It only took me fourteen years to read it, but I finally finished. I originally picked this up to read because of the reference made to it in THE ENGLIt only took me fourteen years to read it, but I finally finished. I originally picked this up to read because of the reference made to it in THE ENGLISH PATIENT, which at that time was my favorite film ever. I stalled reading it over the years, renewed my interest to continue when Frank Miller published 300, and then once more renewed my interest to continue when 300 the movie came out. It is quite a slog to get through it, but there are bits and pieces of stories too precious to not read this. Perhaps if most people stuck to it and read this book, humanity would not be so doomed to repeat the stupidities which Herodotus records mankind has been engaged in for thousands of years....more
The back-cover blurb says, "In the grand tradition of William Gibson and Neal Stephenson...," but more accurately should read "...William Gibson and TThe back-cover blurb says, "In the grand tradition of William Gibson and Neal Stephenson...," but more accurately should read "...William Gibson and Tom Clancy." This has some startling yet realistic glimpses of the future of the Internet, Web, and wearable computers. At times the slangish dialogue borders on Gibson-inscrutable, but Vinge is kind enough to provide a main character from our era who sees things much as a modern reader might. If this wins awards (which it did...Hugo and maybe Nebula?), then my sci-fi thriller I am finishing up should too! Now to get an agent for it.......more
Great breadth and depth on the different aspects of the case for intelligent design. Well-documented, very readable, with tons of links to original soGreat breadth and depth on the different aspects of the case for intelligent design. Well-documented, very readable, with tons of links to original sources....more