A Hole in Texas

When I started this book, I wasn't sure that I would be interested enough to complete it. But it turned out to be a well-written, entertaining fast-paced page turner that maintained my interest. The story involves a physicist who used to work with the Superconducting Supercollider (SSC) in Texas, a mammoth project until governmental funding was abruptly canceled. Now the Chinese claim to have discovered the Higgs Boson particle, which the SSC would have found if it had been continued. This starts a political and media firestorm that carries the physicist in its wake, jetting back and forth across the country dealing with politicians, Hollywood celebrities, and fellow scientists (including one who is an old flame). The story is light-hearted and a bit tongue in cheek. It's not epic literature or profound drama, but I found it very enjoyable as entertainment, and as a fantasy of what it is like to move within the circles of the powerful and influential in America. (Plus you learn a little bit about the SSC and Higgs Boson.)

When reading through the negative reviews, one thing is apparent. Those who disliked the book were hoping for another sweeping war drama. "A Hole in Texas" is a different style than his historical fiction, but it is still excellently written and dynamic. Who else could make particle physics entertaining?

It's very difficult to write a great "light" book - this one is a thorough delight - don't miss it -

Another reviewer is disappointed in this "lightweight book with a niceplot". The backdrop of declining American science and ignoblepoliticos may indeed seem to be an odd and unimportant couple (comparedto, for example, WWII), and in part old hat. I disagree, and welcomethis short novel with interesting characters in Washington, Waxahachieand JPL. Insiders will enjoy references to ApJ, Physics Today,Terrestrial Planet Finder, in addition to the SSC. I hope the required"science talk" will not bore the broader audience. I fear that therequired "political talk" is not as well-informed as the science talk,but then everybody expects venial politicians: the comic relief for thenovel. (I'm reminded of a movie rating: "mild peril".) A shortfast-paced romp -- no car chases or murders [other than the SSC] -- "anice plot" that did not disappoint me.

A Hole in Texas his first book in a long time, and it is apparent that Mr. Wouk was motivated by/consulting with his scientist son. As expected from an author of his stature, there is a hefty helping of unusual words and references to literature. But this book also blends in mystery, national security, Hollywood extravagance, politics, and cross-society naiveté.His theme is that the Chinese have succeeded in finding the theoretical Higgs Particle while the US was "sleeping." The unifying plot element involved placing blame for "killing" the Superconducting Supercollider and the resultant ceding of US dominance in Particle Physics (although there is no guarantee that the Superconducting Supercollider in Texas would have actually "discovered" the Higgs Particle).What is really done well is the attention to detail that Mr. Wouk gives his characters. For instance, a corporate jet is made available to the lead character and he has to look around the rest room to find the "hidden" toilet. Heck, most literature does not even mention characters visiting the rest room.Most readers will not have a good set of pre-arranged expectations for a particle physicist, and the book is not terribly long, so the author wisely falls back on middleclass family life as the basic relationship between his main character and the reader. His characters are truly 3-Dimensional -- and several are "retro" (like an aging CongressWoman who converses with her dead husband... and a wife who slouches into a "SuperMom," juggling career and family because she does not believe that her husband can cope with these details). The characters have plenty of realistic flaws but, as in real life, they mostly stumble ahead in spite of themselves. Mr. Wouk takes it upon himself to educate readers on cutting edge science, mostly using traditional two person dialog (S. Holmes and Dr. Watson style) but mixing in letters and e-mails for added precision. He also finds time to chastise the US Congress for shortsightedness and lack of collective memory. A Hole in Texas is not written to be an action movie and -- I am glad to report -- in the end, most characters emerge happier.Liberal Americans will read this book if they like to be entertained while improving their vocabulary and getting a better understanding of their world. Conservative Americans will read this book if they like to be entertained while gaining a better idea of the power structure in the Congress as it relates to Science funding. Non-Americans will read this book if they like to be entertained while identifying some peculiar American quirks and seeing how Big American Science relates to science in the rest of the world. Literature buffs should probably re-read The Caine Mutiny.For the record, the existance of the Higgs Particle is still merely theoretical. Physicists are still pondering whether such a contrived mathematical device might actually exist, and the energy required to "create" it in a laboratory is probabl