Thin Air

by George E. Simpson, Neal R. Burger

At the war's end, the men of the USS Sturman were ordered to join hands on the ship's deck, ignorant pawns in a top-secret Navy experiment.

An alarm sounded. A humming began. Moments later a common surge of desperate, disoriented terror was felt by every crewman as they watched the ship beneath them, and finally their own bodies, disappear into thin air.

Now, after more than 25 years, a man wakes up screaming from a nightmare having "something to do with the Navy..." Another, hopelessly insane, draws, in a childish scrawl, pictures of figures holding hands...

And Naval investigator Nicholas Hammond scratches at the iceberg tip of a complex network of cover-up and deceit, hiding a scientific breakthrough that could save the world...or destroy it.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Science Fiction, Mystery

318 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

US author, film scriptwriter and sound effects editor who worked with Universal Studios for several years. With Neal R Burger (1931-2005) he wrote three sf novels, all with a strong espionage-thriller flavour.

Ghostboat (1976) centres on the submarine USS Candlefish, believed lost during World War Two, which reappears in modern times minus her crew. The solution of this mystery involves an uneasy mix of Timeslip and supernatural elements, leading to a grim but predictable resolution. Thin Air (1978) is based on the supposed 1943 "Philadelphia Experiment" attempt to render a US warship invisible (see Invisibility); decades later, the protagonist's investigation uncovers secret ongoing Matter Transmission experiments that began during the war years.

Fair Warning (1980) is an Alternate History tale involving efforts by US General George Marshall and US Secretary of State Henry Stimson (without President Harry Truman's knowledge) to avoid the use of the atomic bomb against Japan by convincing them to surrender; Josef Stalin becomes involved in an effort to steal the weapon for the USSR. Together,

Reviews

[Matthew Kresal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The so-called Philadelphia Experiment of conspiracy lore has inspired a wealth of fiction over the years. One of those earliest works, perhaps surprisingly, turns to be a thriller. Published in 1977, Thin Air by George E. Simpson and Neal R. Burger has a lot going for it, on paper at least.

For one thing, it's not actually about the alleged Second World War military-scientific effort. Or, at least not as conspiracy theorists know it today. Simpson and Burger set their experiment a decade later during the Korean War, though, as we learn, its roots go back to the 1940s. There are some intriguing pre-echoes too of the later 1984 film The Philadelphia Experiment as the novel takes on a thriller plot set in the then-present day, and even the ending bears some resemblance to the film's climax.

Thin Air, though, is fundamentally an investigate thriller that feels like a 1970s SF take on NCIS at times. And it suffers from that as the plot becomes increasingly convoluted, seeing Naval investigator Commander Hammond dealing with an old flame whose husband sends him down a path that uncovers decades-old secrets involving the experiment that turns out to be not so much in the past. The novel is too long for its own good, by roughly 75-100 pages by my reckoning, not to mention incredibly dated even by thriller standards.

On the other hand, as an early exploration of something resembling the Philadelphia Experiment in fiction, and likely the basis of various versions of it, later on, it retains a certain amount of historical interest. For conspiracy buffs and thriller fans of a certain age, it'll be worth seeking out. Just know this isn't quite what you're expecting it to be.

[Özhan Gülal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tam 2 yıldır aradığım kitabı sonunda buldum ve aldım ! Amerikan donanmasının 28 Ekim 1943 tarihinde Pennsylvania eyaletinin Philadelphia şehrinde gerçekleştirildiği iddia edilen ve her zaman hükümet tarafından yalanlanan askeri bir deneyi tüm detayları ile anlatmakta. Elimdeki kitabın 1979 yılına ait ilk baskı olması apayrı bir güzellik tabi, kitap bilim kurgu ile ilgilenenler icin bulunmaz bir nimet. Dili cok guzel, eski olmasina ragmen gayet basarili bir cevirisi var. Eger bulursaniz kesinlikle okumanizi tavsiye ederim.

[Richard McCann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago, but the story was gripping and possible being it was during WW II and many unbelievable experiments were tried and some with success and some were failures! The author takes us down the road of one of the failures and the consequences of the failure. The Philadelphia Experiment was a real event but the book is fiction and the author has a wonderful tale to tell! Well worth the read.

[Vroom · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant like-able read-once-but-probably-never-again thriller. Perfect for vacation reading.

Very dated but the dating becomes kind of retro chic with its accuracy.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, based on the Philadelphia Experiment.

[Gregoire · Rating 3 out of 5]

le livre s'est inspiré du mythe du "Philadelphia Experiment" (des expériences de la marine américaine pour tenter de rendre leurs navires indétectables aux radars pendant la 2e guerre mondiale )
Un roman nerveux et enlevé, qui, à part un bref paragraphe (je n'ai pas dit chapitre !!!) sur la physique et Einstein, est à la portée de tous pour un moment de lecture agréable surtout si on n'a pas vu les films parus sur ce thème (invisibilité téléportation ou transport temporel)
Sans être un homme particulièrement attachant, Nicholas Hammond est un enquêteur entêté qui ayant trouvé un fil qui dépasse s'efforce de détricoter toute l'affaire
Nota : c'est un peu "daté" mais cela ne gène en rien la lecture qui est comme un "retour dans le temps" où tous les projets, même les plus fous, étaient envisagés...

[Sarah Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've actually read this book twice - the first time was just over 20 years ago when I saw a copy at a friend's house and the first few pages intrigued me enough to ask if I could borrow it. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to read it properly, skipped a few bits, and was a little disappointed by the direction the story took. However, I was conscious of the fact that I hadn't really given it a chance and the memory stuck with me so that I tracked down another copy and gave it my full attention. This time I followed every stage so that it made perfect sense, and could identify much earlier the direction the story was going to take. The characters are good and well described, and the story follows a logical sequence. Yes it is a bit dated, but if you can accept that's the way things were in the 70s, then it becomes an enjoyable read.

