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Overload
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In the middle of a sweltering July heat wave that has no end in sight, California’s Golden State Power and Light is on overload. An emergency brownout is already in effect. Then, GSP&L’s newest and largest generator explodes. With four people dead and a widespread loss of power, a fringe group takes responsibility. But for GSP&L vice president Nim Goldman and his family; h
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Mass Market Paperback, 512 pages
Published
March 1st 1986
by Dell
(first published January 1st 1978)
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In Overload,Hailey cautioned about the possibilities of blackouts and serious power shortages as he explored the inner workings of a giant power utility in California.
Thrown in for good measure are terrorists,explosions and a touching story about a paralyzed patient who depends on electricity to stay alive.
The subject matter is a bit dry and technical and this wasn't as successful as several of Hailey's other books.
But the central issue of power shortages remains very relevant.
I'm reminded time ...more
Thrown in for good measure are terrorists,explosions and a touching story about a paralyzed patient who depends on electricity to stay alive.
The subject matter is a bit dry and technical and this wasn't as successful as several of Hailey's other books.
But the central issue of power shortages remains very relevant.
I'm reminded time ...more
On the surface this book is supposed to be about the behind the scenes drama concerning electricity. Who gets it, who pays for it, who produces it, etc. But really, how can you write an exciting novel about the electric company? No, what this book is really about is the hero's many, many, I mean many sexual conquests. Just about every woman he meets immediately wants to fall at his feet and spread her legs for him. He even has an affair with a quadriplegic woman. That's right, a woman paralyzed
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If you want to read about a profession or an industry and have fun reading it then Arthur Hailey is your man. He has written few books, but each of them is a detailed account of how a particular industry works. His research is superb and he uses the actual facts about the industry to build a story and he does it wonderfully. Overload is a book about Electricity generation companies in America. The book is a fiction but at the same time it tells you how the Power in ...more
If you want to read about a profession or an industry and have fun reading it then Arthur Hailey is your man. He has written few books, but each of them is a detailed account of how a particular industry works. His research is superb and he uses the actual facts about the industry to build a story and he does it wonderfully. Overload is a book about Electricity generation companies in America. The book is a fiction but at the same time it tells you how the Power in ...more
Whenever I re-read an Arthur Hailey book, I wonder why there aren't many writers like him. And that feeling persists even after 30 years!
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Every Hailey novel (and I've read quite a handful of them) is a little jewel. There is a strong plot and some secondary ones, characters are alive and have deepness, the author seems to do a beautiful documentary work in order to present his oppinions on very different subjects, there are twists and tournarounds, but there is one thing, perhaps more important than everything else:
Hailey had vission: he foresaw the declines of American industries, hostage crisis and California's energetical prob ...more
Hailey had vission: he foresaw the declines of American industries, hostage crisis and California's energetical prob ...more
Read in 1979. Concerning the electricity production industry in California. And this was 512 pages?
Review first published on: https://bookwormrambling.wordpress.com
I bought this book when I was twelvish/ thirteen..around that time but only got around to reading it at nineteen. And I’m really glad I did, I don’t think I would’ve fully absorbed the depth of it had I read it back when I bought it.
‘Overload’ is a fictional novel about the power industry and how electricity generation companies in the United States function. The book follows Nim Goldman, vice president of GSP&L (the main power pro ...more
I bought this book when I was twelvish/ thirteen..around that time but only got around to reading it at nineteen. And I’m really glad I did, I don’t think I would’ve fully absorbed the depth of it had I read it back when I bought it.
‘Overload’ is a fictional novel about the power industry and how electricity generation companies in the United States function. The book follows Nim Goldman, vice president of GSP&L (the main power pro ...more
Simply stated, Overload is a mediocre book; something to read if you are bored out of your wits. Don't expect much from the story.
The only properly formulated part of the book is where the author tries to convey the dilemma faced by the utility companies. And he has done this very well, I must say. The difficulties faced by the industry, as mentioned in the book, are 100% similar to real life. The amount of research that must have gone into this is highly appreciated.
But that is where the good s ...more
The only properly formulated part of the book is where the author tries to convey the dilemma faced by the utility companies. And he has done this very well, I must say. The difficulties faced by the industry, as mentioned in the book, are 100% similar to real life. The amount of research that must have gone into this is highly appreciated.
But that is where the good s ...more
You open an Arthur Hailey book expecting nitty gritties of the industry he is writing on. Going by this experience with his other books, Overload doesn't disappoint.
The Good: Through the Golden Power and Light organization, Hailey covers various kinds of power sources, may it be geothermal, hydroelectric, nuclear, coal, or even solar. Each of these is touched upon, if only perfunctorily, giving you a fair idea on the resources available. Since it is set in the sixties, the focus is on different ...more
The Good: Through the Golden Power and Light organization, Hailey covers various kinds of power sources, may it be geothermal, hydroelectric, nuclear, coal, or even solar. Each of these is touched upon, if only perfunctorily, giving you a fair idea on the resources available. Since it is set in the sixties, the focus is on different ...more
Aug 01, 2011
^
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
would NOT recommend this book
Whilst clearing bookshelves recently, I thought I'd re-read this book, which I remember enjoying reading in my younger years. After all, the subject of energy supply is once again a current hot topic; as economic availability of oil and gas reserves decreases, and the world human population continues to increase unsustainably.
Alas, I gave up at page 74. The plot was far too predictable and plain corny; and no, I didn't remember it from reading the book first time around. I just got to the point ...more
Alas, I gave up at page 74. The plot was far too predictable and plain corny; and no, I didn't remember it from reading the book first time around. I just got to the point ...more
Must read for Power Engineers....Nice thriller.
