01-01-00

by R.J. Piñeiro

As the new millennium approaches, a mysterious virus that shuts down the world's computers is traced to a Mayan city where only one woman stands between its indecipherable code and the apocalyptic end of the world

Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction, Adventure

416 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published December 15, 1999

About the author

Born in Cuba and raised in Central America, R.J. Pineiro spent several years in the midst of civil wars before migrating to the United States in the late 1970s, first to Florida to attended Florida Air Academy in Melbourne. There, RJ earned a pilot's license and high school diploma in 1979, before heading to Louisiana for college.

R.J. earned a degree in electrical engineering from Louisiana State University in 1983 and joined the high-tech industry in Austin Texas, working in computer chip design, test, and manufacturing.

In the late 1980s R.J. began studying to become a novelist. Reading everything from classical literature to contemporary novels, R.J.'s love of storytelling became uncontrollable. Using an aging personal computer, R.J. decided to launch a writing career.

R.J.'s first published work, SIEGE OF LIGHTNING, a novel about a sabotaged space shuttle, was released by Berkley/Putnam in May of 1993. A second novel, ULTIMATUM, about a second Gulf War scenario, was released the following year, 1994, by Forge Books, which went on to publish R.J.'s next 12 novels over the following 13 years.

In 2015, R.J. teamed up with TV News military analyst Colonel David Hunt to kick off the "Hunter Stark Book Series." The first book in the series, WITHOUT MERCY, about ISIS gaining acquiring nuclear weapons, was released on 3.7.17. The second book, WITHOUT FEAR, about the war in Afghanistan, was released on 8.7.18

​In 2017, R.J. also teamed up with New York Times bestselling author Joe Weber. The result is ASHES OF VICTORY, a novel of global terrorism and international conflict released by Ignition Books on 9.3.18

In 2018, R.J. penned a nineteenth novel, AVENUE OF REGRETS, a mystery revolving around sex trafficking and domestic abuse released on 11.16.18

R.J. is married to L.M. Pineiro, an artist and jewelry designer. They have one son, Cameron & Daughter-in-Law Sarah, and two crazy dogs, Coco and Zea.

Reviews

[Ross Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in the day, 2000 was something mysterious. It was the start of something - and people were afraid, since they werent sure WHAT it was.

This book looks at one of the ideas the 01-01-00 was going to be the start of a new cycle in the Mayan calender- but more than that, it could be a possible first contact with an ancient civilization outside our planet.

The book is dated - it is over 20 years old- but still an interesting read.

[Laura]

meh

[Bobbi Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very good read; I really enjoyed it! But I read it a bit at a time and now I will have to make my report later as it is very hard to put into words all of the parts of the story as it seemed to me. Lots of sorting to do in the proper order, to make it live up to the story and when it was written! As we all do know when it comes right down to it. They were all wrong and we are all still here, the world and all of its population of humans, animals, and the all the many creatures covering the Earth's landmasses!
As my last statement for now. It seems to me that all predictions of this sort never end up happening, and I believe that is because in the Bible, it tells us to not to try and predict the end, from the verses in the book of God's word. Only God himself will know the answer.

[Maria Fledgling Author Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this technothriller! So much was made of the disasters that would happen when the clock ticked 12:00 midnight on 01-01-2000.

Pineiro has a tight, exciting writing style combined with an IT insider's knowledge. I remained engaged until the last page. Definitely a must read!

[Diann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the historical details the plot was built on.

[Kristin Lundgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, although written for the millennium, still is a good book. Since we have a newly calculated doomsday theory ready for us this winter, I thought it would be fun to drag this one out of the box and read it. It was sparked by a 01.01.00 marketing campaign, but the author is good, and keeps it to strictly a computer/SF/Mayan thriller. As the millennium approaches, a computer virus starts attacking virtually all computers across the wold, shutting them down at the same time each night, starting about 20 days before the millennium, for 20 seconds, and each succeeding day one second less - a countdown. Meanwhile, astronomers in Chile have found a signal coming from a planet in a nearby system that appears to be real - a SETI-type signal. And someone wants to learn what is at the ned of the computer virus, and or how to control or stop it, thus making themselves extremely rich and powerful, so they follow the FBI computer analyst who is trying to figure out what it means.. So begins the frantic search for clues, locations, and eventually tying together all the loose threads in the middle of the Yucatan. A bit touchy feely at the end, but then it is a millennium book. I enjoyed it, and found the chase to be good, some interesting characters, with some gruesome scenes of death.

[Brent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook.
So I was interested in this as a Retro/Throwback story to the Y2K issue back in 1999. The writing was rigid and stiff and had way too much code in it... even for a Code writer. The reader (for those interested) was one fo the worst narrators I ave ever listened to. I kept to the end because the story was compelling in its own right... mystery of a virus from space that is tied to the Ancient Mayans and how their math and binary line up was intriguing. As soon as it started to get good, the author jumps to an epilogue and wraps everything up in a quick narration. I can't believe I wasted so much time on this book. Spare your self the trouble and just avoid it.
The Pros... If someone can get crap like this published, maybe there really is a chance I can get my stuff published. :)

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

Educational. It was a very interesting read, I learnt a lot about the Mayan culture which was fascinating. Although the book was about the turn of the millinuem, the insight into Mayan society and culture was a big part of the book. I liked how the book emphasizes the importance of our past, and the perservation of our history as our ancestors may have more knowledge to share than we expected.
The book dragged at times with a little too much technical information that I couldn't understand, particularly when it came to hacking and computer science. But it didn't hinder the story too much and if one can understand it, it would only enhance the story.

[Shari Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay this one was tough. I loved the storyline taking place in Guatemala, but truly had to skim over the advanced computer descriptions and numerical explanations. The Mayan civilization has always fascinated me, and the same goes for archaeology, so it was very much as if I was reading two books at the same time...a text book and an adventure. Don't let the date discourage you from reading this book...it is a good story regardless.

[geekboy42 · Rating 2 out of 5]

About a techie FBI agent who takes on a case involving what seems to be the computer network virus of the millennium. The technology covered is very believable and the story takes a few neat turns, but overall, it ended up seeming like a subtle new age religion work.

[Tom Pintong · Rating 4 out of 5]

starts a little weird, but it gets pretty decent. It's too bad I didn't read it when the millenium actually came, since it would have added a bit more exciement to the whole premise. It gave me 5 seconds of hope for the human race at the end.

[Helen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I officially give up on this book...like 12 years later.

Especially since I haven't owned this book for quite some time.

[Cyrus Douglas Vincent · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible. Irredeemably awful.