New Anti-Nuclear Novel Marks 69th Anniversary of the First Nuclear Chain-Reaction

Nov. 27, 2011 - PRLog -- Friday, December 2nd marks the 69th anniversary of the day Enrico Fermi, Leo Szilárd and their colleagues achieved the first controlled chain-reaction in a converted squash court, beneath a grandstand at the University of Chicago. This experiment marked the first breakthrough of the Manhattan Project, and the development of the atomic bomb.  

Of that day, Szilard said: "We turned the switch, saw the flashes, watched for ten minutes, then switched everything off and went home. That night I knew the world was headed for sorrow."

Together with Albert Einstein, Leo Szilárd co-wrote the letter to President Roosevelt that prompted the Manhattan Project. Szilárd also filed the first patent for the atomic bomb in 1934, and by his own admission, originally found the idea in Herbert George Wells novel ‘The World Set Free.’

After reading Wells’ novel in 1932, and realizing the theoretical bomb was possible, the expatriate Berlin physicist set about trying to warn British and US governments of the weapon’s dire potential. Szilárd dared to hope that Wells’ other prediction – world peace – might also come true, proposing a peaceful demonstration of the atomic bomb, at a gathering of world leaders.

In the 69 years since the first nuclear chain reaction, the atomic bomb has always threatened to become the unmanageable weapon that Wells conceived. The possibility it might fall into the wrong hands is still now, cause for war. And yet, we've managed to straddle Wells’ and Szilárd’s dilemma: Total peace, or utter destruction.

Still, a greater danger remains.

The technology of the atomic bomb predates the invention of the computer, and the mobile phone. It is yet possible that the world will soon face Wells’ dilemma, with the development of a more facile weapon of greater destructive power. This is what Marcus Gibson's novel describes.

In 'The Peace Bomb', UN weapons inspector Sam Palmer's life takes a surprising twist when he returns from Iran, and is asked to recruit a North Korean refugee; to sneak her back into the country that tortured her, and murdered her son and husband.

Within days of farewelling Lee Ok-Sung at the border, fall-out from a devastating nuclear blast in Islamabad threatens to thwart Sam’s plan to disarm North Korea. A radical new version of the atomic bomb has been unleashed, vastly more powerful than a conventional weapon. A coalition airman in Afghanistan mysteriously vanishes, with the key to the origin of the weapon. Sam is suddenly caught in a deadly race to unravel the mystery, prevent nuclear war, and rescue Lee from his deadly mission.

With the help of journalist Alison Anderson, analyst Jacob Branch, and CIA Station Chief Bryan Rickard, Sam is caught in a global race against the clock.

‘The Peace Bomb’ ends with a surprising twist... Sam Palmer has given his whole life to the cause of peace, but he is about to discover there are others who are willing to give even more.

Marcus Gibson, was first published in December 1995, breaking the standing Guinness World Record for the world's 'youngest novelist writing adult-themed work' by 2 years. Gibson now works in environmental management, and is a member of the high IQ society Mensa.

‘The Peace Bomb’ is Marcus Gibson’s third novel.

Visit http://www.marcusgibson.co for details.

If you would like more information about this story, or to schedule and interview, email Marcus Gibson directly at pr@marcusgibson.co or call +61 420 551 715