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Summary: Halperin writes with creativity and optimism
Review: Jim Halperin takes futurism to a new, very human level. He is nakedly honest in reconciling our science with ourselves, and reveals an optimism about the future that is refreshing. His Ayn Rand-like ability to step upon the page and philosophize without losing the thread shows clear thinking and an open mind. I heartily recommend this novel.
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Summary: Not your usual sci-fi
Review: Very thought provoking. Stimulating. He takes a questionable technology (cryonics) and explores its meanings and implications. More importantly, Halperin doesn't let the plot degrade into just another sci-fi story. ONE WORD OF CAUTION: If you are planning on reading "the Truth Machine" (his first novel) read that one first as "the first immortal" gives away part of the ending to the first book. Note: Its not a sequel but they share a timeline.
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Summary: Epic In Size & Scale! Halperin Triumphs Again!
Review: Absolutely amazing in terms of character depth, and plot. In deed a worthy follow-up to "The Truth Machine". The story is powerful, the science is astounding, and the feeling of anticipation is both intriguing, and frightening. The 'Users Manual' to anyone with hopes of being immortal. From an avid fan of Asimov and Clarke, I find myself anxiously awaiting Halperin's next work!
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Summary: This book hurt.
Review: Halperin is obviously trying to be the next Michael Crichton: taking a "hip & cool" topic, gathering bits of info to back it up, and then trying to build it into a novel by filling it with cardboard characters. I saw this in The Truth Machine, and The First Immortal confirmed it. I have no doubt that James Halperin could write a good story by concentrating on characterization; I'll just have to wait for it. Also, I crack up at the abundance of books out now which involve cryonics and nanotech in their plots. The way authors & scientists are talking about it, you'd think it already existed to the degree they say. My favorite - just because a method doesn't currently exist to reverse freezing damage to tissue, that is no reason not to put someone in deep-freeze right now. Just like everything else in cryonics, we're sure the cure will come SOMEday, we just have to wait. Yeah, right...
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Summary: Would be five stars, except the ending was too happy.
Review: great book ,interesting blend of past,present and future . my preference is for hard sci fi and was not disappointed .4.5 stars out of 5 . typical "american" ending though . must be american authors are afraid they cannot sell anything without a happy ending . better endings by r.sawyer or iain m banks . a longtime reader of any speculative fiction . derrek
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Summary: Engrossing
Review: I must say that I found 'The First Immortal' to also be disturbing. It's not that I didn't enjoy reading it. In fact I was engrossed. The science, absolutely fascinating!
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Summary: It's good science fiction.
Review: Since January, I have read about 30 SF novels and 30 SF short stories -- perhaps a pittance for some, but as a busy lawyer I'm pretty pleased with that total. Of all I've read, much of it by the best-known SF masters, The First Immortal was the one that left me thinking most profoundly. I do not mean to place it in league with Asimov and Clarke, nor am I qualified to say. I simply convey to you that I enjoyed the book while I was reading it, it made me think more than anything else I have read this year, and I look forward to reading more of Halperin's work.
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Summary: Pathetic
Review: I must admit that I hated the truth machine, this one is every bit as bad. Completely one dimensional characters populate this novel. Zero stars would be more appropriate, be careful of buying this book based only on the reviews here. You may get less than you bargain for.
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Summary: Thought provoking and inspiring. Cancel plans and read it.
Review: James L. Halperin's book is thought provoking and inspiring. The writing style and detail will pull you into a very possible future. His optimistic view will makes you happy to be born in this time where we may very well see this future approaching, if not experience it for ourselves.It has always been the case that great ideas start out as fiction until someone takes the steps to make them real. "The First Immortal" will be remembered as an important work that gave us a view of our future and acted as a catalyst to bring about change.
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Summary: I Need Your Help!
Review: In the first hardcover edition, I offered a bounty to each reader who was first to point out any scientific or factual inaccuracy that I subsequently corrected. The bounty, a scarce Ivy Press first edition of The Truth Machine, my first novel, was enough to attract hundreds of submissions. Fortunately for me, most were duplicates, but I did wind up awarding over two dozen books. Second-time readers will recognize changes in the text, and even a few new plot twists, some made to accommodate the science, others to improve the story. Of course the science itself is advancing daily, and if demand warrants, I'll gladly revise the story again. So I repeat my offer. If you notice any factual inaccuracies in the paperback, I hope you'll e-mail me, and possibly win a book. My goal for The First Immortal is to make it the most severely scrutinized -- and therefore, scientifically accurate -- novel ever written on our potential for biological immortality. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
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