The terror

"The Terror" by Alfred Coppel is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. Set against a backdrop of Cold War tensions and the dawn of space exploration, the book explores the devastating impact of fear on humanity when astronaut Jan Carvel returns from a mysterious journey in space, leaving a cryptic message that instigates global panic and paranoia regarding potential extraterrestrial threats. The narrative centers around Jan Carvel, who embarks on a rogue mission into deep space, only to discover what he believes to be an alien invasion fleet. His journey ultimately leads to his death upon returning to Earth, where the data he leaves behind incites widespread fear, prompting nations to unite under a single command to combat this perceived threat. As tensions rise, various entities evaluate Carvel's findings, leading to debates among scientists and government officials about the authenticity and implications of his claims. The story culminates with the revelation that the horrors of the 'Terror' may have been a product of Carvel's deteriorating mental state rather than an actual extraterrestrial invasion, offering a poignant commentary on fear, unity, and the human inclination to create enemies in the face of uncertainty. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Alfred Coppel, Alfredo Jose de Arana-Marini Coppel was an American author. Born in Oakland, he served as a fighter pilot in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. After his discharge, he started his career as a writer. He became one of the most prolific pulp magazine authors of the 1950s and 1960s, adopting the pseudonyms Robert Cham Gilman and A.C. Marin and writing for a variety of pulp magazines and later "slick" publishers. Though writing in a variety of genres, including action thrillers, he is known for his science fiction stories which comprise both short stories and novels.