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A Disruptive Invention
In the year 2011 John Sykes accidentally discovers the Fifth Force, which has been discussed amongst physicists for the last 30 years but never found. The resulting new UFO like "LeviStar" technology for flying vehicles will replace rocket science. See the aerospace industry turned upside down. Be there as the first flight into space in the UFO like vehicle shows that they are not alone!
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 17, 2011
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About the author
Peter Shackle
1 book2 followersPeter W. Shackle is a professional engineer and inventor living in Palos Verdes California. He has a Ph.D. in Physics from Trinity College, Cambridge in the UK. A senior member of the IEEE, he has authored 53 United States patents. "A Disruptive invention" is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 24, 2011
“A Disruptive Invention” is what might be called “serious” science fiction as obviously the author is well knowledgeable about his topic and this is evidenced throughout by lengthy passages of technical details or one character imparting paragraphs of information. I did find the many secondary characters introduced with extended background information rather distracting, especially in that I had a greater interest in the settings themselves.
I looked forward to the views of Redstone Arsenal for example, as I used to live and work there with a certain level of security clearance. Some statistics seemed a little off regarding Alabama and its population (but only someone who's lived there many years might know), yet there were other items I knew well, such as the munition testing that sounds periodically and the Biergarten café. I personally know the family that owned and managed, for they are long-time friends of mine.
“A Disruptive Invention” had a great story premise and I found it intriguing from the very first and the author imparted great enthusiasm in his work. The descriptive attempts at interpersonal behaviors, skills and/or relationships between characters eemed a little too stereotypically “geeky” or genderized for me, and that was a strange counterbalance for the tech stuff. For example, the woman on the John’s team, Judy seemed to be thinking about men all the time and/or how she looked or having a relationship. When this occurred in the narrative or dialogue, it “stuttered” the story for me, but never stopped my forward motion because of the strength of the central plot.
Those looking for a strong sci-fi story with lots of detail and historical background included would find “A Disruptive Invention” of interest. It really makes you think about what would happen to the world if such technology became widely available.
I looked forward to the views of Redstone Arsenal for example, as I used to live and work there with a certain level of security clearance. Some statistics seemed a little off regarding Alabama and its population (but only someone who's lived there many years might know), yet there were other items I knew well, such as the munition testing that sounds periodically and the Biergarten café. I personally know the family that owned and managed, for they are long-time friends of mine.
“A Disruptive Invention” had a great story premise and I found it intriguing from the very first and the author imparted great enthusiasm in his work. The descriptive attempts at interpersonal behaviors, skills and/or relationships between characters eemed a little too stereotypically “geeky” or genderized for me, and that was a strange counterbalance for the tech stuff. For example, the woman on the John’s team, Judy seemed to be thinking about men all the time and/or how she looked or having a relationship. When this occurred in the narrative or dialogue, it “stuttered” the story for me, but never stopped my forward motion because of the strength of the central plot.
Those looking for a strong sci-fi story with lots of detail and historical background included would find “A Disruptive Invention” of interest. It really makes you think about what would happen to the world if such technology became widely available.
October 18, 2011
Physicists have been predicting the existence of a "Fifth Force" of physics for some thirty years, and the appearance of A DISRUPTIVE INVENTION offers a novel based on what could happen were this fifth force uncovered, proven, and exploited.
The story opens with one John Sykes, a young electronics engineer who accidentally discovers a force that enables a flying vehicle to levitate against gravity without wings or rotors. He and his friends determine the discovery will make them rich; but first they confront governments and private businesses who all want a piece of the pie.
It doesn't end with potential personal wealth either; for once John and his associates begin working with the Fifth Force, they determine that any inventions from the force will of necessity look like a flying saucer - raising all kinds of questions about alien existance, space, and alien technology that spark a renewed quest for the truth in outer space.
From developing their discovery and adapting science to a vehicle to handling questions of patents and theft, John and his companions have their hands full. There are quite a few humorous moments to balance out the protagonists' challenges and struggles: the prototypes have such female names as Barbara and Annette, for example, and tongue-in-cheek humor pops into even serious scientific dialogue: "….I will take personal responsibility for making sure that Judy’s nightmare is built into our plans.” He turned to his system design manager Terry Entmann: “Terry – can you take ownership of Judy’s nightmare please!”
Add the political struggles when foreign interests develop their own versions of craft powered by the science of the Fifth Force, an evolving hostage situation, and intercultural encounters and you have a blend of intriguing hard science, insights on UFOs, and sometimes-whimsical interplays between characters that lend personality to the science and takes the technical edge off the hard science angle.
Any interested in a science fiction novel that revolves around hard science and interplays between scientists, governments and individuals will find A DISRUPTIVE INVENTION to be at once a fun, compelling piece.
The story opens with one John Sykes, a young electronics engineer who accidentally discovers a force that enables a flying vehicle to levitate against gravity without wings or rotors. He and his friends determine the discovery will make them rich; but first they confront governments and private businesses who all want a piece of the pie.
It doesn't end with potential personal wealth either; for once John and his associates begin working with the Fifth Force, they determine that any inventions from the force will of necessity look like a flying saucer - raising all kinds of questions about alien existance, space, and alien technology that spark a renewed quest for the truth in outer space.
From developing their discovery and adapting science to a vehicle to handling questions of patents and theft, John and his companions have their hands full. There are quite a few humorous moments to balance out the protagonists' challenges and struggles: the prototypes have such female names as Barbara and Annette, for example, and tongue-in-cheek humor pops into even serious scientific dialogue: "….I will take personal responsibility for making sure that Judy’s nightmare is built into our plans.” He turned to his system design manager Terry Entmann: “Terry – can you take ownership of Judy’s nightmare please!”
Add the political struggles when foreign interests develop their own versions of craft powered by the science of the Fifth Force, an evolving hostage situation, and intercultural encounters and you have a blend of intriguing hard science, insights on UFOs, and sometimes-whimsical interplays between characters that lend personality to the science and takes the technical edge off the hard science angle.
Any interested in a science fiction novel that revolves around hard science and interplays between scientists, governments and individuals will find A DISRUPTIVE INVENTION to be at once a fun, compelling piece.
February 19, 2014
The author worked for the same company my Father did, and I came around to learning about this book from him. I was happy to see that the amateurish work of fiction I expected actually turned out to be a good, well rounded novel. It is a bit heavy in technical mumbo-jumbo, which is just fine by me, but it is worth mentioning for others in case they do not enjoy this type of thing. It is a great little book.
Otherwise the only thing I found strange about the book is that, and correct me if I'm wrong, it never mentions the possibility of flying commercial vehicles such as cars, transport vehicles, and so on! It only goes into the military and rescue possibilities, but do not mention the elephant in the room, which is everyday passenger travel. Virtually every science fiction film and book feature flying cars, so it is just beyond me why nothing of the sort is even hinted at in this book.
Otherwise the only thing I found strange about the book is that, and correct me if I'm wrong, it never mentions the possibility of flying commercial vehicles such as cars, transport vehicles, and so on! It only goes into the military and rescue possibilities, but do not mention the elephant in the room, which is everyday passenger travel. Virtually every science fiction film and book feature flying cars, so it is just beyond me why nothing of the sort is even hinted at in this book.
July 11, 2025
I read this book ten years ago and did not remember it for a second. Its a theme I like and this time I like it better. I guess nothing stays the same. I thought the story was interesting and thoughtful. To lazy to look up my old review. Its a what if, story and is very technichal in the beginning but it smooths out later.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews