'48 is a 1996 alternative history novel by British horror author James Herbert. The book follows an American pilot stranded in a dystopian London after Adolf Hitler, moments before being completely defeated, uses a biological weapon delivered by V-2 missiles, which mostly wipes out the human race. Plot summary The story follows an American pilot, Hoke, who lives alone in the streets, constantly hidden and on the run from a gang of diseased and terminal Blackshirts, afflicted with the 'Slow Death', who attempt to capture him to use his blood to save their leader, Lord Hubble, via a blood transfusion. Desperate to capture Hoke as his life draws nearer to its end, Hubble sends his entire force out to capture the American pilot. Hoke escapes thanks to the aid of three fellow 'ABneg' survivors – two women and a German navigator, shot down over Britain long ago. Hoke, being used to three years alone, detests his saviours and, corrupted by propaganda, is almost unable to contain himself in the presence of the German even though the war has long since ended. Disease With the V-2 missiles came two types of the same disease. First is the Blood Death which kills the subject instantly in a gruesome way. The arteries become blocked and explode, the skin splits and blood pours from every orifice. The Slow Death has the same climax but takes longer to work, up to years, and weakens the subject, blackens their fingers and hands and bruises their body internally. Victims of the Slow Death are generally much weaker and slower to react than the AB negs, however some individuals (such as McGruder, Hubble's bodyguard) seem less prone to its debilitating effects. Characters Eugene Nathaniel Hoke is an American pilot who volunteered for the war before America itself did. He is a loner at heart, likes to fend for himself and is affected grossly by military propaganda against the Germans as shown by his attitude to a fellow survivor. Cagney is a dog who formed a strong alliance with Hoke after Hoke saved his life and fed him. Cagney acts as a guard dog but also knows when to retreat from extreme danger. It is often Cagney who warns Hoke of approaching danger with a low growl or change in mood. Wilhelm Stern is a German navigator apparently shot down and imprisoned at Island Farm POW camp in Wales.