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The Doomsday Men
Described at the time of publication as "a thriller of the atomic age".
Priestley was said to have written this novel at great speed, churning out 80,000 words in three weeks.
On her biography of Priestley, Judith Cook writes:"The Doomsday Men does not pretend to any great depth or meaning: three men, a fanatic, a millionaire and a mad scientist, meet up in a fantasy castle in the middle of the Arizona desert to plot how best to blow up the world. It's a good romp, and it is surprising in view of the film options taken on other Priestley books, that it did not appeal to Hollywood."
KF
Priestley was said to have written this novel at great speed, churning out 80,000 words in three weeks.
On her biography of Priestley, Judith Cook writes:"The Doomsday Men does not pretend to any great depth or meaning: three men, a fanatic, a millionaire and a mad scientist, meet up in a fantasy castle in the middle of the Arizona desert to plot how best to blow up the world. It's a good romp, and it is surprising in view of the film options taken on other Priestley books, that it did not appeal to Hollywood."
KF
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1938
3 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
J.B. Priestley
469 books291 followersJohn Boynton Priestley was an English writer. He was the son of a schoolmaster, and after schooling he worked for a time in the local wool trade. Following the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, Priestley joined the British Army, and was sent to France - in 1915 taking part in the Battle of Loos. After being wounded in 1917 Priestley returned to England for six months; then, after going back to the Western Front he suffered the consequences of a German gas attack, and, treated at Rouen, he was declared unfit for active service and was transferred to the Entertainers Section of the British Army.
When Priestley left the army he studied at Cambridge University, where he completed a degree in Modern History and Political Science. Subsequently he found work as theatre reviewer with the Daily News, and also contributed to the Spectator, the Challenge and Nineteenth Century. His earliest books included The English Comic Characters (1925), The English Novel (1927), and English Humour (1928). His breakthrough came with the immensely popular novel The Good Companions, published in 1929, and Angel Pavement followed in 1930. He emerged, too, as a successful dramatist with such plays as Dangerous Corner (1932), Time and the Conways (1937), When We Are Married (1938) and An Inspector Calls (1947).
The publication of English Journey in 1934 emphasised Priestley's concern for social problems and the welfare of ordinary people.
During the Second World War Priestley became a popular and influential broadcaster with his famous Postscripts that followed the nine o'clock news BBC Radio on Sunday evenings. Starting on 5th June 1940, Priestley built up such a following that after a few months it was estimated that around 40 per cent of the adult population in Britain was listening to the programme.
Some members of the Conservative Party, including Winston Churchill, expressed concern that Priestley might be expressing left-wing views on the programme, and, to his dismay, Priestley was dropped after his talk on 20th October 1940.
After the war Priestley continued his writing, and his work invariably provoked thought, and his views were always expressed in his blunt Yorkshire style.
His prolific output continued right up to his final years, and to the end he remained the great literary all-rounder. His favourite among his books was for many years the novel Bright Day, though he later said he had come to prefer The Image Men.
It should not be overlooked that Priestley was an outstanding essayist, and many of his short pieces best capture his passions and his great talent and his mastery of the English language. He set a fine example for any would-be author.
When Priestley left the army he studied at Cambridge University, where he completed a degree in Modern History and Political Science. Subsequently he found work as theatre reviewer with the Daily News, and also contributed to the Spectator, the Challenge and Nineteenth Century. His earliest books included The English Comic Characters (1925), The English Novel (1927), and English Humour (1928). His breakthrough came with the immensely popular novel The Good Companions, published in 1929, and Angel Pavement followed in 1930. He emerged, too, as a successful dramatist with such plays as Dangerous Corner (1932), Time and the Conways (1937), When We Are Married (1938) and An Inspector Calls (1947).
The publication of English Journey in 1934 emphasised Priestley's concern for social problems and the welfare of ordinary people.
During the Second World War Priestley became a popular and influential broadcaster with his famous Postscripts that followed the nine o'clock news BBC Radio on Sunday evenings. Starting on 5th June 1940, Priestley built up such a following that after a few months it was estimated that around 40 per cent of the adult population in Britain was listening to the programme.
Some members of the Conservative Party, including Winston Churchill, expressed concern that Priestley might be expressing left-wing views on the programme, and, to his dismay, Priestley was dropped after his talk on 20th October 1940.
After the war Priestley continued his writing, and his work invariably provoked thought, and his views were always expressed in his blunt Yorkshire style.
His prolific output continued right up to his final years, and to the end he remained the great literary all-rounder. His favourite among his books was for many years the novel Bright Day, though he later said he had come to prefer The Image Men.
It should not be overlooked that Priestley was an outstanding essayist, and many of his short pieces best capture his passions and his great talent and his mastery of the English language. He set a fine example for any would-be author.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 2, 2023
The Doomsday Men is my first exposure to the writing of English writer, J.B. Priestley/ Priestley lived from 1894 - 1984 and wrote novels, plays and even screenplays. The Doomsday Men was one of his earlier works, originally published in 1938.
