Recently I read a post-apocalyptic non fiction book, The Road by Cormac McCarthy

It is a post-apocalyptic tale of a man and his son trying to survive by any means possible.

The Road was a very good and emotional read and it really got me thinking about what I would do if I was in his situation ….in fact, the book is what made me want to be more prepared for what ever situation arises.

And I’m sure I may never be completely prepared but I figure putting a little food, supplies, and ammo away here and there would be better than nothing at all.

So, my question is, Has anyone else read any really good Apocalyptic or Post Apocalyptic non fictions lately?

Also, for those who don’t read (I actually listened to the audio cd’s), the movie will be out this year starring Viggo Mortensen.


[edit on 10-3-2009 by tenhearttkc]

For a time, all I read was post-apoco stuff.

The best was

"A Canticle for Libowitz"

Thanks for your review of "The Road" it's next.

List of very good survivalist fiction for anyone interested

Aftermath, Charles Sheffield Very Good
After Doomsday, Poul Anderson
Atlas Shrugged, Ayn Rand Hard to grasp
Alas Babylon, Pat Frank Truly a superb classic
Amerikan sunset, Jennifer Ladewig Drivel
A Wrinkle in the skin, John Christopher A character essay
Black Sun, Robert Leininger Very good
Blood Crazy, Simon Clark
Crabs, Guy Smith
Comet, (The) Robert Charles Very Good
Damnation Alley, Roger Zelazny Better than the movie
Day after Tomorrow, (The) Whitley Strieber
Day of the Triffids, John Wyndham
Death of Grass, John Christopher
Deathlands, Jack Adrian
Deluge, Fowler Wright
Deluge, Richard Doyle
Drought ,(The) JG Ballard thought provoking
Drowned world, (The) JG Ballard interesting
Down to a sunless sea, (either version) David Graham Truly great, another classic
Earth Abides, George R Stewart 2nd only to Alas Babylon
Earth Winter, Richard Moran
Eternity Road, Jack Mc Devitt Interesting future shock
Empire of Ice, Richard Moran
Empty World John Christopher
Famine, Graham Masterson
Flood, Richard Doyle
Freeman, (The) Jerry Ahern
Heavy Weather, Bruce Sterling
Ice, Arnold Federbush depressing
Icefire, Judith & Garfield Reeth Stevens entertaining
Ice Quake, John R Spencer
Kraken Wakes, (The) John Wyndham
Last Ranger, (The) Craig Sargeant
Living is Forever J Edwin Carter
Lucifer's Hammer, Larry Niven & Jerry Pournelle Becoming a classic
Long voyage back, Luke Rhineheart In the top ten of all time
Long Loud Silence, ( The) Wilson Tucker
Last ship, (The) William Brinkley
Malevil, Robert Merle
Moonfall, Jack Mc Devitt
Night of the Triffids, Simon Clark good follow on from day of the triffid
New Madrid Run, (The) Micheal Reisig
On the beach, Neville Shute
Out of the Ashes, ( Ashes series) William W Johnstone
Plague 99, Jean Ure
Patriots, James Wesley Rawles
Postman, ( The) David Brin
Resurrection Day Brendan Dubois
Rift, (The) Walter J Williams
Savage Dawn, Robert Cole
Shiva Descending, Gregory Benford
Some will not die, Algis Budrys
Stand, (The) Stephen King
Survivors Terry Nation
Survivalist, (The) series Jerry Ahern
There falls no Shadow, David E Crossley Part one of trilogy
Third Pandemic, ( The) Pierre Ouellette
This is the way the world ends, James Morrow
Virus, Japanese Author ( lost from my collection)
When the City stopped, Joan Phipson
Wild Shore ( The) Kim Stanley Robinson Deep stuff
World in Winter ( The) John Christopher
Year of the quiet sun, Wilson Tucker Suprisingly Good
48, James Herbert
8.4, Peter Hernon good read
28 Days Later, Alex Garland

All good stuff for making your mind more accessible to the possibilities and permutations. Most of these books are very thought provoking and make you think about some concepts you otherwise mare have overlooked.
My Favourite is ALAS BABYLON

Evasius – Wow, Great Stories!

Thanks to everyone else for all the info!

I read The Road Last year and was very moved. A beautiful book.

When I was younger I really enjoyed The Stand and Swan Song, haven't read either in many years but I liked them both when I was younger.

Currently I would recommend World War Z - An Oral History of the Zombie Wars by Max Brooks. Really great read, more than I expected from a zombie novel. I hear the audio version is pretty sweet too. If you like that one you should also check out The Zombie Survival Guide for a non-fiction approach to a (mostly) fictional subject.

Jesse

Half way through 'The Road' at the moment - mighty fine book!
Thanks for the recommendation
(another good post-apocalyptic one is Dr Bloodmoney by Philip K Dick).
Cheers.