Arthur C Clarke must be one of the most prolific sci / sci-fi writers of all time. His bibliography is huge: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_C._Clarke_bibliography.
I have read these 2 book series by Clarke and was less than impressed. See https://timsbestreads.blogspot.com/p/arthur-c.html. In each case, it was a great first book but the subsequent titles in the series were disappointing.
Rendezvous with Rama (1973)
Rama II (1989)
The Garden of Rama (1991)
Rama Revealed (1993)
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
2010: Odyssey Two (1982)
2061: Odyssey Three (1987)
3001: The Final Odyssey (1997)
But with a single book, you can't go wrong and this is very much the case with The Trigger, written in 1999 when Clarke was 82 years old. It is one of his final books and is superb, co-written with Michael P. Kube-McDowell.
The plot summary reads as follows
The Trigger starts in the early to mid-21st century. A group of scientists invent, by accident, a device that detonates all nitrate-based explosive in its vicinity, thus providing good protection against most known modern conventional weapons. The first half of the book explores the reactions of society, government and the scientists themselves as the latter attempt to ensure that their invention will only be used for peaceful ends. Although at first beneficial, other uses for the device are found, such as a faultless at-range detonator. The novel also traces the scientists' slow progress in understanding the science behind their invention. The second half of the book begins when the science is sufficiently well understood that a second device can be built - one that does not detonate explosives, but merely renders them permanently harmless. The story ends with a twist but I won't elaborate on that here.
Indeed, what would happen if all guns and bombs were no longer functional? It is a wonderful exposition which manages to brainstorm just about every scenario.
The book is well written, covering the social, practical, and political issues such a development would bring. It's hard to believe that this book was written in 1999 - it could have been written today. The words out of the mouths of the gun rights characters are the same ones that are being used today to advocate their cause, and the use of fake news and fake conspiracies echoes 21st century America. Talk about prescient.
Is this the book that has everything? If not it comes really close. Politics, conspiracy, technology, heroes and villians, and a theme that is as relevant today as when it was written.
Definitely 5 stars for me.
