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Heat
The United States government refuses to accept one engineer's evidence that atmospheric carbon dioxide is reaching a critical level, until hurricanes shatter the landscape and the unprecedented heat buckles city streets
196 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1978
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93 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Herzog III
34 books15 followersArthur Herzog III (April 6, 1927 – May 25, 2010) was an American novelist, non-fiction writer, and journalist, well known for his works of science fiction and true crime books. He was the son of songwriter Arthur Herzog, Jr..
His novels The Swarm and Orca have been made into films. His science fiction novel IQ 83 is being made into a film by Dreamworks.
Herzog was also the author of non-fiction books: The Church Trap is a critique of Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish church organization and institutions particularly in the U.S; 17 Days: The Katie Beers Story, is about the kidnapping and child sexual abuse of Katie Beers.
His novels The Swarm and Orca have been made into films. His science fiction novel IQ 83 is being made into a film by Dreamworks.
Herzog was also the author of non-fiction books: The Church Trap is a critique of Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish church organization and institutions particularly in the U.S; 17 Days: The Katie Beers Story, is about the kidnapping and child sexual abuse of Katie Beers.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 28, 2013
Somewhere in a secret underground laboratory, Lawrence Pick - an engineer who predicted and analyzed large-scale calamities that might affect the national security of the United States - gathers startling evidence that the world's weather may be rapidly changing, as a prelude to a fundamental alteration in global climate. They call him an alarmist - a gloomy, anxious pessimist. Lawrence resented the label, but for himself and a team of equally skilled scientists, the evidence is irrefutable.
When the evidence of a carbon dioxide buildup was first brought to his attention, the idea seemed ludicrous, too far-fetched. Until nature itself breathed life into the theory. Now, as freakish weather conditions prevail: extraordinary tornadoes and hurricanes, droughts, violent hailstorms and windstorms, as well as savage waterspouts - Lawrence's various 'over-reactive' weather predictions become a stunning reality.
"Condition Green" is no longer a theory as destruction runs rampant, but still neither the government of the United States nor the people will listen. Too late, the results of man's indifference is everywhere...with only one hope for survival.
I must say that while I ultimately ended up enjoying this book, I found reading it was a bit of a slog for me in certain places. In my opinion, the writing was too technically involved - the author used a little too much scientific jargon - and as a result, reading the story was slightly beyond me at times.
It was still a very good book, but for me, the thing that saved Heat by Arthur Herzog being rated a B+! or even a B! was that the action picked up appreciably towards the end. I give this story an A! This is certainly a book that makes you think - and worry!
When the evidence of a carbon dioxide buildup was first brought to his attention, the idea seemed ludicrous, too far-fetched. Until nature itself breathed life into the theory. Now, as freakish weather conditions prevail: extraordinary tornadoes and hurricanes, droughts, violent hailstorms and windstorms, as well as savage waterspouts - Lawrence's various 'over-reactive' weather predictions become a stunning reality.
"Condition Green" is no longer a theory as destruction runs rampant, but still neither the government of the United States nor the people will listen. Too late, the results of man's indifference is everywhere...with only one hope for survival.
I must say that while I ultimately ended up enjoying this book, I found reading it was a bit of a slog for me in certain places. In my opinion, the writing was too technically involved - the author used a little too much scientific jargon - and as a result, reading the story was slightly beyond me at times.
It was still a very good book, but for me, the thing that saved Heat by Arthur Herzog being rated a B+! or even a B! was that the action picked up appreciably towards the end. I give this story an A! This is certainly a book that makes you think - and worry!
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December 29, 2020Παρά τα εμπόδια το βιβλίο τελικά μου άρεσε. Οφείλω να προειδοποίησω πως είναι φορτωμένο με υπερβολικά πολλές επιστημονικές πληροφορίες και επεξηγήσεις κι έτσι καταλήγει σε πολλά σημεία απλώς να γίνεται κουραστικό και να σταματά τη δράση και την πλοκή. Το δεύτερο μισό περίπου του βιβλίου όμως αρχίζει να επιταχύνει κάνοντας την ανάγνωση πολύ πιο ευχάριστη.
