Forum: Alas Babylon

On another thread Walker910 suggested a novel called “Alas Babylon” about survival in the aftermath of a nuclear war. I got it from the library and finished it yesterday. Thank you so much for the suggestion. I learned a lot about how to survive after the collapse of society. Despite what you guys have been telling me I didn’t stock up on salt until today. And, there was a wonderful idea in the book. On day one of the troubles the hero packed up a small box of special stuff (mostly luxury food items, I believe) and hid it away and forgot about it. Much later when all of the supplies were gone and one of the main characters was dying he remembered it, located it, and used the contents to save that person’s life. Now in my case I might stock that box with more important items: a bottle of antibiotics, a Gatorade type drink, some extra batteries, mmmm…maybe some of that salt. A wonderful idea, really. The book also brought home to me the importance of having a crank-operated short-wave radio. And, how trading would be the new commerce. It gave some creative cross uses of adapting materials (car parts to create generators, car parts to create a still to make booze for antiseptic and trade purposes, etc.). Mostly I think it showed how those who survived were those who banded together…even relative strangers. Yes, there were many factual errors regarding nuclear survival (but we Jericho watchers are getting used to that) but I am glad I read it. Thank you again for the suggestion…

The first time I read Alas Bablyon was in high school in the 1960s,,,,,and since then, have read thru two of them and read the story at least 7 times since then. Still have the original paperback full of pen marks on the great things and information it held. It is a book I highly recommend as well as the book, “Earth Abides”, that I have read at least the same number of times. I was interested in nuclear war and radiation at the ripe age of 15 during the “Cuban Missle Crisis” and have an extensive library of nuke war issues and books. YOu can download off the internet “Nuclear War Survival Skills” and that is excellent one to download and study. Has alot of information that will come in handy I suspect.

Thanks Gary NDV! When I return “Babylon” to the library I’ll pick up “Earth Abides”. There’s so much still to learn… (PS. Is “Earth Abides” fiction or non-fiction?)

It is nonfiction, and deals with a “Virus” that kills a good percentage of the population. Ummmm anyone we know?

Excuse me it is FICTION,,,,,,,I have the bird flu on the brain, but it is a very readable fiction.

the book, A Girl Who Owned a City, by O.T. Nelson had a huge impact on me when i was in about the 2nd grade. i reread it a couple years ago and still enjoyed it. much focus around securing food from warehouses and the residences of those who have died from a plague which only affects those over the age of 12. not entirely believable of course but still relevant: http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Owned-Laurel-Leaf-Science-Fiction/dp/0440928931

my first plague-related read. had to give it a plug.

; )

The website to download a free copy of nuclear war survival skills is: http://www.oism.org/nwss An excellent resource!

My DD has a test on “Alas, Babylon” today! I was going over the ideas in the book with her but haven’t read it yet. Hopefully she’ll let me read it before she turns it in. Salt stuck in her mind and the attack on the doctor’s office and later an attack on a doctor. We discussed why the Air Force was dropping leaflets since no one had power and the batteries had long since died and that was the only way to communicate with the population. I looked at her and said now you know why we have a crank radio. She asked a lot of questions but I do think she “gets it” now and that I’m not total nut job.

Alas Babylon was a required read for my advanced highschool English class in the early 80′s. The teacher wound up taking a lot of heat on it … and it was removed from the list for the following year.

I’ve reread the book several times … it is reasonably well written, if dated.

The thing that always struck me was how many diabetics died for no other reason than lack of refrigeration and how the elderly population moved into the school but wasn’t expected to survive past the winter, even with help.

Also … the problem with prescription glasses. I’ve gotten to where I really can’t see without my glasses and that has just happened over the passed 2 years. Scary as all get out. The last thing I want to be in a crisis is practically blind. I might not be useless, but I sure as heck couldn’t function as independently as I would need to.

Whoops … I dropped my cookies. That was Kathy in FL.

Good morning all…I just finished reading the new book by Cormac McCarthy called..The Road. It is just out and still only available in hard back but it was a good read. It is a postapocalyptic novel about a father and son. Scary…not to mention it really explores the darker aspects of survival in an “end of the world” scenario, including cannibalism. I couldn’t put it down and read it in one sitting. I’d definitely recommend it for “mature” readers, and for those interested in what ultimate “survival” might mean.

The Terry Nation British TV series from the 1970s, “Survivors!”, available in DVD, is about the aftermath of a monster fly-like pandemic that wipes out more than 99.9% of the population. Three seasons worth. I highly recommend the first season. Just make sure you get a DVD playable in your region of the world!

I also read “the Road.” Very scary but asks the really hard questions and explores the scenario of an uninhabitable planet, and the “why” of survival in such a world.

For those of you into end of the world stories, I offer these billed as the shortest stories ever written:

And, with one less letter:

Sorry I can’t credit the above.

Brooks – at 13:44 Was able to get the three seasons from Amazon.com USA and looking forward to seeing it. Thanks for the tip

but for some reason to me the book that has stuck in my mind and I’ve read it at least a dozen times, is The Stand, by Stephen King. I have always loved that book and the movie stuck pretty close to the book too. I have bought that book at least four times. keep wearing it out. Lol….but does give ya something to think about and oh yea.have any of ya read Patriots by James Rawles, he also has a short story here on the computer that is really good..

well this is more than I want to pay but one of you will want it, a signed copy of Alas Babylon available on ebay http://tinyurl.com/ozv7f

moeb – at 17:41 Did you see it’s up to $151. Wow. My DD did NOT save me her copy of Alas Babylon so I’m off to the library. Thanks for all the other good suggestions to. I can put my feet up and read and still be prepping!

Several years ago I decided that I wanted to add a first edition copy of ‘Alas Babylon’ to my library. I asked a local book dealer to use his resources, and find me a copy in good+ condition. He found one . . . without his finder’s fee, the asking price was $1,500.00.

When I thought of all the preps that $1,500.00 would buy, I was confident that Mr. Frank would have approved of my sudden decision to NOT add a first edition copy of his book to my library.

OK, I just finished the book, WOW, that’s a good motivator. I was making a shopping list as I read, more for barter items than prepping for family. I say spend the money now and use the goods to barter later. All those shop keepers with all that money that was worthless! Thanks to all who recommended it!

I’m off to get ammo and booze and more honey……and more coffee…..and more matches!

silversage – at 14:26 I hope you are putting things and food stuffs away for you and yours, before trying to guess what items will be used as barter items. I am less concerned with barter items, as I get what I want for myself then I wont need to barter for things, if it comes to that.

Actually we’re stuffed to the gills with preps. I don’t know where to put anything else until after my ML visits in two weeks and I can take over the guest room. I know she’ll question the TP and towels that fill up the closet!! My ML and her husband work in the medical field for the prison system in Colorado. You would think they would be worried about pandemics, but I think they see no solutions for our prisons.

The barter will be for stuff I’ve forgotten that makes me smack my head, duh! I did stock up on two 20 packs of sewing needles and many spools of thread, but I’m sure there will be something we didn’t think of.

I was encouraged by the main characters banding together. I would like to think several of my neighbors would be useful, but the others are mostly pencil pushers. But, they have snow blowers and I don’t and I have chainsaws and they don’t …. and on and on. But the snow blowers may be of more use since it snowed here all morning (NW Chicago)!!

One of those smack your head moments I almost forgot to write down was polariod film. The characters in the book didn’t have any pics of the new borns or marriages…

Closed to maintain server speed