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Excessive Entanglemen
President Virginia Belknap is one year into her second term when a NASA scientist discovers a new planet with an atmosphere similar to Earth. Embracing the event, Belknap turns a one-way mission to colonize this new world into her grand calling. It is the early 2030s—a time when Earth is struggling under the ill effects of climate change and a growing population, and the mission seizes the world’s imagination. But as the coolheaded and competent Belknap starts to assemble experts from different nations to plan all aspects of this illustrious enterprise, including the new planet’s constitution, religious conservatives—led by an earnest evangelical named Randall Reese—rise up in outrage and indignation. Reese and his followers see the plans put forth by Belknap’s Mission Council as the blueprint for a Godless world and the tragic loss of what could be a second Eden.
As the political machinations of Reese and others put the launch at risk, a broader and darker conspiracy takes shape that threatens to obliterate the ship, its crew, and even the new planet itself. Belknap, her own life in danger, is forced to battle Reese, expose the conspiracy, and regain control of the mission before the launch window closes. But not before the forces at play spark a bonfire of deceit, murder, and domestic terrorism. While taking us on a wild, action-packed ride from Washington DC to Beijing to the L5 Spaceport, Excessive Entanglement holds a mirror to modern society, creatively exploring the political and constitutional issues presented by mankind’s first opportunity to create a more perfect world from the ground up.
As the political machinations of Reese and others put the launch at risk, a broader and darker conspiracy takes shape that threatens to obliterate the ship, its crew, and even the new planet itself. Belknap, her own life in danger, is forced to battle Reese, expose the conspiracy, and regain control of the mission before the launch window closes. But not before the forces at play spark a bonfire of deceit, murder, and domestic terrorism. While taking us on a wild, action-packed ride from Washington DC to Beijing to the L5 Spaceport, Excessive Entanglement holds a mirror to modern society, creatively exploring the political and constitutional issues presented by mankind’s first opportunity to create a more perfect world from the ground up.
- GenresThriller
418 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2008
1 person is currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Nick d'Arbeloff
3 books8 followersNick d'Arbeloff was born and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
After graduating from Georgetown University with a degree in English literature, Nick began a successful career in high technology. In the 1990s, he co-founded one software company and founded another.
As the threat of climate change became increasingly apparent, Nick was invited to train under former Vice President Al Gore in 2006 as a representative of The Climate Project. At about the same time, he took on the challenge of building a new non-profit organization to leverage New England's high-tech legacy and make the region a leader in providing clean energy solutions to the global marketplace.
His first novel, Excessive Entanglement, is a political thriller cleverly described by one reader as "Michael Crichton meets West Wing." While taking the reader on a fun, fast journey from Washington DC to Beijing to the L5 Spaceport, it asks the reader to give thought to how mankind might approach an opportunity to build a completely new civilization from the ground up.
He is currently at work on a second novel; a political thriller involving terrorists
who threaten to unleash nuclear mayhem unless the planet acts to save itself.
After graduating from Georgetown University with a degree in English literature, Nick began a successful career in high technology. In the 1990s, he co-founded one software company and founded another.
As the threat of climate change became increasingly apparent, Nick was invited to train under former Vice President Al Gore in 2006 as a representative of The Climate Project. At about the same time, he took on the challenge of building a new non-profit organization to leverage New England's high-tech legacy and make the region a leader in providing clean energy solutions to the global marketplace.
His first novel, Excessive Entanglement, is a political thriller cleverly described by one reader as "Michael Crichton meets West Wing." While taking the reader on a fun, fast journey from Washington DC to Beijing to the L5 Spaceport, it asks the reader to give thought to how mankind might approach an opportunity to build a completely new civilization from the ground up.
He is currently at work on a second novel; a political thriller involving terrorists
who threaten to unleash nuclear mayhem unless the planet acts to save itself.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 27, 2013
The first novel from Nick d'Arbeloff (not a YA writer) is awesome. I expected some generalized awkwardness, especially being a self-published piece, but there isn't any. I don't know who edited for him, but the two did an amazing job on this novel.
It's a political thriller, a near-future science fiction story, a to-the-point look at religion in politics, and a mystery. How in the world does a first time author accomplish all 4? Beautifully...that's how.
There's no one main character, but several and someone to represent each facet of the story, and of the work to essentially create a society on another planet. I didn't "fall in love" with any one of them, as I'm prone to do in most books, but that worked for me in this one. I didn't want to get too close to any one character (though I will admit to rooting for the romantic relationship that evolved).
This is not one of my "fluff" reads, that I rush through in a day for escape. You have to think, and be prepared that (even though it's fiction), it will make you think--just what would we do if we could essentially start over on creating a human society?
While this book isn't a YA book, or even marketed to YAs in any specific way, it's one that your intense readers will enjoy. Those who aren't hardcore sci-fi fans will appreciate that no aliens make an appearance, but there's just enough science to capture your general science fiction crowd.
It's a political thriller, a near-future science fiction story, a to-the-point look at religion in politics, and a mystery. How in the world does a first time author accomplish all 4? Beautifully...that's how.
There's no one main character, but several and someone to represent each facet of the story, and of the work to essentially create a society on another planet. I didn't "fall in love" with any one of them, as I'm prone to do in most books, but that worked for me in this one. I didn't want to get too close to any one character (though I will admit to rooting for the romantic relationship that evolved).
This is not one of my "fluff" reads, that I rush through in a day for escape. You have to think, and be prepared that (even though it's fiction), it will make you think--just what would we do if we could essentially start over on creating a human society?
While this book isn't a YA book, or even marketed to YAs in any specific way, it's one that your intense readers will enjoy. Those who aren't hardcore sci-fi fans will appreciate that no aliens make an appearance, but there's just enough science to capture your general science fiction crowd.
July 25, 2013
Before selecting this book, I got quite excited by the synopsis and reviews I read, as scifi and West Wing politics are two of my favourites. Was I premature?, not a bit, this was a great book and met all my needs in one. This is a must for scifi fans that like political thrillers - Star Trek meets the White House.
From the start I was hooked, the author Nick d'Arbeloff in his first novel has worked some real magic. The book is such an easy read and keeps you interested throughout. He has obviously researched his material well as all the future events fit well with the scifi we all love. The politics illustrates the problems of mixing religion with anything that requires collaboration across communities and borders, very relevant today and in the future.
Strongly recommend you set aside the time and read it, you won't be disappointed, I certainly was not.
From the start I was hooked, the author Nick d'Arbeloff in his first novel has worked some real magic. The book is such an easy read and keeps you interested throughout. He has obviously researched his material well as all the future events fit well with the scifi we all love. The politics illustrates the problems of mixing religion with anything that requires collaboration across communities and borders, very relevant today and in the future.
Strongly recommend you set aside the time and read it, you won't be disappointed, I certainly was not.
May 26, 2013
The book is a fast-paced political thriller which seeks to ask and answer a very specific question: if mankind was suddenly faced with an opportunity to shape a brand new civilization, how might we go about it? And equally important: Would our two warring political "tribes" even allow us to get to the launch pad?
It's a big concept thriller that doesn't let the reader off the hook. If you like books that ask nothing of you, and you just go along for the ride, I'd say don't read it. If you like to be engaged, and like to have a book force you to think a bit about various topics, then give it a shot.
It's a big concept thriller that doesn't let the reader off the hook. If you like books that ask nothing of you, and you just go along for the ride, I'd say don't read it. If you like to be engaged, and like to have a book force you to think a bit about various topics, then give it a shot.
May 2, 2013
Excessive Entanglement is an ambitious story that delivers tense confrontations and high emotion. When an Earth-like planet is discovered, coupled with a breakthrough in FTL technology, the leaders of Earth's nations work together to send a colony representing the entire world.
With crises taken from today's headlines, Nick d'Arbeloff paints a future world trapped in murderous conflict. The arguments are so real, there were times it made my stomach hurt. There are no easy answers given, and the ending feels more like an interlude than a permanent resolution. This is a story that is too real for comfort. Great Reading!
With crises taken from today's headlines, Nick d'Arbeloff paints a future world trapped in murderous conflict. The arguments are so real, there were times it made my stomach hurt. There are no easy answers given, and the ending feels more like an interlude than a permanent resolution. This is a story that is too real for comfort. Great Reading!
April 25, 2013
Cerulea - 27 light years distant - a fresh start. Imagine a multinational mission to colonize a new world in 2033 with all that is good about the human race, while leaving behind all that is bad. But by whose definition, whose standard? Nick d'Arbeloff presents an insightful and engaging look into the dynamics of politics versus religion under the banner of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment's separation of church and state, the avoidance of excessive entanglements. His characters are strong and complete; his story all too believable. Prepare to take sides in this, his first novel, but hopefully not his last.
June 27, 2013
AN ALL TOO BELIEVABLE STORY
Cerulea - 27 light years distant - a fresh start. Imagine a multinational mission to colonize a new world in 2033 with all that is good about the human race, while leaving behind all that is bad. But by whose definition, whose standard? Nick d'Arbeloff presents an insightful and engaging look into the dynamics of politics versus religion under the banner of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment's separation of church and state, the avoidance of excessive entanglements. His characters are strong and complete; his story all too believable. Prepare to take sides in this, his first novel, but hopefully not his last.
Cerulea - 27 light years distant - a fresh start. Imagine a multinational mission to colonize a new world in 2033 with all that is good about the human race, while leaving behind all that is bad. But by whose definition, whose standard? Nick d'Arbeloff presents an insightful and engaging look into the dynamics of politics versus religion under the banner of the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment's separation of church and state, the avoidance of excessive entanglements. His characters are strong and complete; his story all too believable. Prepare to take sides in this, his first novel, but hopefully not his last.
March 28, 2013
This book really provokes a lot of thinking. When the inhabitants of earth get set to colonize a new planet, there are so many problems to discuss. What form of government, what role of technology, what about religion. People are dying that offer opinions. Should the world leaders accept private financing? A good read about the possible future of earth.
August 1, 2013
No spoilers here! I don't usually read this "style" of book, but, it kept my interest. I have never been much for politics, and after reading this understand certain "processes" even though it was set in the near future! Thank you for the interesting read Nick. Makes a person think of what will the future have in store for humanity!
April 10, 2013
This is a well thought out, well researched, well presented speculative fiction. There are a few editing issues (a missing word here and there) But overall, very engaging. Mr. d'Arbeloff argues very well on both sides of the secular/religious coin. Loved the ending.
February 17, 2016
If you like techno-science fiction and thrillers this is a great choice. I found it to be very timely, in fact rather painfully reflective of current political issues. The story is original and creative, and I found myself hungry for a sequel at the end.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews