ECKERT, Allan W(esley)

(1931-)

   US writer, mainly of works of natural history, for which he has five times been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. His sf novel, The HAB Theory (1976), is based on the neo-Velikovskian idea of poleshift (PESUDO-SCIENCE; Immanuel VELIKOVSKY): lay theoreticians realize that the Earth is about to flip over on its axis with the obvious catastrophic consequences, but of course the ivory-tower bastions of Orthodox Science refuse to listen. The HOLOCAUST duly afflicts an underprepared humanity. The Mesmerian Annals - The Dark Green Tunnel (1984) and The Wand (1986) - are juvenile fantasies.

   JC/JGr