About the E-Book
Part Hemingway, part Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, a suspenseful odyssey into the dark heart of the post-apocalyptic American Southwest.
Forty years after the destruction of civilization, human beings are reduced to salvaging the ruins of a broken world. One survivor’s most prized possession is Hemingway’s classic The Old Man and the Sea. With the words of the novel echoing across the wasteland, a living victim of the Nuclear Holocaust journeys into the unknown to break a curse.
What follows is an incredible tale of grit and endurance. A lone traveler must survive the desert wilderness and mankind gone savage to discover the truth of Hemingway’s classic tale of man versus nature.
And now includes my new introduction!
Nate whitaker
I enjoyed the book. The characters were good and I liked how you got a different perspective of the chase from the wolf to the boy with the parking meter. I liked the twist about mirrored sunglasses although the ending was sort of abrupt. I wished you could have heard something more from the granddaughter.
Tom
I thought this was an excellent book. The writing was such that one felt great empathy with the main character. I also liked how you switched between characters and described things from a different vantage point. Thuoght the plaque on the mountain and the tank were good touches! Look forward to reading more of your work
rripshinn
Great story. Would like more of the same or similar tales.
Rozelle
I just finished this book. It was great! I felt like I was on the journey with the Old Man.
Anonymous
excellent storytelling…will look forward to next book
Matt
Just finished the journey with the Old man…
I have to say, this was a very refreshing novel. It was short, but contained just the right amount of detail and reigned me in completely.
Well done sir, I hope you continue writing!
Kate
Well done! I’m guessing not only did you like “The Old Man and the Sea”, but also “Earth Abides”. Me too! I will be reading more of your stuff.
Rosemary Johnson
Enjoyed it very much! Have read “The Road”, which still gives me nightmares. This book is much more hopeful. I enjoyed the style, as well as the message. I am a great fan of the genre, and will definitely recommend this one to my lit buddies.
marco
This was a great story, I’m going to tell all my friends about it !
matt mcguire
thank you….an excellant
story…simple and profound
Mads
Great book! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, and will definately recommend it to my friends and family
. The story of The Old Mans journey was captivating from start to finish, I loved how we get the perspectice of the wolf and the savage as well. Keep up the good work… Please 
case0
Nice piece! Spun a well crafted version of Hemmingways perseverance tale!
Looking forward to new works.
Mark Trouman
Thanks for the great storytelling. This would be a great book to read around the campfire on a camping trip! It has the feel of legend and lore that is absent in so much writing today. I was reminded of Jack London and Mark Twain.
Phylte
This was a refreshing surprise. Exceptionally well written and creative, the old man, the savage, the wolf and the Sargent Major were a wonderful way to help describe the acopolyptic and barren world they existed in. It would be wonderful to take the story further, building on the archaeological finds of the current civilization and see how humanity developed to that stage. Looking forward to the next work of fiction.
Captain Clark
A good read, makes the troubles of today “ho hum”. Looking forward to reading more from Nick!
Jonathan Burnett
Nick,
Hemingway still speaks to me after 40 years of reading it. I try to refresh my memory of the Old Man’s journey annually. Now this other Old Man, a distant but powerful kin, takes a similar kind of journey. I am deeply moved as with Earnest’ Old Man.
Thank you for a refreshing story of hope and faith.
I heard your interview on Lars Larson the other day and was impressed with yoiur world view. I bought the book on Kindle.
Mindy
I just finished this. I bought it today on Amazon because I didn’t have much to do at work. I was racing to finish it so I wouldn’t have to wait through my drive home to find out what happened. Great book! Thank you!
steve gibbons
great book, see amazon review for more!
Elaine
I could not put this book down. The story kept me clicking my Kindle as fast as possible.
The fact that I live in the Tucson area made the story all the more real to me. I could picture every place the Old Man went.
I can’t wait for your next book.
garth
A full novel-length treatment of the granddaughter’s story would be something I would slap down some money on. I’ll tell you what.
John Brooks
It was a very good read. Keep ‘em coming. I Felt like I was there.
Rich Hoeg
Mr. Cole has done an excellent job in writing a true science fiction novel, (i.e. not fantasy). I’ve written a longer review which one may access via my web site (click upon my name), but The Old Man and the Wasteland explores the concept of a post atomic holocaust world where civilization and its rules have almost vanished. Old knowledge is extremely valuable, and leads to attempts to “salvage” the past. The Old Man sets out on a final quest to prove himself to his tribe, and what follows is an interesting journey into the wasteland. The new world provides both physical and mental challenges. I don’t want to reveal more … read the book!
Ralph Holcomb
I’m an Old Man myself, and had the pleasure of reading most of Hemingway’s works while he was still alive. Nick, your book was a treat. Your prose style is as clean and evocative as Papa’s. I think he would have enjoyed your splendid novella as much as I did, and might even have bought you a few drinks.
Kate
Great book! Read it in one sitting. Gripping story, very well written. Bought it for 99 cents on Kindle, best money I ever spent…
paul
Good stuff! had to read it without stopping. Great ending to. Maybe Hollywood should read more books instead of remkeing the same old storys.