The book follows three men; Malcolm Darbyshire, an English architect, Hooker, an American physicist and Jimmy Edlin, an American traveler. As the novel progresses, their lives will be intimately intertwined as they follow their own stories.
Malcolm falls in love with Andrea, as they partner at tennis tournament in France. Andrea is a mysterious woman and after the tournament she disappears. Malcolm is determined to find her and he follows her to Barstow in California.
Hooker is trying to find another physicist who has disappeared. Following him to England, he finds Prof Englefield. Englefield, whose last name in fact is MacMichael, and his brother trick Hooker and get him arrested. But Hooker escapes and follows Englefield aka MacMichael, to Barstow as well and he meets Malcolm.
Jimmy Edlin returns from the Far East to San Francisco and discovers that his brother, a reporter, has been murdered. Jimmy determines to find out who murdered him and this leads him to a fanatical society, the Brotherhood of the Judgement. Going to a meeting he meets a widow and also tricks (he thinks) members of the society into telling him where he can meet the leader, Brother John. And yes, this leads Jimmy to Barstow.
Once the three meet up, events begin to percolate until the ultimately meet the 3 MacMichael brothers; one a physicist, one a wealthy businessman and the other a fanatical sect leader. They have a plan that will be catastrophic to mankind. And these three will play a role in the ultimate ending.
It's an interesting story, well-written with great description. The characters are all interesting, especially the main three and their acquaintances. There is some action, great scenery, romance, and some philosophical thought. I enjoyed this very much, an interesting concept, an interesting story and thoughtful. I may check out more of Priestley's work. (4.0 stars)
The book follows three men; Malcolm Darbyshire, an English architect, Hooker, an American physicist and Jimmy Edlin, an American traveler. As the novel progresses, their lives will be intimately intertwined as they follow their own stories.
Malcolm falls in love with Andrea, as they partner at tennis tournament in France. Andrea is a mysterious woman and after the tournament she disappears. Malcolm is determined to find her and he follows her to Barstow in California.
Hooker is trying to find another physicist who has disappeared. Following him to England, he finds Prof Englefield. Englefield, whose last name in fact is MacMichael, and his brother trick Hooker and get him arrested. But Hooker escapes and follows Englefield aka MacMichael, to Barstow as well and he meets Malcolm.
Jimmy Edlin returns from the Far East to San Francisco and discovers that his brother, a reporter, has been murdered. Jimmy determines to find out who murdered him and this leads him to a fanatical society, the Brotherhood of the Judgement. Going to a meeting he meets a widow and also tricks (he thinks) members of the society into telling him where he can meet the leader, Brother John. And yes, this leads Jimmy to Barstow.
Once the three meet up, events begin to percolate until the ultimately meet the 3 MacMichael brothers; one a physicist, one a wealthy businessman and the other a fanatical sect leader. They have a plan that will be catastrophic to mankind. And these three will play a role in the ultimate ending.
It's an interesting story, well-written with great description. The characters are all interesting, especially the main three and their acquaintances. There is some action, great scenery, romance, and some philosophical thought. I enjoyed this very much, an interesting concept, an interesting story and thoughtful. I may check out more of Priestley's work. (4.0 stars)
November 4, 2011
Reading this book it's hard to remember it was was published in 1938, the story centring around atomic explosions and religious cults seems at the least post WW2. Priestley has written a gripping book here yes it's slow (it's Priestley) but nonetheless it's compulsive. This isn't a James Bond type thing with the hero foiling the arch-villain in fact the three "heroes" do very little themselves to avert the catastrophe. The story is something of a parable with the three leads mirrored by the three villains.
July 15, 2019
This was a very good example of 1930's pulp SF. The introduction by Jonathan Barnes seemed like it was trying to lower the reader's expectations. If you have a copy with this introduction don't let it stop you from reading the book. The novel seems to be colored with the anxiety and dread generated by the coming world war in the real world. There also seems to be a mystical fatalism that brings together 3 strangers to confront the 3 diabolical brothers. I only gave it 3 stars because it will probably only appeal to those readers who enjoy SF from the pre-WW2 pulp era but definitely a good read for the fans of that genre.
April 24, 2022
3.7 stars, rounded up.
Not deemed to be one of Priestley's more serious works, though there is some element of seriousness behind it.
The Doomsday Men is a fanciful tale involving three men who find themselves kept as prisoners in some fortress castle/mansion isolated in the California desert.
This location is where three brothers - a religious fanatic, crazy scientist and a disillusioned millionaire ( whose daughter stays there, too) reside. The three brothers, disillusioned with the world as we know it, have a plan to completely destroy the world, or at least its surface where most forms of life are prevalent.
How did the three men kept as prisoners find themselves in such a location? Well, we find that out in the first three chapters, their stories/ adventures and the circumstances that bring them there.
What can be done to stop these crazy brothers from achieving their aim?
