The Malthusian Catastrophe
Author
Ernesto Robles
Publisher
Loyal Dog Publishing
2 Review Copies Left
Society has become obsessed with youth and will do anything to hold onto it. Aseso Nutraceuticals, an herbal supplement company co-founded by a charismatic American scientist and a mysterious Japanese businessman, exploits this growing global anti-aging craze by producing Sinsen, what is widely believed to be the "fountain of youth" in a bottle. This belief forms the basis of a new hope that would inspire an otherwise disheartened society caught in the deepest recession seen in decades. Michael Jeffs, after failing to secure his dream job on Wall Street, accepts a position at the much-hyped Aseso and unwittingly becomes involved in a series of deceptions that would dramatically alter the social and political landscape of the world. Realizing the truth, Michael is forced to reconcile his sense of social responsibility with his own self interests.
Reviews
What happens when demand for a product exceeds supply? What if demand is so high that the supply can never keep up? These are the questions at the heart of Ernesto Robles’ first book “The Malthusian Catastrophe”. The population of Earth is growing but will we have enough resources to keep up? According to Thomas Malthus, whose theory the title is borrowed from, we will not. Eventually, possibly centuries later, we will run out of land to grow the food needed to sustain the population. But, what if something happens to speed up the process? What if, because of the demand for a new, miracle product, the “Malthusian Catastrophe” occurs within the next 10 years?
Aseso Nutraceuticles has begun producing a new product, Sinsen, an herbal supplement rumored to inhibit the aging process. Sinsen is already in demand when a scientific study is released stating that it does, in fact, stop aging and prolongs life for an indefinite period of time. When word gets out, everyone in the world wants to take it but only those with money can afford it, the rest remain on a waiting list hoping that, someday, the price will come down and they too will be able to live forever. As farmland is converted to growing the plants needed to make Sinsen and the population continues to multiply while no one is dying of old age, it becomes obvious that a real “Malthusian Catastrophe” could be in the making.
I found this book to be fascinating. It brings real world issues, such as the recession and the ramifications of continued population growth, together, with the fictional finding of the “fountain of youth” to make the reader think, without beating them over the head to make a point. It is an expertly crafted cautionary tale that is not only intriguing, but extremely compelling, with well developed characters that have to explore their own moral code as they venture down a road that could have serious consequences for all mankind.
I had a hard time putting this book down and I truly look forward to reading more fiction by this incredibly talented author.
Reviewed on 12/07/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member April Hanson
Reviewed on 05/15/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Jud Hanson
