Recommend me some good "End of the World" type books

Agentbolt

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Jul 9, 2004
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I'm a big fan of both Zombie fiction and Apocalypse-themed books. I've read the Stand, of course, but I'd like to see if there's anything more out there. I know there's a few nuclear holocaust type books, what I'm more looking for is either a religiously themed apocalypse book (something like Left Behind (though less preachy), which I haven't read because I've been told it focuses more on the religious aspects than the end of the world aspects) or a zombie themed apocalypse book.

But seriously, any good book about the end of the world, I'd love to read it. Anyone know one?
 

Scarpozzi

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
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Read the books that came out after Resident Evil? I think the Japanese name was biohazard....
 

Canai

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Oct 4, 2006
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Go read the Dark Tower series, especially if you liked the Stand.

Best books I've ever read.
 

Canai

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Oct 4, 2006
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Originally posted by: Agentbolt
Originally posted by: Canai
Go read the Dark Tower series, especially if you liked the Stand.

Best books I've ever read.

Already done. Thanks though. :)

Well in that case, check out the Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks. Cell is decent too.
 

effowe

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Nov 1, 2004
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Originally posted by: Canai
Originally posted by: effowe
World War Z also by Max Brooks

Yeah I've been looking for it, but the local B&N and borders don't have it :(

Hm, I was able to pick it up at B&N without a problem. Just hit up Amazon, you'll have no problems there.
 

Canai

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Oct 4, 2006
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Originally posted by: effowe
Originally posted by: Canai
Originally posted by: effowe
World War Z also by Max Brooks

Yeah I've been looking for it, but the local B&N and borders don't have it :(

Hm, I was able to pick it up at B&N without a problem. Just hit up Amazon, you'll have no problems there.

Good idea.

I just thought of this other zombie book I read. I think it was called like 'City of the Dead' or something, I dunno. I'll try to remember.
 

thedarkwolf

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Oct 13, 1999
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Keene, Brian The Rising
Keene, Brian City of the Dead
End by zombie and pretty good too.
Not a typical zombie book though. In these the dead bodies are possessed by things from another dimension and like to make wise cracks while trying to get to your tasty flesh.

Moody, David Autumn
Moody, David Autumn: The City
Moody, David Autumn: Purification
Zombie again. Not as good as Keene's but you can get the first one free. Free is good

Stirling, S. M. Dies the Fire
Stirling, S. M. The Protector's War
Stirling, S. M. A Meeting at Corvallis
All modern tech just stops working; electricity, combustion, firearms, etc. They are okay but not great and not really what you are looking for. #4 is out but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet.

Bosse, Malcolm Mister Touch
Its been a long time since I read that one but I liked it. Its an end by virus book.

Brooks, Max World War Z
Everybody has already posted that one. Its ok but its setup after the zombie horde has pretty well been taken out and is more of a documentary.

Dickson, Gordon Wolf and Iron


Griffin, Russell Century's End

Herbert, James Portent
End by nature going nutty. Didn't really like that one.

Hodge, Brian Dark Advent
Can't remember this one but my list shows that I liked it :). Its a death by plauge.

Koontz, Dean The Taking
Weird one that I can't really say much about without giving it away. Not all that great.

Matheson, Richard I am Legend
Sure most people know that one. Not one of my favorites but lots of other people seem to really love it.

McCammon, Robert Swan Song
Damn good one. If you liked The Stand you will like this one. This one is end by nuclear war.

Nevil & Pournelle Lucifer's Hammer
Another really good one. Comet hits the Earth.

Robertson, Pat The End of the Age
Here is your Christian one. I hated it.

Wellington, David Monster Island
Another zombie series but I've only read the first so far. Not all that good.




 

IEC

Elite Member
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Jun 10, 2004
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Originally posted by: thedarkwolf

Robertson, Pat The End of the Age
Here is your anti-Christ one. I hated it.

Fixed.

Pat Robertson might as well be an anti-Christ for all the people he turns AWAY from Christianity.
 

TBone48

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Feb 23, 2005
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Dust- Charles Pellegrino
The White Plague- Frank Herbert
Moonseed- Stephen Baxter
Moonfall- Jack McDevitt

End of the world novels are my favorite kind of speculative fiction.

The Road by Cormack McCarthy is really good too, but kind of a strange style and very downbeat.
 

Amused

Elite Member
Apr 14, 2001
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Lucifer's Hammer is, without a doubt, the best EOTW book I've read.

Of course, there is nothing supernatural in this book. But there is religion and the human condition in it.
 

Finns14

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Oct 6, 2005
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Originally posted by: Canai
Go read the Dark Tower series, especially if you liked the Stand.

Best books I've ever read.

Ending was soooooooooooooooooooooo bad but I loved the series
 

cirrhosis

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Mar 29, 2005
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Greg Bear - The Forge of God
One of my most memorable reads.

I also second A Canticle for Leibowitz.

John Brunner - The Sheep Look Up
Ecological disaster and end of the world.

I couldn't get into McCarthy's The Road, too damn dark, but I do agree it's written well.
 

jjones

Lifer
Oct 9, 2001
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Originally posted by: thedarkwolf

McCammon, Robert Swan Song
Damn good one. If you liked The Stand you will like this one. This one is end by nuclear war.

I remember reading this one years ago and yes, it is a damn good book.
 

Aves

Lifer
Feb 7, 2001
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This isn't exactly an EOTW book but it's still good.

Warday: And the Journey Onward - Whitley Strieber and James Kunetka

You'd probably have to get it from a library as it's out of print.