Customer Reviews

Weapon

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Weapon is about Solo, a Department of the Army Research Project into Artificial Intelligence who refuses to kill during a training exercise in Costa Rica. Solo runs away into Nicaragua and is rescued by village kids and when the Contras attack, kills 35. Lots of thought went into this book. The discussion between the village priest and Solo about souls is wonderful. I couldn't put it down. It has an appendix of readings on AI.

I caught enough of the atrocious film adaptaion "Solo" to see it was based upon this novel. I figured anything had to be preferable to that film and when I found WEAPON I was, quite literally, blown away. How the filmmakers managed to lose every single cool and thought-provoking and (at least to me) sort of heart-tugging aspect of this incredible novel and replace it with awful B-movie action cliche's is truly a marvel of first rate Hollywood hackery.

The novel concerns the killer robot prototype Solo who is described as looking like a "black department store mannequin but without any facial features"...and that is (i think) the key to the novel's success: it keeps Solo an ambiguously human looking but not too human looking robot--not just another muscle-bound actor posing blankly like Arnold S. in The Terminator.This is a thought-provoking book as well as a ripping good action yarn, packed with detail about the war in Nicaragua and all sorts of interesting concepts about "self" and identity--it ranges into lofty areas such as religion and philosophy quite easily and with a lot of charm. This is certainly one of the best of the modern Frankenstein themes depicted in an american novel.

Too bad Hollywood blew it; I hope Robert Mason at least got a nice chunk of change from the movie studios; it must have been sheer hellish torture for him to view the complete desecration of his fine novel.

Thankfully Mr Masons writing career appears to have turned out more successful than his Swiss Army penknife import business, or indeed his "improve your life through chemistry" importing business! This tale of a self aware combat android with a heart of pure gold is well written, thoughtful and humorous in a way that also comes across in Chickenhawk, his best known (non-fiction) book. I have read this a couple of times and will read it again soon. Recommended. The film is a turkey though.

This is novel about a robot designed to kill, but being effected by the emotions that surround him. This is very similar to Terminator 2 but only set in South America jungle.It's is a book that is readable and has lots of action which is forseeable in the name

I read this book back when I was 13 and 14. My dad had a book shelf in the hallway and these two books were in it. Had no idea what eaiher were about, but would find myself sitting cross-legged on the floor, looking up to that big book shelf for something to read.
When I came across this book I found myself sitting in my room on my bean bag for hours on end. Even when I was through, I'de always go back and reading this as well as Solo again. I liked these so much I never put them back on my dad's book shelf and didn't asked my dad if I could keep them. He knew about me having them and let me have them. And after 16 years, moving three times and getting married, I still carry the books with me. Wherever I move to, they come with.
The detail for surroundings in both books is just remarkable. But when the movie came out it put both the books to shame, wasn't anything like the books AT ALL. So if you want a good experience for both books you really have to read both first. DO NOT watch that stupid, pointless, Hollywood ramped, unbelievable movie first. Anyone who watches the movie will think both the books suck, when they do not.

My mother would collect and send me a lot of book when I was in Iraq. Solo was one of them, and in hardcover. When I realized it was a sequel part way through, I put it away and brought it back home with me. FFwd a couple years, I pulled it out of a box and realized I needed to get the first book, Weapon. Highly recommend both books. Also recommend Chickenhawk, about the authors experiences in Vietnam.

Remember the First Law of Robotics? Well, forget about it. If Solo wants you dead, you're dead.

Solo is the hero of Robert Mason's "Weapon", and he's thoroughly badass. He's also kind, sensitive, morally conflicted and introspective. He's gone off reservation during a training mission in South America. His handlers want him back. Solo has other ideas.

If this isn't the best technothriller ever written, I don't know what is. Download the sample, then part with your [] - yeah, it's a little steep - and start reading. You won't regret it.

I really enjoyed this book in the beginning. The whole AI aspect I loved and solo's developing intelligence/emotions. However, I did not care about any of the villagers and their lives. In the end, this book just didn't pull me in.

Of Robert Masons fiction books, this one is my favorite. But do yourself a favor and read his book "Chickenhawk'. This book tells a story of transformation during his tour in Vietnam.In some ways I think it has helped me understand my father as a Korean War veteran.