{"product_id":"the-absolute-at-large-by-karel-capek","title":"The Absolute At Large by Karel Capek","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJULY SELECTION:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDESCRIPTION:\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this satirical classic, a brilliant scientist invents the Karburator, a reactor that can create abundant and practically free energy. However, the Karburator’s superefficient energy production also yields a powerful by-product. The machine works by completely annihilating matter and in so doing releases the Absolute, the spiritual essence held within all matter, into the world. Infected by the heady, pure Absolute, the world’s population becomes consumed with religious and national fervor, the effects of which ultimately cause a devastating global war. Set in the mid-twentieth century, \u003cem\u003eThe Absolute at Large\u003c\/em\u003e questions the ethics and rampant spread of power, mass production, and atomic weapons that Karel Capek saw in the technological and political revolutions occurring around him. Stephen Baxter provides an introduction for this Bison Books edition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAUTHOR BIO:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKarel Capek (1890–1938) was an acclaimed Czech author of novels, plays, essays, political writings, and short stories. His works include R.U.R., the famous play in which Capek coined the word “robot.” Stephen Baxter is the author of several science-fiction works, including the Philip K. Dick Award–winning \u003ci\u003eVacuum Diagrams\u003c\/i\u003e, and the coauthor, along with Arthur C. Clarke, of \u003ci\u003eThe Light of Other Days\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Revolving Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54890221371683,"sku":null,"price":15.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0718\/1146\/5507\/files\/9780803264595_jpg.avif?v=1775068097","url":"https:\/\/revolvingbooks.com\/products\/the-absolute-at-large-by-karel-capek","provider":"Revolving Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}