[Wormwood]

He's left of center, but still a great writer in my book.

He could be a card-carrying Communist who eats babies for breakfast . . . The Stand is still a kick-ass book.

[Ax]

Concur your analysis. "The Stand" stands as probably the most exciting novel I've ever read. IMHO, Steven King peaked with this opus. I also read the updated version whilst lolling on the sands at Myrtle Beach in 1990.