Rating: 
Summary: Great but ignore the anachronisms
Review: This is a book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I think it was written with a movie in mind, and the movie should be a good one.The basic plot, the amnesia of the protagonist, is a creative tool that makes the story all that more engrossing. The ending is a little too neat for my mind. Inconvenient marriages and antagonists get disposed of with un-lifelike ease and simplicity. The happy ending is all too happy to be realistic. But, getting there has been interesting. I am a bit surprised by the anachronisms of the book. Repeated use of a Xerox machine, yet to be introduced to the market (and perhaps not even invented yet, but I am not sure of that) is casually mentioned. Any reader who remembers the 1950s and worked in engineering will remember, not fondly, the mimeograph machine and the ammonia smell of drawings being reproduced. Not Haloid Corporation to ease one's pains; just yet. More to the point than that, however, is the dialogue. Teen slang of the 1990s (this "sucks") was certainly not in use then, and the writer should not use it if he expects the text to have a ring of authenticity to it. I think that the author got a few cars mixed up then, as well. And, Corvette convertibles in the 1950s, as far as I can recollect, were not air-conditioned. Why be picky? The author thanks a professional writers' research organization at the end of the book for their support. For sure, they should know better. But, all in all, it's a good book. A tale well designed to take advantage of a moment in history shrouded in a bit of mystery. What are authors going to do when people forget the Cold War? The Black Hats, and the White Hats, got trashed with the Berlin Wall's demise. I wait with eager anticipation the next generation of techno-thrillers. It's about time.
Rating: 
Summary: Ludlum and Clancy in One
Review: This is the first work of Mr. Follet's I have had the pleasre of reading. I'm a fan of Clancy and Ludlum, and Follet's Code to Zero is the perfect bridge between the two. If your familiar with The Bourne Identity, you will feel as you begin this work that you are reading a decidely similar story. Follett quickly adds several twists and turns to show you that he is a master suspence writer on his own behalf. Follett adds just the right amount of technical information to keep Clancy fans satisfied, while incorporating a strong romantic story to entangle and unite an extraordinary collection of characters.
Rating:
Summary: As Fast-Paced as the Space Race
Review: I had the opportunity to read Ken Follet's CODE TO ZERO last week. The tale of a man who wakes up in a Union Station restroom suffering from autobiographical amnesia is compelling The protagonist must find out, in short order, who he is, why he has lost his memory, who has done this to him and what are the consequences if he does not recover. The story is set in the late 50's as America attempts to put a satellite in space, countering the Russian-launched Sputnik. As he slowly discovers that he is Claude "Luke" Lucas, a rocket scientist of some fame and renown, he discovers that he is the victim of a plot to silence him. Why, however, he and the reader must discover as the novel races from place to place at race-car pace. Ken Follett has long been a favorite author of mine, particularly for his book, PILLARS OF THE EARTH, which involved the construction of a magnificent Gothic cathedral in 12th century England. That book, epic in scale, intertwines various characters, kings, noblemen and noblewomen, clergy and peasants in a story of faith intrigue and power in the middle ages. This book, while considerably shorter in length, move quickly. I never lost interest! Indeed, I read the book in one sitting in about 4 hours which is most unusual for me. I would recommend the book highly to anyone who enjoys a good yarn.
Rating: 
Summary: ken who?
Review: if on the cover it is not shown 'ken follet' as author, how many copies this book will sell and how many review it will collect? luigi accomazzo italy
Rating: 
Summary: Poorly Done
Review: This is poorly written story by an author from whom one expects much more. One of Mr Follet's strengths has always been his wonderful plots with their strict attention to detail. This one has more holes than the proverbial loaf of swiss cheese. Descriptions are sophmoric. Very disappointing. If you've got to read this do yourself a favor and check it out of the library. Don't fret if there's a waiting list. You aren't missing anything.
Rating:
Summary: Please stop after the first 100 pages
Review: ...and I wanted this to be good. I am fascinated by the idea of a man waking up and having no clue who or where he is. It started out great, but at some point turned into a series of car chases and simplistic dialogue. Hard to believe this is the same author who wrote Pillars of the Earth.
Rating:
Summary: Very, very disappointing.
Review: It's rather sad to see a once-grand author deteriorate. "Code to Zero" is really poor work; almost painful to read. Like a vacuous, poorly conceived, wholly illogical soap. Advise to avoid so you can remember more clearly the fine early work of Follett.
Rating:
Summary: This book is as light as an episode of Gilligan's Island.
Review: This will be the final Ken Follett book I ever read. I don't know what has happened that would cause a writer with such skill to spit out such drivel as Code to Zero. From reading the first chapter, you can preety much plot out the plot line and character development. I wonder if Mr. Follet thought of adding anything realistic to this book. At no time did I feel suspense, or danger, sympathy or affection for any of the characters or situations. This book is as light as an episode of Gilligan's Island, and would have been better written by a romance novelist.
Rating:
Summary: Mom, don't make me do it!
Review: Amnesia is absolutely the most overused cliche in literature. I have never known anyone, who has ever known anyone, who has ever known anyone who has had amnesia. Ok - I know it exists, it is a medical fact. Still, this tool for creating a story is so tired, so pat, so ridiculous!! And how do the people in Luke's life react when they find out that he has amnesia? Is even a single one of them dubious, the least bit skeptical? No!! They don't question it for a second, but act like it happens everyday, and immediately begin launching into a description of what they know of Luke's background, as if they were giving a recipe for onion dip. I would not have read this book, knowing it was about amnesia, had not my mom given it to me for Christmas, knowing I like to read (used to like to read) Ken Follett books. No more, please!! Don't make me do it, Mom!!
Rating: 
Summary: Simplistic but enjoyable
Review: Overall, I thought Code to Zero was an enjoyable, quick read. The book moves very quickly with short chapters that make the book easy to read for those of us who can only find short blocks of time to fit in our pleasure reading. The book's major shortcoming, however, is its predictability and the "cop-out" solutions to the protagonist's major dilemmas. While the main character has completely lost his memory, and starts the novel with absolutely no resources, he is blessed with "instincts" and an awful lot of "good luck" that allows him to piece together the history of his life and move the story forward. I found Follett's reliance on happenstance to solve the protagonist's major problems to detract from what was otherwise an incredibly enjoyable and imaginative novel. Overall, this was a good book to read on the short train ride into work everyday.
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