Although the novel feels a little padded out here and there, the tale still moves quickly. There is some good descriptive writing here and the story was filled with enough suspense to keep me turning the pages quickly. It's not believable or credible in any real way but works well as an entertainment.
It could have made a good movie, but it seems Hollywood never showed any interest in filming it.
While the book, published in 1938, works as enjoyable escapism, there is also an underlying message here about the state of the world, of uncertainty about the future and where things are heading with menaces like Hitler and Mussolini, with their increasing power, causing anxiety and concern.
Not deemed to be one of Priestley's more serious works, though there is some element of seriousness behind it.
The Doomsday Men is a fanciful tale involving three men who find themselves kept as prisoners in some fortress castle/mansion isolated in the California desert.
This location is where three brothers - a religious fanatic, crazy scientist and a disillusioned millionaire ( whose daughter stays there, too) reside. The three brothers, disillusioned with the world as we know it, have a plan to completely destroy the world, or at least its surface where most forms of life are prevalent.
How did the three men kept as prisoners find themselves in such a location? Well, we find that out in the first three chapters, their stories/ adventures and the circumstances that bring them there.
What can be done to stop these crazy brothers from achieving their aim?
Although the novel feels a little padded out here and there, the tale still moves quickly. There is some good descriptive writing here and the story was filled with enough suspense to keep me turning the pages quickly. It's not believable or credible in any real way but works well as an entertainment.
It could have made a good movie, but it seems Hollywood never showed any interest in filming it.
While the book, published in 1938, works as enjoyable escapism, there is also an underlying message here about the state of the world, of uncertainty about the future and where things are heading with menaces like Hitler and Mussolini, with their increasing power, causing anxiety and concern.
November 7, 2021
Don’t forget old JBP; pride of Bradford.
This one very different to the others I’ve read. A little bit Chandler, a little bit Geoffrey Household, a little bit John Buchan, and, though written a good few years before Bond, a little bit Ian Fleming.
A decent page-turner with enough wisdom to make it a vaguely spiritual read as well as being a first rate thriller.
This one very different to the others I’ve read. A little bit Chandler, a little bit Geoffrey Household, a little bit John Buchan, and, though written a good few years before Bond, a little bit Ian Fleming.
A decent page-turner with enough wisdom to make it a vaguely spiritual read as well as being a first rate thriller.
November 21, 2025
I was surprised recently to discover that my goddaughter was reading “An Inspector Calls” for her GCSE literature. Apart from a few of his plays, and “Good Companions”, I don’t think JB Priestley is much in print or widely popular today. His northern, male heartiness probably goes against him. His characters drink too much, they’re too stout, and they’re far too forthright.
But this means I can often pick up a secondhand volume of JB Priestley - first edition, no less - for just a fiver of so. I tingle whenever I glimpse a book with his name on the spine, usually in the distinctive blue and gold lettering of his publisher, Heinemann. Only a few weeks ago I was browsing in a local charity shop and was thrilled to find a novel of his that I’d not read before, “The Doomsday Men” of 1938.
I’ve been enjoying it very much. It’s a pacy adventure yarn with slightly larger than life characters. A hard-boiled merchant trader from the China Seas, a gawky young physicist from New England and a winsome tennis player from London have made their separate ways to Death Valley in California. Here they join forces to defeat an unbelievably evil plot concocted by a deranged atomic scientist, a despotic industrialist and a charismatic leader of an end-of-the-world cult.
It’s perfect JB Priestley and an intriguing novel of its time - a broadly optimistic view of human nature, rumbustious, warm hearted and brave, in an unsettled world threatened by sinister forces and destruction.
But this means I can often pick up a secondhand volume of JB Priestley - first edition, no less - for just a fiver of so. I tingle whenever I glimpse a book with his name on the spine, usually in the distinctive blue and gold lettering of his publisher, Heinemann. Only a few weeks ago I was browsing in a local charity shop and was thrilled to find a novel of his that I’d not read before, “The Doomsday Men” of 1938.
I’ve been enjoying it very much. It’s a pacy adventure yarn with slightly larger than life characters. A hard-boiled merchant trader from the China Seas, a gawky young physicist from New England and a winsome tennis player from London have made their separate ways to Death Valley in California. Here they join forces to defeat an unbelievably evil plot concocted by a deranged atomic scientist, a despotic industrialist and a charismatic leader of an end-of-the-world cult.
It’s perfect JB Priestley and an intriguing novel of its time - a broadly optimistic view of human nature, rumbustious, warm hearted and brave, in an unsettled world threatened by sinister forces and destruction.
November 3, 2015
Malcolm Derbyshire went to Lost Lake looking for the girl he'd fallen in love with. Hooker went to Lost Lake to find a missing scientist who'd done him a bad turn. And Jimmy went to Lost Lake because his brother had been murdered. All three men found what they were seeking, and more--they found a plot that left them helpless, with no way to stop it. And if they couldn't stop it, they--and everyone they loved--would die. Amazing to think that this was written in 1938.
October 14, 2015
Another great story from this master story teller.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews