Jitterbug

This book reminds me of Dune in its soaring imagination, wonderful character development and tricky plot. It is the near future and Saudi Arabia has been building domes throughout the world which contain the "Jitterbug" virus. Exposure leads to sterility, lunacy and death. In 2005 the virus is released in Australia and spreads to Southeast Asia. A demand is made that all countries succumb to the new Arab world. Over a series of years large areas, even whole continents, are declared uninhabitable until just a few places remain unaffected by the virus.The story takes place in the United States where Olson, a drifter, meets Gret, a callgirl of sorts. They go to Orleans and become involved in a plot to overthrow the Arab masters who rule with a combination of electric mind control and special implants. Through scheming with other Arabs who want to change the status quo, they manage to defeat the prince of the city and escape to start over again.The explanation above cannot begin to describe what an experience this novel turned out to be. Along with the story are appendices, a dictionary of terms (mostly Muslim) and a timeline detailing the Saudi takeover of the world. In light of current problems, this book seems especially apt.

This is one of the best books I've read. This book has it all, Although mainly a si-fi there is a heavey dose of fantisy and some horror. The world has changed due to sickness. The Arab's now rule the world and our storie takes place in America in future Arab ruled cities. Most of America is waste land and there is a huge underground movement to over through the current rulers. There are mutant sports, asskicking body aromor, action and adventure abound. Mike McQuay left us too soon but he gave us some great books. In addition to Jitterbug Pure Blood and Mother Earth a great reading.

Books like this should not be allowed to be out of print! Jitterbug could quite possibly be one of the most intelligent action adventures ever written. Its apocalyptic premise is well conceived, and all too possibly real in course of human events. However, it is the characters that give this book its enduring draw. Each character, even the most minor ones, are engaging and well defined. Rarely does an author pack so much humanity and sensity into a slashing action story. Not only do you find yourself in constant anxiety over what is going to happen next, but you find yourself genuine caring about the characters and what the next few pages will hold for them. I don't know how this book slipped through the cracks, but it more than deserves its hard earned place as a Science Fiction classic. Its only flaw is that you can only read it if you've got a lot of free time that day, because you won't be putting it down- no matter how many times you've read it.