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Бойно поле Европа
Това е историята на малка група войници, останали в опустошената от тридесетгодишна война Европа, командвани от безстрашния и симпатичен Лейтенант. Предадени от корумпирано правителство и неговите военни марионетки, започнали и продължили конфликта, Лейтенантът и неговите хора самоотвержено се борят с непреодолими трудности, за да спасят каквото могат от тяхната цивилизация.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1939
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1144 people want to read
About the author
L. Ron Hubbard
1,927 books650 followersL. Ron Hubbard is universally acclaimed as the single most influential author and humanitarian of this modern age. His definitive works on the mind and spirit—comprising over 350 million copies in circulation and more than 40 international bestsellers—have resulted in a legacy benefiting millions and a movement spanning all cultures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
March 5, 2010
It's a little hard to be objective about anything written by L. Ron Hubbard. Founder of his own religion, he was also a pulp writer in the 1930's and 40's. Most people think of him today as that "Scientology" guy. His last multi-part novel, Battlefield Earth, was everywhere to be found in the last century, especially in used bookstores. He published over a hundred novels and short stories during the pulp years, under a variety of pseudonyms.
Final Blackout began as a three-part serial in the April 1940 edition of Astounding Science Fiction (it was later published as a hardback in 1948). It's important to remember this date when discussing the novel, because it was very much part of it's time. Although the war had been waging on for over a year, Germany and the UK had not undertaken major operations against each other. British troops were in the continent of Europe, but France had not yet been invaded. This would soon change. The United States had a neutrality policy.
Hubbard's premise in Blackout was that the war in Europe would drag on and on. In the opening of the book, the war has been going on for over twenty years. Taking the stalemates of WWI as a model, he envisions a state of continuous conflict where allies shift and boundaries change. New technologies have allowed humans to become more effective killers, but no one has achieved a victory. The blitzkrieg was still over the horizon and a lot of people assumed another global war would resemble the last one.
Blackout begins with the remains of the Fourth Brigade of the British Expeditionary Force trying to outmaneuver a detachment of Russian soldiers. They're somewhere in France, but the officer in charge of the brigade, a charismatic thirtysomething man only known as "The Lieutenant" has had no word from his command in four years. Thus they are surprised when a captain from the BEF shows up and orders them to return to general headquarters. Because of biological weapons, no British soldier has been allowed to return to England in years.
The focus of the novel is on the lieutenant. He's only known war, but has survived so many engagements that his men look on him as some sort of divinity. He doesn't talk much, plays solitaire between engagements, and looks after his troops. But he doesn't hesitate to order an execution if he deems it necessary. "He was born in an air raid shelter", reads the first line of the book.
Eventually, the lieutenant and his troops reach the BEF headquarters. They discover the latest government in England has been taken over by communists, who are ordering soldier's councils (soviets) to be organized in each detachment. The lieutenant is relived of his command and his troops turned over to officers who are more in tune with the new government. This, naturally, provokes a revolt in the enlisted men who seize control of the officers and put the lieutenant back in power. With his troops restored, he takes control of the GHQ and organizes a mass flotilla of soldiers back to England. It turns out a vaccine has been developed against the bio warfare germs which kept them out.
Most of the remainder of the book has the lieutenant sailing into England with his army and seizing control of the country. Hubbard spends a lot of time detailing the king of tactics which an army short on modern weapons and ammunition might have to use. The opposing force on the coast has converted their modern cannons into muzzle-loaders since shells are hard to find. England has been depopulated by war and pestilence. The lieutenant executes the leader of the communist fraction which had been in charge and begins to rebuild England.
His work continues uninterrupted. One day a ship from the US is sited off the coast. The Americans have been out of touch for years and now want to resume contact. The same day an American reconnaissance plane soars over the lieutenant's HQ in the old Tower of London, scaring everyone. They haven't seen any aircraft in years. Suddenly, the lieutenant's kingdom is threatened.
The biggest criticism aimed at this book is that it is fascist. I suppose you could call it a fascist novel if you define fascism as the use of violence to bring about political change, but then Superman falls in that category too. The book seems to be advocating a restoration of a military-based aristocracy; "Cesarism", if you will. It's well-written, if a little simplistic, but a good example of apocalyptic science fiction.
Final Blackout began as a three-part serial in the April 1940 edition of Astounding Science Fiction (it was later published as a hardback in 1948). It's important to remember this date when discussing the novel, because it was very much part of it's time. Although the war had been waging on for over a year, Germany and the UK had not undertaken major operations against each other. British troops were in the continent of Europe, but France had not yet been invaded. This would soon change. The United States had a neutrality policy.
Hubbard's premise in Blackout was that the war in Europe would drag on and on. In the opening of the book, the war has been going on for over twenty years. Taking the stalemates of WWI as a model, he envisions a state of continuous conflict where allies shift and boundaries change. New technologies have allowed humans to become more effective killers, but no one has achieved a victory. The blitzkrieg was still over the horizon and a lot of people assumed another global war would resemble the last one.
Blackout begins with the remains of the Fourth Brigade of the British Expeditionary Force trying to outmaneuver a detachment of Russian soldiers. They're somewhere in France, but the officer in charge of the brigade, a charismatic thirtysomething man only known as "The Lieutenant" has had no word from his command in four years. Thus they are surprised when a captain from the BEF shows up and orders them to return to general headquarters. Because of biological weapons, no British soldier has been allowed to return to England in years.
