All entries for September 2004

Scary, but believable view on privacy

Lury.Gibson isn't an author, but a collection of writers and this book is their first published work. And hopefully not the last.

Dangerous Data centres around an obscure Data Detective, who, using more or less illegal methods, can find out anything about anyone. People employ him to find information on people, such as a cheating husbands and run-away daughters.

The book is about The Dogg's latest contract: Finding out everything he can about the people living at a specific address. We then follow The Dogg as he uncovers clue after clue about these people's history, their lives and their routine. The slant on this book is the fact that this Data Detective never leaves his office and still tells the story of these three people as if he knew them intimatly.

The book is written in alternating pages. One page tells part of the story, the other contains either the information that The Dogg has found, or relevant websites to something The Dogg is talking about.

All in all, this a pretty good book. In my opinion it's ahead of its time and I think, had the authors waited for a couple of years, the book would have been more relevant then. I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks that shopping online is secure and that you're safe at home.

: 30 Sep 2004 13:01 |  Tags: Book Reviews |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

An unbiased book about technology and religion

You would think that a book about religion and technology would involve a lot of science bashing or heretic thought. That's where my fascination for this book came in. I have to admit that when I bought the book, I bought it purely for its title (which is "Illuminati" in german). As I started reading though, I discovered that this book tries (and succeeds) in showing that there is a way for science and religion to co-exist.

I won't go into too much plot detail here, since you should definitly read this book anyway, but suffice to say that the plot twists and turns and keeps you guessing at ever point. I have read my fair share of twisty books, but this one actually made me guess completely wrong, until I gave up in the end and just waited for the next plot line to turn around 180 degrees.

The book is written at a nice, fast pace and visits some of rome's most interesting and well known locations, such as the St. Peter's Basilica and the Piazza Navona. You have the feeling of being taken on a thrill ride that just won't stop. I have been to Rome recently and of course, checked all the locations described in the book, which Dan Brown claims are all authentic. They are! I've been to all the churches on the Path of Illumination and they really exist and look like in the book.

All in all this an extremely well researched book, which can be read for either its entertainment value as a racy thriller or as a balanced look at the century old battle between the church and science, and it even gives us a middle way.
The only downside to this book are the characters. For my part, I found Robert Langdon slightly unbelievable and Vittoria was not developed throughout the book. Apart from that this book is a cracking read! Recommended to all!

: 30 Sep 2004 11:23 |  Tags: Book Reviews |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Excellent read, even for Non Science–Fiction Fans

The Light of Other Days is a fantastic book about worm holes. It basically centres around this phenomenon as it goes from fresh invention to world-wide, every-day-use technology.
A worm hole, for those of you who are not science geeks, is a direct tunnel between two places. It's like the Stargate.
The book follows the development of the technology from its infancy onwards and illustrates with many interesting story lines, how this technology could change the world we live in.

In my opinion this book is fantastic, the stories are well thought out and the pace of the book is great. What fascinated me most about this book is the fact that Clarke doesn't just follow a single person, like the inventor, but rather analyses the impact such technology is likely to have on our society.
The only downside I can see to the book, is that it seems far too melodramatic at times and the end left me unconvinced, definitly.
Apart from that, I would recommend this title to anyone who is interested in a science-fiction book, without wanting to go full on. It's also a nice review of our society and where it is leading. A solid read.

: 29 Sep 2004 23:40 |  Tags: Book Reviews |  Comments (1) |  Close comments |  Report a problem