No human being could possibly escape death when the earth's atmosphere explodes into a blazing wave of global fire. But John Thomas Rourke, ex-CIA Covert Operations Officer, weapons specialist, and survival expert would not be denied another chance at life. His family and friends are alive and about the enter a cruel, desolate new world. Thinking that The Retreat is the last refuge of life on earth until the Eden Project returns, Rourke is stunned toind that others have also survived the fiery holocaust. Yet these humans live to kill and kill to live, eating the flesh of their victims. Rourke and all he holds dear will soon be nothing but gnawed bonus unless he once again makes the most of his skills as The Survivalist.