# Deathlands Book Series

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deathlands-book-series/502207>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [July 7, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deathlands-book-series/502207 "2009-07-07T16:18:32Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Yorikke](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yorikke/32/4335_2.png) [@Yorikke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yorikke)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deathlands-book-series/502207/1 "2009-07-07T16:18:32Z")

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I just read about [this series of post-apocalyptic fiction](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deathlands) on Mental Floss. It sounds interesting, but overwhelming. Is anyone familiar with it, and if so, can you recommend some stand-alone books to start with? The first one seems to be out of print, or I’d start there.

Joe

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**Author:** ![Atrael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Atrael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atrael)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2009, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deathlands-book-series/502207/2 "2009-07-07T20:45:45Z")

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You really have to start with the first one or the rest won’t make a lot of sense. _Pilgrimage to Hell_ sets the tone, introduces the characters, and explains a lot of what the hell is going on. You can easily find it online at Amazon or you could try [paperbackswap.com](http://paperbackswap.com) and see if someone has to trade. As I recall they turn up in most used books stores often enough that I see them regularly. The series is entertaining, but does get a bit formulaic after a while.

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**Author:** ![xizor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xizor/32/102_2.png) [@xizor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xizor)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2009, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deathlands-book-series/502207/3 "2009-07-07T22:46:33Z")

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I have read about 20 of them, including the first dozen or so. Once the core group of characters and back story is established (maybe by book 7 or 8, whenever the woman doctor joins the crew), the rest can be read out order. I recall Mars Arena is easy to follow as a standalone, although it kind of felt like I was reading a video game. Cannibal Moon could probably be stand-alone also.

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**Author:** ![Tristan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tristan/32/18058_2.png) [@Tristan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tristan)\
**Post date:** [July 7, 2009, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deathlands-book-series/502207/4 "2009-07-07T23:55:27Z")

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This is not the series I thought it was. Maybe someone can point me to the one I’m thinking of…

It’s after a nuclear attack (I think). A guy (politician?) takes himself an a herd of followers up to Montana, stripping gold and equipment out of the area they pass through. They set up a small nation-state up there based on some pretty Libertarian ideals.

Any clue?