On the Beach (novel)

==Plot==

==Plot==

In 1963, World War III has devastated most of the populated world, polluting the atmosphere with [[nuclear fallout]], and killing all human and animal life in the Northern Hemisphere. The war began with a nuclear attack by Albania on Italy, and then escalated with the bombing of the United States and the United Kingdom by Egypt. Because the aircraft used in these attacks were obtained from the [[Soviet Union]], the Soviets were mistakenly blamed, triggering a retaliatory strike on the Soviet Union by [[NATO]]. The Soviets also attack the People's Republic of China, which may have been a response to a Chinese attack aimed at occupying Soviet industrial areas near the Chinese border. Most, if not all, of the bombs [[cobalt bomb|included cobalt]] to enhance their radioactive properties.

In 1963, World War III has devastated most of the populated world, polluting the atmosphere with [[nuclear fallout]], and killing all human and animal life in the Northern Hemisphere. The war began with a nuclear attack by Albania on Italy, and then escalated with the bombing of the United States and the United Kingdom by Egypt. Because the aircraft used in these attacks were obtained from the Soviet Union, the Soviets were mistakenly blamed, triggering a retaliatory strike on the Soviet Union by [[NATO]]. The Soviets also attacked the People's Republic of China, which may have been a response to a Chinese attack aimed at occupying Soviet industrial areas near the Chinese border. Most, if not all, of the bombs [[cobalt bomb|included cobalt]] to enhance their radioactive properties.

Global air currents are slowly carrying the lethal nuclear fallout across the [[Intertropical Convergence Zone]] to the Southern Hemisphere. The only parts of the planet still habitable are Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the southern parts of South America, although they are slowly succumbing to [[radiation poisoning]] as well.

Global air currents are slowly carrying the lethal nuclear fallout across the [[Intertropical Convergence Zone]] to the Southern Hemisphere. The only parts of the planet still habitable are Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the southern parts of South America, although they are slowly succumbing to [[radiation poisoning]] as well.