About this book
Occasion for Disaster by Randall Garrett hits like a sly, cold-war-era razor: a short, satirical science fiction tale that exposes how tiny failures and human psychology can topple empires. Set against a near-future backdrop imagined from the early 1960s, Garrett spins a tense, witty narrative about a trivial technical slip that cascades into national crisis, prompting frantic investigations, scapegoating, and baffled officials.
Combining elements of psychology, science, and literary satire, the story probes why societies rush to blame individuals for systemic breakdowns and how bureaucratic posturing amplifies fear. Garrett’s crisp prose and deadpan humor evoke the moral panics of the Cold War while exploring technological fragility—the idea that a single flawed component can imperil vast systems. Tone and pacing blend suspense with clever social commentary, never sacrificing character or craft for plot twists.
Perfect for listeners who love classic science fiction with an incisive psychological edge, Occasion for Disaster will appeal to fans of political satire, technothrillers, and literary short fiction. Tune in for a compact, thought-provoking ride that remains eerily relevant to anyone interested in blame, bureaucracy, and the human side of technological risk.
