Customer Reviews

Cybernetic Samurai

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I have to admit, I passed this book many times on the bookshelf (laughing) before I had the nerve to read it. Despite the slightly uncanny title, the book is rather ingenious for its time. Remembering that Milan wrote it during the genesis of the cyber-punk revolution. An interesting tale about the plight to find a theorem for generating randomness. I believe that die-hard C.P. readers will find this early text an interesting read, especially in comparing with more modern works.

...and the world is trying to put itself back together. Japan, which was able to sit out the war, is now the center of civilization. Well, not really. Mega-corporations run the nation, having most of the wealth and having assumed control over their employees. Now they fight against each other, using all the weapons available to gain total power over all Japan. The story focues on one such corporation developing an AI with true self-awareness. They in fact create Tokugawa, the first program with consciousness. They start training it with scenarios and ideas from Japan's past, making him into a Samurai. Little did they know how much he would need the training!

Don't judge by the cover. This is cyberpunk to the max, with advanced computers, cool weapon systems, VR devices and hired mercenaries!

If you liked this book, there is also the second in the series: The Cybernetic Shogun.