Rating: 
Summary: Excellent!
Review: See storyline above.An excellent and surprising novel from one of my favorite authors. I've gained a whole new respect for you Greg Iles. The entertainment you packed into this Scifi/thriller is wonderful. I haven't read a book this fast since Dan Brown's 'The DaVinci Code'. Seems you've stirred the pot a little bit here too, judging by some of the negative reviews. One of the things I like about fiction is the exploration of new and fresh ideas. This delivers. "God is merely a part of the human brain, an evolutionary coping mechanism that developed to make bearable our awareness of our own deaths." A quote by one of the numerous scientific characters in the book.
Rating: 
Summary: great writer, bad book
Review: does peter james know about this !!!!
i LOVE greg iles' and his other works, but this one is a rip off of a much better and earlier work on this subject "HOST"
very disappointed by "footprints"
i have faith iles' next effort is more original and a better novel
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing!
Review: I have been a fan of Greg Iles work for several years now and have enjoyed all his previous books to varying degrees. I was looking forward to this latest effort THE FOOTPRINTS OF GOD. However, I was destined to be disappointed! I found the story ridiculous and extremely boring. If you are new to Greg Iles, read one of his earlier books such as THE QUIET GAME instead of this one!
Rating:
Summary: Philosophy, Religion and Science in the Guise of a Novel
Review: This is my first book by Greg Iles, and I loved it! I had recently purchased two of his earlier works based on the reviews and topic matter, but they are still in my large pile of uncompleted good intentions. However, I was so captivated by the title and subject matter of this story that I decided to read it first. I guessed that any author with as ambitious as goal as the subject of this book represents would either succeed brilliantly or totally disappoint me, and I was not disappointed. This is a thriller that encompasses not only the standard action packed sequences of murder, political intrigue and military operations but also a discussion of such wide ranging topics as religion, the essence of our individuality, cutting edge science and information technology, the definitions of life and death, and obviously the existence of GOD. I am always looking for books in which I can become completely absorbed in the action while concomitantly expanding my knowledge and introducing me to new ideas. Then it is an added treat if the author's phraseology is clever and his use of the language also resonates with me. This book accomplished all those things, so I strongly recommend it with three caveats. First, it should be read when you want to be challenged to think about ideas and concepts, not when you are simply looking for a fast paced thriller. Some of this stuff is complicated, and as the author recognizes he has to walk a fine line in making it both understandable and technically believable. Second, from other reviews it is obvious that this is somewhat of a departure from the author's previous efforts. The stylistic differences (less character development and more cutting edge philosophical inquiry) have clearly disappointed some of Iles' devoted readers. Therefore, discard any preconceptions that you may have regarding the author other than with regard to his obvious talent. Third, certain elements of the book dealing with religious inquiry may offend individuals with deeply held religious convictions that I would label as Christian Fundamentalism. It is difficult to do justice to the plot with a brief summary, but of course that won't keep me from making the attempt. The first person narrator for much of the story (alternating with third person descriptive narration) is Dr. David Tennant, a renowned M.D. and ethicist appointed by the President as the official representative of the White House with regard to the ethical implications of a supersecret scientific project in operation in North Carolina's Research Triangle. The project involves several Nobel Laureates in various disciplines attempting to create a supercomputer that would be an improvement upon the human brain. But the approach is unique and startling in its implications, and is a radical departure from previous attempts which have basically relied on raw speed, huge memory, and learning algorithms and fuzzy logic to create what is normally referred to as AI (artificial intelligence). Essentially, this project's to duplicate and improve upon an existing individuals and speed up evolution. Disturbing events increasingly occur, and when fellow scientist Andrew Fielding dies of what is officially reported to be a massive stroke, Tennant soon becomes convinced that Fielding was murdered. There is the complication that Tennant's only confidante is Dr. Rachel Weiss, his psychiatrist, who is very skeptical of his claims since he has been suffering apparently hallucinatory experiences which he believes are related to the project and she believes are