The winter of 2016, called Black Winter, triggers the beginning of the end of modern civilization due to natural gas depletion.
Millions freeze to death, millions more lose their jobs. Coupled with an oil embargo in the Middle East, and North America is in economic collapse. Riots abound.
China, hungry for oil and raw materials, uses the chaos in the United States to invade Canada to get at the forests, farmlands and above all the Canadian tar sands for the oil. They must be stopped. This sparks a world war.
A father and son team, from a small town in southwestern Ontario, join in the fight to repel the invaders. During their year-long journey through the Rockies and into the north lands of Alberta, they discover first-hand the impact and effects of peak oil on the people they meet along the way. This includes what happens in hospitals, to those in jails, to roving gangs who take over and rule like dictators, to those dedicated to preserving some part of the past, to the kindness that exists in some people regardless of the hardships they face.
During their journey, they meet people whom they become friends with, to subsequently have them separated due to events they cannot control.
One finds out that he has no problem doing his job, in fact realizes he is a natural, and in his true realm. The other thought he could kill, but finds out during their trip that he can't do it. The two understand the other, but often lock horns over their differences.
The big dilemma for the defenders is how to stop the invaders from coming through the Rockies. This problem is exacerbated by the limited fuels available for military machinery. High tech military might is useless without the oil that runs it. This means more feet on the ground than technological superiority. Volunteers are needed on a massive scale to help the defenses, but one of the characters just does not believe in playing by the rules and wants to act on his own. This leads to conflicts between him and the military command.
"Blinding White Flash" is a fascinating account of what could happen in a future world-wide war over resources. Its relevancy to the events of today will having you thinking...
