 binary is a techno-thriller novel written by michael crichton in 1972 under the pen-name john lange. michael crichton also directed pursuit, a tv-movie version. the story of both the book and the film revolve around a deadly nerve agent composed by combining two different chemicals. hard case crime will republish the novel under crichton's name on october 29, 2013.http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/59350-hard-case-crime-to-publish-early-crichton-thrillers.html == plot summary == the villain is a middle-class small businessman named john wright who decides to assassinate the president of the united states. he spends his life savings to carry out the theft of a u.s. army shipment of the two precursor chemicals that form a deadly nerve gas codenamed vz when combined. the ingredients for the nerve gas vz were intended to be detonated in downtown san diego, corresponding with the arrival of the president to attend a republican party conference taking place there. this nerve gas had no safe antidote, and it kills in two to three minutes after being inhaled or touched. this nerve gas is contained inside two "alacran" (a combustible plastic) tanks, and plastic explosives are wrapped around the containers, so that when after the nerve gas is released, the containers explode, rendering the scene of the crime untraceable. ==reception== the guardian called said it had a "dotty, old-hat plot made unexpectedly credible with new gadgetry and well-engineered surprises".dock briefs blame the dead gavinknowhow: blame the dead gavinknowhow by matthew coady. the guardian (1959-2003) [london (uk)] 26 oct 1972: 15. the new york times wrote "the author maintains tension ably".criminals at large by newgate callendar. new york times (1923-current file) [new york, n.y] 20 aug 1972: br26. ==pursuit==  pursuit was a 1972 made for tv movie that screen on the abc network. it was a tv movie of the week and marked crichton's directorial debut. ==references==  
1972_novels Alfred_A._Knopf_books Novels_by_Michael_Crichton Techno-thriller_novels