Any fans of "Apocalyptic" or "post-Apocalyptic" science fiction? [View All]

I've always been fascinated by literate that explored the reaction of humanity and civilization to cosmic destruction-whether by nuclear war, plague, alien invasion, global warming, asteroid or whatever. The infinite variations of hell the authors can imagining such a nightmarish period are as divergent as the worst fantasies of the authors themselves. Some books have the cataclysm build slowly, working the nerves as "life as we know it" draws to an end. Others being with the disaster itself with people pushed from a safe existence into chaos. Yet another branch begins centuries after the disaster (think Planet of the Apes).

Wonderful classics like Alas Babylon, Earth Abides, On the Beach, When Worlds Collide, Day of the Triffids, and WAR DAY are the first that come to mind. My very first was in 1966 when I read Poul Anderson's Vault of the Ages. I was 12 years old and hooked.

I'll even include books like Stephen King's The Stand or Robert McCammon's Swan Song.

500 point bonus to anyone who has read or even heard of The Lord's Pink Ocean, a 1972 work that explored love, sex and racism between teenagers among post-apocalyptic New England farmfolk.

So whaddya think? Ever read any? Have a favorite? I welcome any suggestions. If I haven't read it, I'll try to find it....