This disaster novel has it all. The Earth has tilted on its axis and a new Ice Age looms. Hordes of rabid lemmings have fled south and threaten the cities of Europe. Meanwhile, a time-travelling Hitler has emerged in sleepy Devonshire and is cloning himself in preparation for the march on London. And approaching alien envoys, after years of careful research into Earth's extensive literature on first contact situations, have transmitted a message that they hope accurately conveys their peaceful intentions and proper feelings of interstellar amity and peace: "YOU EARTHLING SCUM ARE THE DREGS OF THE UNIVERSE! WE COME TO ANNIHILATE YOU PAINFULLY AND RAPE YOUR PLANET!"

Yup, in this novel, what you see is what you get. All that and the entire plot of 'Independence Day" rolled up in two sentences... ( )