Review: One of the few books I've read that I'll read again in a few years
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 30, 2011
Very reminiscent of The Stand by Stephen King but without the supernatural aspects of good versus evil.  It's one of the better PA novels I've read and actually found myself wishing the book was longer.  Lots of reviewers love to provide a synopsis of the book and give away spoilers but I don't ever approach a review that way.  This book has some very tender moments, some violence, hardships and a micro-study of human relationships.  The characters are very natural and well developed.  The constant message of don't try to live in the old world but start adapting to the new one quicker than you think you need to is very relevant.  Canned food, gasoline powered generators, running cars, can keep people comfortable but for how long?  The book stresses to start thinking beyond these things that keep us rooted in the past and start planning now on  how to survive without them in the future - very good advice.Most of the slams on this book seem to come from fundamentalist evangelical christians who have no tolerance for anything outside their belief system.  Sad.  Sure the book questions some aspects of religion and tries to develop a world where all faiths are tolerated and yet the crazies think if you aren't "saved" you aren't worth living.  Nonsense.  This book actually has the most realistic approach to religion in a PA world that I've read.  If, God forbid, something like this were to ever happen, God isn't going to reach down and provide for the evangelicals.  He gave us the wisdom and knowledge to fend for ourselves, whether it's Buddha, Muhammad, Jesus or just God and probably doesn't  have a lot of tolerance for hypocrites.  So all you born agains, please get off your high horse of intolerance and enjoy the book for what it is.Thankfully, there are no zombies in this book (I hate zombie books) and it's a realistic view of what could happen and how we would have to adapt.  Even if you're  not a PA fan, this is a book worth reading for what it teaches us about ourselves and our place in the world.