The Stand Uncut edition Stephen King

When a man escapes from a biological testing facility, he sets in motion a deadly domino effect, spreading a mutated strain of the flu that will wipe out 99 percent of humanity within a few weeks.

The survivors who remain are scared, bewildered, and in need of a leader.

Two emerge--Mother Abagail, the benevolent 108-year-old woman who urges them to build a community in Boulder, Colorado; and Randall Flagg, the nefarious "Dark Man," who delights in chaos and violence.

Stephen Kingis an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, and fantasy novels. He has written 61 novels (including seven under the pen name Richard Bachman) and six non-fiction books, and approximately 200 short stories.