I left this in Adelaide, so I don’t remember who the second author it, but the top-billing author is Arthur C Clarke. I bet he had the main plot ideas, and the other guy – Michael someone – did most of the writing. I have no proof to substantiate that claim, of course.

It was a good techno book; not really a thriller, more about the social and political ramifications of inventing (by accident) a device that effectively neutralises gunpowder and other nitrate-based explosive type things. Some of the discussion was really interesting. One of the more disturbing parts was the way the point of view held by people in the NRA and other such bodies was presented: very reasonable, often, and not at all like they were loonies. I know that not all gun owners are loonies, but I find it immensely hard to understand how anyone can genuinely believe that owning gun actually makes the world a safer place. Maybe they don’t think that – only that it makes them safer. Also the conspiracy theories… the “baddies” were not over-drawn or ridiculous, in other words.

It was a fun book. Definitely made me think about guns and weapons and all… I already am a pacifist, but reading some of the arguments put forward by the gun owners made me think through some of my own ideas and decide why I really hold them and how I might back them up.