Arc Light

Arc Light

Infobox Book
name = Arc Light


image_caption = probably cover of UK Hodder & Stoughton hardback
author = Eric L. Harry
country = United States
language = English
cover_artist =
genre = techno-thriller
publisher = Simon & Schuster (HB), Jove Books (PB)
release_date = September, 1994
media_type = Print (hardcover, paperback)
pages = 625 pp (paperback edition)
isbn = ISBN 0-671-88048-9 (HB), ISBN 0-515-11792-7 (PB)

"Arc Light" is the debut novel by Eric L. Harry, a techno-thriller about limited nuclear war published in 1994 and written in 1991-2.

As China and Russia clash in Siberia in June 1999, nuclear missiles strike the United States. The U.S. retaliates against Russia, and World War III begins. The nuclear and conventional weapon details are provided and expounded upon, as well as the damage they can do. The political and popular response to a disaster of this magnitude is portrayed, and maps provide details of main battle plans. The concept of mutual assured destruction is a major theme of the book, and how nations try to avoid it, yet are pushed toward it, as the ultimate conclusion looms.

Plot summary

The novel opens with the invasion of the Korean Demilitarized Zone by North Korea. Next is the phone call from Russian General Yuri Razov to U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Andrew Thomas, informing him of Russia's intent to recapture land lost to China in a previous conflict. The beginning of this invasion will be the use of tactical nuclear weapons to clear the way for the army. Meanwhile, a radical Russian general, Zorin, seizes control of the Stavka and gains access to Russia's nuclear launch codes. As China retaliates against Moscow, Zorin launches a counterforce nuclear strike against the U.S. missile silos, bomber bases, submarine pens, and command centers. The U.S. responds in kind, and though no cities in either country were intentionally targeted in the exchange, roughly four to seven million people are killed. A political crisis erupts as war is declared and President Walter Livingston is impeached.

The novel follows Greg Lambert, a National Security Agency special advisor, in the inner governmental circles as the war begins and the Vice President is sworn in. The United States Army Reserves are called up, and Major David Chandler reports to March AFB in California, leaving behind his pregnant wife Melissa, an attorney. As the novel follows him from his leave to his assignment as a battalion tank commander, Melissa gives birth and deals with fallout and fear back home.

The novel proceeds along as conventional war begins as NATO is dissolved, and the U.S. and its new allies begin the invasion of Eastern Europe and Russia. Marines land in eastern Russia and push west. But Russia has not launched all of her nuclear weapons, and threatens to launch submarine-based missiles at the quickly emptying 304-largest U.S. cities. President Paul Constanzo and the joint chiefs must wrestle with the failing economy, failing support, and all-out nuclear war, while the Army continues its advance into the heart of Russia.

External links

* http://eharry.com/arc.htm – page at author's website with writing and publication details
* [http://www.christian-sauve.com/reviews/1996/books96b.htm#Arc Review by Christian Sauvé]
* [http://www.librarything.com/work/217459/reviews/32710406 Reader reviews at Library Thing]

ee also

*List of nuclear holocaust fiction


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Arc light — (Elec.) The light of an arc lamp. See {arc lamp} under {lamp}. [Webster 1913 Suppl.] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • arc-light — arcˈ lamp or arcˈ light noun A lamp whose source of light is an electric arc between carbon electrodes • • • Main Entry: ↑arc …   Useful english dictionary

  • arc light — arc′ light n. 1) elm an electric lamp in which the light source is a high intensity arc between carbon rods or metal electrodes 2) mot elm the light produced by such a lamp • Etymology: 1875–80, amer …   From formal English to slang

  • arc light — arc ,light noun count a light that is produced when electricity flows between two separated points …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • arc light — noun a lamp that produces light when electric current flows across the gap between two electrodes • Syn: ↑arc lamp • Hypernyms: ↑electric lamp • Hyponyms: ↑carbon arc lamp, ↑carbon arc * * * noun …   Useful english dictionary

  • Arc Light —    Around 1900, the arc light or carbon arc began to replace the limelight, largely because the arc light was more economical. An extremely bright, even harsh, white light was produced by the electric spark that jumped between two carbon… …   The Historical Dictionary of the American Theater

  • arc light — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms arc light : singular arc light plural arc lights a light that is produced when electricity flows between two separated points …   English dictionary

  • arc light — arc lights N COUNT: usu pl Arc lights are a type of very bright electric light. ...the brilliant glare of the arc lights …   English dictionary

  • arc light — 1. Also, arc lamp. a lamp in which the light source is a high intensity electric arc either between carbon rods in air or between metal electrodes in a xenon gas atmosphere enclosed in a quartz bulb. 2. the light produced by such a lamp. Cf.… …   Universalium

  • arc light — /ˈak laɪt / (say ahk luyt) noun 1. Also, arc lamp. a lamp in which the light source of high intensity is an electric arc, usually between carbon rods. 2. the light produced …  

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