I am having my terrorists use two EMP Bombs in the novel I am trying to write (actually completed, just going through the re-writes). EMP’s make fine small scale attack weapons. No where near what is being portrayed.
It would take a massive nuclear attack to affect the whole country. That is, an all out attack by a nuclear superpower. If are your going through all that trouble, you might as use the bombs correctly, closer to the ground and as a weapon of mass destruction.
Bush, to make your book more plausible, I REALLY suggest you learn about how an extra-atmospheric detonation energizes the atmosphere to produce TWO powerful pulses over a broad line of sight area. The Compton effect is well documented.
Detonation ‘near’ the surface kills and destroys via heat, pressure, ionizing radiation, pressure and secondary fires. A near-surface, intra-atmospheric detonation does *not* produce the widespread EMP a “space” burst does. Consult with a technical advisor to help your novel.
I agree. A local attack could wreak havoc in a city of large town.