The HAB Theory

by Allan W. Eckert

This large contemporary novel tells the story of an ordinary electrical engineer who, at age 94 and dabbling in the earth sciences as an avocation, discovers an amazing and shocking truth -- that time after time since the beginnings of the earth, life on earth has been periodically been virtually destroyed and has had to start over again. Such a disaster (which occurs at intervals of 15,000 to 50,000 years apart, is currently threatening the earth. The electrical engineer, Herbert Allen Boardman (HAB) tries to alert the people but he is ignored and, in desperation and to get the ear of the world, he sets out seemingly to assassinate the President of the United States -- an assassination attempt deliberately meant to fail, but which puts into motion a remarkable series of events that virtually rock the world. A young writer, John Grant, becomes convinced of the validity of the HAB Theory and, though himself involved in a steamy affair and a marriage that is falling apart, becomes the hingepin upon which the story revolves as the action moves from Chicago to Washington, London, Paris and Nairobi, from the Oval Office of the President to a great international symposium, from the lush dwellings -- and bedrooms -- of the rich and famous to the humble grass shacks of African tribesmen.

Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction Fantasy

623 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Allan W. Eckert was an American historian, historical novelist, and naturalist.

Eckert was born in Buffalo, New York, and raised in the Chicago, Illinois area, but had been a long-time resident of Bellefontaine, Ohio, near where he attended college. As a young man, he hitch-hiked around the United States, living off the land and learning about wildlife. He began writing about nature and American history at the age of thirteen, eventually becoming an author of numerous books for children and adults. His children's novel, Incident at Hawk's Hill, was a runner-up for the Newbery Medal in 1972. One of his novels tells how the great auk went extinct.

In addition to his novels, he also wrote several unproduced screenplays and more than 225 Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom television shows for which he received an Emmy Award.

In a 1999 poll conducted by the Ohioana Library Association, jointly with Toni Morrison, Allan W. Eckert was voted "Favorite Ohio Writer of All Time."

Eckert died in his sleep on July 7, 2011, in Corona, California, at the age of 80.

Reviews

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of all time. Wish more people knew about it...!

[Michael Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this twice 40 years ago and was mesmerized by a story involving the earth tilting 90 degrees off its axis every 3K-7K years, destroying civilization but leaving enough people to start again. It is really well-written, but could have done without the “love story” subplots that do nothing to advance the action. In fact, the second time I read it, I skipped every other chapter without impacting my enjoyment of it. Now, on a third reading, the subplots bother me even more and I think they ruin an otherwise superlative piece of speculative fiction.

[Jonna Bobyarchick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timeless Terrifying Thought challenging

After nearly 40 years this book still ranks as an all time best read! The danger of over-specialization and professional isolationism in science and medicine as well as political smugness, is so aptly portrayed in this scary all too probable indictment of man's narrow- mindedness. If our lives depend on cooperation, will mankind put aside it's ego?

[Patricia Dietz · Rating 1 out of 5]

It started out a great idea. Plenty of interesting "facts" but the story focuses on establishing the problem over and over and over. If the main character didn't smoke, you could cut 20 pages of meaningless cigarette-related actions. He ditches a loving wife and kids for a woman who's been with 45 other men (really!) and spends most of the book trying to justify it to the reader. This one goes in the recycling.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on a real person Hugh Anchluss Brown, an electrical engineer. His theory that humans have built several advanced civilizations on earth over the last 50,000 years, but they seem to dissapear... every 5000-7000 years and that another near-extinction is overdue is very interesting and if true you should read this book soon.

[Dave Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

The end of the world is coming via a wobble in the Earth's rotation. All things considered, an entertaining read but the plot concluded in a very unsatisfying manner.

[Petra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this eons ago and remember that I couldn't put it down. Will have to revisit it one day to see if it holds up.

[Terence Park · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thought-provoking examination of the Earth's pre-history through a speculative lens. The main protagonist, Boardman, discovers disaster is coming and there's little the human race can do to affect it. There's symptoms of a wobble in the Earth's rotation, meanwhile an accumulation of out of place artefacts all around the globe suggest more ancient catastrophes than scientists will admit to. Then a terrifying discovery is made; another disaster is due to hit soon and when it hits, it will throw civilisation back to the stone age. Can it predicted, or even staved off? It soon becomes apparent that the only viable strategy is to figure out how to survive it. Boardman's main enemy is the ignorance and disbelief from disparate parts of the scientific establishment.
Excellent detail and fact sleuthing let down by overlong, protracted story development. The 70s was a time of epics - on reflection this would have been better re-served after a serious rethink.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books of all time! I have read it multiple times. At the bottom of the intrigue is the theory itself....that the earth flips on its axis every 4-8 thousand years causing untold disasters and wrenching of the earth, thereby creating a series of civilizations in the earth's history. Just the idea of this captured my imagination. The rest of the book is about scientists of all types getting together and debating whether or not they think it's possible or even likely, and what is the evidence in the various scientific realms to prove or disprove this theory. The resultant chaotic debate, argument, scapegoating, one-upsmanship, backbiting, blackmailing and on and on makes for a delightful read.

