Jared Diamond's Collapse:  How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed inspired this alternate history that takes place during the American Civil War and tells the story of eight people who come together after the battle between the USS Monitor and the CSS Virginia.  Using the money they earned by tricking the U. S. Government into buying more Monitor-class ships, they attempt to escape the war and retreat to "paradise," Easter Island.  However, this paradise has been transformed by the natives into a human ecological disaster and monument to pagan fertility rights and even cannibalism.   Through the inventiveness and labors of the main characters, the fanatical Bird Man cult is finally banished but not before many people have died as a result.  Does Mankind choose its own destiny?  Read Iron Maiden and see!