| Author: | James P. Hogan |
| Copyright: | 1978 |
| Date Reviewed: | 2/16/85 |
| Rating: | 5.0 |
Synopsis: Brad Clifford is a genius. Like most scientists, Brad works at a government installation (ACRE) which is part of the Department of Defense. Besides defense work and the IFS, there are very few openings for scientists. Brads pet project is a refinement of Maesanger's theories which are the long sought after Unified Field Theories. Maesanger defines k-space which has many dimensions. The shadows of particles moving through k-space manifests as matter and energy in normal space. Brad's contribution suggests that particles can exist only in hi-space (i.e. not observable in normal space). If a particle is induced to move from hi-space to low-space and back again, it will be observed as spontaneous creation and extinction. However, theoretical work has nothing to do with weapons research so Brad is reprimanded for devoting time to his theories and told to get on with his assigned work.
Sometime later, Brad gets a call from Aubrey Philipsz who informs him that the seeds of his theory have been taken up by several government installations without the authors knowledge. Brad is thwarted when he tries to find more about the project that he was responsible for and eventually he and Aub quit weapons research and go to work for the IFS. There they refine their theories and build prototype machines capable of non-optical imaging and instantaneously moving energy from one location to another. When the government clamps down on their operation, the IFS agrees to work with the government on this project.
A year later a machine is built which is capable of knocking out any ICBM's flight, all ORBS (Orbiting Nuclear Platforms), and any city. Brad's wife and friends can't understand how as a pacifist he could build this super weapon. Just before a crisis, Brad and Aub lock themselves in the control room and destroy the enemy's ORBS. What follows is a nuclear cause and effect which results in the destruction of all nuclear missiles and the end of the nuclear stalemate. Brad leaves enough trap doors in the system that makes it impossible for either side to build up another stalemate for another 111 years.
Review: The first Hogan novel I read was "Inherit the Stars" and in a word it was fantastic, probably a 9.5. There wasn't much action; the novel was mostly talk. However the talk was a detective story of immense importance. The sequels were good too. Later I read "Thrice upon a Time" which was also excellent. Everything I've read since has been a disappointment.
I reviewed the novels as being well written but boring. "The Genesis Machine" is the worst one yet. It is not a good book at all and I couldn't wait to put it down for the last time. Like Robert Forward, Hogan writes hard science fiction. This new one about particle physics and even though that subject is a hobby of mine, some of this novel was over my head. But I can forgive him for that. What I can't forgive is devoting 80% of the novel to a detailed description of a new theory of physics. For the first 250 pages that's all we got! What's worse, I didn't care about the characters. For most of the novel, their most difficult challenge was changing jobs! Big Deal! The final resolution (2 chapters 23 pages) was interesting but not believable. The solution where every body lives happily ever after just because of one physicist is too hard to swallow.