The Jesus Factor (novel)
Encyclopedia
The Jesus Factor is a 1970 conspiracy theory
thriller novel by Edwin Corley
based on the Manhattan Project
of World War 2 and the bombing of Hiroshima
and Nagasaki. It concerns issues relating to the "arms race
" and the collective guilt of those involved with the bombings.
Its fictional premise is the discovery during the development of nuclear weapon
s that they only detonate if stationary in a gravitational field
, making their use as air-dropped bombs impossible. In the novel, the nuclear attacks of World War II
are simulated using aeroplane-mounted magnesium
flares and dispersed radionuclide
s, taking advantage of the destruction caused by an earthquake
. An international conspiracy hides this fact in the interest of maintaining nuclear deterrence.
The story concerns events when this status quo is threatened by one of the original bombardiers
, who discovers the conspiracy while running for US president with a policy of nuclear disarmament
.
Conspiracy theory
A conspiracy theory explains an event as being the result of an alleged plot by a covert group or organization or, more broadly, the idea that important political, social or economic events are the products of secret plots that are largely unknown to the general public.-Usage:The term "conspiracy...
thriller novel by Edwin Corley
Edwin Corley
Edwin Raymond Corley was a United States novelist most famous for his thrillers Sargasso and Air Force One. He used the pseudonyms "David Harper", "William Judson" and worked with novelist Jack Murphy, using the pseudonym "Patrick Buchanan" .As "Patrick Buchanan", Corley and Murphy wrote a series of...
based on the Manhattan Project
Manhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a research and development program, led by the United States with participation from the United Kingdom and Canada, that produced the first atomic bomb during World War II. From 1942 to 1946, the project was under the direction of Major General Leslie Groves of the US Army...
of World War 2 and the bombing of Hiroshima
Hiroshima
is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture, and the largest city in the Chūgoku region of western Honshu, the largest island of Japan. It became best known as the first city in history to be destroyed by a nuclear weapon when the United States Army Air Forces dropped an atomic bomb on it at 8:15 A.M...
and Nagasaki. It concerns issues relating to the "arms race
Arms race
The term arms race, in its original usage, describes a competition between two or more parties for the best armed forces. Each party competes to produce larger numbers of weapons, greater armies, or superior military technology in a technological escalation...
" and the collective guilt of those involved with the bombings.
Its fictional premise is the discovery during the development of nuclear weapon
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
s that they only detonate if stationary in a gravitational field
Gravitational field
The gravitational field is a model used in physics to explain the existence of gravity. In its original concept, gravity was a force between point masses...
, making their use as air-dropped bombs impossible. In the novel, the nuclear attacks of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
are simulated using aeroplane-mounted magnesium
Magnesium
Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and common oxidation number +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and ninth in the known universe as a whole...
flares and dispersed radionuclide
Radionuclide
A radionuclide is an atom with an unstable nucleus, which is a nucleus characterized by excess energy available to be imparted either to a newly created radiation particle within the nucleus or to an atomic electron. The radionuclide, in this process, undergoes radioactive decay, and emits gamma...
s, taking advantage of the destruction caused by an earthquake
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
. An international conspiracy hides this fact in the interest of maintaining nuclear deterrence.
The story concerns events when this status quo is threatened by one of the original bombardiers
Bombardier (air force)
A bombardier , in the United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force, or a bomb aimer, in the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces, was the crewman of a bomber responsible for assisting the navigator in guiding the plane to a bombing target and releasing the aircraft's bomb...
, who discovers the conspiracy while running for US president with a policy of nuclear disarmament
Nuclear disarmament
Nuclear disarmament refers to both the act of reducing or eliminating nuclear weapons and to the end state of a nuclear-free world, in which nuclear weapons are completely eliminated....
.