EMP Books: 6 Essential Books About Electromagnetic Pulses

Best Post Apocalyptic Books → EMP Books: 6 Essential Books About Electromagnetic Pulses

What would you do if the power went out and never came back on? For most people, that's a daunting question with no easy answer. But for some, it's a reality they face every day.

In an increasingly digital world, there are more and more people who are preparing for an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) event. If you're one of those people, or you're just interested in what life would be like after an EMP, these are the best books to read.

From realistic depictions of what life would be like after an EMP strike to stories of survival against all odds, these books will keep you entertained and informed.

1. One Second After by William R. Forstchen

One Second After is a 2009 novel by William R. Forstchen about the aftermath of a nuclear electromagnetic pulse attack on the United States. The story follows a small-town professor who must band together with his neighbors to survive in a world without power, transportation, or communication.

One Second After highlights the importance of community and preparedness in the face of disaster, and ultimately paints a picture of hope in the midst of darkness. Though fictional, the novel provides a frightening glimpse into what could happen if America were to fall victim to an EMP attack. Forstchen's work is both a cautionary tale and a call to action, urging readers to be ready for anything that might come their way.

Described as "a look at how ordinary Americans react to an extraordinary crisis". The book was on The New York Times Best Seller list for paperback mass-market fiction for 17 weeks. A sequel, One Year After, was published in 2015.

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2. Lights Out by David Crawford

Lights Out is a 2010 novel by David Crawford about a family struggling to survive after an EMP attack. The novel follows the story of Mark Turner, a patriotic Ameican forced to contend with a world plunged suddenly—and irreparably—into darkness.

Painting a picture of a true TEOTWAWKI scenario, the Turner family are forced to contend with a host of unexpected situations, with only their own skills, pluck and ingenuity to depend upon—from failing electronic devices to civil unrest and medical emergency.

David Crawford combines fun, past-moving writing with a host of practical life lessons gleaned from his own experience as an avid outdoorsman and black belt karate practitioner. Lights Out is a terrifying tale of what might happen if the world's power grid went down.

3. Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse by James Wesley Rawles

Patriots: A Novel of Survival in the Coming Collapse is a gritty and realistic tale of survival in the aftermath of a socioeconomic collapse.

The premise of Rawles' novel is simple: the power goes out, for good, but not because of a far-fetched science fiction experiment gone awry. In Patriots, collapse comes in more mundane—and believably—forms. Energy crisis, hyperinflation, civil disobedience and a host of other all-too-familiar scenarios culminate in the US power grid going permanently dark.

The story follows a colorful cast of characters as they attempt to navigate a world that has been completely upended, contending with roving bands of criminals, limited resources, and the challenges of living in a lawless society. In addition to being an exciting adventure, the novel also offers a sobering look at what could happen if our society were to crumble. Patriots is a must-read for anyone interested in survival fiction or post-apocalyptic literature

4. Going Home by A. American

Going Home is the first book in The Survivalist Series by the aptly-named author A. American. The book follows the story of Morgan Carter, a survivalist who is forced into a gruelling cross-country trek after his car breaks down hundreds of miles from civilisation.

As he sets out to find help, bug out bag firmly upon his shoulders, he discovers that the world has changed dramatically: the power grid has gone dark. With no way to contact his family or friends, John must rely on his survival skills to make his way home to Lake County.

Going Home pairs adrenaline-fuelled encounters with realistic recollections of real-world survival skills. The result is an action-packed adventure that serves to make the reader a little wiser—and more prepared—for whatever the world might throw at them in the event of an EMP attack.

5. The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Cormac McCarthy's novel The Road is set in a post-apocalyptic world where most of humanity has been wiped out by an unspecified cataclysm—including, if the destruction of the country's power grid is anything to go by, an electromagnetic pulse triggered by nuclear detonation.

The story follows a father and son as they travel across a barren landscape in search of safety. Along the way, they encounter violence and cruelty, but also moments of beauty and hope. The novel is notable for its sparse writing style, and received critical acclaim upon its release, including winning the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2007.

The Road is a powerful exploration of the human capacity for both good and evil, and ultimately reaffirms the importance of love and connection in a world that is often dark and cold—figuratively and literally.

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6. Aftermath by Charles Sheffield

Whilst most EMP books deal with disasters originating from manmade situations, Aftermath sees catastrophe emerge from an unexpected source—space, and the Alpha Centauri star system.

When the star turns into a supernova in the year 2026, a devastating electromagnetic pulse ripples through the solar system—plunging our world into complete darkness in the process. Sheffield's story takes place in the social breakdown that follows, and brings together a cast of eclectic figures: serial killers, bigoted religious zealots, and even astronauts.

While most EMP books follow a similar format, Aftermath injects a shot of creativity into a well-wor format, making for a welcome change of pace in a genre usually characterised by stoic soldiers and survival skills.

Whether you’re a prepper or just interested in learning more about what could happen in the event of an EMP, these six books are a great place to start. Not only will they help you understand what could happen if such an event occurred, but they will also give you ideas about how to best protect yourself and your loved ones. We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we did!