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another one I pulled out of the GSB archives. Written in the 70s, it’s a little dated without cell phones and strong women characters but it was a fast paced story that you might have even pictured on NCIS of the 70s! I have yet to be disappointed by any of my dad’s choices. NIS investigator Hammond would have needed a team though! Reminded me of a scaled down Clive Cussler story. I thought the concept of Thin Air was pretty clever and then I saw another review that this was based on mythology around a real Philadelphia Experiment. Now considering that the explanation made it plausible.

[Susan Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fast pace Navy story about a secret, illicit project that turns people's lives upside down. There is lots of intrigue, a little romance, lots of technical jargon and an uncertain ending.
Although sci-fi now, who knows what the future holds.

[Christopher Heckman · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're expecting a story about the Philadelphia Experiment, you're looking in the wrong place. This book predates the book by Berlitz and Moore by a few years. Nevertheless, an interesting bit of fiction.

[Dan Scarro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boat disappears into...

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in the 70’s.

[Belgin Bilgin · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 stars

[Anita Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Both mystique & intrigue can provide a gripping fascination; Thin Air, has & does continue to be that compelling story. A paperback book many times read whose pages are now well worn & age stained. On writing this review by retrieving it from the shelf, it’s musty smell is the reminder of how long I have had this book; of when I was first introduced to it as a child, & how it can so easily still draw me in. There is always correlation to things felt & seen. Hammond the naval investigator recounts the fear that haunts the men who were exposed & aboard the USS Sturman during World War II. He uncovers the sinister secrets of military intelligence in an almost ordinary way, that it makes it all so relatable, yet fills you with dread. We learn of the science experiments that were operating in broad daylight & the trauma involved by the men. Classic cases of what would be called C-Ptsd today, caused by culminating events that saw the men blindsided by an enemy of terror that would continue to play with their mind. It leaves poignant questions for the reader that are so prevalent today, how science can go too far, & that it still neglects to factor in the human element & importance of life, the psychological repercussions of too much interference & messing with a mind. Today, with considerable life experience gained, Thin Air still tells me that: The mind when left in a natural state & in its own time, gives us an account of such extraordinary beauty, detail & knowledge to be found, it is indeed a rare gift to behold; but sadly mans need always for answers & to push beyond those boundaries brings consequences that lead to destruction & death.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this book in the 70's and loved it. I reread it many times until I lent it to a friend and it was never returned. I regretted that act of kindness for the next 2+ decades until I recently came across it on the Barnes and Noble website. Score! I enjoyed rereading the story and maybe even reliving a bit of my 20's. Good action, interesting characters and decent writing. Ignore the poor editing and you have a fun bit of sci fi. Sure hope my other favorite book by these authors (Ghostboat) finds it was into the ebook world soon. Read and enjoy

[Jim Razinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

[2023] Shelving another book, this in the corner of my eye, recently reread Ghostboat... reread this? Sure!
Fast pace. One silliness suspended. One annoyance - an Ensign speaking to the main character, a Commander (four ranks senior to her) calls him by his last last, no rank. A takeaway forgotten that I'll probably use in the future:
"You're a New Englander?"
"I was once - never lost the taste for those [oysters]."

[Update, 6 Aug 2016... Masterful storytelling. Well worth the re-walk down Nostalgia Lane.]

Still entertaining after 30 or so years.

[James F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 1978 paperback edition of Thin Air was written by George SImpson and Neal Burger. It is an entertaining and easy read, comfortably completed in about two hours. It is a story that is based on the premise that the military-industrial complex flourishes because of its ability to maintain secrets. I recall that the plot line was later made into a Hollywood science fiction movie. The one thing that I recall about the movie (it's title has long escaped my memory) is that the movie plot line was much different than that of the novel. I prefer the story as told by the original authors.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fictionalized version of the Philadelphia Experiment seems like a great idea for a novel. Unfortunately this book shows it's age.

The main character is unlikeable. He spends most of his time investigating, which involves rudely asking co-workers to do work for him, waiting for phone calls, and working through navy bureaucracy to look up information in files. The woman are written weakly and he oddly refers to one female co-worker as "Ensign Just Ducky" all the time.

The scenes that involve the actual experiment in action are better, but not enough to offset the negatives.

[Pete Aldin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third time reading this in the past 30 years. This time, it felt a little clumsy in place which was no doubt a reflection of the time it was written in. However it has a flawless plot and brings amp real world conspiracy to life as a taut thriller.

One last gripe: seriously, does every second character have be tall and beefy? Just saying...

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story, I liked the story-telling. I had a hard time with the rampant mistakes. It wasn't misspelled words, but the wrong word. Fork instead of work, for example. Things the SpellCheck won't pick up. Also, many extra commas and periods throughout. But a good book that simply needs to be cleaned up.

[Rosemary Dreyer · Rating 1 out of 5]

In this Dan Brown-type mystery wannabe, the plot was unbelievable; the characters irritating; and the writing weak. Not to mention that there were SO many typos on my Kindle edition - 1-2 per every four out of five pages. This made for extremely frustrating reading, adding to the aggravation. I do NOT recommend this book.

[Elaine Cantrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thin Air is pretty good. It has paranormal elements which I liked and seemed like something that might have really happened.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad thriller with a Philadelphia Experiment plot line

[Bob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Needs to be proof read

This could have been a great read but all the mistakes in grammar, spelling and punctuation errors distracted me to a point where I quit reading.

[Halil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Süper

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

About the time I thought I knew where it was going I was wrong. Good story, not predictable.