Overload (Mass Market Paperback) by Arthur Hailey- Novel 1979- Importance of this novel is that Electricity suppy to people by Electricity Supply companies. Modern rural and urban life is primarily based on electricity which is produced by electromechanical generators and transmitted by lines. Power production plants are coal based, flowing water and wind. The story is about Golden State Power and Light Public Service Company. In US based novels, the primary issue is management of race relations
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Feb 21, 2020
Ashima Jain
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
library-issue
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟1/2
Every time I pick up an Arthur Hailey book I’m amazed how, despite having written it decades ago, he was able to foresee a future that eventually happened, keeping his writing relevant even today.
Amidst the summer heat wave, California's Golden State Power & Light company is on overload. An emergency brownout is already in effect when their newest and largest generator explodes, killing four people. With widespread loss of power to a hungry state, a fringe group takes responsibilit ...more
Every time I pick up an Arthur Hailey book I’m amazed how, despite having written it decades ago, he was able to foresee a future that eventually happened, keeping his writing relevant even today.
Amidst the summer heat wave, California's Golden State Power & Light company is on overload. An emergency brownout is already in effect when their newest and largest generator explodes, killing four people. With widespread loss of power to a hungry state, a fringe group takes responsibilit ...more
So it's pretty obvious that Arthur Hailey had a formula:
(1) Pick an industry
(2) Learn a lot about it
(3) Write a novel dramatizing it, with liberal doses of sex and violence thrown in
I enjoyed this one because I learnt a lot about electricity generation.
Although in hindsight I can see the bias very clearly!
Utility executives are portrayed as pragmatic good guys and environmentalists are either naïve or outright evil.
And of course our boy Nimrod Goldman! How many ladies is he juggling?
The ending ...more
(1) Pick an industry
(2) Learn a lot about it
(3) Write a novel dramatizing it, with liberal doses of sex and violence thrown in
I enjoyed this one because I learnt a lot about electricity generation.
Although in hindsight I can see the bias very clearly!
Utility executives are portrayed as pragmatic good guys and environmentalists are either naïve or outright evil.
And of course our boy Nimrod Goldman! How many ladies is he juggling?
The ending ...more
First Arthur Hailey book, and to be very honest, am disappointed. Its very slow paced, something which would have been totally avoided. Pages and pages of stuff written was not necessary, neither was the inclusion of a lot of things in the book.
Although towards the end of the book, the third half, against the run of play the book gains pace and brings back certain trails of thriller to it. But for a very limited time. But overall, pretty slow paced and dull.
Although towards the end of the book, the third half, against the run of play the book gains pace and brings back certain trails of thriller to it. But for a very limited time. But overall, pretty slow paced and dull.
Typical Arthur Hailey book: not too racy but engaging storyline. But I didn't like Overload as much as I liked Strong Medicine, mostly because of the protagonist. Not only is Nim Goldman anything exceptional, but the level of infidelity is just plain nauseating. Insights on the electricity industry is worth admiration.
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Interesting story of the operation of a California power company during a crisis (sound familiar?) The power goes out during an extended heat wave. A power substation blows up, killing several people. Could it be sabotage or terrorism? The story also brings out the impact on the lives of power company employees and the people who depend on a reliable source of power to stay alive.
I love Arthur Hailey but I won't read this one as apparently the lead character has women falling over themselves to have sex with him which sounds boring plus and more importantly apparently the power company execs are portrayed as the good guys and the environmentalists as the baddies. Hu? Well, it was written in the 60's but I couldn't cop this so I'll avoid it.
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An enjoyable book though perhaps a little dated. The womanising lead doesn't really get his comeuppance and the death of a main character felt harsh to me. Clearly a novel with many valid points in the day, most of which probably remain relevant today.
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Truly excellent novel, as usual by Mr. Hailey
An involved intricately woven story with so many interesting characters. The drama and intrigue are brilliant and emotional. The underlying humor is delicately subtle yet profound.
An involved intricately woven story with so many interesting characters. The drama and intrigue are brilliant and emotional. The underlying humor is delicately subtle yet profound.
I had to read this !! being an engineer :)
One of the fine books written by Arthur Hailey
Good
Ok
Writing.Good book to read Tempo maintained. Lot of read had gimme into writing this book. This is the situation faced by major industries in all countries
Writing.Good book to read Tempo maintained. Lot of read had gimme into writing this book. This is the situation faced by major industries in all countries
I loved it.....sad...that books are not written like this anymore...
I got hooked by author Hailey in my misspent youth. That's my excuse.
But by the time he wrote this one, he'd run out of gas.
Don't bother. ...more
But by the time he wrote this one, he'd run out of gas.
Don't bother. ...more
The only book by Arthur Hailey I haven't liked. I could kick the protagonist. Douchebag.
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Not Hailey's best. For every interesting chapter there are two boring chapters to meander through.
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Everything okay but I don't like the idea of including Karen ^s charecter in the story which I feel is the part that drags a long time, apart from that this is worth the read. Will recommend.
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This book gives an overview of how the green activists are suppressed, when peoples luxuries are denied. A similar exercise is done in India too, to bring nuclear power plants.
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Arthur Hailey was a British/Canadian novelist. After working at a number of jobs and writing part-time, he became a writer full-time during 1956, encouraged by the success of the CBC television drama, Flight into Danger (in print as
Runway Zero Eight
). Following the success of Hotel in 1965, he moved to California; followed by a permanent move to the Bahamas in 1969.
Each of his novels has a di ...more
Each of his novels has a di ...more
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“the normal electrical demands of a pampered, spoiled, convenience-oriented, gadget-minded, power-guzzling populace continued unabated.”
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