1. Pat Frank AKA Harry Hart Alas, Babylon

2. most writings focus on war and nuclear weapons journalist in WWII novels focused on international relations (i.e. nuclear proliferation) worked at times for Department of Defense wrote How to Survive the H-Bomb, and Why (advice for post- holocaust survival) published Alas, Babylon in 1959- peak of Cold War between America and the Soviet Union novel seemed very realistic at the time

3. Title’s Meaning Revelation 18:10, King James version of the Christian Bible: “Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour is thy judgment come.”

4. Setting Fort Repose, Florida a small town, quite a distance from all major cities in Florida) late 1950s-early 1960s during the Cold War with Russia

5. Major Characters Randy Bragg (Protagonist - young, unmarried, ex-military alcoholic) Dan Gunn (friend of Randy and recently divorced doctor of small town) Mark Bragg (military big-wig stationed at SAC in Omaha, Nebraska; warns that nuclear war is coming)

6. Helen Bragg (Mark’s wife) Peyton (Mark and Helen’s daughter, age 11) Ben Franklin (Mark and Helen’s son, age 13) Lib (Elizabeth) McGovern (Randy’s girlfriend)

7. Secondary / Minor Characters Florence Wechek (Randy’s neighbor, a Western Union operator, the town gossip) Alice Cooksey (town librarian and Florence’s best friend) Bill McGovern (Lib's father) Admiral Hazzard (A retired naval officer, a ham radio operator; neighbor to Randy)

8. The Henrys- black family, neighbor to Randy and Admiral Hazzard Missouri Henry (Randy’s cleaning lady) Malachai Henry (mechanic, served in “The War”) Two-tone Henry Preacher Henry (the minister who inspired the brothers’ code “Alas, Babylon”)

9. Plot Mark sends Randy the message “Alas, Babylon” Helen and the children come to stay indefinitely with Randy, while Mark stays behind to work Randy tries to prepare for the worst Nuclear bombs drop on all major US cities (and major cities of US Allies) Randy and his neighbors try to survive the effects

10. Some interesting related topics: The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia Iron Mountain storage facility in Western PA Cheyenne Mountain base in Colorado Other bunkers???