Customer Reviews

Colossus

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This is an imaginative science fiction novel about a fascinating topic: who or what will become mankind's successor as the dominant beings on earth? The answer this novel finds, is that a powerful, self-aware supercomputer comes to dominate and subordinate mankind.

The novel begins as the United States and the old USSR each construct huge supercomputers with the purpose of controlling their nuclear arsenals. Unfortunately the law of unintended consequences takes over, and therein lies the story. The strong suit of this novel is its plausibility. It becomes possible to see, with only a modest suspension of one's critical thinking facilities, how such a thing could perhaps come to pass.

This is not a novel that is strong on character development or anything like that. This is an "idea" novel that nevertheless tells a fascinating story in an entertaining manner. Great for a quick afternoon read at the beach or whatnot.

Although some of the politics in this novel are dated, this is nevertheless a good science fiction novel and a worthwhile read. Recommended.