Η όλη ατμόσφαιρα είναι βαριά, αποπνικτική. Ο Arthur Herzog περιγράφει ένα εφιαλτικό αλλά ταυτόχρονα καθόλου μακρινό σενάριο όπου η ανθρωπότητα θα πρέπει να ξεφύγει από τον αφανισμό της, τον οποίο η ίδια προκάλεσε.
Η όλη ατμόσφαιρα είναι βαριά, αποπνικτική. Ο Arthur Herzog περιγράφει ένα εφιαλτικό αλλά ταυτόχρονα καθόλου μακρινό σενάριο όπου η ανθρωπότητα θα πρέπει να ξεφύγει από τον αφανισμό της, τον οποίο η ίδια προκάλεσε.
March 22, 2014
Set in the late 20th century, this story is shows how the world becomes dystopian in a span of a few months. And it is one man's job (or so he thinks) to save the world from a runaway greenhouse.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, although i was baffled at some places by the human response/ behavior the author imagined. But that may be so, because this story is of a dystopian society, and I am none the expert on it. There are several opinions expressed by the author, which may be his own or from the scientific community in general, in the book which i completely agree with.
Lawrence Pick is the guy who carries the world's burden on his shoulders, a workoholic and the messiah in a polluted consumerist globalized society.
This book reminds me of the ongoing debate on global warming and human corruption of this planet. No, the story will not bore one to death with innumerable scientific jargon unless he/she doesn't grasp the basic idea of basic science. I should mention here that the author has quoted some real studies and papers in the story.
While the book certainly catches one's attention, it still seems a little far behind considering the time period between when the book was written and now as I am reviewing it.
It is a pity that, like most scientific articles and talks on the said subject, this is just another work on the same that is going through my read-forget process.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, although i was baffled at some places by the human response/ behavior the author imagined. But that may be so, because this story is of a dystopian society, and I am none the expert on it. There are several opinions expressed by the author, which may be his own or from the scientific community in general, in the book which i completely agree with.
Lawrence Pick is the guy who carries the world's burden on his shoulders, a workoholic and the messiah in a polluted consumerist globalized society.
This book reminds me of the ongoing debate on global warming and human corruption of this planet. No, the story will not bore one to death with innumerable scientific jargon unless he/she doesn't grasp the basic idea of basic science. I should mention here that the author has quoted some real studies and papers in the story.
While the book certainly catches one's attention, it still seems a little far behind considering the time period between when the book was written and now as I am reviewing it.
It is a pity that, like most scientific articles and talks on the said subject, this is just another work on the same that is going through my read-forget process.
July 10, 2016
Arthur Herzog’s “Heat” (1977) has a high novelty factor, in that it’s a 40-year-old novel that speculates about one of the most controversial issues of our time: global warming/climate change.
Despite that novelty, however, there’s not a whole lot to recommend “Heat.” Apart from a couple great sections in the last fourth of the novel that cast a sociological eye on a warming event, most of the narrative is scientists in rooms, talking. The prose and expertise on display are impressive, but Heat’s lack of characters and character development seems almost derelict for a novelist.
Yes, there are some passages that you’ll eagerly share with those around you (e.g., “And keep in mind that this guy wrote this in 1977!” or something to that effect), but even at less than 200 pp. you’ll likely find “Heat” to be a slog.
Despite that novelty, however, there’s not a whole lot to recommend “Heat.” Apart from a couple great sections in the last fourth of the novel that cast a sociological eye on a warming event, most of the narrative is scientists in rooms, talking. The prose and expertise on display are impressive, but Heat’s lack of characters and character development seems almost derelict for a novelist.
Yes, there are some passages that you’ll eagerly share with those around you (e.g., “And keep in mind that this guy wrote this in 1977!” or something to that effect), but even at less than 200 pp. you’ll likely find “Heat” to be a slog.
