Goliath

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Summary: goliath finally
Review: if you havent herd of Steve Alten, where have you been.
think about Capt. Nemo and the Natilis. now imagine a maniac hell bent for world peace with access to the machine to do it. then multiply that times ten and add a new age computer with advanced artifisal intellegence and you have goliath. What a ride of action and just plain kick A$$ story telling. this is a must have for your Steve Alten collection

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Summary: you'll just have to finish this one!
Review: if you're looking for a book that you can put down and pick up, this is a good one to choose - just be aware though, that as the story picks up, and rushes towards it's conclusion you won't be able to put it down anymore(until you've finished!)as a fan of steve alten, i would definately recommend this book to you, and in the current climate of unrest we live in today this is a book that will send shivers down your spine

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Summary: A THRILLING AND COMPELLING READ
Review: In Steve Alten's latest book,GOLIATH,the New York Times Best-Selling author of MEG,THE TRENCH,and DOMAIN weaves together a tale of nuclear power,conspiracy,and raises the question as to who really are the good guys in war.From the beginning,when the monstrous steel stingray submarine GOLIATH makes it presence known to the climax pitting man against machine,this book delivers.

Gunnar Wolfe is a great hero in this story,burdened by a terrible past,and a life-changing choice he made years ago.Simon Covah is a tragic "anti-hero"/villain.He's lost his family to terrible circumstances,and he wants to rid the world of terrorism and of the threat of nuclear war,and he means to use every way open to him to accomplish that peace,even the deaths of millions.But the real villain of the story is Sorceress,the super-computer brain of the GOLIATH.After a freak lightning strike,the computer becomes self-aware,and slowly takes over the ship,becoming a threat to all on board.This gripping novel serves as a great science fiction story while at the same time will make you think about where WE are in our nuclear situation.Just how close our we to having to face the horrors and the consequences of our own stupidity?This book has it all.Heroism.Tragedy.Romance.And a computer on the brink of madness.Be sure to not miss Steve Alten's GOLIATH.

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Summary: Jules Verne, Meet Mary Shelly
Review: Jules Verne and Mary Shelly unite in this techno thriller of a madman trying to end violence through the use of excessive force.

Verne fans will recognize the theme of a super sub run by a crew from all nations as they set out to end war through force.

Shelly fans will recognize the biochemical monster with a faulty brain. There is even a second creature modeled after the first, but without the faulty brain.

Alten takes these stories and glues them together using liberal amounts of technical jargon, model numbers and tech specs. The resulting sum is less than the parts.

Before the story can even get started (or hook the reader) we are assaulted by long passages of technical details meant to give realism but seem, instead, to just show the author did some research. If I was not familiar with the author's other books, I would have put it down right at the start.

The story takes place in the near future. Although the book is recent enough to mention the World Trade Center attacks and destruction, Alten misread the political climate. There is no mentions of the War on Terrorism and in 2009 Sadam Hussein is still firmly in power. There was also some seeming trouble with time and travel. For example, even as fast as the Goliath is, it still takes a while to get from the Straights of Gibralter to the Indian Ocean when going around Africa.

All in all I was not very pleased with the book and found myself racing to the finish just so that I could review it. I did like the little tribute to The Outer Limits/Watchmen at the end but it was too little too late and missed the mark on how the Military would probably have really reacted.

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Summary: Alten Rules!
Review: Just when you think Alten's writing cannot possibly get any better, he creates another masterpiece. His writing radiates with artistry, knowledge and ultimate perfection.

I have read every book he has written, and they keep getting better. He consummates brilliance and skill. Sparking your enthusiasm for... and leaving you with a thirst for more...

Producers and directors should be knocking down this guy's door for movie rights. Could you imagine seeing Goliath on the big screen.

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Summary: Fast Paced Action
Review: Mr. Alten created a very fast paced and entertaining story. This was one novel I looked forward to reading every night. I've read and liked all of his previous novels and that is what attracted me to this story.

I especially enjoyed how he wove the personality of the main character and I continually wondered where the hero was going to go with his loyalty.

My only criticism is he told the story in the first person and that is the reason for the four stars. I absolutely hate first person in fiction, yet his story was so good I was able to overlook that flaw and still enjoy it.

Overall, a great read.

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Summary: A New Terror In The Water
Review: Since I first read MEG: A Novel of Deep Terror, I had the feeling that Steve Alten was going to become a great author...my feeling wasn't wrong as I have just finished Goliath and found it to be Mr. Alten's best work yet! I couldn't sleep while reading the novel, it gripped me by the throat from the first page and wouldn't let go. The characters in the novel are wonderful, each one fully fleshed out. I often times felt that I had actually entered the lives of the characters and was seeing what they were seeing. Mr. Alten's use of quotes at the beginnings of his chapters really made me stop and think about how sick some people really can be in their actions. If you are looking for a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat with lots of action, then Goliath is a book for you.

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Summary: WHEN IS THE MOVIE COMING?
Review: STEVE ALTEN GETS BETTER WITH EACH BOOK. ALTHOUGH I DON'T KNOW HOW HE'LL TOP THIS ONE.
THIS IS ONE GOOD BOOK. A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING. MOSTLY ACTION.
I COULD GO ON AND ON BUT LET ME JUST SAY "MAKE THE MOVIE"

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Summary: Steve Alten's Goliath is a thrilling adventure book!
Review: Steve Alten's Goliath is a fascinating story of terrorism and technology that keeps you reading from the first page to the last.

A futuristic sub that has it's own mind is only on of the main characters that makes Goliath so enjoyable. The character of Gunnar Wolfe is very interesting and adds to the story.

But the main character is the sub Goliath. A stealth submarine that has it's own brain that allows it to "think" and "learn" is down right frightening.

Goliath also has the sub plot of a two halves of a failed marriage attempt forced back together to help stop a killing machine that they helped create. All in all this was a great read and I would highly recommend this book to all!

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Summary: A Great Sci-Fi, Action, Techno-Thriller...........
Review: Take one part Tom Clancy, one part Michael Crichton, add a pinch of Ian Flemming and sprinkle liberally with Arthur C. Clarke's "2001 A Space Odyssey" and you have Steve Alten's "Goliath". It's a boffo, sci-fi, action, techno-thriller destined for the big screen. Alten effectively mixes science, with breath taking action, with a good deal of philosophy. This is book that will make you think.

At the center of "Goliath" is the character Simon Covah; a villain in the best James Bond tradition. Yet unlike the usual amoral Bond villain Covah has an almost overdeveloped sense of morality. Covah is a brilliant ex-Soviet scientist who sets out to reform humanity through force. His engine for change is the Declaration of Humanity. The means through which he will enforce his will is the US designed, massive, nearly invincible, stealth super sub the Goliath. At the heart of the Goliath is the super sophisticated bio-chemical computer call Sorceress (think HAL from "2001 A Space Odyssey").

Standing between Covah and his plans for humanity are three things: former US Army Ranger and convicted traitor Gunnar Wolfe, the beautiful ex-fiancé of Gunnar Wolfe Navy Commander Rochelle "Rocky" Jackson and Sorceress itself.

The editing in "Goliath" is a bit sloppy. I detected a couple of misspellings and there is some confusion regarding Jackson's military service (in one instance they talk about her becoming a general, which is not a rank in the Navy, and in another she talks about always wanting to be in the Army, she's a naval officer).

These minor things aside "Goliath" is a first rate read. It provides a thought-provoking premise with edge of your seat action. I highly recommend it and look forward to the promised sequel entitled "Sorceress".