State of Fear By Michael Crichton

It is my second reading of Michael Chrichton. First one was TIMELINE.

I sometimes wonder, what sort of research these authors do, to present such a real plot.

This book created all the doubts in my mind regarding Global Warming and all other Environmental Campaigns going on in the world.

I recommend this book to all the good citizens of the planet.

Its indeed an eye opener

Prey by Michael Chrichton

This is the second novel by Chrichton I ever read. The first one was ‘Timeline’. This novel is similar to Da Vinci Code, as its breathtaking.

The novel is about the fusion of Nanotechnology, Computer Technology and Biotechnology to create Artificial Intelligence. I was unable to sleep many nights after reading it.

And was not able to leave it after 30 pages.

I sometimes, wonder what authors like Chrichton do to write such a novel. Its totally beyond the normal human imagination.

I am sad that Chrichton died, I will miss his good work.

Timeline

By Michael Crichton

Michael Crichton is one of the best known science fiction writers of our time. He is famous for Jurassic Park, The Andromeda Strain and Congo. His latest work TimeLine is one of my favorites.

I think the novel was written from the perspective of making a movie and I m still waiting for the movie to come.

As one can infer from the very name itself, it’s all about Time Travel. I started the novel and till first half was really restless. The reason was that I bought it as science fiction, but what I was reading was history. Yes for first half I was literally confused and frustrated. I was wondering how Michael Crichton can do this to me. But, thank god I kept my patience. The story shuttles between modern 21st century and 14th century France, with team on scientists and archaeologists stuck in between.

But, as the story progressed from first half to the end, my frustrated confused face got smile. And I was just laughing at myself. “The Impatient Ass!!”

Here I picked lot of new concepts like Multiverse, time anomaly zones, and …………. In total I was more than satisfied on completion.

So, I will say be patient while reading it as the story gradually picks up the speed. And slowly you will find yourself visualizing the 14th century France around you. And again this novel made me wonder how can one like Isaac Asimov and Michael Crichton go to such a depth of the novel without actually practicing the field. Hats off!!

Scales by Anthony G. Williams

If you’ve been searching for a science fiction novel with a touch of fantasy and the pace of a thriller, look no more. SCALES is the story of Matt Johnson, a man whose home mysteriously explodes one evening. Engulfed in flames, Johnson is rushed to the hospital, his entire body badly burned. When he recovers against all odds, doctors discover his skin is now covered with a fine layer of scales, which change color according to his moods.

Thus begins one man’s journey to discover not only what happened to him but also what he has become. “The genesis of this story was a bit unusual” said Anthony Williams. “I woke up from a dream in which scales had started to grow over my skin. I lay there thinking about that for a while, considering what the consequences might be, especially if other changes happened to me as well. I kicked the idea around for months before deciding the best way to get it out of my mind was to start writing the story. Once I sat down and began writing, I just let the story run.”

In an effort to adjust to his startling new appearance, Matt changes his name to Cade, and soon realizes he has also acquired the ability to heal certain diseases. Cade’s quest leads him from one mission to the next, from healer to world diplomat to harbinger. I can’t say too much, because there are so many twists and turns in this ingenious plot I don’t want to spoil any of the surprises. However, this is such an original and unusual story I wouldn’t be surprised if a filmmaker snapped it up one day. Hollywood, are you listening?

The cover of SCALES is the most striking I have seen and not easily forgotten. “I had the idea for it in my mind for some time…just a human face transformed into a reptilian hybrid,” said Williams. “Oleg Volk, a wonderful graphic designer who had read my first novel THE FORESIGHT WAR, contacted me and offered to design the cover of SCALES for me. I jumped at the chance, of course, specified what I was looking for, and he delivered!”

This well-written novel was a pleasure to read, and I look forward to enjoying future efforts from this incredibly talented novelist. Highly recommended.

© Laura Stamps

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Laura Stamps is an award-winning novelist and poet, as well as a Wiccan and feral cat rescuer. The recipient of a Pulitzer Prize nomination and seven Pushcart Award nominations, she is the author of thirty-five novels and poetry books, including “The Witchery Series,” a popular series of magickal urban fantasy novels found at http://www.kittyfeatherpress.blogspot.com/

All The Troubles of The World- The Short Story

By Isaac Asimov

This story is part of Isaac Asimov's The Complete Stories Volume 1 series.I read this story around 7 years back. It was just my intro to the mature sci fi world. First time I came to understand what is MULTIVAC, a giant computer or network of computer or Giant Human Computer or ……………………….

The story is about very advanced stage of human civilization, where the whole world is governed by MUTIVAC. The earth is in the happiest and most prosperous state ever. No sign of crime. But if somebody has seen the movie ‘Minority Report’, the similar things start occurring. Yes, according to me ‘Minority Report’ is based on this story by Isaac Asimov.

