The Fourth "R" [Paperback]

George Oliver Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 27, 2008

FIVE YEARS OLD AND ON THE RUN...A small boy is artificially made super-intelligent by his scientist parents. But soon he has to learn to use his superior brain to escape his "guardian"-a man ready to murder to learn his secret....www.PhoenixPick.com Great Sci-Fi at Great Prices

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Phoenix Pick (June 27, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1604502614
• ISBN-13: 978-1604502619
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,272,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Child prodigy fugitive., July 6, 2006

By 

R. Christenson "SpaceComics.com" (Pine, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fourth R (Paperback)

Terrifically suspenseful and readable tale of a small boy artificially made super-intelligent by scientists. He escapes his keepers and uses his superior brain to evade authorities and get along in the adult controlled world. If you liked James Patterson's "When the Wind Blows" and sequels, you'll like this original, tightly written suspense novel even better.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Super Reader, August 30, 2007

By 

Blue Tyson "- Research Finished" (Legion clubhouse) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fourth R (Paperback)

This book is a direct descendant of the Hampdenshire Wonder, although in this case the enhanced intelligence is controlled and deliberate.

When a very young James Holden's parents are killed, he is left in a different situation to most children in this situation. His clever scientist olds had invented an education machine that leaves him at five with the intellectual development and education of someone in high school, and beyond.

Much as Tim does in Children of the Atom he realises he can support himself by writing, and makes a living doing so when eight years old. This is a profession where you do not need to be seen.

Eventually he needs an adult front for economic reasons, and he approaches his landlord.

However, he can't stay hidden forever, no matter how clever, and unscrupulous types, as well as the government and the judiciary with ambition decide to put his invention to use, while shielding him from harassment, spies, and other such annoyances.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Science Fiction novel, April 28, 2010

By 

GreyDay (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fourth "R" (Kindle Edition)

I love this book. Two parents who are scientist / inventors create a device that allows permanent retention in memory of anything read while using it. They are killed in a forced car crash by a family friend who wishes to steal this device. Their young son who is also in the car escapes and goes into hiding. He was educated by this device and knows how to recreate it. His problem how to set up an identity as an adult to hide behind until he is no longer a vulnerable minor. Meanwhile his legal guardian is still hunting him.