Customer Reviews

Energetics: The First Order (The Four Orders of Inherent Freedom)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
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Did I want to put it down? NO! I sacrificed precious sleep time because I couldn't stop reading! The subject is so timely, the narrative fast-paced and the technology so real that I sat by my computer searching for the documents and references sprinkled throughout!

I was shocked to learn about USC Title 35 regarding patents and our permanent state of emergency declared in 1933 by FDR. The authors wove these elements into the story naturally, no long winded explanations, and left it to the reader to pursue the subject if they are so inclined (I was). There is more than enough material on the Internet to satisfy the conspiracy theorists. These elements add a high degree of realism to the story.

The opening scene in Antarctica grabbed my attention. Fast forward eight years for a minor vignette then jump to the present day for the beginning of an adventure in discovery and intrigue. The first two chapters seemed unrelated to each other but they stuck in the back of my mind as I read the story. It's like when you see the bogeyman behind the door in the movie and you want to tell the main characters to watch out! The first two chapters kept bubbling up as subtle hints cropped up throughout the story.

I found myself eager to pursue some of the technical reading because of my engineering background - the references are on my to-read list - but I could not tear myself away from the book. Daniel Ward's electrical engineering background was certainly evident but not overbearing or beyond the reach of any reader. He made everything seem so plausible.

Terre Britton added a perfect balance to the technical thread. From my own experience, no male engineer would be able to craft the venues and life experiences of the characters as skillfully as she did (my apologies to Mr. Ward). The characters are believable, like all the people I know, and acted like they should throughout the story. I halfway expect to meet them sometime at a bar!

My only regret - the book ended! The conclusion was shocking, a twist, but somewhat expected. Now I'm waiting anxiously to read about the Second Order. Daniel Ward and Terre Britton have created a masterpiece on the level of Tom Clancy and Dan Brown. You will be seeing "Energetics - The First Order" on the silver screen ... don't wait ... read it for yourself first!

"In my youth, I wanted to get involved in some obscure think tank, discover something completely novel, invent something really useful to mankind ... or maybe investigate the fringes of science," Dr. Jordy Hanford tells his colleague and friend, Dr. Tom Pierce.

In Daniel Ward and Terre Britton's book, "Energetics: The First Order", this paradigm is put to the test.

Jordy and Tom are two professors at MIT. And, over a couple of drinks at their favorite watering hole, "The Miracle of Science Bar and Grille", Jordy confides in Tom about his waning enthusiasm for teaching. The conversation then takes a turn when Tom revealed that he has a student that reminded him of them-in their younger days. Tom commented that the student, Lenny Langthorne, is a brilliant and tenacious researcher, and asks questions that he could not answer. This intrigued Jordy. And that was the spark that would launch the two professors and their protégé on a journey they could never have imagined.

The story is well crafted with all the twists and turns, and clever moments, of the best sci-fi thrillers. It's charged with suspense, humor and passion-with a spark of unpredictability. It is sure to keep the reader interested and eager to read on.

What I found most intriguing about this fictional story is that it contains technology based on fundamental theories of science while also exploring alternative theories-in this case, electromagnetic energy.

It's a story of, 'what if'. What would happen if there was an alternative that would allow us to transition from our use of fossil fuel energy to a reliance on a clean, safe and free energy source? If such energy existed, would the world's governments and big corporations support it? Would it plunge the world's economies into chaos? Would there be some who'd want to stop it? For answers to those questions, I recommend you read this book.

It wouldn't be fair for me to tell you that all your questions would be answered in this book. If anything, you'd probably be left with more questions. But don't fret. This is the first book of four, in the series "The Four Orders of Inherent Freedom". And I, for one, cannot wait to read on!

Snowbound for the weekend, I began to read. The snow fell, the pages turned, my tea got cold. I couldn't put the book down. I went to sleep wondering where the story would lead the next day and where did all that snow come from? Great read.The development of the characters and plot was so well done. Being a sci-fi.........it's very believable and I can't wait for the second book and then two more??
Also loved the Book's Website and the Video. It drew me to the book. A must see.

Energetics: The First Order (The Four Orders of Inherent Freedom) is the first book of a series of four. It is a sci/fi thriller that takes place in America and is something that could actually happen. You may not think that there is an alternative to how we use energy (fossil fuels, etc), but this book offers a solution.
Following the discovery of an eager graduate student at MIT and professors reigning in this genius, the book weaves a tale of political intrigue, espionage, and scientific experiments.
I do not want to give the plot away, so I'm not going to reveal too much. I want everyone here to know that I could not stop reading, and when I was finished, I wanted to buy the next book in the series, which isn't even out yet! There is something for everyone in this novel, and that's why I've given it 5 stars. Buy it. You won't be disappointed.

I enjoyed the book greatly. It's an easy, entertaining, and provocative read. I'd categorize the book as plot-driven science fiction (although I could be wrong, of course).

First, the strong points:

1. Although I'm not normally into the technical thrillers, "Energetics" kept my interest throughout by balancing the technical base (that felt reasonably solid) with humorous entertainment. At times, the narrative reminded me of the boisterous texts by Jules Verne with its bold imagination, larger than life characters, and the underlying nobility of intent.

2. The book touches upon the issues I've been pondering myself. The balance of power, energy, and tough dilemmas facing the governments of the world... I believe the text is timely. It made me wonder if the original formulae that had led to invention of electricity were, indeed, interpreted correctly. I *wish* this would become one of the books predicting the near future (a bit like one of the "24" episodes predicted an American president of African heritage).

3. There's a strong feeling of hope in humanity that permeates the book. This is the sort of fiction I personally enjoy. Although I'm not American, I didn't mind the patriotic crescendo of some chapters. I took this as a general expression of hope and optimism - as it was intended, I believe.

The key improvement opportunity I'd like to suggest to the next volumes is:

- I'd love to learn more about the characters in the next installments of the series (which I'll definitely read). While I enjoyed the fast pace, I almost wanted the story to slow down a little and explore the lives, fears and motivations of the people a little deeper.

This also applies to dialogue. I'd love the dialogue to "relax" a little and use a few less one-liners. I did enjoy the humor, of course, but I believe the humanity of the protagonists would come across that much stronger if they're allowed to speak more and develop at a more natural pace.

Net, I loved the book and will buy the next "Orders" in the series. Well done! :)

Energetics: The First Order - Review by Guest Reviewer Matthew Morrison

Three MIT scientists risk their careers, reputations and their lives bringing a new form of energy to life in `Energetics: The First Order' by Daniel Ward and Terre Britton. Who wouldn't want America to have a self-sustained energy source? Only the U.S. government and the "Big Energy" companies. Now, add the concerns of the entire international community as well as extraterrestrial abduction of one of the scientists, and you are ready to begin the journey.

This book has the rambling adventure of a Clive Cussler yarn, shrouded in the political intrigue of a David Baldacci thriller, wrapped in the mysterious, other worldly, enigma of a Whitley Strieber diary. Throw in the esoteric, technical ramblings of Nikola Telsa, a personal laboratory notebook of James C. Maxwell, a cross-country jaunt and a few bloody noses and you too will believe that Energetics is just the First Order. Be brave, follow along, and see if these inventor's can reject their null hypotheses, break free of convention, save the world, and reduce the carbon footprint of our modern society down to zero. I can't wait!

For me, the description for this book sort of reminded me of "The Manhattan Project" for some reason. As I read, I still had a bit of that feel, that some sort of groundbreaking experimentation and discovery was happening, but it wasn't at all what I expected it to be. I was pleasantly surprised and really enjoyed this book.
I don't read sci-fi as much as I used to as a kid, and I had to remember to "suspend belief" here and there to thoroughly enjoy this story, which is fine and what you have to do sometimes even with the greatest of books and films.
Found the writing to be very good and it kept me involved (which isn't always easy to do). I also thought that the subject matter was timely given our ongoing, seemingly never ending energy crisis in this country. If the next books in this series can maintain the momentum of this first of the four in the series, I do believe they've got something here!

Like thrillers? Like speculative fiction with a strong scientific base? Like crossing them with national and international intrigue? Do you want your fiction populated with people you feel like you could sit down and have a beer with?

If you answered `yes,' to any or all of these, grab a copy of Energetics :The First Order. This is the first book in the series The Four Orders of Inherent freedom. You'll want to read the next one as soon as you turn the last page.

Britton and Ward will take you on an adventure with three scientists who discover new insights in a world of complex math. They draw on the historical inventions and proposals of Nikola Tesla whose electronic creations are present in our everyday lives.

Combining the concepts of a groundbreaking invention, which could alter the world economy with international and domestic espionage, makes for a heady brew.

Highly recommended.