Synopsis: From the text on the back cover of the first edition: "A (...) war in the middle East — and the world's oil supply is gone. The lights go out across the world. In England electricity is rationed to a few hours every day (...). Caught in the midst of the social upheaval are Michael, a doctor, and Rae, a teacher (...)." Though Michael and Rae are the main persons there are also a handful of other protagonists the various chapters are told about.