I would have to say I really enjoyed World War Z, as well as the Zombie Survival guide by Max Brooks. +1 on some usefull tips in the zombie guide, but obviously not everything will translate to real life survival.

-Bill Liptak

Revelations.

or the Left Behind series.

Inspirational maybe, but still fiction (at least until it comes to pass, think about it).

So much for Thursday morning philosophy.

This does not exactly fit in with the literature theme, but what about the TV series Jericho? They seem to be more interested in the drama of the show, but they raise some valid scenarios about the altercations that occur. I rarely watch any TV, but this show had me hooked.

My favorites from this genre are:

Alas Babylon by Pat Frank
Earth Abides by George Stewart
Lucifer's Hammer by Niven and Pournelle
Out of the Ashes by William H. Johnstone
The Road by Cormac McCarthy (possible the best of the type EVER)

Me too. I hope they pick this one up for a third season.

But, it is a book of Hope...Good wins in the end. Great reading.

That is a matter of perspective; not necessarily if your on the losing side.

Similarly, the stand can also be considered a story of hope. In fact, there's darned few end times or end of the world stories that aren't a happy ending of some sort or another.

The first 5-6 books of "The Survivalist" series by Jerry Ahern are good. While they are essentially "pulp fiction" there are some good lists and brand name dropping going on in there.

The "Ashes" series by Johnstone are also good.

"Lucifer's Hammer" as mentioned is a classic.

"Patriots" by James Wesley, Rawles has some great insights regarding post economic collapse.

I read "Parable of The Sower" (I believer Parable of the Talents is its sequel) a while back and really enjoyed it.