Wow! I will mimic what many have already said; the Shell Game is a real page turner. And, I too, agree with many of the reviews that Steve Alten is known for his extensive research before writing each book, like Domain and Goliath, etc. Further, the writer states that this book "The Shell Game' is based on truth, but guised as fiction. And after reading several of these threads... many of his followers do as well...with phrases such as "based in reality" or "factual," which is somewhat alarming.
I too, love the imaginary world of fiction in any genre; from `Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne; Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll; Flatland by Edwin Abbott, 2001/2010 A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke, and writers such as H.G. Wells, Dante Alighieri, John Milton, Tom Clancy, Clive Cussler, Michael Crichton, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Joel Rosenberg, Robin Cook and the list goes on and on from the American and English literature classics to romance. However, I have never considered any of these fictional stories to be based "exclusively" on "factual representation of the truth." A fictional book is just that...a fictional story, and if the writer wanted to write a true account then he or she would have written a nonfiction. However, I do believe that many writers thread their books with many facts, similar to many of our greatest philosophers' fine works throughout the centuries, and we all know why they called them allegories...
You can title a book historical fiction, semi-fiction, guised as fiction, etc. but at the end of the day, it is still a fictional story with possibly a clever marketing strategy wrapped around a new release, similar to the DaVinci Code. On the other hand, all these fascinating writers have always encouraged me to seek out and read as many nonfictional books as I can so that I too, can make an attempt to find out the truth and construct an informed opinion. Though be cautious and extremely suspicious, because just because someone writes a nonfiction book, does not necessarily mean that it is based in fact... It could be based on whatever that writer's research and/or bias has led him or her to believe. So be vigilant and read all sides of any given subject, and then after careful consideration formulate your own opinion based on the writings of many authors. Needless to say, in many instances, you may not find out the truth so easily, but keep on reading. And don't always be fooled by the letters of PhD behind an author's name, because that could also infer "Piled Higher and Deeper," no disrespect intended.
Therefore, take caution here and remember that you, as the reader don't know what is sprinkled with fact as you turn each page and read each sentence. Let's just say that it's a good fiction sprinkled with some facts, partial truths, and has a probable storyline, etc. But, don't let us get carried away and predict that Alten's the next Nostradamus prophesying a future apocalypse. I assure you there are others more qualified to do that...
Although, in his defense, and other storytellers with incredible muses, let me just say, that no matter what you believe... you as an American citizen should sit up and pay attention to many of these writers, and what they are desperately trying to tell us, because just like Steve Alten, many of them are skillfully trying to entice you to take the initiative to seek out the truth on your own...to open your eyes to what is really going on behind the scenes in our American government; what is going on behind the scenes around the world; what is going on in your own city, town, or state, etc. Because all too many Americans are living too comfortably draped behind the beauty and luxury of the American Flag....we're hypnotized by those beautiful stripes waving back and forth, and back and forth, and blinded by those fifty bright gleaming stars... But, while the American Flag is a safety net to millions it...unfortunately, is also being used as a blanket to cover up corruption and greed at the highest levels in our government. Therefore, Steve Alten even though I find your novel somewhat biased based on some of your questionable threads of so-called truths, I will still give you five stars for really good storytelling, after all it is classified as fiction, and more importantly, for trying to entice all your readers to seek out the truth. Kudos to you, Sir...
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Top reviews from other countries
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Charles HallowayReviewed in Germany on February 22, 2010
"24" in Buchform - nur rasanter, realistischer, härter
- vlado stojcevskiReviewed in Australia on April 1, 2023
The Shell Game and the end of oil and gas
