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The Inferno

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Dr. Cameron has his hand full with the project of collaborative 1000 GeV accelerator complex at CERN. The British and Australian governments have started a joint radio telescope venture. There is a slight problem. The astronomers disagree with the execution of the used technology to build the device. The British government calls Cameron to sort out the details as independent expert with his American colleague the Australians have accepted. At Australia, on site of the planned telescope landing, he notices a bight halo, circumference, nearby Mars at the night sky. The optical telescopes verify that that the center of galaxy has gone nova. The cosmic rays are traveling at light speed with a force where Earth's magnetic field won't give much shelter. The galactic core will wipe out life on Earth in two weeks.

Sir Fred Hoyle, for 60 year distinguished but poignant astronomer, wrote the book with his son Geoffrey. The rare gift of explaining complex scientific concepts in the simplest of terms, is represent in the plot by using mathematical formulas and energy measured in powers of tens. The 1/3rd of the book prepares for the event (background), the 1/3rd is the observation of the event and the last 1/3rd is about cold winter, radiation killing most of the south. The Highland, Scottish scenery and villages, are places where the last refugees gather in Dr. Cameron's command.

Two (2) stars. Written in 1973 by a true British original and Yorkshireman. Dr. Cameron is presented as know-it-all scientist who looks everybody else down to his nose; rest of the world is incompetent and don't have capabilities to plan ahead. The ecological breakdown is swept in fast pace. As expected, the world needs a leader; a man that does what it takes to play judge, organizer and highland ruler (takes a pretty woman; his wife leaves her). The wry humor of the rakish, uncouth, impertinent, hard-nosed physicist, Cameron and Scottish countryside is actually refreshing. Exuberance shines while end is near (A "King Arthur" & his castle make a brief appearance). The book's story is about presenting a infallible, problem tackling leader. A cheery, but linear doomsday novel.