I read a book in the late 80'S and I would like to read it again, but I can't remember the title or the author. The subject matter was as follows:
A man was hunting in the woods and bitten by a snake. Because he got sick from the snake bite he was unable to come down from the woods for a long time. When he finally did a terrible tragedy or epidemic or mass destruction had befallen the rest of the population and everyone was dead. This man finds a few survivors here and there and they spend the next few years scavenging off what is left from modern society. Then that won't sustain them anymore and they begin to form a new group and they are forced to make decisions as to what of the past culture will be re-instated. Things like an introduction of God or democracy etc.
I think (with a huge emphasis on the word Think) the title may have been "Man" or Mankind" or something rather simple like that. I don't know the date of publication and the copy I remember reading was hard back dark blue or black and not a terribly long book.
Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

Was it perhaps Earth Abides, by George Stewart?

Earth Abides by George R. Stewart - SFandF.com - Science Fiction Books and Fantasy Books (http://tinyurl.com/2vofja)

Vasily