Final Blackout [Hardcover]

L. Ron Hubbard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1989

London 1975. The World War is grinding to a halt. A malignant force more sinister than Hitler's Nazi regime has seized control of Europe and is systematically destroying every adversary...

In the heart of France, a crack unit of renegade soldiers has overcome all opposition under the leadership of one man, a hardened military strategists highly trained in every method of combat--known only as "the Lieutenant"...

Ordered by his superiors to return to British Headquarters, located in a vast underground fortress commanded by politically correct staff officers, "the Lieutenant" is torn between abiding by military codes and doing what he knows is right for his country...

Upon reaching embattled England, "the Lieutenant" and his men, freshly supplied and re-equipped, come face to face with both the incumbent forces of tyranny and a technologically advanced power in a climactic battle for freedom...

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

First published in Astounding magazine in 1940, Final Blackout is generally considered Hubbard's best science fiction novel. Set in a world ravaged by 30 years of war, it chronicles the rise, in England, of the charismatic leader, strategist and statesman known only as the Lieutenant. As a depiction of a blighted world, the novel is compelling, even riveting: as it increasingly concerns itself with the Lieutenant it loses some of its power, but it still remains a superior piece of pulp adventure writing. The book is also interesting as an early showcase of some of Hubbard's ideas on the condition of the world, and history's need for extraordinary individuals--ideas he later developed in Dianetics and Scientology. The volume also contains a preface by Hubbard written for a 1948 edition of the novel, and an adulatory introduction by science fiction writer Algis Budrys, in which extravagant claims are made about the novel and its author. An even more adulatory, unsigned profile concludes the volume. Caveat emptor. 100,000 first printing; $100,000 ad/promo.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Final Blackout is as perfect a piece of science fiction as has ever been written."
Robert A. Heinlein

"Like Fatherland, Hubbard spins a masterful tale of suspense and nonstop action in Final Blackout."
Harold Robbins

"Compelling . . . riveting . . . Hubbard's best."
Publishers Weekly --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 184 pages
• Publisher: Bridge Publications (CA); 1ST edition (August 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0884043401
• ISBN-13: 978-0884043409
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,347,175 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In my unbiased opinion, I rather liked it...., November 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Final Blackout (Paperback)

I am not a Scientologist, but I do like pulp fiction. FINAL BLACKOUT was an innovative tale for its time, and does a fairly good job standing on its own today. The story's general cynicism towards governments seems rather atypical of the patriotism in pre-WW II America. The characters are interesting, but a little stiff. There is a fair amount of action; the main character's strategies make for interesting reading (although some of the Lieutenant's tactics are a bit of a stretch). Final Blackout's main strength is its "post-apocalyptic" scenario, written well before that genre was synonimous with apes and Mel Gibson. Not the greatest pulp novel ever written, but a good, solid read. Even if you disagree with Hubbard's "religion", the man could spin a decent yarn.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping tale, and an expose' on the insanity of war., February 8, 1998

By 

Michael Delaware - See all my reviews

This review is from: Final Blackout (Hardcover)

This is a gripping tale about a man known only as the 'Lieutenant' as he leads a small band of loyal followers in an apolocalyptic world war setting. It portrays the inhumanity of war, and exposes the character of those who create and prolong them. This early Hubbard novel is an expose' on the insanity of war, and deserves it's rightful place in history as classic novel. It should be recommended reading to all, who desire to prevent this kind of future. This one is a great SF classic in the spirit of Hemmingway's 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' and 'A Farewell to Arms'. Read it and enjoy.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The end of the war that never was, June 25, 2000

By 

Matthew Dovell (South of Boston, MA United States of America) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Final Blackout (Paperback)

This book in some ways reminds me of Fatherland in the fact that WW2 lasted longer (a great HBO movie btw) It also reminds me that WW 1 would have lasted probably into a good amount of the 1920's if the US hadn't came in. Anyways the book is good...a great description at the beginning of how he was brought up. Also the fact he methodically plays solitare over and over to pass the war. Surprisingly this reminds me of the Vietnam conflict except this was written almost 20 years before Vietnam started.