This is the way the world ends: with a nanosecond of computer error in a Defense Department laboratory and a million casual contacts that form the links in a chain letter of death. And here is the bleak new world of the day after: a world stripped of its institutions and emptied of 99 percent of its people. A world in which a handful of panicky survivors choose sides -- or are chosen. A world in which good rides on the frail shoulders of the 108-year-old Mother Abigail -- and the worst nightmares of evil are embodied in a man with a lethal smile and unspeakable powers: Randall Flagg, the dark man.

Stephen King
Stephen King is an American author widely regarded as the “King of Horror.” Born on September 21, 1947, in Portland, Maine, he has published over 60 novels and 200 short stories, spanning horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, and fantasy. Notable works include The Shining, It, Carrie, and The Stand, many of which have been adapted into iconic films and TV series. Known for his masterful storytelling and ability to explore human fears, King has sold over 400 million copies worldwide, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential writers of all time.