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After America [Hardcover]

John Birmingham
3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)


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Book Description

August 17, 2010
March 14, 2003, was the day the world changed forever. A wave of energy slammed into North America and devastated the continent. The U.S. military, poised to invade Baghdad, was left without a commander in chief. Global order spiraled into chaos. Now, three years later, a skeleton U.S. government headquartered in Seattle directs the reconstruction of an entire nation—and the battle for New York City has begun.

Pirates and foreign militias are swarming the East Coast, taking everything they can. The president comes to the Declared Security Zone of New York and barely survives the visit. The enemy—whoever they are—controls Manhattan’s concrete canyons and the abandoned flatlands of Long Island. The U.S. military, struggling with sketchy communications and a lack of supplies, is mired in a nightmare of urban combat.

Caught up in the violence is a Polish-born sergeant who watches the carnage through the eyes of an intellectual and with the heart of a warrior. Two smugglers, the highborn Lady Julianne Balwyn and her brawny partner Rhino, search for a treasure whose key lies inside an Upper East Side Manhattan apartment. Thousands of miles away, a rogue general leads the secession of Texas and a brutal campaign against immigrants, while Miguel Pieraro, a Mexican-born rancher, fights back. And in England, a U.S. special ops agent is called into a violent shadow war against an enemy that has come after her and her family.

The president is a stranger to the military mindset, but now this mild-mannered city engineer from the Pacific Northwest needs to make a soldier’s choice. With New York clutched in the grip of thousands of heavily armed predators, is an all-out attack on the city the only way to save it?
   
From the geopolitics of post-American dominance to the fallout of Israel’s nuclear strike, After America provides a gripping, intelligent, and harrowing chronicle of a world in the maw of chaos—and lives lived in the dangerous dawn of a strange new future.
 

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this sequel to Without Warning, Birmingham delivers a stirring account of the events after "the Disappearance," tracking a group of survivors in New York, Seattle, Texas, Kansas City, Berlin, Salisbury, and London. Shortly before the Iraq War, a wave of unknown energy passes over most of North America, scouring humanity and triggering chaos. Now the wave is gone, and the survivors face the challenges of rebuilding their empty continents. In the Texas Administrative Division, an ex-general wages a war of ethnic cleansing against the new immigrants coming in search of opportunity; in New York, hoards of scavengers pick through the ruins of the city. Meanwhile, over a billion Muslims are left homeless after Israeli nukes make the Middle East uninhabitable, and they need somewhere to live. As American forces attempt to retake the East Coast, an inexperienced president finds his leadership tested. Though his dialogue often feels functional or formulaic, Birmingham's inspired speculation is ingenious and engrossing. Along with colorful if not entirely sympathetic characters and a wicked sense of the absurd, this should make excellent pool-side reading.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“Birmingham’s inspired speculation is ingenious and engrossing.”—Publishers Weekly

“Interesting geopolitics, incredible action, and pirate battles make this a perfect end-of-summer read.”—io9

“John Birmingham’s ability to seamlessly merge the gritty realism of Tom Clancy with the raw speculation of Michael Crichton is like nothing else I’ve ever read.”—James Rollins, author of The Doomsday Key, on Without Warning


From the Paperback edition.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 480 pages
  • Publisher: Del Rey; First Edition edition (August 17, 2010)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0345502914
  • ISBN-13: 978-0345502919
  • Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1.7 x 9.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (63 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #544,297 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hey there. It's me. JB. Right now I'm probably kicking back on my hovercraft somewhere in the Antilles, or the Maldives, enjoying a dissolute, essentially meaningless life funded by your generous book purchases. Please, don't make me go back to selling my bodily fluids to science. Buy my books now and I promise to keep indulging myself in grotesque pleasures and luxury that I haven't really earned.

Customer Reviews

Well crafted story, interesting characters that make you think. Thomas Desmond  |  10 reviewers made a similar statement
The main events of the book occurred within the first couple of chapters, and nothing was resolved. Brian Schaeflein  |  10 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
76 of 92 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars Middle Book Syndrome August 23, 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Unfortunately, Birmingham fell into the same trap that so many authors before him have. After an excellent start to the series, in Without Warning, Birmingham has created a second part to the series that effectively does nothing other than move the main characters around, in preparation for what I presume will be the finale.

The main events of the book occurred within the first couple of chapters, and nothing was resolved. The rest of the book was devoted entirely to a journey to nowhere. None of the characters accomplished anything of note, once the setting was in place. The book read like filler, something to bridge a gap to the next installment.

Caitlin's story was entirely pointless after the attack at the beginning. Jules and Rhino accomplished absolutely nothing, other than meeting other main characters. Kipper's story was one of angst and indecision the entire book, affecting the story in no discernible way for this book. Milosz at least had some action, though once again, meaningless action that did not advance the story, other than to push him towards further action. Miguel's story also peaked at the beginning, and like Caitlin's was just a matter of movement through space and time. The only happening of consequence at the end of the book revolved around a new character introduced this book, and even then, he was a disposable character.

Also, I would gladly give up the line after line of intricate detail about the color of the carpets in a hotel, the specs of a weapon, or the specific military designations of disposable characters and units in exchange for actual story, which was oddly missing, or truncated in this book. It was as though he depended too much on whoever was doing his research, rather than on his own story-telling ability.
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22 of 25 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Still waiting.... September 8, 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I waited with great anticipation for this book, the first sequel to the outstanding "Without Warning" , that I rated at 4 stars. Unfortunately for me, this middle of a planned trilogy just didn't do it. Whereas the first book introduced a large number of really intriguing situations, this follow-up didn't follow up on most of them. There was lots of action in the sense of military mayhem in Manhattan and vigilante violence in Texas, but not very much at all in the sense of advancing the story line itself. And be forewarned - one really has to have read "Without Warning" to make any sense of this one. Overall, 2.5 stars.