related to the accidental death of his wife and young child. And this is just the backdrop to the story. The complications are numerous and there are many intriguing characters, several of whom are extreme caricatures for maximum dramatic effect. The book races toward two interrelated climaxes. First, the personal attempt of David and Rachel to avoid their pursuers as they attempt to unravel the dual mysteries of David's hallucinations (which eventually involves literally following IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GOD) and who is attempting to kill them. Second, can the project be stopped or redirected before a superior intelligence is created that may be able to subjugate mankind? (One subject of countless sci-fi fiction, from the earliest days of the genre to the present, has been the possibility that thinking machines may weaponize themselves.) So if you want to read a fast paced story, probably gain some new scientific knowledge, and ponder the same questions as the ancient philosophers about GOD, our existence, good and evil, and whether we can exist independent of our physical body, all in the light of current scientific knowledge, then you should enjoy this book. But, it not a book for everyone; I encourage you to read some negative reviews to balance my strong recommendation. Tucker Andersen
Rating: 
Summary: Could be so much better
Review: This is the most entertaining Iles book I've read. I literally could not stop turning the pages as he took me on a fantastic ride from the U.S. as seen through the eyes of the ultra-covert NSA, to the holy land in Israel, to a desert military installation I had no idea was so large. Generally I liked his ideas, and liked what he intended with them. But I think it was a mistake being so specific at the end. I don't want to spoil it here. But with this type of subject matter, leaving a little open to interpretation isn't a bad thing. Iles is a serviceable author who writes about a wide range of topics. I admire his ability to shift gears with each new book. But I think he could be so much better. His characters always say and do exactly what you wish you would say or do in the same situation, but not what you would really do. In this book, the world nears the brink of nuclear disaster, White House chiefs and generals are arguing, desperately trying to save America, and there is virtually no swearing in this book. Tennant and Weiss, the main character and his love interest, have discussions that are so devoid of realism that whatever real romance that might bloom between them is lost. The discovery of the laser tracking their escape vehicle was an accident, and you can have only so many lucky breaks before the reader wants to pick up the book and throw it against the wall. You can also see Iles earnestly trying to infuse the bad guys with unique demons and motivation, but so often he misses the mark. And why not allow some characters to be less than they could be, instead of always more? The U.S. President plays a minor role in this book, and there is a line that goes something like "the president was a lot smarter than the pundits gave him credit for." Why not let him be less smart? Let him bumble a little; maybe his chief of staff is the one who really runs the show. And if he is smarter than the pundits say, why don't I get to hear the pundits say something specific and then have the President surprise me. The way Iles writes it reads like a thinly-veiled vote of approval for the current President Bush. I really think Iles has the potential to be one of the best novelists of his generation. Even his worst writing is better than most thriller writers out there, and his best writing makes me turn pages in a frenzy. In many ways he seems like a combination of John Grisham and Steven King, which is a pretty good thing. But where he seems like 50/50 now, I would suggest 80/20 in favor of King. King shows, Grisham tells. Iles could be king.
Rating: 
Summary: A Four and a Half
Review: "Footprints of God" by Greg Iles is a perceptive and inventive novel that speculates on the possibilities when science and spirituality combine in a government project to develop the ultimate super computer. Project Trinity is established to devise a computer that will meld with the human mind and think exponentially faster than the human brain. Ethics Professor David Tenant has been appointed to oversee possible ethical issues---is man attempting to play God? Tenant recognizes the negative side effects that have afflicted the Trinity principles and wants a shut down, a Trinity colleague is murdered, Tenant narrowly escapes the same fate and the chase is on. The pursuit is led by a relentless, ruthless and savage female killer hired by the NSA. NSA wants nothing to interfere with the project. The good vs evil, cat and mouse, destiny vs chance tale is a well-executed suspense thriller as Tenant eludes his pursuers. The intricate plot, leading Tenant to the showdown with the "brain" of the computer is both troubling and believable---educating and entertaining. It is addictive reading.
