Lights Out - by David Crawford - Page 1

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Lights Out - by David Crawford (Page 1 of 3)

Posted: 10/11/2011 1:59:23 AM EDT

If you haven't read it, it is worth your time, I'm about 1/4 in and cant put it down. The scenario is realistic (But a little rushed, I don't think things would progress quite that fast. My ONLY criticism thus far.) and the gun descriptions and performance are pretty damn accurate (The author has a realistic understanding of them.). Lights Out - by David Crawford

Posted: 10/11/2011 2:08:23 AM EDT

[#1]

Excellent book. I have read it several times.

I'm hoping for a sequel.

Posted: 10/11/2011 2:18:54 AM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
If you haven't read it, it is worth your time, I'm about 1/4 in and cant put it down. The scenario is realistic (But a little rushed, I don't think things would progress quite that fast. My ONLY criticism thus far.) and the gun descriptions and performance are pretty damn accurate (The author has a realistic understanding of them.). Lights Out - by David Crawford

I should hope he has an understanding of firearms. He's a member here....

Posted: 10/11/2011 2:21:59 AM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:

Quoted:
If you haven't read it, it is worth your time, I'm about 1/4 in and cant put it down. The scenario is realistic (But a little rushed, I don't think things would progress quite that fast. My ONLY criticism thus far.) and the gun descriptions and performance are pretty damn accurate (The author has a realistic understanding of them.). Lights Out - by David Crawford

I should hope he has an understanding of firearms. He's a member here....

No shit

several times while reading I have thought "That sounds like ARF."

Posted: 10/11/2011 2:23:40 AM EDT

[#4]

Quoted:

Quoted:
If you haven't read it, it is worth your time, I'm about 1/4 in and cant put it down. The scenario is realistic (But a little rushed, I don't think things would progress quite that fast. My ONLY criticism thus far.) and the gun descriptions and performance are pretty damn accurate (The author has a realistic understanding of them.). Lights Out - by David Crawford

I should hope he has an understanding of firearms. He's a member here....

No shit

several times while reading I have thought "That sounds like ARF."

Author's ARFcom identity, IIRC, is HalfFast. He is, or at least was not too long ago, a reasonably active participant in the Survival Forum here...

Posted: 10/11/2011 2:39:53 AM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:

Quoted:

If you haven't read it, it is worth your time, I'm about 1/4 in and cant put it down. The scenario is realistic (But a little rushed, I don't think things would progress quite that fast. My ONLY criticism thus far.) and the gun descriptions and performance are pretty damn accurate (The author has a realistic understanding of them.). Lights Out - by David Crawford

I should hope he has an understanding of firearms. He's a member here....

No shit

several times while reading I have thought "That sounds like ARF."

Author's ARFcom identity, IIRC, is HalfFast. He is, or at least was not too long ago, a reasonably active participant in the Survival Forum here...

he still is around

Posted: 10/11/2011 3:14:46 AM EDT

[#6]

Yup, I've read it and enjoyed it.

Posted: 10/11/2011 3:25:06 AM EDT

[#7]

I read it a few years back in pdf format, before he sold it. Thanks to this thread, I just picked up the kindle edition to make sure he gets a little cash for his effort.

Posted: 10/11/2011 3:45:28 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:

Quoted:
If you haven't read it, it is worth your time, I'm about 1/4 in and cant put it down. The scenario is realistic (But a little rushed, I don't think things would progress quite that fast. My ONLY criticism thus far.) and the gun descriptions and performance are pretty damn accurate (The author has a realistic understanding of them.). Lights Out - by David Crawford

I should hope he has an understanding of firearms. He's a member here....

No shit

several times while reading I have thought "That sounds like ARF."

He actually released the chapters as he wrote them in the Survival Forum years back. I read it as he was releasing them and still have the original PDF files. Still plan to pick up the published version.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Posted: 10/11/2011 3:45:46 AM EDT

[#9]

Interesting, I never knew he released it under his own name. I always knew it as "Lights Out by Halffast"

Posted: 10/11/2011 3:48:10 AM EDT

[#10]

Great read , I bought the autographed copy

I'm hoping for a sequel too !!

Posted: 10/11/2011 3:50:37 AM EDT

[#11]

Yep when he wrote it he posted it all here , he has also posted several others here also .

Posted: 10/11/2011 3:51:10 AM EDT

[#12]

Its a must read karate man

Posted: 10/11/2011 3:53:13 AM EDT

[#13]

Plot synopsis?

Posted: 10/11/2011 3:56:38 AM EDT

[#14]

Here since 06' and didn't know about Lights Out or HalfFast?

Damn dude!

