I wonder how many of you are familiar with this classic book about the survivors of a nuclear attack on the US. Written in the late fifties or early 60's by Pat Frank, it is not politically correct. Set in Florida, the references to minorities and the roles of women reflect the time in which it was written. But if you can get past that part it is an excellent illustration of what challenges a small community would face in the aftermath of such a disaster. A book almost 50 years old will not reflect the modern technologies we currently have (the description of the run on the local bank is almost funny) but the characters' quest for basic human needs of water, food, shelter, salt and for an organized and functioning civil government would not be much different now.

Just checked on Amazon.com and you can find copies pretty cheaply. Might be in your local libray but I doubt it. It's a good, quick read and more than a little sobering. Let me know what you think if you do find a copy.

BTW, this was once made into a TV movie, probably B&W and shown in the mid 1960's. If anyone ever comes across a copy I'd really like to hear about it.

Thanks, and don't foget the salt!

Andy

Hi Andy;

I read it a long time ago, probably in the mid-60's. It made an impression on me, along with Heinlein stories like "Tunnel in the Sky," "Farmer in the Sky" (originally published in Boy's Life, I think).

These were a strong influence on my ideas on preparedness that has lasted the rest of my life.

I've read it at least 3 times, it was one of the books that started me down the path of disaster preparedness.

Just found a copy at Waldenbooks this week on clearance for $3.99.

I have read it and found it to be a great source of "food for thought"!! I still have a copy and it stays in the library because of the ideas that have been expressed, may be of use some day!!

I have read it so many times I alomost have it memorized (farenhite 451?). Between it and growing up in the military got me into being prepared long before it was popular.

I read it in high school English class. It was one of the few that thoroughly kept my interest. I thought some of the ideas were really good. Using an older car, but one that used much less gas, using the car's trips to charge batteries for radio communications, the need for salt. All really good stuff.

I read it in the 70's and was then turned on to novels like "Lucifer's Hammer", and "The Postman". Great thought provoking literature.

It's a title that has cropped up in a couple of threads. Virtually everyone who has read it agrees that it's an important book. Personally, I read it first as a teenager, and last re-read it about two years ago...which is to say, several decades after the first time.

It holds up well. I'm not sure society as a whole has left behind some of the stereotypes you mentioned. There are still pockets of the country that resemble the 1960's more than the 2000's, both for good and for ill.

Frank2135

it was a Playhouse 90 episode (131) from 1960 I have been looking for it but no luck yet.

In some ways, Jericho reminded me of Alas Babylon.

Lucifer's Hammer is another one I have read multiple times, to many more modern novels in this genre turn into "Road Warrior" type stories to me.