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The Day The Machines Stopped
The day the machines stopped began in an ordinary way. There was little warning of the impending disaster.
Suddenly, all electrical energy was destroyed on the earth. Planes, cars, rockets, machinery of all kinds became useless.
By week's end, total chaos enveloped the world as the wheels of civilization ground to a halt. Then ruthless leaders began to emerge, seeking a way to gain control of the almost helpless population.
Only a handful of scientists remained to fight the inexplicable phenomenon--until they were captured and forced to use their knowledge to help the ruthless power combine take the world back to the Dark Ages.
POWER FAILURE
Brian turned up the volume on the radio while Anne sat beside him, listening intently:
"...Soviet experiment can cut off all the power in the world. Industry would be useless. The world would be paralyzed. My studies convince me that modern civilization is in great danger."
The announcement ended, and Brian turned off the radio. "He claims the experiment will cause widespread irreparable power failure. Thre is no such thing."
Anne smiled. "That's a relief to me," she said and stood up.
Suddenly, the lights went out. Anne's hand gripped Brian's arm. He quickly flipped on the radio. Nothing happened. He opened the door to the hallway. The lights were out. He picked up a flashlight. It wouldn't work. Then he looked at Anne.
Her face was white. "Oh, Brian," she said. "I'm afraid."
(From the back of the book and the front page of the book.)
Suddenly, all electrical energy was destroyed on the earth. Planes, cars, rockets, machinery of all kinds became useless.
By week's end, total chaos enveloped the world as the wheels of civilization ground to a halt. Then ruthless leaders began to emerge, seeking a way to gain control of the almost helpless population.
Only a handful of scientists remained to fight the inexplicable phenomenon--until they were captured and forced to use their knowledge to help the ruthless power combine take the world back to the Dark Ages.
POWER FAILURE
Brian turned up the volume on the radio while Anne sat beside him, listening intently:
"...Soviet experiment can cut off all the power in the world. Industry would be useless. The world would be paralyzed. My studies convince me that modern civilization is in great danger."
The announcement ended, and Brian turned off the radio. "He claims the experiment will cause widespread irreparable power failure. Thre is no such thing."
Anne smiled. "That's a relief to me," she said and stood up.
Suddenly, the lights went out. Anne's hand gripped Brian's arm. He quickly flipped on the radio. Nothing happened. He opened the door to the hallway. The lights were out. He picked up a flashlight. It wouldn't work. Then he looked at Anne.
Her face was white. "Oh, Brian," she said. "I'm afraid."
(From the back of the book and the front page of the book.)
124 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1964
72 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Anvil
163 books31 followersChristopher Anvil was a pseudonym used by author Harry C. Crosby. He began publishing science fiction with the story "Cinderella, Inc." in the December 1952 issue of the science fiction magazine Imagination. By 1956, he had adopted his pseudonym and was being published in Astounding Magazine.
Anvil's repeated appearances in Astounding/Analog were due in part to his ability to write to one of Campbell's preferred plots: alien opponents with superior firepower losing out to the superior intelligence or indomitable will of humans. A second factor is his stories are nearly always humorous throughout. Another was his characterization and manner of story crafting, where his protagonists slid from disaster to disaster with the best of intentions, and through exercise of fast thinking, managed to snatch victory somehow from the jaws of defeat.
Anvil's repeated appearances in Astounding/Analog were due in part to his ability to write to one of Campbell's preferred plots: alien opponents with superior firepower losing out to the superior intelligence or indomitable will of humans. A second factor is his stories are nearly always humorous throughout. Another was his characterization and manner of story crafting, where his protagonists slid from disaster to disaster with the best of intentions, and through exercise of fast thinking, managed to snatch victory somehow from the jaws of defeat.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 23, 2022
Purtroppo un libro invecchiato male e, ad oggi, poco verosimile. Ma alla fine è un'opera di genere fantastico e noi ci passiamo sopra ;-) accettando tranquillamente che "una folata di aria ionizzata" possa bloccare qualsiasi tipo di circuito elettrico.
Fin qui poteva andare anche bene.
Ma la storia che ha sviluppato l'autore è stata veramente imbarazzante.
La trama principale verte sui due protagonisti che si contendono la stessa donna, arrivando addirittura a fare a botte..
Per non parlare del finale in stile americanata con tanto di giuramento solenne alla bandiera degli Stati Uniti..
Un vero peccato. L'idea era proprio bella.
