Customer Reviews

Memphis 7.9 (revised): Book 1 of The 7.9 Scenario

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a most gripping and authoritative tale of a real peril lurking in the heart of the U.S.

Although it is fictional, it tells the story of a very real danger which could dramatically affect the lives of everyone in the U.S. Those of us who live far away from the New Madrid Fault may not feel the shaking, but we will feel the economic impact on the nation's Gross Domestic Product capability and on the nation's distribution system.

As some say, it's not just a question of "if", it's a question of "when".

This is a well-written book that should be read by everyone concerned with their safety and the safety of their loved ones.

If you are interested in this subject you probably already have more information than you will find in this book. I expected an intelligent prediction of what would happen if a major quake happens, but it turned out to be a poorly writen novel. I understand that a second book was printed but I won't be looking for it.

Be sure to read this series in order to get the most enjoyment from it.

I just finished reading Memphis 7.9 and am about to order the sequel. Memphis 7.9 is a page turner as a novel, but it also is factual in its description of faults and after shocks and liquifaction of soil and every other reference to geological phenomena.

Although I've had one college geology lab class and understood some earthquake dangers, this book points out how buildings, roadways, bridges, rivers, and people react to a major earthquake. It would be a good idea for everyone to read this book and to keep in mind possible emergency steps when such a tragedy occurs -- whether an earthquake or a hurricane or some other widespread destruction.

Living in Nashville, I'd never heard of this book, but my grandmother sent me a copy due to my own research of the New Madrid Fault for a mystery novel I wrote. Touched by her thoughtfulness, I decided to give the story a chance. Unfortunately, like many self-published/print-on-demand books, the cover art for "Memphis 7.9" is second-rate, and the title and layout make it appear to be a textbook more than a gripping novel.

Sam Penny certainly does his best to hold our attention. He introduces us to a cast of characters that ranges from an upstart seismology student to dishonest businessmen to general lowlifes to the president of the United States. We follow the various characters with varying degrees of interest, waiting, waiting for the big moment to arrive--the earthquake. Penny does a fantastic job explaining the details of an earthquake, from cause to effect. His research seems impeccable, and the scenario he draws is all too plausible.

We get a great payoff in regards to the earthquake portion of the story, with the second half of the book describing the quake and its aftershocks. As the book progresses, though, the characters and their stories become burdened beneath the weight of this disaster. Penny jumps all around, from state to state, trying to capture the earthquake's far-reaching results, but losing some control of the characters in the process. I just didn't care anymore about most of them. The earthquake took over the story--and with great impact--but shoved aside some of the subplots while doing so.

If you're interested in earthquakes and seismology, this book has some good scenes for you. If you're looking for fiction that draws you into its plot and characters, this one isn't it. It falls apart. Penny does many things right, and with a good fiction editor, might create more ripples in the market. I have immense respect for any author who does this much work and research. Like its cover, though, "Memphis 7.9" is more research and detail than captivating storytelling.