Rating:
Summary: A Hybrid
Review: Greg Iles writes page turners and is successful at doing so. Here he has tried to incorporate religious and philosophical themes into his novels. Not a bad idea if it can be pulled off. Here it's only half-successful. This book may disappoint those who like intelligent philosophical novels as it does not really deliver on its premise and promise with any real depth. It may also disappoint those fans who read action novels for the pure entertainment value they offer as they may feel this book reads too slow for them. The plot? A mad computer that threatens the world. Fighting against a super-computer gone batty is not a new idea. Remember Hal in the movie 2001? But here it is presented with the details of cutting-edge science, which makes it interesting if not entirely fresh. There are other books out there that offer a blend of science and/or apocalyptic plots as well with more originality. Two very good ones that come to mind immediately are "Prey" by Michael Crichton and "Saint Jack and Toad" by the lesser known but excellent writer Philip Carraher, who offers, in his book, a more unique danger that might actually endanger the world in real life. What is unique in "The Footprints of God"is the idea of someone "reliving" the pain of Jesus (in visions). This offers the author a chance to develop religious themes of which he must personally hold a great interest. Iles writing on these themes will be stimulating to those readers who carry similar interests although I'm not sure how many will agree with his ideas. To keep the non-theologian turning the pages, the novel also has the usual"thriller" scenes: car chases, murderers trying to kill and narrow escapes, etc. All in all, a bit of an interesting hybrid that contains as much failure as success.
Rating:
Summary: This book blew me away...
Review: One can hardly fault Greg Iles for pushing his own personal envelop, and it seems that he has written a book that achieves the unlikely - he has created a new genre: techno-medical-psychological-spiritual-futuristic-military-thriller! This story goes beyond the depth of the authors who so obviously inspire Iles. In fact, this novel almost feels like it was written by a dream team comprised of Stephen King, Michael Crichton, Robin Cook, and Tom Clancy. I feel that the whole is definitely greater than the sum of its parts in this sense. I have read the other reviews, and it is true that there are a lot of plot twists and a BROAD range of fields are covered in the context of this story, but I found this to be a good thing. If one doesn't want intrigue and nail biting suspense/action, stay away from Greg Iles... As a librarian who reads all of the above-mentioned authors and more, I can say without a doubt that Mr. Iles' star continues to rise. Read this book, you will not regret it!
Rating:
Summary: Top-notch action disappoints in the end
Review: Iles' latest action-driven thriller opens with a classic line, "...if you're watching this tape, I'm dead." It closes in time-honored fashion too and in between the pages just fly by as the chase accelerates. Narrator David Tennant, M.D., ethicist on a secret government project to develop a supercomputer using the human brain as a template, never does finish his videotape. First, it's a FedEx delivery from a dead colleague, complete with anthrax scare, then it's a narcoleptic collapse in which he relives the sudden death of his friend, and finally it's a surprise visit from his new psychiatrist, Rachel Weiss, who doesn't know where he lives. And all this is just the first chapter. The pace picks up as Tennant tries to stop the project before he too is killed and the artificial-intelligence is activated. Iles, bestselling master of the thriller ("24 Hours," "Dead Sleep"), blasts off in crisis mode and pours on the speed. Tennant manages to fill in the back-story as he goes, accompanied now by the beautiful, enigmatic and possibly treacherous Weiss, who considers Tennant paranoid/delusional at a minimum. Project Trinity is near completion and its originator, the dying billionaire genius scientist, Peter Godin, wants to cheat death by loading his mind into the computer, creating an intelligence quantum leaps (literally - there's a quantum physics subplot that complicates the speculative possibilities) beyond the human. As National Security Operatives hunt Tennant with the latest military technology, and his narcoleptic visions become intense visions of Christ's last days, hair's breadth escapes and slippery twists keep the story buzzing, despite the cartoonish characters of the villains, particularly the security boss, a beautiful, scarred and oversexed killer with a daddy complex. The New Agey ending, though predictable, just about spoiled the whole thing for me, but other readers may enjoy the slightly offbeat speculation. High marks for Crichton-like pacing and plot, but disappointing characters and resolution. Still, it'll keep you up late reading, though you might throw the book at the wall when you're done.
Rating:
Summary: A Compelling Combination
Review: The Footprints of God has a combination of elements you rarely find in a single novel -- hard technology, political machinations, suspense, religion, philosophy. Greg Iles blends them very well, for an enjoyable, compelling read.
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