Explain the meaning of the phrase "Alas, Babylon" from the book Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank.

The answer to this question is actually given to us in the
second chapter of this excellent novel, when Alice Cooksey is told of the contents of
the telegram that Randy receives by Florence Wecheck and recognises the allusion that is
made to the Book of Revelation in the Bible. She looks up the context of the
verse:

And
the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her,
shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her
burning.

Standing afar off for the fear of her torment,
saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy
judgement come.

The
implication is clear. The Book of Revelation talks about the end of the earth and the
approaching judgement of the city of Babylon. Mark and Randy have used this phrase to
refer to the approaching "judgement" or end of the USA. Alice Cooksey keeps abreast of
world politics enough to identify the phrase "Alas, Babylon" for the warning signal that
it is.