellent! Still relavent today.
Along with Neville Shute’s “On The Beach”, “Alas Babylon” is one of the prototypical Armageddon/Post-cataclysm novels. As such, it’s a must read for fans of dystopian fiction. Keep in mind that it was written during a period when we all half expected to end our existence as part of a radioactive cloud in the stratosphere.
In addition, it’s good …
Good story and realistic for its time. Second time I had read it
It shows you that you need to work together to serve
I first read this novel in high school and have reread it several times. It never fails to show me new insights into dealing with a major catastrophe (although a nuclear wars consequences are far beyond a catastrophe. The story is both depressing and inspirational.
I first read this book in 1962 when I was twelve. I went back to reread it. “Alas, Babylon ” was terrifying when I first read it, at the height of the “duck and cover” age. Unprepared people trying to survive in a post nuclear holocaust age. Each main character was well developed and you wondered how they would rebuild without falling into the …
What would happen if civilization came to a sudden end with nuclear war, but some people continued to survive in a relatively isolated area? That’s the premise of this novel that I remember reading and seeing as a television adaptation in the 1960’s. One man has to help his family, or what’s left of it, find food and keep going, preventing …
I first read this book in 1968 and it was one of my favorite reads ever. It was written the 50s. It was the first dystopian fiction book I ever read. It has been at least 30 years since I wore out my paperback. I was really happy to see it pop back up through Bookbub. It is exactly how I remembered it. It’s actually frightening to reread and see …
One of the best books I’ve read.
Second read. Mandatory for anyone that wants to survive a major event. This one 50 years ago has always been on my mind the gold standard
A bit slow to start but then a page Turner you just need to keep reading until the end.
Published in 1959, it has elements that are dated – no cell phones or internet, no airport security requirements, grocery stores close at night, and women still vest some of their sense of self worth in being married – but those are trivial issues compared to the central issues in the book, which, sadly. are as timely today as they were then. Not …
Although some of the scenes are outdated, not todays technological gadgets, this is a great book. Imagine trying to survive in a post-nuclear United States. The everyday struggles and trials that are not imagined until they are staring you in the face.
I must admit I read this decades ago. When I saw it on the list I went directly to my bookcase to make sure I still had it. It’s one that I swore I’d read again, and now that I’m settled after moving it’s gone to the top of my list. It’s certainly not a happy story but the characters persevere through the darkest of times. They don’t give up and …
I first read this about 40 years ago in high school. I couldn’t put it down. Cold War was still going on.