Rating: 
Summary: Nothing quite like it
Review: I picked this novel up in a yard sale when I was in my early teens. The cover showed a very intense-looking Ben Reich, with a truly strange-looking pistol in one hand, and behind him were a bunch of people who were thowing their clothes off in what appeared to be some kind of orgy. Interesting! When I turned the book over there was a picture of Bester, looking just like Mephistopheles. That was it; I was hooked. Good thing, too, because the novel was ten times better than the obviously great covers. This book has been enormously influential on all the science fiction that followed (along with Bester's even better novel, _The Stars My Destination_). Like _The Stars,_ it shows Bester's dazzling full-tilt style and his painstakingly thought-out worlds. Oh, were are the writers like him today?
Rating: 
Summary: A true sci-fi classic!
Review: Bester's "The Demolished Man" is a true classic of the sci-fi genre, and perhaps the first cyberpunk novel. Though it does appear dated at times, Bester's work remains as fun and powerful as when it was written fifty years ago. Threads of Bester's comic book roots can be seen woven throughout the story, which moves along at a brisk, almost frantic, pace.A near future world where a small minority has developed their latent ESP, Bester's world is a compelling mix of utopia and dystopia. The mind police have virtually eliminated crime, either by rooting it out beforehand, or by always catching their man after-the-fact. But this safety comes at a dear price, where the unenforcable promise of the ESPers is only guarantee of privacy that most have. However, Ben Reich, as head of a major corporate powerhouse, feels that he can outsmart the ESPers. Haunted in his dreams by a mysterious man, and driven by uncontrolled passions, Reich decides to eliminate his chief rival, D'Courtney. The murder sets off a brilliant battle of wits between Reich and the head investigator, Powell, which can only end in the "demolition" of Reich, or the total embarrassment of Powell. Who gets demolished? What IS "demolition"? Why would Reich risk so much to kill D'Courtney? With so many pressing questions, it was amazing to see Bester wrap this book up in such a fulfilling way. A great mystery with a clever ending, set in a compelling near future world - despite its age, "The Demolished Man" remains a standard-bearer of its field.
Rating:
Summary: A great "Columbo" episode set in 2301
Review: A hugely entertaining classic of science fiction. The book's central characters -- a wily, outwardly-respectable murderer and the detective trying to prove his guilt -- play a fascinating cat-and-mouse game, and one is often left cheering for the resourceful mouse. Mixed into the story is the notion that the detective is telepathic -- as are hundreds of thousands of other people. This oddity is handled with such skill as to seem almost conventional: Bester's world of "Espers" (ESP-ers) is carefully thought out and quite believable. Aside from a (very) few obsolete terms and some pop psychology reminiscent of the movie "Forbidden Planet," the novel wears its age well. No reader need fear its 1950s vintage. In addition, there is almost none of the tedious social commentary that so badly mars "The Stars My Destination," Bester's other well-known novel. For any fan of science fiction or detective stories, "The Demolished Man" is an intelligent treat.
Rating:
Summary: A classic, but dated...
Review: I first read this book 15 years ago as a teenager. Just reread it a few days ago. Demolished Man is cited as a masterpiece in various sources like D.Pringle's 100 best SF novels, B.Aldis's Trillion Year Spree and even the Reader's guide to SF. It is defintely a classic (although it pales next to Bester's "Stars My Destination"). The writing, pacing and plotting of the book still shine. However, the characterization and especically the psychology of the book are increasingly dated(and flawed). Bester was obviously a believer in Freudian psychology(as evidenced in some of his short stories like Oddy and Id)-nothing wrong with that-but to hang the crux of the story around it-is a fatal mistake. IMHO, the (unbelievable to me) motivation of Ben Reich, and all of the trappings of a society built around telepaty are just, well, quaint. Kinda reminds me of Dianetics-also, a 1950s SF product.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but not perfect
Review: I am not surprised to find many readers grant 5 stars to this book, because this book really gets some interesting ideas even it is written many years ago. However, I think the main background of this book is pretty native or superficial. This book described a future society where many people with certain super ability can make that society nearly perfect. I surely suspect that point. There is no technique can be used only for good or for bad. There is no reason to believe that bad guys like Church and Tate are so rare among the group of Esper. Also, the world is tender to balance. Whenever there is something new, should have something against it. Like new locks will inspire thieves to invent new break in techniques. The research of blocking peeping should be a very important topic if in a world with so many peepers. Therefore, the plan of Reich looks too simple and unbelievable.
Rating:
Summary: Thank you Amazon for spreading the word
Review: I would never have come across this masterpiece if it had not been for the sci-fi letter from amazon.com. This book is the Best beginning for the Hugo awards. The charecter development is rich and enticing, the interplay between the psy. cop and the demolished man is magnificent and Bester's imagination takes you where no one has gone before (without leaving the solar system). Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Yay, it's back in print!
Review: One of the most heart-wrenching moments in my life was when I gave my copy of "The Demolished Man" to a friend. But I loved it so much that I knew "letting it go to a good home" was the right thing to do. Ben Reich is one of the most memorable characters in all of SF. He's attractive, charming... and very, very devious. Lincoln Powell could be considered the hero of this novel. He's no Ben Reich -- but he's strong enough to hold his own. No mean feat. When I reread this one recently, I was surprised by the style. How could I have forgotten that funky, urban style? Bester's typographic tricks are at the best in "The Demolished Man." And you know an author is good when they name a major character after him on Babylon Five! Anne M. Marble Reviewer, All About Romance
Rating:
Summary: One of the best SF novels I've read recently
Review: I just finished reading this incredible book. I was a little apprehensive because it was written in the 1950's - not that the stories weren't good back then, but sometimes they are obviously dated and have that certain early sci-fi "feel". However, I was stunned to find that this book sounded as if it could have been written this year - except for a few things that dated it, e.g., use of the word "Negro." The subtlety and the complicated facets of this futuristic society were deftly woven in a very innovative manner which I would have associated more with modern SF. I really enjoyed the thriller/crime novel plot and disagree with the reviewer who felt it didn't seem like science fiction at points - if it felt that way, that's because of the skillfulness of the writing! The plot moved quickly and kept me entirely mesmerized (although because of the plot twists and some pretty complicated ideas I sometimes had to reread parts!). What might have improved the book or at least made it even more fascinating was further or clearer explication of Reich being "the type of man" who only comes every few centuries or so, who can "bend society to his own reality" - an interesting concept but only vaguely sketched. All in all, however, a really wonderful, intense tale which I highly recommend.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best Sci-Fi Classics
Review: If you are a real Sci-Fi fan, buy and read it
Rating:
Summary: Very good
Review: I liked this book very much, expecially its originality (considering when it has been written). I didn't give 5 stars because I've read "Childhood's end", from the same years, and I found it superb: I liked that one better. Some parts of TDM are also a little slow. Sometimes it sounded more like a pure crime story than sf. Anyway, it's a very interesting and fun read.
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