| Author |
Abernathy, Robert, 1924-1990 |
| Illustrator |
Poulton, Peter, 1914-1972 |
| Title |
Righteous plague
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| Original Publication |
United States: Columbia Publications, Inc., 1951.
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 70.4 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
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| Credits |
Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
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| Summary |
"Righteous Plague" by Robert Abernathy is a science fiction novelet written in the early 1950s. The narrative tackles themes of biological warfare and unchecked scientific experimentation, focusing on the consequences of a deadly virus known as the "righteous plague." The story explores the ethical dilemmas faced by scientists when their work is co-opted for military purposes, highlighting the thin line between patriotism and the potential for mass destruction. The plot follows Dr. Joseph Euge, a bacteriologist who creates a powerful virus intended as a biological weapon. As the narrative unfolds, Euge finds himself trapped in a morally compromising situation, observing the catastrophic effects of the virus he unleashed. It becomes a tool for the Dictatura—an authoritarian regime seeking control and dominance over their enemies. The story intensifies as the virus spreads beyond its intended targets, ultimately threatening the very society that wielded it. Themes of fear, morality, and the unintended consequences of scientific advancement permeate the tale, culminating in a chilling reflection on humanity’s capacity for self-destruction. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
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| Subject |
Science fiction
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| Subject |
Short stories
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| Subject |
Scientists -- Fiction
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| Subject |
Epidemics -- Fiction
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| Subject |
Biological weapons -- Fiction
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| Subject |
Dictators -- Fiction
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
70552 |
| Release Date |
Apr 14, 2023 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
84 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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