Patriots was horrible... Unreadable IMO (I couldn't make it halfway through despite my best effort).

One Second After was better but I'm still not a fan.

The Road wasn't bad... Overrated IMO though.

Unfortunately educational and a good read don't go together much in the genre (so far as I've seen).

If you want a good read start with the Day by Day books. Zombies or no, at least the author knows his shit. The Stand isn't bad (although not at all a source for practical knowledge)... Just started The Gunslinger/Dark Tower books (on #2) and I would classify them similar to The Stand so far (only better)... Good reads but not very usefull beyond that.

Have Lucifers Hammer waiting on me now...

Educational?... look for some good manuals. LL's recommendation is good as well.