Book Review
John Hutchinson
I was first introduced to William R. Forstchen with the books he co-authored with Newt
Gingrich. Together they produced the bestselling series of historical novels including VALLEY
FORGE, BATTLE OF THE CRATER and TO TRY MEN’S SOULS.
In 2009 Forstchen released ONE SECOND AFTER, a story of one man’s struggle to save his family
and his small North Carolina town after America is hit with a high altitude EMP that sends
America back to the dark ages. Months before publication, One Second After was cited on the
floor of Congress as a book all Americans should read, alerting us all to a real weapon, which if
used by an enemy could destroy the entire United States, literally within one second.
The book was an instant hit, and readers were eager to learn more about John Matherson and
the people of Black Mountain, N.C. In 2015 ONE YEAR AFTER begins one year after One Second
After ends, two years since nuclear weapons were detonated above the United States and
brought America to its knees. After months of suffering starvation, war, and countless deaths,
the survivors of Black Mountain, North Carolina, begin to recover some of the technology and
supplies they had once taken for granted, like electricity, communications, and medicine. When
a “federal administrator” arrives in a nearby city, they dare to hope that a new national
government is finally emerging. Matherson must lead his small town and his rag tag militia
against a ruthless federal administrator with plans of a hostile takeover of Black Mountain and
its people.
And now in the highly-anticipated follow-up, THE FINAL DAY returns us to Black Mountain, as
the people of this small community continue to rebuild after the EMP that destroyed the
country, killing millions and leaving the survivors in a dark world, filled with fear, hunger and
hopelessness.
After defeating the illegitimate federal government, Matherson and his community have
returned to their task of restoring some of the technology they had taken for granted before
the EMP attack. He receives a cryptic message from his former commanding general and close
friend, and soon learns that he has been labeled a trouble maker by the new power elite base
in Bluemont, VA. The new federal government has deployed soldiers to seize control of the
surviving communities and to suppress rebellion.
General Bob Scales, Matherson’s old commanding officer has been tasked with bringing
Matherson in – dead or alive. As the story unwinds the power of friendship between the two
old warriors is tested as they discover some revealing truths about the new government and
the future of America.
THE FINAL DAY is an enthralling, action filled conclusion to the series. These post apocalyptic
thrillers clearly demonstrate how moral strength of character can lead us from the darkness.
Forstchen has created a story of warning that needed to be told, and he does so in a riveting,
entertaining, and thrilling manner.
Norwood Press is planning to create a special boxed set of William R. Forstchen’s trilogy. Titled
THE DAY, this three book set will include ONE SECOND AFTER, ONE YEAR AFTER, and THE FINAL
DAY. It will be housed in a custom slipcase designed to hold all three books. This special
edition will be extremely limited, so reserve your set today.
And don’t miss Modern Signed Books on BlogTalkRadio, as Rodger Nichols discusses THE FINAL
DAY with William R. Forstchen.
Find it at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/modernsignedbooks/2017/02/17/william-r- forstchen-
discusses-his- new-book- the-final- day– msb
