内容简介：
Paul Henderson ventures into the azonea (a lawless, decaying urban area) to rescue his kidnaped wife. Although unsuccessful, his courage is recognized and many call him a hero. Several years later, he is elected to office along with Geoffrey Longworth, who was manipulated into running for president by his best friend, a member of an elite group that seeks world domination. When President Longworth realizes that he canat slow the worldas rush toward destruction through conventional means, he conceives an unorthodox plan, based upon strange symbols that appear to tell how an ancient ruler overcame great adversity. But, as the situation deteriorates, Paul and others discern an ominous meaning in the symbols and join to warn the president. When the elite group tries to stop Paul, ensuing events expose them and strongly support his warning. Ultimately he is proven correct by testimony from an unexpected source.