If you start with 299 days your going to be in for the long haul. The 43 Colonels is the last of ten books. I really enjoyed the series because it seems more plausible than other books in the genre. 299 Days focuses on human, political and economic situations rather than a quick catastrophe. I really liked how well the characters are developed. It is a bit slow at times, but it seems necessary to tell the story. The series has just enough “gear tech”, love story, pain and loss to keep all interested. I did have a hard time believing that the bad guys are really that bad and inept and that the good guys are that good and brave. Other than that its well worth the time and very realistic. It will make you think!!!