MACHINA (pt 1) THE FALL OF MAN Machina is truly the most astounding novel ever written. It is modeled somewhat after such apocalyptic books as The Stand by Stephen King, and Swan Song by Robert MacCammon. While it can be read by itself, reading the prequel (The Haunting of House) first will provide much information regarding the character's backgrounds. Part One begins with two Arabs toiling up the Grapevine just outside of Los angeles. There cargo is a rather large atomic bomb. One of the Arabs changes his mind and abandons his comrade. The other Arab heads for the heart of Los Angeles. Parking in the middle of downtown LA, the Arab sits in his van with a dead man's switch. He asks for media coverage, which he is granted, and the clock ticks down to a list of outrageous demands. While the Mad Arab makes his demands, odd things are happening in the world. People are undergoing changes, discovering strange powers and appetites. These are anomalies surrounding what is going to happen when the Arab lifts his thumb. Anomalies that presage a new world, a civilization about to undergo extinction, and a terrible journey to save mankind. The Arab will lift his thumb, and that will cause The Big One, and then...then everything is going to change. Machina IS the most astounding novel you will ever read. Period.