Randy Bragg

The protagonist, and the descendant of an old Florida family. When the novel begins, he is a failed candidate for political office, living off his family's land and the occasional work as a lawyer in the small Florida town of Fort Repose. After the nuclear war, however, he becomes responsible for his brother Mark's family and the people who live around him. He eventually emerges as the leader of the entire town.

Dan Gunn

Fort Repose's doctor, and Randy's best friend. A bitter divorce has left him disillusioned, but after the nuclear war, he becomes a hero, throwing himself into the difficult work of serving as a doctor to a community in turmoil.

Elizabeth McGovern

Randy's girlfriend, and later his wife. A smart, resourceful, attractive woman, her parents have moved to Fort Repose from the North. After her mother dies of diabetes, she and her father, Bill McGovern, move in with Randy.

Helen Bragg

Mark's wife, and the mother of Peyton and Ben Franklin. Her husband, fearing imminent war, sends her to Fort Repose from their home in Omaha, where she moves in with Randy on the day before war breaks out.

Mark Bragg

Randy's brother, and an officer with the Strategic Air Command in Omaha. He warns his brother that nuclear war is imminent, and sends Helen and their children to live with Randy. He dies in Omaha during the first nuclear exchange—although Helen does not learn of his death for months.

Malachai Henry

Randy's neighbor, who works a farm with his family.

Bill McGovern

Lib's father. After his wife's death, he and Lib move in with Randy.

Ben Franklin

Mark and Helen's son. He is thirteen when the war breaks out.

Peyton

Mark and Helen's daughter. She is eleven when the war begins.

Florence Wechek

Randy's neighbor, a gossipy older woman who runs the telegraph office in Fort Repose.

Admiral Hazzard

A retired military man, he lives near Randy on the River Road, and operates a ham radio as a hobby.

Rita Hernandez

A poor but beautiful woman who lives in the slum known as Pistolville. She is a former girlfriend of Randy.

Alice Cooksey

The Fort Repose librarian, and Florence's best friend.

Two-Tone Henry

Malachai's lazy brother, and Missouri's husband, called "Two-Tone" because his face has two shades of color.

Missouri

Two-Tone's wife, she lives with him on the Henry farm, and cleans houses for a living.

Edgar Quisenberry

The President of the Fort Repose bank.

Preacher Henry

Malachai and Two-Tone's father.

Paul Hart

An officer in the Air Force, stationed in Orlando, and a friend of Randy and Mark.

Pete Hernandez

Rita's brother

Porky Logan

The local representative to the state legislature, who defeated Randy for the office. A fat, greedy man, he dies of radiation poisoning from contaminated jewelry that he is hoarding.

Lavinia McGovern

Lib's mother, who suffers from diabetes.

Bubba Offenhaus

The owner of the local funeral parlor.

Mrs. Josephine Vanbruuker-Brown

Formerly the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, she becomes President of the U.S.A. after nuclear weapons wipe out Washington.

Popular pages: Alas, Babylon

Take a Study Break