[Duane]

Finally getting to the end of the Hab Theory. It's a long book, and the end honestly plods a little bit. It's a bit anachronistic, in the mode of Arthur Hailey and that bunch.
Not a bad book but not a GREAT book, which is what it wanted to be. A bestselling topper to such things as 334 and The Sheep Look Up, with a new twist on the global disaster thing.
But too much focus on developing sorta stereotype characters made me picture everyone wearing dacron polyester and hoping there would be fondue.

[Tymothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a difficult one to finish, but I made it all the way. The over-all story idea was really interesting - as were the 'scientific' discussions that supported it. Unfortunately, there was a lot of soap opera, couples drama that made it a much longer and more tedious read than it could have been. If you're a fan of well thought-out end-of-the-world stories, you might want to check it out. Be prepared for slow parts, though.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was in high school. I chose to re-read it again last year. The plot is great but the subplots go on a bit long. It is very poignant given the current state of the world and global warming.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one book that makes me think. I really like the comment of the earth will rotate so that North America is the South Pole, due to the weight of National Geo in the basement of the United States.

[Shari Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3rd read of this book, and I don't understand why I liked it so much before. WAAAAAy too much soap opera. It would have been better and shorter without all the domestic drama.

[Susan Wenk · Rating 4 out of 5]

The HAB Theory. Wow! I don't think I've ever read a book like this and I don't even know how to describe it's genre. The character development is excellent and the storyline exceptionally well written. I feel the last 100 pages or so are a bit wordy and the love story subplot is a bit too melodramatic for me. Otherwise it's a great book that makes you reconsider the earth's history and what might be in store for us.

[Lucy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this many many years ago. At first it was interesting, if a little cliche in terms of gender roles. But that ending...all this time later and I can still say without hesitation that it is the WORST ending of a book ever. When you consider the tone of urgency throughout the book, to have such an anti-climatic end is a travesty. The ambiguity was enough of a let down that I have hated the book ever since.

DO NOT READ if you don't like ambiguous endings.

[Paul Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover claims: “The Ultimate Disaster Novel”, and it really is! I spent a few years trying to find out if it was real, as a high schooler. I cannot think of a better apocalyptic fiction tale - how this never became a movie is a mystery. If you get the chance, READ IT!

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/7...

[Martin Nunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all-time favourites!

I read this book years ago in the early 2000's when a friend lent it to me. I liked it so much I had to get it again when I became Kindled. I read it again and enjoyed it again, even knowing the ending.

Riveting resd!

[Jim Siebold · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating theory

A very easy read with many examples of unsolved mysteries. Although with today’s global warming it takes on a different path. As a map enthusiast I particularly like the ancient map references.

[David N · Rating 1 out of 5]

Like eating an unseasoned steak. Excellent concept dragged so far down that it becomes more plodding, dry, and recitational than the symposium that makes up the climax of the book. Happenstance rather than plot, and the most heinously offensive and sexist affair storyline I've ever read.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

history, sci-fi, geology and sexual drama all together.

interesting view of time and man’s solipsism. Ending could have been a bit better written. Good weaving of narratives. A bit pedantic, like Ayn Rand — duplicativeness in the writing. But a good morality story of sorts.

[Edie Light · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book Years ago, like 35 years, and it’s one of the most gripping stories I’ve ever read. I still find myself thinking about it. I highly recommend it.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this many years ago and still remember it.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never been scared of the reason for the seasons before

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explains many anomalies in modern day discoveries. Absolutley a fascinating read.

[Chris Decker · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Would've been much better if he left the love triangle/domestic dispute. Took up damn near half the book. Also, at times this book felt like one long info dump.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a long book to get into, but once it grabs you... hold on! As you can guess this is one of my favorite books.

[Duncan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rollicking story, great concept, gets stretched out a little unnecessarily, but overall an enjoyable read.

[Robert L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will flip

Excellent in all aspects. Read, you won't regret it.
This goes well beyond simply another sci-fi book. It is well researched and fun too.

[Pauline Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep re reading this book while doing research on the side… so thought provoking