Dennis Rahn
I started this book on my Kindle and couldn’t put it down. I felt like I was there as I fancied myself as a lost wanderer. Excellent story which I told all my Frieda about.
kevin gieraat
How do you mimic a writer like hemingway? Somehow the authur has found the way and landed his “big fish”. Thanks for the “boat ride”…..would salt you tuna all day long to keep you writing……again, thanks. Kevin
Jeff
Loved this book! It reminded me a lot of the computer game, Fallout3, playing as a pure survivalist. Loved the parallels with Hemingway’s book too. Thanks for the fun journey.
John Knowles
This is an outstanding story. I really enjoyed it and would love to see it turned into a movie or for a sequel to be written. Thank you for sharing your story.
Lee
Exceptional book, I read the ‘Sample’, after downloading it for my Kindle, and had difficulty putting the book down for meal breaks. The development of the character of the ‘Old Man’ and his conversations with himself during his adventures were outstanding. Rarely does one find a current book of this quality.
Brad Schmiedicke
Loved it. Thank you, Nick!
John Enomoto
Thank for writing this novel. I study stories like this as a dry run to what might eventually happen as the human race races headlong towards disaster. I’m always wondering if technology will save us or be the straw that breaks the camels back. I love how this cantankerous old man fights to go on like the old man in Hemmingway’s novel and to go it alone to boot. I’ll br sure to read your other
Eugene du Plessis
Great story, well told! When is the next one due?
Al Arduengo
My kind of reading! Hope to see more of this style and quality!
David fields
Just finished The Old Mam and the Wasteland. Really enjoyed both the style and the content!!
Look forward to reading more of your Books!
Thanks
Wyatt
Excellent read… Wanted more and did not want it to end…to me that is riviting story writing
Michael Ayres
I enjoyed the book. That is the thing about books. You take their journeys with you.
Sophie C
A great read, I could hardly put it down. I felt for this character very deeply. Well done NIck.
Maury Christie
I’m hooked. His story-telling is some of the best I have read, and I’ve quite a few. His narrative is honest and down-to-earth. Like Hemingway, he pulls you in to connection with his characters and lets them tell the story.
James
I am a fan of apocalsptic novels from Earth Abides and the Day of The Triffids to more recent entries into the genre like Dies theFie series by S M Stirling and John Birmingham’s With Out Warning and After Math. You captured the feel of the post apocalsptic story in a very enjoyable way that. Was full of hope and courage. unlike The Road, I felt good about the old man’s prospects even before ending you used. I look forward to your next work, no matter what genre! one finger pecked on my IPad.
Arjen
Enjoyed your book! Great story.
Andre
Great book, could not put it down. There’s plenty of room for a sequel, and I hope Nick is going to write it. I would love to see where the story goes.
Andre
Porto Alegre – Brazil
Carol Johnson
Really enjoyed the book. It really shows the perserverance of man and who strength we find in ourselves when we really have to. I would have liked the old man to have been able to talk to his family, but I was really glad he made it home. Thanks
Becky
Unexpectedly good. I’m an avid reader (especially Kindle) and no longer waste time on books that don’t grab in the first chapter but this one was in no danger of being put down once I started. I finished it in a few hours and wished it was longer. Sort of a combo of McCarthy’s The Road and King’s The Stand which is pretty reasonably company to be in. Looking forward to Fight the Rooster – when might we see that?
Nick Vanmatre
Loved the “Old Man and the Wasteland”. Just finished it on my Kindle; yep, I have already left a five star review at Amazon. Look forward to reading more of your work. Me? Just an old guy who enjoys reading action/adventure/whatever fiction. Ok, I also like watcing the “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.” Right, my wife doesn’t understand either. Note; You and I have the same first name! Mine, technically, is Nicholas. Keep typing; want to see some more stories~
Kathryn
The old man and the wasteland was a good read. Kept me up late waiting for the next corner the old man turned.. Can’t wait to read the free copy of the next novel.
Brad Lee
Hi Nick,
Really enjoyed the “old man” book….write more!
Thanks
Brad
Matt Hixson
The book was excellent — too short, but good books always are! I am a fan of the post-apocalyptic genre, and I’m enthusiastically waiting for some sort of follow up from you. Thank you for taking the time to write this, and for having the courage to share it with us.
j ghoman
Great book! Your writing style is so interesting and really draws you into the story and characters. I could not put the book down once I started, and now I am most anxious for the sequel to see what happens next!
Skylar Brodersen
I have to say that the book was actually pretty suspensful at times. It started out a little slow and took a bit of effort to get into but after the first 20% or so it got really page turning. Can’t wait to read some more from you.
Aaron Grosse
Good Book! It was cool the way it changed perspective from the Old Man to the Wolf and the Savage Boy, telling some of their back stories as well. It was so good in the last few pages I was disappointed when it was over. Left me feeling like I wanted more. Maybe Nick plans to tell more of what happened between the end and the Epilogue? I hope so!
Dan Bailey
I read a lot of post-apocalyptic literature and sometimes it seems to be deuces wild if the book will range from extremely mediocre to pretty good. Your book is excellent. Hemingway is one of my favorite authors and your tale fused into his with clarity. Thanks and hope to see more.
Marti Hindaileh
Amazing and addictive. I couldn’t put it down until I had read the whole book.
Denise
I loved The Old Man and the Wasteland and read through it in a few hours. Even though a good deal of the story seemed almost uneventful, in a way, slow moving, I found it eery, intriguing, and very believable. By far the best book of this genre I’ve read recently.