First Edition 1976 Doubleday. See photos and make all inquiries prior to purchase . Original retail sticker on front of book. LAUNCH! is a novel written by Edward Stewart, who also authored THEY'VE SHOT THE PRESIDENT'S DAUGHTER! Published in 1976, the novel is a war-thriller-suspense story. The book's plot centers around a malfunction of a U.S. atomic missile and the ensuing chaos.