The focus of the novel is on the lieutenant. He's only known war, but has survived so many engagements that his men look on him as some sort of divinity. He doesn't talk much, plays solitaire between engagements, and looks after his troops. But he doesn't hesitate to order an execution if he deems it necessary. "He was born in an air raid shelter", reads the first line of the book.
Eventually, the lieutenant and his troops reach the BEF headquarters. They discover the latest government in England has been taken over by communists, who are ordering soldier's councils (soviets) to be organized in each detachment. The lieutenant is relived of his command and his troops turned over to officers who are more in tune with the new government. This, naturally, provokes a revolt in the enlisted men who seize control of the officers and put the lieutenant back in power. With his troops restored, he takes control of the GHQ and organizes a mass flotilla of soldiers back to England. It turns out a vaccine has been developed against the bio warfare germs which kept them out.
Most of the remainder of the book has the lieutenant sailing into England with his army and seizing control of the country. Hubbard spends a lot of time detailing the king of tactics which an army short on modern weapons and ammunition might have to use. The opposing force on the coast has converted their modern cannons into muzzle-loaders since shells are hard to find. England has been depopulated by war and pestilence. The lieutenant executes the leader of the communist fraction which had been in charge and begins to rebuild England.
His work continues uninterrupted. One day a ship from the US is sited off the coast. The Americans have been out of touch for years and now want to resume contact. The same day an American reconnaissance plane soars over the lieutenant's HQ in the old Tower of London, scaring everyone. They haven't seen any aircraft in years. Suddenly, the lieutenant's kingdom is threatened.
The biggest criticism aimed at this book is that it is fascist. I suppose you could call it a fascist novel if you define fascism as the use of violence to bring about political change, but then Superman falls in that category too. The book seems to be advocating a restoration of a military-based aristocracy; "Cesarism", if you will. It's well-written, if a little simplistic, but a good example of apocalyptic science fiction.
May 10, 2017
This is not the normal type of book I read. But I've enjoyed a lot of other books by this author and thought I'd try this one too. This story is a futuristic war novel.
This particular group of soldiers are English and have basically been kicked out of England. They aim to retake their homeland and make it safe again.
I definitely understand the pull of The Lieutenant as a character. He's a leader worth following. He cares about his men and he cares about people in general, that they can lead good lives.
I enjoyed his motley crew of men who are charming in their own way, especially because of their willingness to protect him. They have funny quirks about them all.
The Lieutenant does succeed in taking back England and in setting it back up as a safe, productive country. I was surprised at the end. It still has me thinking. I would've liked it to end differently but I can think with why the author did it that way, a bit....
This particular group of soldiers are English and have basically been kicked out of England. They aim to retake their homeland and make it safe again.
I definitely understand the pull of The Lieutenant as a character. He's a leader worth following. He cares about his men and he cares about people in general, that they can lead good lives.
I enjoyed his motley crew of men who are charming in their own way, especially because of their willingness to protect him. They have funny quirks about them all.
The Lieutenant does succeed in taking back England and in setting it back up as a safe, productive country. I was surprised at the end. It still has me thinking. I would've liked it to end differently but I can think with why the author did it that way, a bit....
August 30, 2016
If I could, I'd give this book 3.5 stars.
Let me make one thing clear: I'm not a Scientology nor a Dianetics fan. I think L. Ron Hubbard was nuttier than a fruit cake. But crazy people have wild imaginations, making him a most excellent sci fi author.
The only reason I'm not giving it 4 stars is due to my own tastes. I'm not a fan of books about war. Yawn. I get bored just thinking about war books. I do, however, love me some good dystopian fiction. With this book (like many others, I might add) my dislikes and likes are at odds. It's a real pickle of a situation to be in.
If I understand the timeline, Hubbard wrote a magazine version of this book in 1939, before he fought in WWII. He then updated it to this version in the late 40s. The book is set in a post World War apocalyptic future where nuclear warfare and a plague called "soldier's sickness" has wiped out most of humanity. The story follows a character known only as Lieutenant as he guides his rag tag group of soldiers from humble beginnings to rulers of what's left of England. I was impressed that Hubbard was able to create such a story line before WWII even broke out and before atomic warfar was ever used. Maybe his future Scientological powers gave him the ability to see into the future.
I can see why this book is a classic work of science fiction. The plot is interesting, the characters are fun to follow, and the story moves along at a swift pace. It was an engaging, quick read.
Let me make one thing clear: I'm not a Scientology nor a Dianetics fan. I think L. Ron Hubbard was nuttier than a fruit cake. But crazy people have wild imaginations, making him a most excellent sci fi author.
The only reason I'm not giving it 4 stars is due to my own tastes. I'm not a fan of books about war. Yawn. I get bored just thinking about war books. I do, however, love me some good dystopian fiction. With this book (like many others, I might add) my dislikes and likes are at odds. It's a real pickle of a situation to be in.
If I understand the timeline, Hubbard wrote a magazine version of this book in 1939, before he fought in WWII. He then updated it to this version in the late 40s. The book is set in a post World War apocalyptic future where nuclear warfare and a plague called "soldier's sickness" has wiped out most of humanity. The story follows a character known only as Lieutenant as he guides his rag tag group of soldiers from humble beginnings to rulers of what's left of England. I was impressed that Hubbard was able to create such a story line before WWII even broke out and before atomic warfar was ever used. Maybe his future Scientological powers gave him the ability to see into the future.
I can see why this book is a classic work of science fiction. The plot is interesting, the characters are fun to follow, and the story moves along at a swift pace. It was an engaging, quick read.
March 10, 2011
The concepts contained in this book are what make it above-average. It is not brilliantly written, but it is outstandingly thought-provoking.
The basic premise is that the United States quit partway through a World War that continued on for many years after, turning into a devastating stalemate that blanketed most of the rest of the world. As a result, the dwindling armies of the European powers fought over ever-diminishing scraps, as their governments fell and their populations plummeted.
The central character, remembered to future historians as The Lieutenant, a British officer, eventually found himself in charge of a brigade of surviving soldiers. His actions at that point changed the downward spiral of history...or did they? The very existence of future historians suggests so, but the story is in no way a happy fable, and the isolationist United States is far from being the land of good guys in this grim tale.
The writing was good for 1940s pulp, but may seem a bit forced to modern readers, and that's okay. This book was a rough attempt at the kind of thing George Orwell wrote, and is a credible attempt that is a quick read.
The basic premise is that the United States quit partway through a World War that continued on for many years after, turning into a devastating stalemate that blanketed most of the rest of the world. As a result, the dwindling armies of the European powers fought over ever-diminishing scraps, as their governments fell and their populations plummeted.
The central character, remembered to future historians as The Lieutenant, a British officer, eventually found himself in charge of a brigade of surviving soldiers. His actions at that point changed the downward spiral of history...or did they? The very existence of future historians suggests so, but the story is in no way a happy fable, and the isolationist United States is far from being the land of good guys in this grim tale.
The writing was good for 1940s pulp, but may seem a bit forced to modern readers, and that's okay. This book was a rough attempt at the kind of thing George Orwell wrote, and is a credible attempt that is a quick read.
October 19, 2014
Let's give credit where it is due. This was a satisfying read and "The Lieutenant" a thought-provoking character.
I couldn't help feel that much of the happenings in "Final Blackout" might well have occurred within the world created by H.G. Wells in the 1936 film Things to Come:
_ decades of war with civilization blasted halfway back to the Stone Age.
_ "the wandering sickness" in the film / "soldier's sickness" in book form
_ mutual respect between opposing military men (film: Cabal leaves a gun for the dying enemy pilot / book: The Lieutenant's respectful treatment of his Russian opponent)
_ 2 Bit power-grabbers (The "Chief" vs "General Victory")
_ after the passing of years, surprise at airplanes overhead.
_ etc., etc.
I couldn't help feel that much of the happenings in "Final Blackout" might well have occurred within the world created by H.G. Wells in the 1936 film Things to Come:
_ decades of war with civilization blasted halfway back to the Stone Age.
_ "the wandering sickness" in the film / "soldier's sickness" in book form
_ mutual respect between opposing military men (film: Cabal leaves a gun for the dying enemy pilot / book: The Lieutenant's respectful treatment of his Russian opponent)
_ 2 Bit power-grabbers (The "Chief" vs "General Victory")
_ after the passing of years, surprise at airplanes overhead.
_ etc., etc.
July 9, 2025
This is a soldiers book, a glorification of a single man which seems to be the theme with many of L Ron Hubbard’s books. To its credit are the gripping military action and the relationships among the cohort of fighting men. To its detriment is a world view which extols a strongman leader and decries the idea of self government and democracy. Yes democracy and committees are messy and argumentative
and inefficient. Anything else is dictatorship and exploitation.
Alas, this old soldier is an idealist and sadly, naive about the corrupting influence of absolute power. Remember, this author was a veteran of wwii, so it makes sense. It’s a desperate plea for politicians to stop sending young men and women into battles that they themselves will never fight.
To the modern reader it is glorification of the male ideal, a self sacrificing staunch soldier to the last. Women are wholly relegated to the role of workers and baby factories, for there is no single female character in this book at all. Not surprising, since the book was written in 1938, and serves as a relic of a patriarchal past.
and inefficient. Anything else is dictatorship and exploitation.
Alas, this old soldier is an idealist and sadly, naive about the corrupting influence of absolute power. Remember, this author was a veteran of wwii, so it makes sense. It’s a desperate plea for politicians to stop sending young men and women into battles that they themselves will never fight.
To the modern reader it is glorification of the male ideal, a self sacrificing staunch soldier to the last. Women are wholly relegated to the role of workers and baby factories, for there is no single female character in this book at all. Not surprising, since the book was written in 1938, and serves as a relic of a patriarchal past.
June 29, 2024
Check out my full, spoiler free, video review HERE. There wasn’t much I liked about this one except it was very short. Putting it into context of being written in 1939 makes the ideas a bit more interesting. I didn’t even like the ending, it just wasn’t realist at all and didn’t make too much sense to me. Oh well, I can check Hubbard off the list, haha.
January 18, 2009
A good idea finely executed. Largely overlooked. Check this book out for sure.
February 7, 2024
Before starting this book, my preconceived notion was that it would be a quick, pulpy, and enjoyable sci-fi read that I wouldn't have to think too hard about. It delivered exactly what it promised!
Another good find from a fantastic used bookstore in North Van that I forget the name of, unfortunately - it was a great port in a storm (literally) during a rainy day last April!
Another good find from a fantastic used bookstore in North Van that I forget the name of, unfortunately - it was a great port in a storm (literally) during a rainy day last April!
May 4, 2015
Others have already synopsized the storyline but there are other aspects of the story that are quite timeless.
