What do you think?
Rate this book
Format C: A Novel
Product Details Paperback Brookline Books; First printing/Full number line edition (1999) 1571290788 978-1571290786 B002CC78M2 Product 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches Shipping 1.8 pounds Average Customer 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Edwin Black
47 books152 followersIs an American syndicated columnist and journalist. He specializes in human rights, the historical interplay between economics and politics in the Middle East, petroleum policy, the abuses practiced by corporations, and the financial underpinnings of Nazi Germany.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 11, 2012
I read this book when it was first released. Seemed a bit laughable technology wise but it was still a good read on the techno thriller side. The religious portion was unexpected, but I didnt mind. Actually the religious part caused me to seek more information to find out what was author inspired and what was true.
October 30, 2008
Not bad, but some of the computer stuff is laughable.
March 15, 2009
a trite and predictable techno-thriller that turns into a pseudo-religious screed. not recommended.
June 13, 2019
Just remembered this book. I loved it as a kid. Only 22 reviews?? Crazy.
February 19, 2014
This book rather smacked you in the face with its religious symbolism. Theology buffs like me will undoubtedly catch many of them before they get explained in the book, but there's still something for everyone. Some symbols never get explained and the author leaves it for the reader to figure out, such as the significance of the villain's personalized license plate.
In all, this had a fair mix of Jewish and Christian apocalyptic symbolism. The repeated lament in the reviews of this book has been the technology. I didn't see why at first. After all, it seemed Mr. Black did a fair job of predicting much of cloud computing (which didn't exist in 1999). Then I got to the section on influence technology and I saw what everyone was complaining about... THAT part is certainly far-fetched.
I couldn't figure out if the author was going for a pure Jewish End of the World Scenario or a Christian End of the World Scenario that reaches back to its Jewish roots. I'm leaning more toward the latter, but there was enough of both and quite a bit of Mysticism thrown in that the book is clearly its own monster. A book sure to make Tim LaHaye, Hank Hanegraaf, AND Steve Wohlberg heave an exasperated sigh.
For that reason alone I liked it.
In all, this had a fair mix of Jewish and Christian apocalyptic symbolism. The repeated lament in the reviews of this book has been the technology. I didn't see why at first. After all, it seemed Mr. Black did a fair job of predicting much of cloud computing (which didn't exist in 1999). Then I got to the section on influence technology and I saw what everyone was complaining about... THAT part is certainly far-fetched.
I couldn't figure out if the author was going for a pure Jewish End of the World Scenario or a Christian End of the World Scenario that reaches back to its Jewish roots. I'm leaning more toward the latter, but there was enough of both and quite a bit of Mysticism thrown in that the book is clearly its own monster. A book sure to make Tim LaHaye, Hank Hanegraaf, AND Steve Wohlberg heave an exasperated sigh.
For that reason alone I liked it.
January 4, 2021
I read this book when it was first released. 20 years later I still remember it as a very enjoyable read.
With Y2K fears and technology as it was in 1999, I'm sure it's dated. But the race to the conclusion was gripping. Even if a bit far fetched.
Author Edwin Black has focused on non-fiction. "He specializes in human rights, the historical interplay between economics and politics in the Middle East, petroleum policy, the abuses practiced by corporations, and the financial underpinnings of Nazi Germany." That's from Wikipedia entry about him.
I'm intrigued by his work IBM and the Holocaust .
He wrote a very interesting article about Wikipedia's vulnerability, or intentional design, that supports systematic attacks on entries that are not consistent with the "vandal's" personal agenda. It's a real eye opener. https://historynewsnetwork.org/articl...
With Y2K fears and technology as it was in 1999, I'm sure it's dated. But the race to the conclusion was gripping. Even if a bit far fetched.
Author Edwin Black has focused on non-fiction. "He specializes in human rights, the historical interplay between economics and politics in the Middle East, petroleum policy, the abuses practiced by corporations, and the financial underpinnings of Nazi Germany." That's from Wikipedia entry about him.
I'm intrigued by his work IBM and the Holocaust .
He wrote a very interesting article about Wikipedia's vulnerability, or intentional design, that supports systematic attacks on entries that are not consistent with the "vandal's" personal agenda. It's a real eye opener. https://historynewsnetwork.org/articl...
June 21, 2009
More fantastic than what I had expected. Hard to classify this book, guess that's why it was in General Fiction.
I did learn more than a few Biblical references, Jewish traditions, and Mid-East culture.
I did learn more than a few Biblical references, Jewish traditions, and Mid-East culture.
April 16, 2012
Like it even more this time, because I understand the references to Revelation.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews