Dr. Jake Ross, a university astronomer, wants only to teach a few classes each semester and continue his analysis. Instead, he finds himself aggressively recruited to be the science consultant to Frank Tomlinson, an ambitious politician along with his eye on the US Senate. Tomlinson is normally in need of an edge which will enable him to beat his opponent in the polls, and Dr. Ross can contribute just that: MHD. MHD, or magnetohydrodynamics, is usually a new creativity that will allow electricity to be about Power Play generated efficiently and cheaply. The Senate chair is essentially guaranteed if Tomlinson can deliver unlimited energy to voters at not even half the price of nuclear power. But MHD continues to be in its infancy, and even though the outlook is incredibly promising a couple of great-and deadly-risks.

The incumbent senator won’t give up his seat without a fight, so that as Ross discovers, the world of politics carries its own dangers. Nothing offers ready him for the intense tactics that eager and powerful folks are willing to make use of. Power Play is certainly a timely excitement trip by Ben Bova, one of science fiction’s esteemed novelists.