Lady Julianne and Rhino are in Manhattan on a treasure hunt that never really made much sense. With the world population decreased by 33% (I know America is important, but I'm not sure that I buy 2 billion deaths resulting from its immediate absence from the world stage), I wouldn't think that oil leases would be that valuable. I was very interested in what exactly was the upshot of Israel's nuking most of the Arab world, seemingly without reprisal, but I still don't know because it's barely mentioned in this sequel.

The president, Kipper, seems lost most of the time, barely a shadow of the take charge, don't mess with me city engineer we met in "Without Warning", and super Echelon agent Caitlin's character seems wasted running around from England to Germany and finally to Manhattan on a semi-personal vendetta.

Of all the principal characters, the only one who seemed to have grown significantly in stature and depth since the first book was Miguel. He faces a horrible personal tragedy in the beginning of the book and turns out to be a powerful, well written character with a lot of depth.
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25 of 30 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars anticlimactic is an understatement September 4, 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The first book, Without Warning, in this series of, it seems, two books was an excellent read. It ended abruptly, leaving all the characters in limbo. The catch was a second book, After America, which would be released mid 2010. A "little hidden "Got'cha!" as we used to say at homebrew computer club"
OK, finally After America was released so I re-read the first book so as to transition into the second with the first book fresh in my mind. Ahh, but a resolution was not to be had. I won't bore you with the details, I will just say that this second book leaves the reader unfulfilled and hanging, much like a looter hanging from a lamp-post, swinging gently in the wind.
anticlimactic is the word. Look it up if you are unfamiliar with this word because after a fairly good read, BAM! the book ends leaving the characters in limbo, an unfinished tale of about a dozen very interesting characters.
The author needs his knuckles "rapped" with a ruler and to be sent back to finish the story.
4 stars since its a great book, very entertaining, but unfinished!
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16 of 20 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars Simply terrible- not what its supposed to be September 17, 2010
By Gene
Format:Hardcover
The premise of this series was what would happen if america simply vanished and what whould happen to the world. The first book was ok. This one is a disaster. The authur simply skipped 4 years in this book post america's disappearance. He skipped the entire story and situation that justified this series entire reason for existance in the first place. The entire fallout, civil wars, survival of isolated left over american cities-now city states, politics of various parts of the world in reaction-all skipped over !!!
Instead all we get is a book about some left over USA military fighting looters in Manhatten 4 years after the event? Who cares. Why would seattle 3000 miles away even care given that manhatten no longer has any real value apart from salvage- no one lives there- and no one needs the ports.
We are told that all the major countries have collapsed into internal strife but he skipped over even general details.
What is canada doing? taking over center of america? what about mexico and the millions of people they have that may want to move up--- nothing is covered.
totally worthless read. Not even interesting in what he chose to write about. I had though Birmingham was a good authur and enjoyed his alt. history series--but this is just garbage.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars This was a great series
I am into "end of the world" scenarios so this was perfect for me and it led to buying the other two in the series
Published 8 days ago by vj
3.0 out of 5 stars Quirky premise doesn't quite deliver in volume two
John Birmingham's "After America" (Ballantine, $26, 465 pages) is the second volume based on the premise that a mysterious Wave killed every human being in 90 percent of the United... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Clay Kallam
4.0 out of 5 stars Sequel To Initial Book
Good follow up novel which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also liked the initial book which set the stage for the whole situation. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Hank
3.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing but a slough to get through
A fascinating story, but one which does not inspire the reader to remain alert or read every word. There is a lot of heavy background on each character and their tedious daily... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Tony Fleming
5.0 out of 5 stars Middle book of the trilogy
I wish there had been some discussion about what caused the wave, a factor missing from the trilogy. But, it was a good story overall, and I did enjoy it. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Janet
2.0 out of 5 stars Just OK
This book was way too wordy & repetitive. It could have been so much better with ALOT fewer words. Premise was interesting but written way below an adult grade level.
Published 4 months ago by Railing Systems, Inc.
4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent sequel to "Without Warning."
This is a really good book if you like post apocalyptic books. Well, it's not really post apocalyptic as a mysterious force wipes out 90% of the population of North and South... Read more
Published 4 months ago by J. Stroh
5.0 out of 5 stars Well done
Outstanding read! Well crafted story, interesting characters that make you think. One of the better "end of the world" novels I've read recently
Published 4 months ago by Thomas Desmond
5.0 out of 5 stars Unbalanced my life
After waiting years to read this I'm appalled at how it's unhinged my existence.
I thought I'd be reading many different books on my new kindle but it seems all I want to do... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ian Kath
5.0 out of 5 stars good book
fun story and is a great part of the series get them all you'll be glad you did easy ready and completely enjoyable sit back with your tools and chemicals have fun but try not to... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Alan
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Topic From this Discussion
August 2010?
Why isn't there a discription of the book?
Jan 16, 2010 by Robert M. Ashe |  See all 2 posts
Where were you?
6th FA has a lineage which includes MLRS units, particularly Bravo Battery, 6th FA, during the Gulf War.

One could rationalize that with the reduction of the post-Wave Army that the 6th was returned to their previous role as an MLRS unit.

1/5 FA, Hamilton's Own, on the other hand, would... Read more
Jul 23, 2011 by Steven Murphy |  See all 4 posts
After America & Without Warning
no, After America is the next book in the series
May 4, 2010 by Michael E. Kotcher |  See all 8 posts
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