The Trigger

If you're looking for Clarke-style sci-fi because Clarke's name is on it, you'll be disappointed. If you're a hardcore physics buff, you'll probably be disappointed as well (the science part of things in this book is quite wishy-washy). However, this book is as superb a social commentary as you'll read, and a thought-provoking piece on the nature of science and scientific discovery, although considerably less so than the social aspect.The basic premise is that a group of scientists accidentally discovers a way to disable all conventional explosives. Even though the gun lobby has been portrayed fairly negatively and the gun debate is a little lopsided as a result, people with an open mind and any intelligence whatsoever should be able to appreciate the brilliance of the way in which the debate has been presented and to see both sides of the coin equally well. It is a mind-expanding discussion indeed. Of course, because of the strongly political nature of the debate, your reaction to the book might vary from disgust to ecstasy, but it is nevertheless a great book. The ending is classic Clarke: brilliant and open-ended. And again very mind-expanding.

This review was going to be "only" four stars, but I was only at page 400 at that point. What an ending. One of the rare wonderful times I have seriously gotten chills down my spine from reading a book. (And some of the other times have been with Clarke as well!)I suspect Mr. Kube-McDowell took the majority of the writing on this one, based on recent collaborations of Clarke's with Baxter and McQuay, but this novel is certainly worthy of the Clarke seal of approval.You can get the plot preview from other reviews, so let me just say that the preachiness might get to some people, and once in a while it made my eyes roll as well, but in the end I think it's deceptively well-balanced. It never forgets the other side, although most of the enemy characters are near-cartoonish villains. But I can seriously overlook it! (Also, two of the main characters of the beginning seem to disappear about 2/3 through.)The style is similar to recent books by Gregory Benford: scientist makes schocking discovery...social issues arise...scientist gets personally involved. Of course, I know nothing of Benford's gun-control stance.Tone down the preachiness just a tad, and this could make a good movie. This book begs to be optioned for a screenplay.

The premise for The Trigger was certainly thought provoking, although the physics was a little suspect (and never well explained). I could see the hand of Mr. Clarke in influencing the story, both in the scientific angle and in character construction. Despite some uneven editing, it was a very enjoyable read and worth the price of admission.

For those who enjoy stretching their knowledge of science to the limits, here's some serious mind expansion from the all time SF guru, Arthur C. Clarke. "Trigger" is built around wave physics and how much more can happen in that field - someday, sometime.The non-scientifically inclined reader will also enjoy the book's extensive examination of the issues around gun control and ownership - the prime target of the authors. Using the Columbine High shootings as a case in point, they repeatedly engage with the many arguments put forward by proponents of the 2nd Amendment to prevent arms control initiatives. But the scientific jewels hidden along the way are what make this a real delight. First, there is the Trigger - a wave-emitting device that automatically detonates any kind of explosive material, rendering any conventional arms and munitions more dangerous to the user than to their intended victims. The resulting reversion of security forces to pre-gunpowder weapons such as crossbows and maces may sound amusing, but certainly worth more than a passing thought.Then comes the intellectual high point of the book - the concept that everything can be defined in terms of energy and information. This is totally mind blowing - if you take the concept of zooming in and out for more or less detail on a subject and couple it with the Heisenberg Uncertainty principle, that's what the guru is postulating. To quote " Information organizes and differentiates energy". The kick is in the converse - if you can remove information from a subject, you destabilize it - it ceases to exist! From this exquisitely neat hypothesis arises the Jammer - the antithesis of the Trigger - instead of blowing up arms and ammunition, it simply makes them cease to exist!Just these alone would have been more than enough for any Arthur C. Clarke fan - but the authors leave the reader salivating for more right at the end - the discovery of a biological Trigger that can zero in on any specific DNA pattern and vaporise it - the Killer. Overall, a taut thriller-class read with some elegant physics for those so inclined - what more can one ask for ?

I could not put this book down! Just when you think you know where it is headed - it has a twist to it. Do you think you know all sides to gun control? This book really makes you think about all the ramifications, pro and con, in a wonderfully crafted story. What would you do if you had the power to stop weapons? Loved it!