"Earth Abides" - читать интересную книгу автора (Stewart George R)

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Men go and come, but earth abides
ECCLESIASTES, I, 4

*Contents*

1 World Without End 1

2 The Year 22 145

3 The Last American 307

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*1*

*World Without End*

If a killing type of virus strain should suddenly arise by mutation ... it
could, because of the rapid transportation in which we indulge nowadays, be
carried to the far corners of the earth and cause the deaths of millions of
people.

-- W. M. Stanley, in *Chemical and Engineering News,* Dec. 22, 1947.

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*Chapter 1*

*... and the government of the United States of America is herewith
suspended, except in the District of Columbia, as of the emergency. Federal
officers, including those of the Armed Forces, will put themselves under
the orders of the governors of the various states or of any other
functioning local authority.* By order of the Acting President. *God save
the people of the United States....*

*Here is an announcement which has just come in from the Bay Area Emergency
Council. The West Oakland Hospitalization Center has been abandoned. Its
functions, including burials at sea, are now concentrated at the Berkeley
Center. That is all....*

*Keep tuned to this Station, which is the only one now in operation in
northern California. We shall inform you of developments, as long as it is
possible.*

Just as he pulled himself up to the rock-ledge, he heard a sudden rattle,
and felt a prick of fangs. Automatically he jerked back his right hand;
turning his head, he saw the snake, coiled and menacing. It was not a large