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Algorithms: A Novel
This final novel in the acclaimed Seventh Flag Trilogy thrusts readers thirty years into the future―a dystopic reality of regional fiefdoms, marauding scavengers, and the quest for ultimate the Algorithms of everything, which have been secretly pilfered from an undersea Internet cable, stored on hard drives, and implanted in the last surviving blue whale.
Ademar Zarkan―the iconic and unlikely heroine of the American West, now a seventy-year-old woman―leads the Free People of West Texas in an alliance with Native Americans and the indigenous people of northern Mexico to retrieve the hard drives and to rescue her clairvoyant granddaughter from the radicalized Sisterhood and its merciless leader, Mother. But they aren’t the only ones in pursuit of the Algorithms.
Haunting and prophetic, Algorithms is a story of violent extremism, resilience, family, and, above all, the interconnectedness of humankind and the natural world.
Ademar Zarkan―the iconic and unlikely heroine of the American West, now a seventy-year-old woman―leads the Free People of West Texas in an alliance with Native Americans and the indigenous people of northern Mexico to retrieve the hard drives and to rescue her clairvoyant granddaughter from the radicalized Sisterhood and its merciless leader, Mother. But they aren’t the only ones in pursuit of the Algorithms.
Haunting and prophetic, Algorithms is a story of violent extremism, resilience, family, and, above all, the interconnectedness of humankind and the natural world.
216 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2023
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About the author
Sid Balman
4 books8 followersA Pulitzer-nominated national security
correspondent, Sid Balman Jr. has covered
wars in the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Bosnia-
Herzegovina, and Kosovo, and has traveled
extensively with two American presidents and
four secretaries of state on overseas diplomatic
missions. With the emergence of the web and
the commoditizing of content, Balman moved
into the business side of communications. In
that role, over two decades, he helped found a
news syndicate focused on the interests of
women and girls, served as communications
chief for the largest consortium of U.S.
international development organizations, led
two successful progressive campaigning
companies, and launched a new division at a
large international development firm centered
on violent radicalism and other security issues on behalf of governments and nonprofits. A fourth-generation Texan, as well as a climber, surfer, paddler, and benefactor to Smith College, Balman lives in Washington DC with his wife, three kids, and two dogs.
correspondent, Sid Balman Jr. has covered
wars in the Persian Gulf, Somalia, Bosnia-
Herzegovina, and Kosovo, and has traveled
extensively with two American presidents and
four secretaries of state on overseas diplomatic
missions. With the emergence of the web and
the commoditizing of content, Balman moved
into the business side of communications. In
that role, over two decades, he helped found a
news syndicate focused on the interests of
women and girls, served as communications
chief for the largest consortium of U.S.
international development organizations, led
two successful progressive campaigning
companies, and launched a new division at a
large international development firm centered
on violent radicalism and other security issues on behalf of governments and nonprofits. A fourth-generation Texan, as well as a climber, surfer, paddler, and benefactor to Smith College, Balman lives in Washington DC with his wife, three kids, and two dogs.
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September 13, 2023
In this 3rd of the 7th Flag trilogy Mr. Balman went splat into Clockwork Orange while somehow also managing to channel Marlon Brando…just as the first two books, Algorithms is not for immature readers of any age, or those that don’t know the meaning of the word “hyperbole” because its a rollercoaster ride hyperbole smackdown. Another fun read but this time with a villain so tragic and creepy the Dark Lord and Anne Rice herself would be proud. Great ending to this burning barrel tall tale, fable of West Texas. Unpacked: Algorithms continues to examine hate, violence, sexism, racism and extremism under the guise of a quick summer beach read. The book is certainly fun but don’t get tooo comfortable, because that is when the action jumps at you like a West Texas rattlesnake….maybe consider slipping on a pair of cowboy boots, just in case. 5 out of 5. Great writing.
Displaying 1 of 1 review