Virus [Paperback]

Bill Buchanan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1997

In a near-future age of supercomputers and human-made intelligence, a devastating computer supervirus causes America's space-based missile defense system to shoot down commercial planes and renders the planet defenseless.

Editorial Reviews

From Scientific American

An intense thriller that sends a simple but important message: For a successful technology, you cannot deny facts or cut corners. If you do, you invite disaster. Read it and see for yourself.

From The New Yorker

frightening that something like this could actually happen.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 10 pages
• Publisher: Jove (February 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0515120111
• ISBN-13: 978-0515120110
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #671,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A thrilling ride!, December 5, 2010

By 

Reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: Virus (Paperback)

Virus is an exciting thrill-packed ride from beginning to end. Buchanan's ability to combine the technical info along with the gripping action is remarkable. His aircraft scenario is unique to my mind - I've never come across the like before. It really brings home the danger of trusting technology too much and have it come back to bite us in the ... I'm about to begin Buchanan's book Clearwater. I recently finished his other published work Pure Fusion. I hope Mr. Buchanan will give us all a Christmas gift this season- get those creative juices flowing again and get a new book in our stockings for Christmas next year!

5.0 out of 5 stars Could not put it down, November 22, 2010

By 

BobbieJ Stiles (Niceville, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Virus (Paperback)

I read this and went hunting for the other two books and bought them also. I totally love Bill's writing style.
It did not hurt that we used to be neighbors in Mass. and I found him and his wife to be delightful people.
Hopefully some day the two families will be able to get in touch again.
My best to you Bill,
Jeani Stiles
email: [e-mail]

3.0 out of 5 stars 10 years later..., April 19, 2007

By 

C. Brandon Barkley (Columbia, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Virus (Paperback)

So, I have had this book sitting on my shelf for a long time and just took the opporunity to read it 10 years after its initial release. One interesting part of reading it is comparing the mythical 2014 with the current 2007. In some respects, he mentions technologies that are much more than 7 years down the road, but at the same time there are anachronistic references to floppy disks, tape backups, and VHS which are all on their way out. I also do not buy the author's position that the more smart a computer is, the more susceptible to virus infection it is.

Focusing on the story though, there is no real reason to read this book. The prologue for Day 12 completely spoils exactly where the book is going when taken into account with the knowledge from the first normal chapter. The characters, including Linda Scott, were not very deep in their thought processes and felt all kind of 1-dimensional and predictable in how they acted.

Anyway, that said, it wasn't a really bad read. If you got ahold of a copy of it, it is a mildly enjoyable ride to take, but in the end it feels a bit shallow and predictable. I would not suggest going out of your way to read this.