E.M.P.: The End of the Grid as We Know It

All at Once, Book 1

By: Cal Wilson

Narrated by: Charles Hayward

The United States may have just come to an end in this exciting post-apocalyptic, dystopian thriller about several electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attacks all at once. Not only has the electrical grid come crashing down, but all other critical infrastructures of the country have ceased to exist, leaving the country a vast wasteland, where only the ruthless and resourceful survive. Jim Burkett is stuck on a business trip when it all happens, and he must battle prison breaks, food riots, criminal gangs, looters, cannibals, terrorist sleeper cells, nuclear fallout, and total anarchy in his quest to get home to his family. Will he make it?

©2016 Cal Wilson (P)2017 Cal Wilson

Decent, but lacking intensity.

We follow Jim, a long time prepper, as the EMP hits stranding him in Charleston, South Carolina during a company seminar. The big problem I have with Jim is that as a long time prepper he has no inkling that an EMP has struck and is just as confused as everyone else in the beginning. Seems to me a prepper would be well aware of the results of an EMP and recognize it pretty quickly. The story basically chronicles Jim as he travels back to his home in Knoxville, Tennessee. There are a few decent folks he comes across, but the majority are far from decent, some downright crazy; “Clownigula” was pretty wild. The crowd that surrounded Jim and friends, which turned into a mob was a bit terrifying knowing that this type of behavior was indeed probable. The writing is good, the story interesting, although in a simpler or more basic manner. There is a follow-up book, but I don’t believe it has been released yet.

Good information at the beginning.

Good information at the beginning
, the story was very choppy. the characters keep putting them selves in bad positions. not at all the way a prepper would act.

Story good....voice not good.

The story was good, but the narration was very irritating. Could not wait until it was done so I didn't have to listen to him anymore!

Pretty good post EMP story

I like that this book addressed some of the things necessary to survive such a situation and not just about the characters.

fantastic read

I asolutely loved this book. It was a great story, but it brought up a lot of different things that can very well happen in an EMP.

Different kind of narration, I loved it!

Would you listen to E.M.P.: The End of the Grid as We Know It again? Why?

Maybe in a few years when I've forgotten the story

What did you like best about this story?

The characters were believable and relatable.

What does Charles Hayward bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I love the way he narrates and will look for more books narrated by him. His voice is spot on and the brief pauses between different characters speaking make it clear who is the one he is giving voice to without having to constantly add in "he said" or "she interjected"

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Since that's not a possibility in my life I never gave it any thought ;)

Any additional comments?

When will the additional books in this series be narrated?

Entertaining and Informative

What did you love best about E.M.P.: The End of the Grid as We Know It?
Realistic scenarios. Range of emotion - kindness to evil. No Zombies.

What was one of the most memorable moments of E.M.P.: The End of the Grid as We Know It?
Challenges to leave a major city (NY) on foot.Knowledge possessing a working vehicle could get you killed.

Which character – as performed by Charles Hayward – was your favorite?
Main male character followed by Claire.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
Death of the little girl by the tiger

Any additional comments?
Never bored.

Reread it July 2023 up to part of chapter 11. Too much gun play, so stopped.

a bit hope yet times

I found the whole copper wire and Transformer juice a little unrealistic. while I can see both having value to one extent or another, I can't imagine large amounts of people chopping down power poles to get wire and mineral oil so quickly after the EMP. who is finding such great value in Copper but they're willing to barter away food and other things immediately after an EMP? I just can't see it. even gold and silver might have limited value immediately following a collapse. it would take time for a barter slash gold and silver type of economy to develop. it takes a lot of effort to chop down a powerpole, I just can't see people doing that.

Great Book a Must Read

If you could sum up E.M.P.: The End of the Grid as We Know It in three words, what would they be?

Interesting, Intense and Informative.

Not my typical read however I am very glad that I did. The characters and story line were both so well written, I felt as if I was making the journey right beside them. I must say all though fictional it did teach me some things I was not aware of and learning something new is always a plus. I highly recommend E.M.P. I am hoping this is a start to a series because I am excited to see where the characters go next.

What does Charles Hayward bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Charles brings out the intensity of the characters and scenes that place you right in the middle of the action.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES

12 year old writes book

Although there is some good technical information in the foreword, this reads like a 12 year old girl wrote it. the narration is also very painful, hard to finish.