The Day of the Drones

by A.M. Lightner, Gene Szafran (Illustrator)

Five hundred years after a nuclear disaster a civilization of black people in Africa believe they are the only survivors on earth. But a progressive black girl gradually opens some scholarly minds to the possible existence of a beneficial white civilization beyond their self-imposed boundaries.

Genres: Science Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Fiction

255 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 1969

About the author

A.M. Hopf, or Alice Martha Lightner Hopf, is the author of more than nineteen books for young readers, among them science fiction novels. Her books include The Day of the Drones, Doctor to the Galaxy, and The Rock of Three Planets. She also had a strong interest in natural history and entomology and has written several non-fiction children's books on the subject (published under the name Alice Lightner Hopf).

Reviews

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this old sci-fi book. My first intro to Afro-centric science fiction, back when I read it in 1990. My edition was a 1970 paperback - cool!

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was required reading in my 10th grade reading class with Mrs. Sparks in 1975. That woman was ahead of her time.

[Gena Lott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This early distopian--before distopian was a genre--made an impact on me. I wasn't sure I liked it, and I had a hard time coming to grips with the themes. In retrospect, it affected me much like the original movie of Planet of the Apes.

[Frank Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flips post-apocalyptic worlds on their head as Africa is the world's greatest power and Europe has slid back into primitive culture. Good writing.

[Aimee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very interesting concept.... but the writing style was kind of weak. Took too long to get rolling, and then seemed to wrap up way too fast. Left lots of stuff unanswered.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

a re-read. Civilization has managed to survive in Africa, let's look around for others.

[Gabriel A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this whole thing on the flights to and from Miami when my dad died.
The book was fun. Good distraction.

[Kabir Sharma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good idea, mid book

[Floyd Webb]

Gottas reread this. I can't belive I forgot about this book