Story and Plot:
Considering the fact the author wrote this before World War II suggests an uncanny attempt to ask what would happen if World War I never ended and just ground on for generations. It was an attempt to see what happens to men and women when the horrors of war become a way of life; the only way to live is through strategy rather than being out-gunned. It’s the smart soldier who lives rather than the brave one.
I really liked the characters in this tale. The Lieutenant (we never know his real name) leads a ragtag band of what’s left of regiments and battalions. It’s a mix of different races and countrymen whose real purpose is just survive. Loved the battle with the Russian commander who was outsmarted in a raid. The leaders meet and are quite mannerly and respectful.
Contrast that with the armchair admirals and colonels at GQ (General Headquarters ) in Paris where men are called back from the field to be locked up and stripped of command. These communists want nothing better than to retake Europe and spread their philosophy of death. The Lieutenant has other things to say about that.
Characters: My favorite was the sadist Markey, with his chain covered with spikes, trips up his enemy and laughs about it. It sounds gruesome but was quite hilarious.
The end of the tale takes place in England. Outnumbered and outgunned, their wit gets them through to the main Communist camp. I won’t spoil it for you, but learning of the Americans coming to colonize their land is a bit much.
Great ending, a heroic if sad one.
Conclusion: Final Blackout asks the question that has been asked for hundreds of years. War, what is it good for? We were still asking this in Vietnam, in Iraq and other lands. Final Blackout’s answer is a compelling one.
Recommended.
Story and Plot:
Considering the fact the author wrote this before World War II suggests an uncanny attempt to ask what would happen if World War I never ended and just ground on for generations. It was an attempt to see what happens to men and women when the horrors of war become a way of life; the only way to live is through strategy rather than being out-gunned. It’s the smart soldier who lives rather than the brave one.
I really liked the characters in this tale. The Lieutenant (we never know his real name) leads a ragtag band of what’s left of regiments and battalions. It’s a mix of different races and countrymen whose real purpose is just survive. Loved the battle with the Russian commander who was outsmarted in a raid. The leaders meet and are quite mannerly and respectful.
Contrast that with the armchair admirals and colonels at GQ (General Headquarters ) in Paris where men are called back from the field to be locked up and stripped of command. These communists want nothing better than to retake Europe and spread their philosophy of death. The Lieutenant has other things to say about that.
Characters: My favorite was the sadist Markey, with his chain covered with spikes, trips up his enemy and laughs about it. It sounds gruesome but was quite hilarious.
The end of the tale takes place in England. Outnumbered and outgunned, their wit gets them through to the main Communist camp. I won’t spoil it for you, but learning of the Americans coming to colonize their land is a bit much.
Great ending, a heroic if sad one.
Conclusion: Final Blackout asks the question that has been asked for hundreds of years. War, what is it good for? We were still asking this in Vietnam, in Iraq and other lands. Final Blackout’s answer is a compelling one.
Recommended.
August 2, 2019
This time I listened to the new audio-book. It was very hard to stop or find a place where I felt I could stop, but I left the last CD for the next day. It was really as a movie in your mind with all the different voices and sound effects and I got more out of it than watching a movie.
It is a sort of grim and dark future with one ray of light, the Lieutenant.
It is a sort of grim and dark future with one ray of light, the Lieutenant.
May 14, 2013
This book is alot of fun. Comes to the point much better than Battlefield Earth or the Mission Earth series.
August 11, 2019
I knew L. Ron Hubbard was a prolific writer of Science Fiction when he was younger, this being before he founded Scientology. I also knew he was writing around the same time as some of the masters and founders of modern Sci-Fi (such as Asimov) where just coming into their own. Being a lover of Sci-Fi, I was curious to read some of his works. Therefore, it should be no surprise that I came home form BookExpo this year with two of his novels.
This might be the time to remind my readers that even though I receive free books from publishers in exchange for my reviews, all of my opinions are my own. I do not endorse any author’s, publisher’s, agent’s, etc. personal views on politics and/or religion. I read for the sole purpose of entertainment. Either I like a story or I don’t and I always tell my readers what I found to be good and bad about a story. As always, you are welcome to disagree with me.
Now that the house keeping is done, let’s talk about this novella. By definition it is a novella and it is also a dystopian alternative history story. In this story WWII never ended and the conflict continues to drag on decades despite the lack of planes, tanks and other implements of modern warfare. The main character, known only as The Lieutenant, has never known anything but war having been born during the conflict. He is part of what remains of the Fourth Brigade of the British Expeditionary Forces operating in France somewhere. It is a ragtag force at best. They scavenge for food and clothing as they fight and try to out maneuver the Russians.
Communications have been cut with headquarters for four years and he has been operating on his own until one day, out of the blue, a Captain shows up and orders him to return to GHQ to be “reorganized”. He knows this is not a good thing because he failed to appoint a soldier’s council as ordered and is expecting some kind of reprisal. The Caption also tells him that things are not the best in London since the British Communist Party is now the governing body.
As The Lieutenant proceeds to make his way to GHQ he comes to realizes that the war is, for all intents and purposes, over and that, “England and his people were barred to him, had rejected him, perhaps forever.” When he reaches GHQ he is relieved of his command. It seems he is to be replaced by someone that is malleable. In other words, GHQ wants someone to follow them blindly and not question their orders or motivates. This does not sit well with his men and they mutiny. Upon victory The Lieutenant is reinstated and he takes charge of GHQ. He immediate gathers a group of soldiers together to return to England, a place soldiers have been banned from because of the soldier’s disease. What he finds once he returns is nothing that he could have imagined and is not good.
