Alas, Babylon
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Alas, Babylon is a novel written by Pat Frank in 1959. The subject deals with the effects of a nuclear war on a small Florida town.
Synopsis
Randy Bragg, the protagonist, is a man who dabbles at law and lives a life with little purpose. This changes when his brother, Colonel Mark Bragg, sends him a telegram with the code words "Alas, Babylon"—their private code for disaster. Mark, who is on the staff of the Strategic Air Command, believes World War III between the United States and the Soviet Union is about to begin. He sends his wife, Helen Bragg, and his children, Ben and Peyton, to stay with Randy in Fort Repose, Florida.
The day that Helen and the family arrive, a U.S. Navy fighter fires a Heat-seeking missile at a Soviet reconnaissance aircraft. The missile goes off course, attracted by a train and hits an ammunition train at Latakia, Syria. This results in a chain explosion.
Early the following morning, Mark is on duty at SAC headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. He suspects an attack is imminent. He recommends that SAC ask for the authority to use nuclear weapons. Ninety-five seconds later, American radar reports an attack underway. "Thanks for the ninety-five seconds," the SAC commander says to him.
The effects of the war on Fort Repose are indirect. Northern tourists are trapped in their motels. The local bank manager tries to get instructions from Jacksonville as Jacksonville is destroyed. The local disc jockey nervously reads instructions on the CONELRAD system.
As the effects of the disintegration of outside society get worse, Randy finds himself growing stronger. He organizes his neighbors to provide housing, food, and water for everyone. He organizes the community into self-defense, guides his family, and helps find salt and new supplies of food when they grow short. He fights "highwaymen" who rob travelers, including the local doctor. With the struggle for survival, the institution of segregation vanishes. Some in Fort Repose discover faith; others degenerate into drunkenness. Peyton and Ben adapt to the need to guard food supplies and to do without irreplaceable resources.
When the Air Force makes contact with Fort Repose again, the community has survived, but at a cost.
Effects of the Novel
Although Alas, Babylon is not widely acclaimed as a piece of literature, it was one of the most thoughtful novels dealing with the practical effects of nuclear war. Its theme was "You can survive if you are ready and willing to adapt." Civil Defense officials used the book to guide local officials in ordering supplies.
Alas, Babylon is considered by some to be an inspiration for John Titor's claim of time travel and description of nuclear war in the 2010s.
Adaptations
An adaptation of Alas, Babylon[1] (http://www.tvtome.com/tvtome/servlet/GuidePageServlet/showid-2182/epid-134672) was broadcast on April 3, 1960 as the 130th episode of the Playhouse 90 dramatic television series. ...