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Book Review: God's Bolt

SF writer Ron Forsythe gets to the story’s climax in the first chapter. A giant asteroid hits Earth, wipes out all life, and breaks up tectonic plates. Above the Earth is a space station, and in that space station is humanity’s last human, Helen Southcote.


From that climatic first chapter, Forsythe has story arcs alternating from before the collision to after the collision. In the end, we come to Helen’s decision.


The story moves nicely through its many time shifts. It is a relaxing read. A good way to kill some time.


But there is more. Forsythe has also put together at least 10 sub-themes for readers to question their values and society’s values. Forsythe touches on morality, religion, science & technology, war & peace, media, sociology, political science, and artificial intelligence. If this book finds its way into a book club, its members will have lots to talk about.


The sub-theme that grabbed my attention was the decision-making process from the world government to deal with the asteroid. The asteroid came up to Earth quickly. The government did not have much time to get the facts and prepare. Ad-hoc solutions were discussed, tried, and, in the end, did not work out. I think Forsythe is trying to tell us that, in the real world, many decisions are made with decision makers not too certain of their outcomes. They are just making their best guesses. I think there is a big lesson in that.


Of course, I have to dovetail this review into Tiered Democratic Governance. I believe the higher levels of the TDG will occasionally face situations that need more facts, more time, and more preparation. But the TDG will handle them with more wisdom and unity. It is more likely to make the right decision — and will be more ready to make adjustments as the decision plays out.


I highly recommend God's Bolt. It is both entertaining and can make you think.


Published on Medium 2022

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