The Moon Destroyers

"The Moon Destroyers" by Monroe K. Ruch is a science fiction novel written in the early 1930s. The book explores themes of interplanetary travel and the catastrophic consequences of the Moon's gravitational influences on Earth, particularly in relation to earthquakes. This tale combines elements of adventure, science fiction, and a dash of romance, making it a captivating narrative set against the backdrop of early 20th-century speculative thought about space travel and celestial mechanics. In this story, Professor Erickson and his assistant Jack Holden lead a daring expedition to destroy the Moon in order to prevent further catastrophic earthquakes caused by its gravitational pull. Following a devastating earthquake that devastates New York, they rally a group of scientists and engineers to execute this ambitious plan. After encountering various challenges—including a midnight attack, a confrontation with space pirates, and complicated repairs aboard their ships—Holden and his crew successfully land on the Moon. They strategically plant bombs made from a new chemical, hexoxen, aimed at vaporizing the lunar surface. Amidst the chaos of their mission, Holden reunites with his long-lost sweetheart, Jean, who has been captured by the pirates. The culmination of their efforts results in the destruction of the Moon, thus averting future disasters on Earth and allowing Holden to reconcile with Jean as they return home as heroes.