I have mixed feelings on this one. First, this is not my type of book. Too many political overtones and I am sick to death of anything political. Secondly, I did not get enough charter development to suit me. Not surprising since this is an action novel and I have no doubt the author used this as a literature tool. For me it fell a little flat.
I liked the premise of the story but I felt it was a somewhat simplistic look at very complex problems. Yet, at the same time I liked that this book did touch on a lot of philological questions that mankind has been struggling with for a long time. I think Hubbard was still developing as a writer when this was written and it also showed he was a product of his time.
As mentioned above, the plot moved quickly and there was plenty of action. Though there were not a lot of twists to the story and it felt a little predictable. It is a quick read and I this in one afternoon.
While this is not my cup of tea the book is not without merit. I think it would make a good book for a book club that focuses on political and philological issues. There is a lot of fodder here for a lively discussion. Also, if you like dystopian alternate histories this might make a good fit for you, especially if you ignore the political undercurrent.
For more of my reviews, and author interviews, check out my blog at www.thespineview.com.
This might be the time to remind my readers that even though I receive free books from publishers in exchange for my reviews, all of my opinions are my own. I do not endorse any author’s, publisher’s, agent’s, etc. personal views on politics and/or religion. I read for the sole purpose of entertainment. Either I like a story or I don’t and I always tell my readers what I found to be good and bad about a story. As always, you are welcome to disagree with me.
Now that the house keeping is done, let’s talk about this novella. By definition it is a novella and it is also a dystopian alternative history story. In this story WWII never ended and the conflict continues to drag on decades despite the lack of planes, tanks and other implements of modern warfare. The main character, known only as The Lieutenant, has never known anything but war having been born during the conflict. He is part of what remains of the Fourth Brigade of the British Expeditionary Forces operating in France somewhere. It is a ragtag force at best. They scavenge for food and clothing as they fight and try to out maneuver the Russians.
Communications have been cut with headquarters for four years and he has been operating on his own until one day, out of the blue, a Captain shows up and orders him to return to GHQ to be “reorganized”. He knows this is not a good thing because he failed to appoint a soldier’s council as ordered and is expecting some kind of reprisal. The Caption also tells him that things are not the best in London since the British Communist Party is now the governing body.
As The Lieutenant proceeds to make his way to GHQ he comes to realizes that the war is, for all intents and purposes, over and that, “England and his people were barred to him, had rejected him, perhaps forever.” When he reaches GHQ he is relieved of his command. It seems he is to be replaced by someone that is malleable. In other words, GHQ wants someone to follow them blindly and not question their orders or motivates. This does not sit well with his men and they mutiny. Upon victory The Lieutenant is reinstated and he takes charge of GHQ. He immediate gathers a group of soldiers together to return to England, a place soldiers have been banned from because of the soldier’s disease. What he finds once he returns is nothing that he could have imagined and is not good.
I have mixed feelings on this one. First, this is not my type of book. Too many political overtones and I am sick to death of anything political. Secondly, I did not get enough charter development to suit me. Not surprising since this is an action novel and I have no doubt the author used this as a literature tool. For me it fell a little flat.
I liked the premise of the story but I felt it was a somewhat simplistic look at very complex problems. Yet, at the same time I liked that this book did touch on a lot of philological questions that mankind has been struggling with for a long time. I think Hubbard was still developing as a writer when this was written and it also showed he was a product of his time.
As mentioned above, the plot moved quickly and there was plenty of action. Though there were not a lot of twists to the story and it felt a little predictable. It is a quick read and I this in one afternoon.
While this is not my cup of tea the book is not without merit. I think it would make a good book for a book club that focuses on political and philological issues. There is a lot of fodder here for a lively discussion. Also, if you like dystopian alternate histories this might make a good fit for you, especially if you ignore the political undercurrent.
For more of my reviews, and author interviews, check out my blog at www.thespineview.com.
July 11, 2021
There's a paternalist, anti-democratic streak running through this entire book, which glorifies war through fighting and continually upholds cold strategic genius as the best kind of governance. The Lieutenant, a nameless oracle protagonist, is leading a rainbow coalition of dedicated soldiers back toward the United Kingdom through France, a landscape mucked and diseased by a World War Two (or… Three maybe?) which is still raging in 1975. A Bondlike immortality and dashing ability to swiftly win battles keep the pace of the action up, and the company sets free POWs, wins a girl in an underground village, and eventually mutiny at a foreword command post before returning to London to invade a socialist government there. The battle-hardened avengers come up against peasant soldiers scrabbling together defenses, but it's easy to roll over them:
Later, when the day is won, "The Union Jack was absent and in its place was the standard of the Fourth Brigade" (pg102) over the city and a happiness of dry, stilted propaganda sets in:
Such a character makes sense for someone who would later develop the Church of Scientology. And then, in the book's best sequence, the Americans arrive on the Thames. The overbearing perseverance-through-dread and stiff-upper-lip and pure militarism is jolted awake by a more contemporary version of the military: an instrument of the sinister fog of imperialism. Out come the marines, and here, crucially, in a book written in the early 1940s, they are the BAD GUYS . "Our only wish is to see your country blossom," (pg151) is the mission they bring. In war, these are your two alternatives.
