Death ray! Just an absurd idea peddled by con artists and amateur inventors and promoted by a sensationalist press? Not quite. Government leaders, military authorities and even mainstream scientists periodically endorsed the possibility of such a fantastic weapon in the years leading up to the Second World War. A concept born out of research with electricity and other energy sources, the death ray or ""directed energy weapon"" became a widely reported and controversial subject for nearly five decades. Claims for the invention of such a weapon appeared as early as 1876, and increased significantly thereafter, culminating in the ?death-ray craze"" of the 1920s and 1930s. The idea of a directed energy weapon influenced fiction, making its way from newspapers and magazines into novels, short stories, films, theatrical productions and other media. This book takes a first-ever look at the historical death ray and its impact on fiction and popular culture.

Combining the expertise of two consultants and academics from East and West, this book provides an international guide for family businesses, showing how to identify and implement the best governance strategies. Packed with case studies and interviews, this is the ultimate guide for family businesses wanting to achieve long-term success.