VABT Tour ~ John Smith: Last Known Survivor of the Microsoft Wars

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*Book source ~ Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the author.

Title ~ John Smith: Last Known Survivor of the Microsoft Wars

Author ~ Roland Hughes

Publisher ~ Logikal Solutions

Published ~ 30 May 2013

Genre ~ Post-Apocalyptic

Pages ~ 274

My Rating ~ 3 bites out of 5

Susan Krowley is a reporter in the town of Fieldspring (population approx. 5,500) and she goes out in search of a story. Two days on horseback bring her to 79-yr-old John Smith, the last known survivor of the Microsoft Wars. She asks him what seems a fairly straight forward question: “Can you tell us why they were called the Microsoft Wars and were there really more than one?” John’s answer? “You don’t have any frame of reference to ask that question.” And thus begins a long and detailed explanation going back to 20,200 B.C.

Written in interview form between Susan and John there is no simple explanation John can give to Susan since she has no frame of reference. After the polar shift and subsequent apocalypse where the majority of the population and human knowledge was lost, Susan’s question, while seemingly simple, is actually extremely complex. At first, I had no idea what the Ice Age in 20,200 B.C. had to do with a modern war, but it slowly came together with John’s explanations. The information is diverse and interesting and the journey to the answer kept the plot flowing inexorably to the end. Oh, and the very end? It came as a surprise, but really it shouldn't have. Overall, a fascinating read.

VABT