"Maybe there are so few of the officers' corps left that we have a feeling we ought to preserve ourselves. Maybe it's because all officers have been taught the necessity of exalting their rank and being as above that of civilians. Civilians started this mess anyway, didn't they? Bungling statesmanship, trade mongering, their 'let the soldier do the dirty work' philosophy, these things started it…"pg63
Later, when the day is won, "The Union Jack was absent and in its place was the standard of the Fourth Brigade" (pg102) over the city and a happiness of dry, stilted propaganda sets in:
"The happiness of a country is directly dependent on the business of that country. And here everyone had seven times more projects to accomplish than he could ever hope to complete in his life time, and there was the grand goal of making a destroyed county live again. Everyone, therefore, was happy. And there was no worry whatever about politics."pg137
Such a character makes sense for someone who would later develop the Church of Scientology. And then, in the book's best sequence, the Americans arrive on the Thames. The overbearing perseverance-through-dread and stiff-upper-lip and pure militarism is jolted awake by a more contemporary version of the military: an instrument of the sinister fog of imperialism. Out come the marines, and here, crucially, in a book written in the early 1940s, they are the BAD GUYS . "Our only wish is to see your country blossom," (pg151) is the mission they bring. In war, these are your two alternatives.
March 27, 2009
When people think Anarchist Sci-fi they think Ursala K. Leguin's The dispossessed from the 60's, which is a great book.
Let’s go further back and stay with the anarchist Science Fiction. How about a novel released in 1940 by a man who went on to brainwash celebrities. When I was very young the first long novel I ever read was Battlefield Earth while more respectable than the film L.Ron Hubbard was not the best Science Fiction writer on the planet.
However Final Blackout is a bleak doozy of a short novel that I feel had an anarchist message. Obviously shortly after Poland was invaded but before the Americans joined WW II this novel is quite an amazing feat of speculative fiction. Indeed Hubbard predicted a fair amount of stuff right.
The novel is about a U.S. Lieutenant who becomes a cult leader (hmmm) in the aftermath of atomic devastation across Europe. This leader sees that the problem was in our leaders who created these governments who were bound to fight. The Final Blackout is a rip roaring adventure and makes a clear statement against hierarchy. Hubbard didn’t seem to hold on to those beliefs.
Try to find the Final Blackout used or at your Library because you know where that money is going right?
Let’s go further back and stay with the anarchist Science Fiction. How about a novel released in 1940 by a man who went on to brainwash celebrities. When I was very young the first long novel I ever read was Battlefield Earth while more respectable than the film L.Ron Hubbard was not the best Science Fiction writer on the planet.
However Final Blackout is a bleak doozy of a short novel that I feel had an anarchist message. Obviously shortly after Poland was invaded but before the Americans joined WW II this novel is quite an amazing feat of speculative fiction. Indeed Hubbard predicted a fair amount of stuff right.
The novel is about a U.S. Lieutenant who becomes a cult leader (hmmm) in the aftermath of atomic devastation across Europe. This leader sees that the problem was in our leaders who created these governments who were bound to fight. The Final Blackout is a rip roaring adventure and makes a clear statement against hierarchy. Hubbard didn’t seem to hold on to those beliefs.
Try to find the Final Blackout used or at your Library because you know where that money is going right?
January 25, 2011
L. Ron Hubbard's take on World War II works on the level of a child's nightmare: hauntingly terrifying despite it's simplistic interpretation of the world. He captures the fear of a generation who just ended one major war and have already moved into a second. A young man at the time, he admits in an excellent preface that his views have evolved and matured.
Much has been written about his unnamed Lieutenant. I cannot add anything but this observation: the Lieutenant deserves to be recognized as a member of a small group of symbolic heroes who's personal failure allowed for societal growth and change. His company includes [Author: Ayn Rand]'s John Galt and Howard Roak, and Terry Gilliam's Sam Lowry.
Much has been written about his unnamed Lieutenant. I cannot add anything but this observation: the Lieutenant deserves to be recognized as a member of a small group of symbolic heroes who's personal failure allowed for societal growth and change. His company includes [Author: Ayn Rand]'s John Galt and Howard Roak, and Terry Gilliam's Sam Lowry.
February 23, 2013
I had this paperback (that I had bought used so as not to benefit Scientology) lying around for a long time. I felt that being a sort of a fan of science fiction I needed to read at least something from Hubbard, who after all was one of the major figures of the Golden Age. However, every time I picked up the book I was put off by the writing and got distracted by something else.
After finishing Bare-faced Messiah recently I decided finally to power through this book, which is fortunately quite short. It is not great literature, even though Algis Budrys in his foreword compares it to Orwell's 1984 (and reiterates the myth of Hubbard as explorer and war hero).
After finishing Bare-faced Messiah recently I decided finally to power through this book, which is fortunately quite short. It is not great literature, even though Algis Budrys in his foreword compares it to Orwell's 1984 (and reiterates the myth of Hubbard as explorer and war hero).
November 1, 2020
Reading this book is like watching a fuse burning to it's awesome bomb impact of an ending. Suspenseful. Idealistic. The Lieutenant guides a small band of survivors in a continent decimated by war. Only the toughest are left. They long for a home which they have been exiled from. It is the most impactful 202 pages of book I have read. Final Blackout is a great story. I think this may have been my 6th or 7th reading of it. Not long but very penetrating in an excellent way. Any reader would enjoy this.
July 4, 2016
I felt I needed to read at least one early Hubbard and this one seemed to have the best reputation. The first half seems to be a popcorn response to the First World War, not amazingly deep but easy read of the pointless horror of it. The second half, on the other hand, is downright disturbing not in a good way but in how nativist, vile and fascistic (in spite of hairsplitting claims to the contrary) it is. Really for historians only.
