D. G. Compton

The Steel Crocodile

Paperback original, 1970

The Electric Crocodile (1970) by D. G. Compton, published in the United States as The Steel Crocodile, is set in a near future where an unnamed authority, fearful of uncontrolled technological advance, has created a computer system to monitor and check potential excesses. The novel follows those involved in its creation, and the central question it poses, if technology is watching over us, who then watches the watcher. Compton is widely regarded as one of the more underappreciated British science fiction writers of his generation, probably best known for The Continuous Katherine Mortenhoe (1974), which was adapted for film as Death Watch. The American first edition is a paperback original published by Ace. The British hardcover first edition, published by Hodder and Stoughton in the same year, is considerably scarcer.

Softcover. First Edition, Paperback Original. Ace Books 78575 ($0.75). New York: Ace Book, 1970. #10473.
Very good copy with diagonal crease on front cover, price marked out, and some light shelf wear.

D. G. Compton Dystopian Anti-Technology Artificial Intelligence Technology Totalitarianism Science Fiction & Fantasy

Additional Details

The Steel Crocodile by D.G. Compton, published in 1970 and known as The Electric Crocodile in the U.K., is a thought-provoking science fiction novel set in a near-future dystopia. The narrative centers around the development of an omniscient computer, the "Ultimate Computer," designed to make crucial decisions for humanity. Dr. John Winterbotham, a psychologist involved in the project, becomes increasingly wary of the ethical implications and the threat to human autonomy as the computer's influence grows.

The novel delves into complex themes such as technological control, ethical dilemmas, and the conflict between human decision-making and machine governance. As the Ultimate Computer begins to dominate more aspects of society, Winterbotham and his colleagues are forced to confront the potential dangers of placing too much trust in technology. The story raises critical questions about the role of artificial intelligence and the balance between human freedom and technological advancement.

The Steel Crocodile has been praised for its sophisticated exploration of these issues, blending a compelling narrative with deep philosophical questions. Compton's work is a standout in the genre.