The Aremac Project [Paperback]

Gerald M. Weinberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 2007

Can the Aremac Project Save a Bomb-Shattered Chicago from Terrorists Bent on Destruction and Extortion?

To find out, read The Aremac Project, a new sci-fi techno-thriller by award-winning author Jerry Weinberg that pits technology against terrorism in a body-strewn race against time.

Drawing on neuroscience and nanotechnology, grad students Roger Fixman and Tess Myers develop the software and machinery to take pictures of a person's memory. Unwittingly, these earnest researchers provide the US government -- and its enemies -- with a new and deadly form of interrogation.

The Aremac Roger and Tess develop is just what FBI agents Don Capitol and Lucinda Duke need as they attempt to identify and pursue a terrorist group that is bombing landmarks in Chicago and attempting to extort millions from the city.

Desperate for clues, Agents Capitol and Duke hire Roger and Tess to delve into a suspect's mind. But just as their prisoner's defenses start to crumble, a murderer puts an end to their progress.

The Aremac holds the key to identifying the murderer, which makes the machine -- and its developers, Roger and Tess -- the next terrorist target.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Gerald Weinberg loves to tell a good story, and the proof is his fast-paced new science fiction thriller THE AREMAC PROJECT. From its first provocative premise to its explosive ending, THE AREMAC PROJECT is a novel to read and remember. Not only does it have memorable characters and an intriguing plot, it also has warmth and humanity leavened with humor.

"It takes chutzpah to write straight to the heart of America's sorrow and anxiety over Islamic terrorist attacks within the United States. Weinberg handles this loaded topic with grace as he tells his story of researchers racing to recover accurate images from the human memory. His scientist and secret agent heroes are people you'd want to know, and his prime villain is an academic plodder that far too many of us have already met.

"Weinberg doesn't stoop to cardboard villains or cutout heroes. Each character in THE AREMAC PROJECT, of whatever ethnic origin or faith, is fully human. If we all lived with the compassion and wisdom Weinberg brings to his fiction, this would be a better world.

"I had only one problem with THE AREMAC PROJECT. Its exuberant tour of Chicago's superb ethnic cuisine -- kosher-style, Polish, Italian, Chinese -- left my mouth watering every time! Bring on the Mongolian beef and latkes and zuppa, but especially let's have more fine stories from Gerald Weinberg." --Susan Mayse, author of Awen, EWU Press.

About the Author

Inducted into the Computer Hall of Fame in its first class, Gerald M. Weinberg has written more than 40 books, including "Weinberg on Writing," named a finalist for the Jolt! Product Excellence Award and the USA Book News Best Books 2006 Award.

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Little West Press (April 2, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0932633706
• ISBN-13: 978-0932633705
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #610,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I write both non-fiction and fiction, in paper and for eReaders (such as Kindle). My fiction includes such novels as Mistress of Molecules; First Stringers: or eyes that do not see; Second Stringers: the sole advantage; The Hands of God; The Aremac Project; Aremac Power: Inventions at Risk; Earth's Endless Effort.

I am the author or co-author of many non-fiction articles and books, including a number on more effective thinking: The Psychology of Computer Programming; An Introduction to General Systems Thinking; Are Your Lights On?; What Did You Say?; and Weinberg on Writing: The Fieldstone Method.

My books on leadership include Becoming a Technical Leader, The Secrets of Consulting, More Secrets of Consulting, and the Quality Software Management four-volume series.

My books cover all phases of the software life-cycle, including Exploring Requirements; Rethinking Systems Analysis and Design; The Handbook of Walkthroughs, Inspections, and Technical Reviews; General Principles of System Design, Perfect Software and Other Illusions about Testing; How Software is Built; and Why Software Gets in Trouble.

I offer several blogs and workshops for writers and technical leaders including Problem Solving Leadership (PSL) and the Amplifying Your Effectiveness (AYE) Conference. They can be see on my personal website is at http://www.geraldmweinberg.com.

You may read more about me in the Festschrift, The Gift of Time, edited by Fiona Charles and written by many of my students and readers.

I also assist my wife, Dani, in training dogs for service activities and as pets. Her work is described in her book, Teaching People, Teaching Dogs, which can also be purchased on Amazon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Facinating "First Sci-Fi" Novel by an Experienced Non-Fiction Author, April 27, 2007

By 

R. Drabick (Columbia, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Aremac Project (Paperback)

Most of us have read a number of Gerry Weinberg's books on Software Engineering (e.g., Rethinking Systems Analysis and Design). This is Gerry's first foray into the field of Science Fiction. As an avid Sci-Fi reader, I found this book fascinating. While it's not in my favorite genre (military Sci-Fi ala Gordon Dickson, David Weber, Steve White) it's an interesting tale of genius inventors, criminal investigation, and unusual terrorists. Not wanting to give the plot away, I will say that while the book is cerebral in parts, it has a bang-up ending with a surprising "lead villain". The heros are somehow an interesting synthesis of logical scientists and lovable individuals, especially Tess and Addie. While the terrorists seem a bit wooden at times, I'm sure in subsequent novels, Gerry will flesh out the "bad guys" as well as he does the good guys.

Read this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!, April 17, 2007

By 

dlg - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Aremac Project (Paperback)

If you like science fiction, mysteries or thrillers, I highly recommend this book. I couldn't put it down.

This book makes for an exciting journey. The plot has many unexpected twists - a catastrophic misfortune, a new technology, a fight to get or maintain control over the new technology, and terrorism, to name a few. The main characters are sympathetic and believable techies. The other characters range from an ambivalent hero to a smarmy professor to seemingly evil terrorists. The technology is futuristic and believable and the short chapters keep it moving at a rapid pace. A great read!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Tale of Invention, August 10, 2011

By 

J.A. Marlow - Author (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Aremac Project (Kindle Edition)

Not many books take an invention from the start to the working-prototype finish. This is one such book.

A new invention, the intimate affects on the lives of the inventors, the conspiring political scene, both in the US and the world, and more. I enjoyed the ride, with it all coming together in a great action sequence.

I thought the story had a nice balance between the science and the effects on the lives of the main characters. It didn't delve into dry scientific terms and explanations, but instead kept my interest to keep reading to learn more. I also liked the changing relationship between the two main characters, in a development in their affection to each other from something more clinical to something more emotional-based.

This was the first book of a series, and I'm looking forward to reading the others.