November 28, 2017
Non male come lettura, ma niente di particolare: si legge d'un fiato e si arriva ad una fine pessimistica; da un lato la bravura e l'imbattibilità del Tenente, che in una Europa devastata dalla guerra, dove nessuno è il vincitore, ma ognuno cerca di sopravvivere, cerca di salvare la pelle dei suoi sottoposti, dall'altro la completa sfiducia per i politici e le loro macchinazioni. Non mi pare che l'autore offra una luce di speranza, se non la fratellanza fra i compagni d'arme.
June 8, 2011
All though this book was wrote just prior to world war to, it is an excellent tale of speculative fiction about the war. E. Ron Hubbard was one of the masters of the past generation. I highly recommend it.
David Donaghe
Author of Monroe's Paranormal Investigations
and Tale Spinner.
David Donaghe
Author of Monroe's Paranormal Investigations
and Tale Spinner.
April 16, 2016
My review is part of my discussion of novels eligible for the 1941 Retro Hugo Award in "Looking Back on Genre History" on Episode 427 of StarShipSofa
December 7, 2024
It becomes better and better the more times I read it. It is 5 years since I read it last time.
Read
September 25, 2012He's a great stroryteller.
October 9, 2012
One of the best book I've read.
December 1, 2013
This is one of my favorite Sci-Fi books, but I tend to love dystopian stories with more than surface meaning.
June 18, 2018
Very short. As a WWI historian, the idea of WWIII ending up as WWI all over again is intriguing. The last 15% of the book is disappointing. Really 3.5 stars.
June 16, 2025
If you want to read an L Ron Hubbard book then this may be worth a try. The writing is pretty basic, the concepts are interesting if naively implimented, which when combined with diverse characters makes for an easy read. It is ultimately a shallow and forgettable book, should come in handy for beach reading.
Summary: Its the 1970s, the future! (printed in 1940), the attrition of world war two has been continuing for 30 years or so, the British Expditionary Force is still in France, with the remainder of this once mighty force now a rag tag group of Brits, French and other nationals, fighting against Tsarist White Russians and other Europeans. There is a now Communist UK who dont want the soldiers to return home. Only The Lieutenant can save his motley crew from this devastating landscape.
The characters seem typical of L Ron, you have the protaganist "The Lieutenant" who is a strong self sacrificing leader with impeccable morals, this chap is countered by the weak minded corrupt types who try and bring him down. The reader feasts upon the brilliance and purity of The Lieutenant, this guy always has the perfect plan, knows everything and is the ultimate commander, he looks after his men, can make tough decisions in an instance, has no negative traits. Even when it seems that he has a ridiculous plan it all comes up roses and highlights his golden status, its a celebration of the dictator, made for fans of the strong man. I enourage you to not think about this too much as it marrs the reading experience.
The soldiers under The Lieutenant have their unique querks which make them a little weird, the way in which they are portrayed positively is in the skill they lend to the regiment and in their unwavering support of their mighty leader, maybe this reflects the type of people that L Ron seeked in contributing to his schemes. The true enemies of The Lieutenant are Staff officers, who have no experience in warfare, no place giving him orders, they are ultimately a foil to highlight how strong this strong man is. The only enemy that could match the Lieutenant would be himself.
If you like reading war novels with intelligent tactics, this is not the book for you, the tactics are laughable and the behaviour of war weary soldiers is not so believable. They are highly disciplined and reflect the ideals of the colonial British soldiers, for the good officers at least, their word is their bond. And the bad officers? well they are the worst, the enemy of The Lieutenant and his crew, who have no honour and will stoop to the lowest levels to destroy him.
I wonder if characters like The Lieutenant are who L Ron aspired to be, the irony being that he lived up to the enemy of The Lieutenant more than anything. His incompetence in his service in the Navy led to being relieved of command twice. While he didnt get to live up to his dreams, he called in sick on his navy service, he did later found a religion which recruited TVs Tom Cruise, so he did gather a following which The Lieutenant might be proud of, but the methods maybe less so.
***SPOILER*** This alternative future is pretty good, it forms a decent balance in the negative narrative, the post nuclear/biological war world. The Americans staying mostly out of it and then sweep in at the end to form their empire.
***SPOILER*** The most annoying part of the book is the ending which is pretty weak and serves to deify the dictator, it's ridiculous how the plot is artifically adjusted to bring a situation, which forces a final showdown and completes the story, but if you dont think about it too much is an ideal end to glorify the dictator protagonist.
It was an enjoyable read but Im glad that this was not expanded into a 3 part epic as it would have got pretty boring, as Im learning presently with Battlefield Earth. L Ron Hubbard knows how to write an entertaining short novel though.
Summary: Its the 1970s, the future! (printed in 1940), the attrition of world war two has been continuing for 30 years or so, the British Expditionary Force is still in France, with the remainder of this once mighty force now a rag tag group of Brits, French and other nationals, fighting against Tsarist White Russians and other Europeans. There is a now Communist UK who dont want the soldiers to return home. Only The Lieutenant can save his motley crew from this devastating landscape.
The characters seem typical of L Ron, you have the protaganist "The Lieutenant" who is a strong self sacrificing leader with impeccable morals, this chap is countered by the weak minded corrupt types who try and bring him down. The reader feasts upon the brilliance and purity of The Lieutenant, this guy always has the perfect plan, knows everything and is the ultimate commander, he looks after his men, can make tough decisions in an instance, has no negative traits. Even when it seems that he has a ridiculous plan it all comes up roses and highlights his golden status, its a celebration of the dictator, made for fans of the strong man. I enourage you to not think about this too much as it marrs the reading experience.
