Almost worldwide loss of electricity

[Adam Reith]

Hi Forum members. Another search request. Can anyone recall the name of a book/story about some sort of machine or facility on a remote Pacific island that killed off all electricity world-wide. The only things that worked in civilisation were those that did not work on electricity; diesel engines, wood burning stoves etc. The source of the EMP disruption was found to be an island in the Pacific but ships that tried to get close to it to destroy it became brittle and sank. The story ended, as far as I recall, with a chemically powered guided missile being launched towards the island in an attempt to destroy whatever device was causing the problem. Be great to be able to re-read this one. Thanks.

 

[chrispenycate]

I'ver moved this into "Book Search' (where the people specialising in this sort of exercise are more likely to notice it), as I'm not in the least sure of my suggestion of "Dies the fire" by S.M. Stirling

 

[Dr Zoidberg]

Well it sounds interesting to me. Looking forward to seeing what it is.

 

[Riselka]

It's not the book you're looking for, but if an Earth with its power knocked out is a theme you're interested in, you might want to check out Sean McMullen's Greatwinter Trilogy.

Sean McMullen

 

[Anne Lyle]

Reminded me of The Changes, but then I'm old

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Changes_(TV_series)

 

[Stephen Palmer]

I don't think it is The Changes (Peter Dickinson) they are all set in England or very near to England.

Just to add, volume three of The Changes (confusingly, the first one published, and actually Peter Dickinson's first published book, inspired by a vivid dream he had), The Weathermonger, is one of my all-time faves, and comes, from me and many others, highly recommended.

 

[Werthead]

Hmm. Sounds like the 1976 novel Fade-Out by Patrick Tilley, but the cause was an unknown object in the middle of Montana. IIRC, they did try to destroy it with a bomb in that novel as well.

Could it be one of the Emberverse novels by S.M. Stirling?