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Shimmer (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This topical fiction debut from Memphis news publisher Barnes is a cautionary thriller about ambition and corruption in corporate America. Robbie Case, the 35-year-old CEO (and largest shareholder) of Core Communications has managed to grow the business from 30 employees to more than 5,000 in three short years. But his $20 billion company, linking mainframe computers worldwide to the Internet backbone, is built on faulty technology, false promises and questionable finances. Weary of the day when everything inevitably unravels, Case's slow (but accelerating) downward spiral drives the narrative through a number of timely plots, including Ponzi schemes and toxic assets: "The people who worked here, the companies we acquired, the stock we sold-all of it was an unseen disease." Readers may find it difficult, if not impossible, to empathize with Case, but the corporate intrigue should hook anyone fascinated by the collapse of Wall Street and the crimes of Bernie Madoff.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.


From Booklist

Here’s a timely thriller. Robbie Case is CEO of Core Communications, which in three years has grown from a small company to one that employs 5,000 people and has revenue in the multimillions. At 35, Robbie is on top of his profession, acclaimed around the world as a visionary. There’s only one problem: he’s a fraud. Core Communications isn’t a cutting-edge tech company; it’s a giant, incredibly elaborate Ponzi scheme in which revenue from sales of Core’s (fraudulent) technology masks from its clients the fact that the product doesn’t do what Core claims it does. Eventually and inevitably, the whole thing will come crashing down around Robbie—but when? And, further, is there anything he can do to protect his friends and colleagues from financial ruin? Robbie is one of those engagingly conflicted heroes who come along from time to time, an essentially good man who knowingly perpetrated a swindle of epic proportions and who will now do whatever it takes to minimize the damage. Fans of Joseph Finder’s big-business thrillers will definitely want to read this one. --David Pitt

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Unbridled Books (June 30, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1932961674
  • ISBN-13: 978-1932961676
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #340,889 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

More About the Author

Eric Barnes
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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Shimmer, June 30, 2009
"Come sit down by me; I've got a great story to tell you." That's what I imagine Eric Barnes' debut novel, Shimmer, would say if it could talk. The book was just friendly, I don't quite know how else to explain it; it was by turns exciting, thought provoking, and unusual and always enjoyable. The story follows Robbie Case, the CEO of a tech company that has figured out how to maximize server capacity and data processing. The company is wildly successful, with sales and revenues growing by bounds every day. The problem is that the whole company is based on a lie. Case is selling hardware to his customers that doesn't really do anything while he is secretly moving all of the data, which is meant to be processed his hardware, around a series of secret server farmsand satelittes , hidden around the world. He is lying to his customers; he is lying to his employees; but, mostly, he is lying to himself. He is lying to himself about his his capability to maintain the lies, about the true value of the company and the people he works with, and about what will ultimately be fulfilling and rewarding to him.

Barnes has achieved something unusual with his debut novel, a story that works on multiple levels, either as a quick, mindless read or a good thriller or as a more subtle, study of human interaction and connection. I won't pretend that I am computer savy enough to understand the tech pieces of the story but Barnes doesn't hit you over the head with computer jargon so much that you feel like you're reading a Computer for Dummies book. He gives you just enough to make the story seem believable. Barnes' use of language to create a breakneck pace and frentic aura for the tech company and the people who work there is just right. I found myself reading the early chapters more quickly than usual and with an urgency, all because of the deft prose. All of this would serve any good summer read well. But, if you read a little closer and study the characters Barnes creates, you will find a more subtle examination of unconnected and lonely people, all lieing to themselves in various ways to overcome self loathing and doubt. They are all pouring their lives into the company, feeding their greed or hunger for power as a substitute for human connection. One of the most interesting elements of Barnes' new novel is the give and take between his hero, Case, and Case's evil cousin. The two almost seem to create one, whole criminal; they are drawn to one another and, at the same time, repulsed by one another. Barnes has gotten this relationship just right, reflecting real world co-dependent, criminal pairs.

The light criticism I have is for the ending, which felt a little rushed and a little forced, tied up to prettily in a colorful bow. I didn't think nor did I want to see the story end quite so well for Case and his dark half cousin. And, to get there, Barnes seems to work a little too hard and gloss over a few too many details. But the ending didn't ruin the overall reading experience for the book.

Recommended! This was a solid, enjoyable read. You can take it at whatever level you feel like when you pick it up. It was just that friendly.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible!, July 3, 2009
An incredible book! Bravo Mr. Barnes! I was lucky enough to receive this book as an "Early Reviewer" for Librarything.com. For being an "uncorrected proof," I found nothing, absolutely nothing wrong. The story flowed, the intrigue grabbing hold, I enjoyed it immensely. Mr. Barnes' descriptions of the complexities involved in this story were incredible. He made it really easy to understand the inner workings of a vastly large corporation. I loved it and would recommend it.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars a great thriller, July 2, 2009
First few pages - I didn't know what to make of it, but by around p.50 I was hooked and could hardly put it down. The book is something of a John Grisham of computer world! The premise is quite incredible and original. The protagonist comes through as rather appealing and human. I didn't care for paid sex interludes, though - they seemed less worthy of the rest of the book. On the whole - a wonderful read. I wish I were more technically savvy: I had to consult my son, a computer specialist, to understand a few things, but it only increased my interest.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Exciting Technology Thriller
Robbie Case is the head of Core, a multi-million dollar company that he unwittingly founds with his cousin Trevor. Read more
Published 1 month ago by www.linussblanket.com

5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping book
Once I started reading Shimmer, I could not put it down. I highly reccomend it.
Published 1 month ago by beentherereadthat

5.0 out of 5 stars current, hip, a great read

A great read from Eric Barnes. Shimmer is stylistically current and full to over-flowing with engaging characters. Read more
Published 3 months ago by J. Whelchel

3.0 out of 5 stars A slight glimmer for Shimmer.
Shimmer, by Eric Barnes, tells the rags to riches story of Robbie Case, an ingenious but conniving thirty-five year old CEO of Core Communications. Read more
Published 3 months ago by gary mack

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written techno-thriller
Shimmer is a fast-paced read that takes on corporate America with wit and depth. If you're looking for a well-written techno-thriller with some teeth--this is your book.
Published 4 months ago by Sybil Baker

4.0 out of 5 stars Technical Suspense!
When I first picked up SHIMMER by Eric Barnes, I had a feeling that I might not be the ideal audience for it. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Julie Peterson

5.0 out of 5 stars Shimmer
I read this in less than a week (and it has been a very busy week). The twenty & thirty somethings running the corporation are interesting, although I would have liked a little... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Bibliophile "Lynn"

4.0 out of 5 stars Unique Technothriller - highly recommended!

Synopsis:

The book opens at the top of a Midtown skyscraper in NYC at 6 am on Monday in the middle of the weekly senior staff meeting of one of Wall Street's... Read more
Published 4 months ago by M. Lapus

4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing High Tech Business Thriller
Core Communications is on top of the world. Their blue boxes are installed on mainframe computers all around the world. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Morris K. Niday

4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing and enjoyable reading!
The story and characters kept my attention from the start, but I must say it's not the book I expected. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Harry Hopkins III

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