Customer Reviews

Endgame Enigma

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Don't get me wrong, I've been a fan of Hogan ever since I bought an old, battered paperback of "Inherit the Stars" at a street- market bookstore in 1989. However, "Endgame Enigma" is not "Inherit the Stars." The science in the book is well thought-out, as always, but the plot is far too simplistic, and the spy-story theme just doesn't stand up to the rest of the genre. I will give kudos for the surprise ending, though. To simplify, if you are a fan of both sci-fi and political fiction novels, don't buy the book. However, for fans of sci-fi only, or especially James P. Hogan fans, buy the book as an introduction to the world of political intrigue. Then go pick up some Clancy.

In the not to distant future Russia has built a space station that is totally unique and indescribable. However, prior to the final construction of the space station, American intelligence has gotten word that the space station is actually a battle platform that will totally wipe out the Americans in a nuclear war.

Since the Americans are still in a power struggle with the Russians, they decide to send in two covert spies in order to find a missing data that will show the space station is not what it seems. However, the two Americans are caught and forced into a jail that is located on the space station.

While in prison the Americans find a way to make contacts to the Americans, but the Russians are still publically claiming that the space station is just that....a space station. These two spies must determine the relevance of the space station or have American face politically humiliation by accusing the Soviets of potential nuclear battle platforms in space.

The novel is pretty simple to get through, and the plot can be intriguing at times. But, the novel can also drag at certain parts. Overall, the idea is interesting due to the similarities of the stress during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Overall, the book is average, but has an interesting political situation in it.

Good book...but....too much social interaction on the space station....I prefer more techincal action type of book.

On the surface, this book may appear outdated since it extrapolates the cold war US/Soviet standoff into the near future. However, at a deeper and more personal level, this book is fundamentally about the nature of truth. The surprise ending forced me to reread the book and look at it more from the angle of deception and truth. This theme is as relevant if not more relevant today than it was when the book was written. And, it is certainly an entertaining yarn.

This book is a bit dated. It deals with a communist Russia, not the Russia of today. It's still good reading. He brings up several points about how each side of the Cold War lied to its people. Good suspense

When I read this book I had the feeling that I was watching a very well made movie. The pace was fast, the discriptions vivid, and the characters were belivable. Mr. Hogan is a very crisp writer and nothing is put into the book without a reason. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster towards the end of the book. Thanks for a good read!