Posted: 10/11/2011 4:01:09 AM EDT

[#15]

I found much of the dialogue forced and phony. I haven't met people who talk so cutesy. Particularly the friendly banter and jokes. The story is solid though. Better than Rawles but not quite as good as One Second After.

Posted: 10/11/2011 4:01:54 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
Here since 06' and didn't know about Lights Out or HalfFast?

Damn dude!

This is an ironic post if you look at your join date.

Posted: 10/11/2011 4:22:07 AM EDT

[#17]

Like CrowKiller I read it a few years back on the net. He was putting it up in sections back in the day. Excellent read, plausible and even now it comes back to mind frequently. Well thought out.

fisherman

Posted: 10/11/2011 4:24:37 AM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:
Here since 06' and didn't know about Lights Out or HalfFast?

Damn dude!

Exactly, It's a miracle if 20% ever venture out of GD.

Posted: 10/11/2011 4:25:33 AM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:
I found much of the dialogue forced and phony. I haven't met people who talk so cutesy. Particularly the friendly banter and jokes. The story is solid though. snip

Not slaming you by any means, but I found the dialogue to be good including the banter and jokes. Gunny's portrayal was great and reminded me of people that I currently know at the range and people with whom I have had the pleasure of working with while growing up.

I initially did have a problem with his writing style of using short sentences, but once I found myself engrossed in the book the short sentences didn't bother me anymore.

I finished the book about a month ago and definitely plan on picking it up again in a few months or so and rereading it. There's a lot of information and insight that I've read here on arf.com, but for some reason didn't sink in as much as when I read it in Lights Out. I don't think David's book is the "bible" of survival, but it is well written (other than my opinion above), contains a lot of good information and gives what some might call a different perspective on things that one may not normally think about.

In closing I too highly recommend Lights Out and hope for a sequel.

Posted: 10/11/2011 4:27:53 AM EDT

[#20]

great book... I read it back when the pdf was going around once or twice and read the book when he had it printed... it is kind of a best case scenario if the shtf but still a good read...

Posted: 10/11/2011 4:28:07 AM EDT

[#21]

$19.95 for a PAPERBACK????

I'll put it on my wishlist so I don't forget about it, but NFW am I spending that much. If it comes down to normal price, e.g., $7.99, I'll be all over it.

Posted: 10/11/2011 4:31:13 AM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:
If you haven't read it, it is worth your time, I'm about 1/4 in and cant put it down. The scenario is realistic (But a little rushed, I don't think things would progress quite that fast. My ONLY criticism thus far.) and the gun descriptions and performance are pretty damn accurate (The author has a realistic understanding of them.). Lights Out - by David Crawford

i'm about 3/4 of the way through. It is still good. and i usually get bored with most books. Not this one.

Posted: 10/11/2011 4:33:52 AM EDT

[#23]

Great book, great guy. He gave us all signed copies at a match a couple weeks ago at Tiger Valley. (Bugout Drill)

Posted: 10/11/2011 4:40:06 AM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
$19.95 for a PAPERBACK????

I'll put it on my wishlist so I don't forget about it, but NFW am I spending that much. If it comes down to normal price, e.g., $7.99, I'll be all over it.

It's HUGE! it's not paperback sized like a trade paperback, its the size of a hardcover but has paper instead of hard binding.

It's a great read!

Posted: 10/11/2011 4:41:24 AM EDT

[#25]

Quoted:
$19.95 for a PAPERBACK????

I'll put it on my wishlist so I don't forget about it, but NFW am I spending that much. If it comes down to normal price, e.g., $7.99, I'll be all over it.

One thing to remember is that this book is long, way long. For the price you are getting a deal, at least it isn't Unintended Consequences expensive even if one is a paperback and one is hardback.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Posted: 10/11/2011 4:45:11 AM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:
$19.95 for a PAPERBACK????

I'll put it on my wishlist so I don't forget about it, but NFW am I spending that much. If it comes down to normal price, e.g., $7.99, I'll be all over it.

With that book you're paying more for the ream of paper it was written on. Awesome book that's a must read for anyone here. When you get it it looks like it'll be too long of a read, but the way it's written makes you wish there were 100 more pages.

EDIT: Beaten by two people in 4 minutes.

Posted: 10/11/2011 4:48:38 AM EDT

[#27]

I liked it.

Posted: 10/11/2011 4:54:31 AM EDT

[#28]

I duplex printed that shit out back when it was PDF only! Still have it in two binders

I'd have GLADLY paid $20 for a paperback copy! Still will. Where's my wallet...

Posted: 10/11/2011 4:59:22 AM EDT

[#29]

One of those books that I could not put down once I started reading it. It's a great story and well written.

Posted: 10/11/2011 5:13:26 AM EDT

[#30]

What is this "Lights Out" of which you speak? Never heard of it.

