What is "arc light"

Arc light \Arc light\ (Elec.) The light of an arc lamp. See arc lamp under lamp.

n. a lamp that produces light when electric current flows across the gap between two electrodes [syn: arc lamp]

Arc Light is the debut novel by Eric L. Harry, a techno-thriller about limited nuclear war published in September 1994 and written in 1991 and 1992.

As China and Russia clash in Siberia, and war brews between the US and North Korea, a series of accidents and misunderstandings lead to a Russian nuclear strike against the United States. The U.S. retaliates against Russia, and World War III begins.

The novel becomes part military techno thriller, part political drama as heated internal debates concerning the right course of action in the war unfold on both sides while each government tries to deal with the colossal damage the nuclear strike has done to their countries. Moderate voices try to prevent a second nuclear exchange by taming the hawks and working behind the scenes to arrange a ceasefire. Meanwhile, the on-the-ground consequences for civilian and military alike are explored in depth.

The novel focuses on four key groups:

• President Walter Livingston, his successor, and his National Security Council, particularly National Security Advisor Greg Lambert.
• The US Air Force crew of an ICBM silo who receive the firing order and are then stuck in their silo when the Russian missiles strike.
• Major David Chandler, US Army Reserve as he is activated and sent to Europe where his unit spearheads the allied advance towards Moscow.
• Chandler's wife, Melissa, as she struggles with their first child in the midst of a nuclear war.

Arc Light is the second studio album by contemporary folk three-piece Lau, released on March 30, 2009 on Navigator Records.

The album's bonus track is a cover of The Beatles' song, "Dear Prudence". The track originally appeared on a compilation issued free with Mojo magazine.