I have heard that the correct cut-off is a car in the mid-1950s, and that after that it won’t work.
I know Bill, who wrote “One Second After.” I’ve texted him and asked for updates and confirmations of some things, but as Bill often does, he hasn’t responded and will go months without surfacing.
I read the book as well. Great book and lots to think about for the event if it should happen. He lived in the rural outskirts of the town in the hills. He talks about getting insulin first for his daughter, he kept it in the toilet tank to keep it cold. Get several pairs of hiking boots. Thousands of people walking the roads, towns, cities.
They protected the small town nearby that had cows, food supply. Rationed the food and kept insiders out and rationed the food. How the wildlife like deer, rabbit, turkeys, birds were all killed off by hunting as months and year went by. In the book he ends up having to kill his dog for protein for his dying daughter. Ammo was sold for food.
Lot of things to think about should the shtf.
I’ve read Forstchen’s stuff since before high school. I was a huge fan of his “Wing Commander” books. I’m still convinced the first two at least would make awesome films.