Posted: 10/11/2011 5:18:17 AM EDT

[#31]

Great book, my wife read it and prepping became that much easier

Posted: 10/11/2011 5:24:13 AM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:
Great book, my wife read it and prepping became that much easier

When anyone I know expreses absolutely any intrest in prepping, they get to borrow my copy of LIghts Out. It is an absolutely aesome first book for prepping. Not too gory, not to far fetched in the sub-plots, with simple, easily defined characters that tackle the many challenges of a SHTF type situation.

Once they get done with lights out, The next thing is usually a long conversation with them on how to start a food and weapons buying program.

Posted: 10/11/2011 5:26:50 AM EDT

[#33]

Have read several times. Definately worth the read.

Posted: 10/11/2011 5:27:49 AM EDT

[#34]

Probably the most enjoyable (and readable) of the SHTF novels. My only criticism, not enough detailed equipment lists.

Posted: 10/11/2011 5:30:32 AM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:
Plot synopsis?

The U.S. Electrical grid is taken out by an EMP and it is a story of a local community and their survival in the aftermath.

Posted: 10/11/2011 5:44:07 AM EDT

[#36]

Quoted:
Probably the most enjoyable (and readable) of the SHTF novels. My only criticism, not enough detailed equipment lists.

We have found Rawles troll account

Posted: 10/11/2011 5:45:09 AM EDT

[#37]

Waiting on the sequel......hint, hint.

Posted: 10/11/2011 5:46:46 AM EDT

[#38]

Did anyone else notice differences between the PDF and the Book....I read the first 20 chapters of the PDF and recall Mark Turner buying a couple Glocks for his kids....but when reading the book I do not remember reading it.

Posted: 10/11/2011 6:08:04 AM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:
Did anyone else notice differences between the PDF and the Book....I read the first 20 chapters of the PDF and recall Mark Turner buying a couple Glocks for his kids....but when reading the book I do not remember reading it.

There are various edits between the book and the PDF. On the PDF, there is a couple of paragraphs that expalin the motivation behind the EMP attack. He removed it from the book. I'm sure there are others.

Posted: 10/11/2011 6:20:07 AM EDT

[#40]

GREAT book. I am now on a SHTF/TEOWAWKI book kick and Lights Out is the book to which they are all compared. None have been as good. Patriots and One Second After were close, but not quite as enjoyable.

Posted: 10/11/2011 6:55:10 AM EDT

[#41]

Reads easy. Leaves one wanting more. If you have a rainy weekend, you can finish it easily in a weekend. I just wish he tossed in a map graphic somewhere as i was stopping to google map some of the locations. Will buy a sequal if one ever is written.

Posted: 10/11/2011 6:59:00 AM EDT

[#42]

Gonna have to get the wife to read it one of these days.

Posted: 10/11/2011 7:00:02 AM EDT

[#43]

Quoted:
Plot synopsis?

EMP goes off. Even though technology is such that EMP really wouldn't affect that many electronics in his story it somehow fries every last thing... except any diesel vehicle with an electronic board.

Of course silver in forms of quarters and half dollars is the only currency even though there isn't that many and bartering would be a far better choice.

Little community forms on an outskirt of a town. Defend against internal struggles and bandits. Eventually they get attacked by an organized force that has an organize farming/cabin/ATV community somewhere down the road. Repel attack, counter attack. Win. Happy ending.

I haven't read it since he posted the originals on forums long ago so my mind could be fuzzy.

Posted: 10/11/2011 7:01:45 AM EDT

[#44]

Excellent book.

Posted: 10/11/2011 7:02:13 AM EDT

[#45]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Did anyone else notice differences between the PDF and the Book....I read the first 20 chapters of the PDF and recall Mark Turner buying a couple Glocks for his kids....but when reading the book I do not remember reading it.

There are various edits between the book and the PDF. On the PDF, there is a couple of paragraphs that expalin the motivation behind the EMP attack. He removed it from the book. I'm sure there are others.

That was probably wise. The explanations felt very out of place; it was one of my biggest criticisms.

I'll have to buy the kindle edition.

Posted: 10/11/2011 7:03:01 AM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:
Like CrowKiller I read it a few years back on the net. He was putting it up in sections back in the day. Excellent read, plausible and even now it comes back to mind frequently. Well thought out.

fisherman

Not plausible at all but still a fun read. While not, it's still a fun, fun read and I could remember waiting for him to post more on here or GT.

I was reading some story where a kid was on an ATV trying to bug out somewhere. I think he banged a MILF or something and left. Then there was a drunkard that was kinda organizing a small community by accident. The author posted half of it back when and never finished. That may have been HF or someone else. It was corny but had me curious.