The story follows Luke, an amnesic who spends the duration of the book learning of his life, and slowly uncovering secrets of a conspiracy to hold the United States back in the space race.

His clothing, associates and surroundings suggest to him that he is an alcoholic derelict, however his behaviour, intelligence, morals and instinct lead him to investigate and research his past.

He establishes (by the simple method of going into a library and pulling books off shelves until he finds one that he understands) that he is in fact Dr Lucas - a rocket scientist, and well known in his field.

The plot is foiled with seconds to spare, and his wife apparently commits suicide rather than being caught by driving her car into the sea.

[4] Tandem Productions had previously adapted two more of Follet’s novels: The Pillars of the Earth, and World Without End.