Fin qui poteva andare anche bene.
Ma la storia che ha sviluppato l'autore è stata veramente imbarazzante.
La trama principale verte sui due protagonisti che si contendono la stessa donna, arrivando addirittura a fare a botte..
Per non parlare del finale in stile americanata con tanto di giuramento solenne alla bandiera degli Stati Uniti..
Un vero peccato. L'idea era proprio bella.
October 3, 2014
This book was originally published in 1964. Bearing in mind that it's 50 years old at the time of writing, it holds up pretty well in a modern setting, and a similar idea has been seen in at least a few other books since.
A scientific experiment goes wrong and alters the laws of physics themselves such that all electrical machinery fails and properties of metals are altered due to the inability of electrons to flow. The hero of the story is working for a scientific research company at the time so he and his colleagues almost immediately understand what's going on, and the implications of the event. They decide to head across several US states in order to reach a site owned by their company in a more remote location.
Overlaid onto this backdrop is a kind of love story between the hero and his female colleague. His male colleague also wants the woman for himself so their rivalry becomes an important part of the story.
As with most of these types of books we follow a journey through a rapidly-decaying society. The lack of any machinery leads to a shortage of fuel and food, although there seems to be plenty of guns and ammunition. Although I enjoyed the book, my reason for only giving 4 stars is the way that the hero and his colleagues react to this situation, as it seems slightly unrealistic and feels dated. It's very 'black and white' in that the heroes are essentially decent people who want a quiet trip and protect innocent people, while most other people seem to be fighting or robbing one another. It's a bit of an old fashioned adventure story, rather than a gritty more realistic tale of what might happen, but quite enjoyable if you can find a copy.
A scientific experiment goes wrong and alters the laws of physics themselves such that all electrical machinery fails and properties of metals are altered due to the inability of electrons to flow. The hero of the story is working for a scientific research company at the time so he and his colleagues almost immediately understand what's going on, and the implications of the event. They decide to head across several US states in order to reach a site owned by their company in a more remote location.
Overlaid onto this backdrop is a kind of love story between the hero and his female colleague. His male colleague also wants the woman for himself so their rivalry becomes an important part of the story.
As with most of these types of books we follow a journey through a rapidly-decaying society. The lack of any machinery leads to a shortage of fuel and food, although there seems to be plenty of guns and ammunition. Although I enjoyed the book, my reason for only giving 4 stars is the way that the hero and his colleagues react to this situation, as it seems slightly unrealistic and feels dated. It's very 'black and white' in that the heroes are essentially decent people who want a quiet trip and protect innocent people, while most other people seem to be fighting or robbing one another. It's a bit of an old fashioned adventure story, rather than a gritty more realistic tale of what might happen, but quite enjoyable if you can find a copy.
November 18, 2022
I usually love a post apocalypse scenario, but this is a missed opportunity. A very "clean" apocalypse (all power everywhere goes out, even batteries) has a number of ways it could play out... Here, a group of scientists holed up in a lab with some of the few alternative fuel vehicles left obviously decide to leave the safety of the lab and drive to the middle of nowhere for no good reason. Unfortunately everyone in the USA other than the scientists has formed violent well equipped milita groups intent on having running gun battles. One of these groups then kidnaps the only female character in the book. A great concept spoiled by nonsense plotting and no real effort put into the world building.
September 7, 2023
I’m a sucker for apocalyptic fiction, and this book delivers. The basic premise of the novel is that a disastrous Soviet experiment causes electricity to fail worldwide, and follows the aftermath. I would like to think that the United States wouldn’t fall into chaos & looting that fast, but the author is probably correct. Then the feudal system emerges, which does seem like a logical next step, followed by war between feudal states. I would happily read a sequel. If there was one, I hope Brian finally gets even with Carl. Friggen Carl.
November 29, 2024
I probably would have stopped reading this if it hadn’t been so short. I could see this starting out as a short story pushed into a short novel. The central premise is both over and under-developed. And let’s not forget the cypher of a female character that solely exists as a point of contention between the protagonist and main antagonist.
I grabbed this at Half Price Books based on the title. I’m still on the lookout for a better execution of this premise.
I grabbed this at Half Price Books based on the title. I’m still on the lookout for a better execution of this premise.
June 8, 2020
Listened to it in the collection
available on Overdrive/Libby
available on Overdrive/LibbyApril 15, 2020
A must read in these times
May 24, 2019
This book is unreadable in 2019.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews