Human Error [Hardcover]

Paul Preuss (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The possibilities of cross-fertilization between biological and computer sciences increasingly interest SF writers. Greg Bear's nightmarish, if visionary, Blood Music saw such "biochips" running amok, infecting and transforming the human race. Preuss treats the same premise, of brilliant but myopic scientists who allow their "intelligent virus" out of the lab without considering the consequences. Computer designers Toby Bridgeman and Adrian Storey have just completed a radically new machine whose cellular circuits will grow to the requirements of the user. Soon, however, those molecules begin growing in the users and while some die, most are actually changed for the better. Although this utopian concept brings up more intriguing ideas than he pursues, Preuss has written a swift, entertaining scientific thriller that should win a wide audience. November 18
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 350 pages
• Publisher: Tor Books (October 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312933320
• ISBN-13: 978-0312933326
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,214,944 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 stars - science fiction with style, March 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Human Error (Mass Market Paperback)

This is quite a good book. Basically a young computer bloke gets working with a company called Compugen (I think) and works on their newest computer which uses bioelectronics and stuff, so the computer 'grows' to the task at hand (complete with sloppy disks). With a fair bit of science fiction, genetic engineering and computer stuff in there it may be hard going for some, but it is pretty rivetting with Adrian and Toby tailoring a virus to their needs with ... well, some unexpected results. A dash of humour and some neat twists make this a pretty good read.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant idea for a plot, thriller it's not., July 17, 2002

By 

Pipinz (Phoeniz, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Human Error (Mass Market Paperback)

Two programmers invent a cunning process to develop the world's first biological computer that is capable of independent learning & problem solving. It reads like a snail lost at sea and is about as suspenseful as waiting for the kettle to boil. It doesn't even have a plot until you're 3/4s of the way through. I actually loved the concept, but was gravely disappointed by the way it limped through each chapter. Sure, technical garb is fine - but after a while you begin to wonder if something is gonna HAPPEN...