I shall always treasure. He was an absolute gentleman and an absolute gentle man.
I knew Jerry had been experiencing some health issues but his focus was always on the future, he began talking about bringing John Thomas Rourke back to life, revitalizing that series.
My story with THE SURVIVALIST began in 1981, I came across THE SURVIVALIST #1 written by someone named Jerry Ahern, but I didn't buy it. Over the next several months, I kept encountering that book. Finally in 1982 I took a chance and bought it; by the end of the first chapter I was hooked - and that hook stayed set for the next 28 books in the series.
Sharon asked me to continue the series, I never dreamed of having the honor to do so. The task of bringing John Thomas Rourke back to life was daunting. Honoring Jerry, honoring John Thomas Rourke and his family, bringing the story back to life for past readers, and trying to appeal to new readers was a challenge.
I submit this effort to you and will close the way Jerry ended every phone call we ever had... God Bless.
-Bob
Book Reviews
5 Star rating by Steve S: It's been almost 15 years since the last Survivalist novel was published (by Zebra) and for those longing for a continuation of the Rourke Family, 'The Inheritors of Earth' is the answer to your dreams! Written by Jerry Ahern, Sharon Ahern and Bob Anderson, the action picks up shortly after events depicted in "Death Watch."
At that time, it seemed that all of the earthly menaces to the Rourkes and the United States have been overcome. Twice, the Russians had been bested and most recently, Nazis and an errant fault line that threatened to tear apart the very fabric of the planet. But that's all in the past and in the 30th volume of The Survivalist series, John Thomas Rourke is not allowed to rest on his laurels, despite being pivotal in overcoming all of the various obstacles faced by freedom-loving people everywhere.
Just what the new menaces are will be left for the reader to discern. Suffice to say, the Aherns and Bob Anderson have begun an almost Byzantine tale of intrigue, betrayal, violence and yes, discovery!
Read more of this review...
5 Star rating by Billy C: I just purchased The Survivalist: The Inheritors of the Earth last night and finished it this morning. As the final book that Jerry Ahern started before his untimely death, the story completed by his Wife Sharon and Bob Anderson is a fitting tribute to the man who brought us the Rourke family Saga as well as so many other characters too numerous to mention. Faced with some old enemies and deadly new enemies John Rourke and family unite once more to take up the cause of freedom in a world facing not only slavery and destruction. A new Ally is found as well, but even John Rourke isn't sure if they can be trusted. All in all I cannot wait for the next book in the ongoing saga of the Rourke family!
4 Star rating by Scott: I started reading The Survivalist as a kid back in the 80s and have since reread the entire series three times. You might say I grew up with the Rourke family. This has definitely been my favorite adventure novel series ever. No other series has ever even come close. I was sad to hear of Jerry's passing last year, and I also assumed it meant that the rumors of a continuation of the series would never come to fruition. I was elated when I recently heard that Sharon Ahern and Bob Anderson were picking up where Jerry left of and continuing the story line. It can't be quite the same without Jerry, obviously, but Sharon and Bob managed to keep the style of writing and the content as close as I believe is possible to those of the original books in the series. This volume expands upon the sci-fi content of the original books by quite a bit, introducing some truly epic new possibilities for future volumes. I completed the book in two nights. I just couldn't put it down. It's amazing to see the whole "Family" of Rourkes and their allies back together and back in action. Read more of this review...
The book can be purchased through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com and is available in paperback and Ebook formats.
Book Synopsis
THE SURVIVALIST #30 The Inheritors of the Earth
By Jerry Ahern, Sharon Ahern and Bob Anderson
John Thomas Rourke's world is now roughly one-third of what it was; everything above latitude 35° north and below latitude 35° south is encased in glacial ice. The geography drastically changed but little else did. Maniacs and evil had still tried to dominate those who wanted to be free.
Days became weeks, weeks became months and months turned into years as he battled and vanquished the enemies of humanity in every form and shape damnation threw at him. His last victory, almost seventeen years ago, granted him peace-a peace he had courted, a peace he had sought-one he never believed he would find.
That peace is about to end; Rourke's world is threatened again by forces he never conceived of. Are they so unpredictable - situations so dire - there is no way to "plan ahead?"
*****
Past Issues of THE SURVIVALIST @ the Jerry Ahern Bookstore
About Jerry Ahern
