{"product_id":"the-absolute-at-large-paperback","title":"The Absolute at Large - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eKarel Capek\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of the genuine masterpieces of sci-fi. -- R. D. Mullen \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn this satirical and enduringly relevant work of science fiction, the acclaimed Czech author Karel Čapek offers a prescient fable of the benefits and dangers of atomic power. Originally published in 1922, the story is set in a then-futuristic Czechoslovakia of 1943, in which an inventor develops the Karburator, a device with the potential to provide abundant low-cost energy. But the reactor's exciting possibilities are shadowed by its dangerous side effect: instead of carbon dioxide, it emits the Absolute, a spiritual essence that inspires a powerful religious fervor. Greed triumphs over ethics as the inventor and his business partner proceed with mass production of the Karburator, resulting in simmering religious strife that ignites a world war.\u003cbr\u003eKarel Čapek is best known for popularizing the term robot in his play \u003ci\u003eR.U.R., \u003c\/i\u003e a seminal work of science fiction in which the robots are metaphors for a world dehumanized by social organization and technology. He offers another strikingly foresighted vision in \u003ci\u003eThe Absolute at Large, \u003c\/i\u003ewritten decades before global warming awareness yet predicting the catastrophic consequences of the unchecked pursuit of profit by business and industry.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eCzech writer Karel Čapek (1890-1938) is best known as the author of \u003ci\u003eR.U.R., \u003c\/i\u003e the play that popularized the term robot and a seminal work of science fiction. Ardently opposed to fascism and communism, Čapek was an active journalist as well as a versatile writer whose works encompassed novels, modern fairy tales, detective stories, and translations of French poetry.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 176\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.5 x 7.8 x 5 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e July 17, 2019\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51756252070176,"sku":"9780486834085","price":12.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0974\/9764\/5344\/files\/1683f1dcac7922f5a10b905ca6b8af24.webp?v=1780077583","url":"https:\/\/ebocreations.com\/products\/the-absolute-at-large-paperback","provider":"The E-Book Oasis LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}