Oh, I love Alas, Babylon!! I'm a big fan of (post-)apocalypse stories, and that's a great one. I haven't run into too many people who have read it, how fun :) There are some things about it that "date" it, I do agree. In Eye in the Sky, though, the "dated" part (EVIL COMMIES) is a main prop of the story whereas in Alas, Babylon (if I recall correctly) the dated stuff is more in the smaller details, isn't it? But I haven't read it in a while, I need to go back. The part I remember most clearly is the kids hammering pennies into arrowheads and not wanting to bother learning to read :/

Interesting suggestion about The Stand (another perennial favorite of mine). I'll bet you're right. King is a pretty widely-read dude.