The Fifty-Fourth of July

"The Fifty-Fourth of July" by Alan Edward Nourse is a science fiction novel written in the early 1950s. The book is centered around a post-apocalyptic scenario where society has collapsed due to an economic disaster linked to failed rocket launches. The main theme explores the consequences of humanity's relentless pursuit of technological advancement, symbolized by the titular Rocket that becomes a focal point for the characters' struggles and decisions in a chaotic world. The story follows Matt Matthews, who is part of a group encamped near a military installation guarding a rocket. Tensions arise as they are on the brink of launching an assault on the fortification, led by Colonel Gorham, who refuses to surrender the rocket despite the dire circumstances outside. An outsider named Loevy arrives, claiming he can negotiate a truce, which leads to unearthing grim truths about the government and the state of the world beyond. Throughout the novel, Matt grapples with his hatred for the rockets and what they represent, especially after learning of personal tragedies that have befallen his family. As desperation mounts, Matt ultimately decides to blow up the rocket, hoping to destroy the symbol of the old world's ambitions, while also realizing the importance of preserving the blueprints for a future that might allow humanity to explore the stars once again, without the same catastrophic consequences. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Alan Edward Nourse was an American science fiction writer and physician. He wrote both juvenile and adult science fiction, as well as nonfiction works about medicine and science. His SF works sometimes focused on medicine and/or psionics.