Zero Hour

by Benjamin E. Miller

Antarctica. Deep below the frozen surface of the Ross Sea, a sub-glacial volcano erupts. Above it, a geothermal power plant faces certain destruction. Heading the disaster-relief team is USAF Colonel Tom Reed, who must use every technological tool at his disposal to keep environmental conditions under control. But as the waters heat up, a global disaster of apocalyptic proportions is brewing-a hurricane that could literally tear the earth apart. Between...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451410009
• ISBN13: 9780451410009
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Onyx Books
• Length: 372 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

A good techno thriller

I liked this book and the non-stop action reminds one of the style of Matt Reilly. It is the type of story that keeps you reading, just to discover if the characters escape from their latest life threatning situation. This is a somewhat technical book, with theories that seem plausible but a bit far out. The characters seemed a bit wooden and two dimensional but the action is non stop. And beware, you have to put your imagination into overdrive to believe that the characters could survive any of the circumstances they are thrown into. For those who like the more outlandish techo-thrillers, this will fill the bill.

Full of science and thrills!

I loved the heavy dose of science Benjamin E. Miller brings to the art of the novel. Like Michael Crichton, he has the background to understand the reach and limitations of science and the storytellers instinct to illuminate matters to a mass audience. His story runs full speed from beginning to end. I promise you'll enjoy the ride.

Is anybody reading this? You should!

This is the best potboiler I have read in recent years. It grabs you with evocative descriptions of braving the extremes of weather in the antartic. But better than that, it explores the issue of "unexpected consequences" that society must grapple with as we become more dependent on technology. It begins at the scene of the seemingly appropriate use of non-polluting geothermal energy. A project like this could not possibly create a hurricane! You could not possibly have a hurricane in the Antartic. And the hurricane could not possibly endanger life on earth. The unique and unusual series of circumstances and events that the author credibly describes make me wonder how many other unexpected consequences we are creating with technology today--or have already started.

One of the most exciting books I've ever read!

OK, I just finished reading "Saucer" by Stephen Coonts right before I read "Zero Hour," and first-time author Benjamin E. Miller blows him away. This book has more thrills and chills than any ten other books -- and it's all perfectly orchestrated with hard science background. (The book could have been marketed as near-future science fiction, but that would have probably put off all the techno-thriller fans.) Miller is an environmental engineer and his grasp of multiple fields is astounding. And the action is nonstop; the writing style is almost flawless; the characters are well-drawn (including two very tough women); and the suspense will have you panting and running for your blood pressure medication. I had to put the book aside occasionally just to catch my breath and calm down. Michael Crichton, might as well retire now. You can't top Benjamin Miller! (As a literary editor and agent, I sure wish I'd discovered this guy.) -- Steve Murray, Oso Books Literary Agency