{"product_id":"the-absolute-at-large-9780486834085","title":"The Absolute at Large","description":"\u003cp\u003e\"One of the genuine masterpieces of sci-fi.\" -- R. D. Mullen\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e In 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\u003e Karel 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Dover Publications\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/17\/2019\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780486834085\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 176\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.40lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.80h x 5.00w x 0.50d","brand":"Karel Capek","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":38471035682997,"sku":"9780486834085","price":11.01,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/products\/img_b03fbdb2-ca50-41c1-a59b-d3c4fa79b8ee.jpg?v=1612928103","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-absolute-at-large-9780486834085","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}