It was five past midnight on 3 December 1984. A terrifying cloud of toxic gas escaped from an American pesticide plant in the heart of the Indian city of Bhopal, killing 16,000-30,000 and injuring half a million people. This book recounts the poignant human and technological adventure leading up to this industrial disaster and human tragedy. Hundreds of characters, situations and adventures are telescoped into this fresco of love, heroism, faith and hope. There are people from both the slums and the teak-veneered offices of Union Carbide.