The soldiers under The Lieutenant have their unique querks which make them a little weird, the way in which they are portrayed positively is in the skill they lend to the regiment and in their unwavering support of their mighty leader, maybe this reflects the type of people that L Ron seeked in contributing to his schemes. The true enemies of The Lieutenant are Staff officers, who have no experience in warfare, no place giving him orders, they are ultimately a foil to highlight how strong this strong man is. The only enemy that could match the Lieutenant would be himself.
If you like reading war novels with intelligent tactics, this is not the book for you, the tactics are laughable and the behaviour of war weary soldiers is not so believable. They are highly disciplined and reflect the ideals of the colonial British soldiers, for the good officers at least, their word is their bond. And the bad officers? well they are the worst, the enemy of The Lieutenant and his crew, who have no honour and will stoop to the lowest levels to destroy him.
I wonder if characters like The Lieutenant are who L Ron aspired to be, the irony being that he lived up to the enemy of The Lieutenant more than anything. His incompetence in his service in the Navy led to being relieved of command twice. While he didnt get to live up to his dreams, he called in sick on his navy service, he did later found a religion which recruited TVs Tom Cruise, so he did gather a following which The Lieutenant might be proud of, but the methods maybe less so.
***SPOILER*** This alternative future is pretty good, it forms a decent balance in the negative narrative, the post nuclear/biological war world. The Americans staying mostly out of it and then sweep in at the end to form their empire.
***SPOILER*** The most annoying part of the book is the ending which is pretty weak and serves to deify the dictator, it's ridiculous how the plot is artifically adjusted to bring a situation, which forces a final showdown and completes the story, but if you dont think about it too much is an ideal end to glorify the dictator protagonist.
It was an enjoyable read but Im glad that this was not expanded into a 3 part epic as it would have got pretty boring, as Im learning presently with Battlefield Earth. L Ron Hubbard knows how to write an entertaining short novel though.
June 28, 2025
Lemme tell yall bout this here book called Final Blackout by L Ron Hubbard. Now I ain't much fer readin an my schoolin was short but this here book it grabbed me an didnt let go.
A Story of War and Grit
This book it tells a story bout Europe after years and years of fightin where everthang is just busted up an gone. But then ya got this one group of fellas they call em the invincibles an they tough as nails. Their leader he just called The Lieutenant an he a real smart fella when it comes to fightin. They somehow keep on goin even when everbody else is pretty much done for.
The Last Stand
They finally make it to England an things is still bad real bad. These fellas they gotta fight real hard one last time against these mean folks who wanna run everthang. Its like the whole world is bout to go dark forever an they the only only ones standin in the way. It made me think bout how sometimes ya just gotta keep on fightin even when it looks like theres no hope left.
My Thoughts
Now I ain't gonna lie there was some big words in there that I had to kinda squint at but the story itself it was plain as day. It made me feel like I was right there with em fightin an scrapin. If you like stories bout folks who dont give up no matter what then you oughta pick up Final Blackout. It a good one for sure.
I give it 4 outta 5 catfish.
A Story of War and Grit
This book it tells a story bout Europe after years and years of fightin where everthang is just busted up an gone. But then ya got this one group of fellas they call em the invincibles an they tough as nails. Their leader he just called The Lieutenant an he a real smart fella when it comes to fightin. They somehow keep on goin even when everbody else is pretty much done for.
The Last Stand
They finally make it to England an things is still bad real bad. These fellas they gotta fight real hard one last time against these mean folks who wanna run everthang. Its like the whole world is bout to go dark forever an they the only only ones standin in the way. It made me think bout how sometimes ya just gotta keep on fightin even when it looks like theres no hope left.
My Thoughts
Now I ain't gonna lie there was some big words in there that I had to kinda squint at but the story itself it was plain as day. It made me feel like I was right there with em fightin an scrapin. If you like stories bout folks who dont give up no matter what then you oughta pick up Final Blackout. It a good one for sure.
I give it 4 outta 5 catfish.
February 1, 2025
If you are only going to read one of Hubbard’s works of fiction don’t let it be this – choose
Typewriter in the Sky or One was stubborn.
Of all of Hubbard’s acclaimed pre-Dianetics fiction I find the reputation of Final Blackout the least deserving. It has all the general ingredients of Hubbard’s fiction of taking an interesting idea and adding fast past action, simple characters, sardonic humour and a twist ending. However it just does not work as well as his interesting idea – an apocalyptic forever - demands more of the characters and plot. When your setting is a Europe where 95% of the population has been eradicated by atomic and biological warfare it is just silly having the main character exploring a world of chivalry while give a folksy libertarian speech complaining about the welfare state and how rebuilding industry would just create unemployment and politicians.
Typewriter in the Sky or One was stubborn.
Of all of Hubbard’s acclaimed pre-Dianetics fiction I find the reputation of Final Blackout the least deserving. It has all the general ingredients of Hubbard’s fiction of taking an interesting idea and adding fast past action, simple characters, sardonic humour and a twist ending. However it just does not work as well as his interesting idea – an apocalyptic forever - demands more of the characters and plot. When your setting is a Europe where 95% of the population has been eradicated by atomic and biological warfare it is just silly having the main character exploring a world of chivalry while give a folksy libertarian speech complaining about the welfare state and how rebuilding industry would just create unemployment and politicians.
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