The world is on the brink of collapse: a plague is killing millions, the sun is scorching crops, wars are breaking out everywhere, and people seem to have lost the last of their sanity. Are you prepared for the end of the world? We've been prepared for it throughout history, and it's all been depicted in books and films, says Adam Roberts, a lecturer in literature at Royal Holloway College, University of London, a writer hailed by critics as the best contemporary science fiction writer, and a historian of the genre. 'This Is It' is a brilliant analysis of our perceptions of humanity's demise, reflecting the state of society, the psychology of individuals and the masses, their deepest aspirations and fears. Why are we zombies? What can 'The Matrix' tell us about epidemics? Who was the first 'last man' on Earth? Roberts wittily demonstrates the interactions between science fiction and reality, analyzes possible Armageddon scenarios, and makes a compelling case for holding off on it for a bit.

Author: Adam Roberts
Publishing House: Individuum
Year: 2021
Number of pages: 192
Cover type: Paperback
Translator: Sergey Afonina and Violetta Boyer
Age group: 12+