I can’t tell you about the whole story, coz it’s a suspense sci-fi and one of my favorites.

Some interesting fact about this story.

Once Isaac Asimov was being interviewed and enquired that how he comes up with so many new stories, to which, he replied that according to him there is no new story but the old story in the new form. He gave the example of the reviewed story that it was adopted by him from Age old story of Old Greek Oracle.

So, at last I will recommend this book to any person with brains enough to imagine beyond the world and time. This story is indeed unique

Forward the Foundation

By Isaac Asimov

After reading this story I am left with no choice but to use the word ‘maestro’ for him and his ‘masterpiece’. I am not the type of person who easily appreciates any novel or work. This is indeed a “master’s” work.I thought of the concept regarding equations defining human psyche a few months back. It was a mere fantasy at that time. Then I read ‘The Second Foundation.’ So this concept was not only thought about, but even presented very well 50 years back. From his Second Foundation onwards I was very curious that who was Hari Seldon and how he executed these Foundation’s foundation work. Throughout this novel I got the answer to my curiosity.The Summery of the NovelThis is the story of Hari Saldon and his theory of ‘Psychohistory’. This is the story of his friends, his associates – Eto Demezerel, Don Vanibilis, Raych, Cleon, Wanda, ……..He was Heliconican ( a small planet in the empire) by birth and came down to ‘Trantor’ – first among the worlds. He came with a mathematical theory of predicting future by the mathematics of human psyche. This was known as ‘psychohistory’. His theory got him in association with Emperor Cleon and First Minister Eto Demezerel. He worked with their help. There was his friend Eto - the robot, his wife Don Venabilis - the robot and Yugo – the human.He was obscure, mysterious and interesting. Only because of psychohistory. He had friends and so the enemies. He got rid of his enemies one by one and also lost his friends one by one. Enemies Jorunam – a charismatic opportunist, a librarian. Friend Eto – resigned, Don – died, Yugo – died, Raych – killed. He lost himself. When he came to Trantor he was 32 – and was unknown. When he died he was still on Trantor and 81 but well known- but differently by different people. Intelligentsia knew his intelligence. Scoundrels knew his story of survival and were jealous of it. Masses knew him for his predictions and called him ‘Raven Seldon’ – for the bird of ill omen. Very few knew him as his actual self of a mathematician- the psycho historian.But he was Hari Seldon and he knew everybody and everyone not one by one but jointly as a collection of 25 million worlds – as billions, trillions of population – as citizens of troubled times- as victims of a falling empire. He also knew that he is and only he is the one who can compress this bad time of 30,000 years to 1,000 years for he was the father of psychohistory. For this he founded the two foundations. The First one that was based on physical powers and was inclined to form nucleus of future good times i.e. the empire. The second one of mentalists who were the guardians of his new empire. They were hidden, they were strong. They were unknown. For they were mentalists they needn’t require to surface to guard because they could read minds and manipulate. And they manipulated the future. The future of galaxy. And this is how he founded the foundations from bad times to good times.

Foundation Series

‘Foundation’ and ‘Foundation and Empire’

By Isaac Asimov

There is no need to tell why I read them. These belong to the famous trilogy of ‘Foundation’ series by the maestro. I earlier read the other two ‘Second Foundation’ and ‘Forward the Foundation’ and was enchanted by them. I kept on saying ‘Second Foundation’ is the best. But after reading these two I am forced to say ‘Foundation’ is the best.Reading them has made me or rather forced me to ponder that was Asimov a PhD. in biochemistry or was he a historian. The way he has presented the concepts of transformation of culture and thinking left everybody awestruck. His narration of use of religion, then trade, etc. has changed my basic pattern of thinking and I am a bit skeptic about the religion we are practicing today. And now a day the Gulf War II makes me think it was bound to happen. And writing all this I again feel that I was bound to write this or definitely there was some other who was ought to write this( everything is bound to happen. Association of any particular individual to this happening may be a chance). Reading all his series I really feel like writing something which is the extension of this series. But I know everybody can’t be a master. All I can do is try.The story is:-That according to psychohistory whole galaxy will undergo painful 30,000 years of turmoil, civil war and other vicissitudes of life. Hari Seldon tried to cut short this time by 29,000 years. And he achieves this by making two foundations. First one is of scientists who will make the hardware ready for the new empire. Second one is of mentalists who will make the software i.e. the First one will form the basis of new empire with technology, planets, people, etc. while second will control them by their superpowers or I should rather say mental powers. To achieve this he left First Foundation on each and every critical turn with only one option.They initially implanted religion in other planets, then trade and they grew against all odds. Because it was planned like this. But in the planning only people as a general were considered. So the whole plan was upset by the entry of ‘mutant’. This mutant forces second foundation to come to the rescue and show their pre time existence.This is the best series that I have ever read till date.