Dawn of the Demigods

"Dawn of the Demigods" by Raymond Z. Gallun is a mid-20th century science fiction novel that presents a future where humankind has spread through the solar system but struggles with the consequences of technological progress. The main character, Charles Harver, lives in a world scarred by past conflicts and the mysteries of alien technology, forcing him to confront fundamental questions about what it means to be human, with the novel's beginning setting up a post-apocalyptic Earth, where the lead reflects on humanity's achievements and the inventions that brought destruction. Raised on the Moon by a technician and a scientist, Harver's upbringing showcases both innovation and the dark side of progress, and as the narrative unfolds, readers are drawn into a quest to understand new tech, confronting philosophical questions about identity and humanity's future.