January 27, 2020
I remember the 70's. We thought that a new Ice-ace was near because of all the smoke and pollution. (there is always a worldwide drop in temperature after a large volcano has erupted).
Along comes this book and claims that we are headed for a worldwide heating instead. Caused by carbondioxide. And it proceeds to describe exactly the extreme weather we experience now more than 40 years later! It even gets the public and political reactions right. (although the author doesn't correctly predict the names of the american politicians...).
Yes. It is not a great book. It has aged horribly. But it is a terrifying read: If people knew this 40 years ago, why hasn't anything been done yet? (It even gives the answer to that question).
Should be a mandatory read in every high school.
Along comes this book and claims that we are headed for a worldwide heating instead. Caused by carbondioxide. And it proceeds to describe exactly the extreme weather we experience now more than 40 years later! It even gets the public and political reactions right. (although the author doesn't correctly predict the names of the american politicians...).
Yes. It is not a great book. It has aged horribly. But it is a terrifying read: If people knew this 40 years ago, why hasn't anything been done yet? (It even gives the answer to that question).
Should be a mandatory read in every high school.
September 6, 2025
A government scientist discovers that climate change has accelerated and the world is in danger of being completely and irrevocably changed by rising heat levels
A very interesting, very prophetic novel that is frighteningly realistic. Like other Herzog books there is a lot of technical jargon but is compelling nonetheless
A very interesting, very prophetic novel that is frighteningly realistic. Like other Herzog books there is a lot of technical jargon but is compelling nonetheless
June 15, 2015
A ridiculous book in many ways, with ridiculous characters doing ridiculous things. It's a quick and easy read, though, and I enjoyed this for its cheap cheesy camp value. The sexism is egregious, and that will be a show-stopper for some readers. While not a "good" book, it is notable for a couple reasons.
1) There is a smattering of science in this fiction. I mean actual, honest-to-goodness citations from contemporary nonfiction publications. Footnotes right in the text! I don't recall seeing that in any other science fiction novels, though I'm sure it's been done before and since.
2) According to Eco-Fiction, this is "one of the earliest novels that comes close to scientific realization about what we now know about climate change; it goes into ocean acidification, carbon emissions, and so forth." As such, it's required reading for anyone interested in how this critical issue of our time is represented and reflected in popular culture. Whatever the literary shortcomings, you gotta give Herzog some props for that.
1) There is a smattering of science in this fiction. I mean actual, honest-to-goodness citations from contemporary nonfiction publications. Footnotes right in the text! I don't recall seeing that in any other science fiction novels, though I'm sure it's been done before and since.
2) According to Eco-Fiction, this is "one of the earliest novels that comes close to scientific realization about what we now know about climate change; it goes into ocean acidification, carbon emissions, and so forth." As such, it's required reading for anyone interested in how this critical issue of our time is represented and reflected in popular culture. Whatever the literary shortcomings, you gotta give Herzog some props for that.
August 14, 2016
it took a long time to get the main point and when it did it kept dragging on. The idea was great but it could have been done better.
September 23, 2017
I totally believe in man made climate change.
This book however is not one to read if you want a well written future environmental horror.
Spoiler
The earth is heating up.
Not in 100 years or 20 but next week.
The author has the earth go through the over heating of earth within 1 year.
The strong independent woman the protagonist falls for becomes a "I'll do anything for you including quit my important job and stop insulting you" for the protagonist because of...I don't know why I guess because the author wanted it.
Earth is saved by making tiny suns in the sky. That doesn't make sense? Too bad that's the answer you get.
This book however is not one to read if you want a well written future environmental horror.
Spoiler
The earth is heating up.
Not in 100 years or 20 but next week.
The author has the earth go through the over heating of earth within 1 year.
The strong independent woman the protagonist falls for becomes a "I'll do anything for you including quit my important job and stop insulting you" for the protagonist because of...I don't know why I guess because the author wanted it.
Earth is saved by making tiny suns in the sky. That doesn't make sense? Too bad that's the answer you get.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews