Rating: 
Summary: a fairly good yarn
Review: This is a pretty good novel, although it is not likely to become the classic (cult or otherwise) that some reviewers have ascribed to it. The author writes crisply and clearly, and some of his insights on future technological developments are intriguing. Character development is only average; the reader never develops a real understanding of what these characters are about. (For character development, compare the writings of Tom Clancy and Nelson DeMille) The underlying premise of the book struck me as seriously flawed. According to the book, by the year 2030, virtually all serious crime in the United States has been eradicated because of an infallible lie detector. Certainly, an infallible lie detector would go a long way toward making the existing criminal justice system more efficient. However, most serious crimes are never solved- the perpetrators are never caught. If you don't catch the bad guy, you can't strap him to the lie detector. There's no reason to assume this situation will improve by the year 2030
Rating: 
Summary: Strongly recommended.
Review: This is an absolutely awesome story. Halperin's perspective on the problems with society are right on target. The Truth Machine's "rectification" of these problems are presented in a realistic manner.
Rating:
Summary: I loved it!
Review: It was different -- fun, futuristic, yet realistic. Great concept, great execution.
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Summary: 'Truth Machine' Saves Humankind.
Review: Lately, pundits have written quite a bit about the decline of human morals. They write that people are greedy, selfish and basically unconcerned for their fellow humans. Yet, how much would this change if we had a machine capable of discerning when people were lying? Not like the current polygraph machine, which is so fallible its results are not allowed in a court of law. Rather, imagine a machine capable of revealing lies in all but the mentally insane. Author James L. Halperin takes this concept and weaves a story around it in his speculative novel, the truth machine. The book is set in the present and near future, taking the reader from 1991 to 2052, with the bulk of the action taking place after present day. Halperin takes the initial concept and throws in such believable ideas as a society so sick of crime that violent criminals are executed on repeat convictions. The death penalty procedure is sped up and streamlined so that executions take place in the thousands, rather than the painstaking process now in place. This carries overtones of today's three-strikes laws. The truth machine is developed by protagonist Randall Armstrong to help ensure that no innocent people are executed. But the machine ends up having far-reaching implications in society as a whole. The court system becomes transformed, as all individuals are truth tested in all cases. As such, attorneys become superfluous to the system and must find other work. Halperin is not taking a cheap shot at the legal profession here, noting that this benefits society as attorneys have always been among the brightest and best educated of the population, and can now bring those talents to other fields. Another ramification is that politicians are forced to be totally truthful with the electorate. Any candidate refusing to be truth tested virtually assures themselves a losing candidacy. Yet this is not merely a "wouldn't it be nice if..." book. The machine's inventor, Armstrong, is involved in two traumatic incidents -- one early in life, one later. The latter leads to cover- ups and complications resulting in a climactic courtroom drama in which the machine, as much as Armstrong, is on trial. The world has come to rely heavily on this machine and there is no easy verdict to be reached. Throughout the book, Halperin's tone is at times both optimistic and pessimistic. The optimism comes in the possibility that humankind can find a way out of the mess it has found its way into. The pessimism comes in the all too believable way in which humanity seems bent on driving itself to destruction; rampaging crime, terrorist nuclear attacks on civilian populations -- problems that either already exist or seem all too capable of occurring. Part of Halperin's credibility comes in his believable protagonist. Armstrong is a boy genius flawed by mental instability. Although he faces an antagonist in the story, his chief battle is with himself. Armstrong is a sophisticated protagonist; a combination of both light and darkness, with more good in him than evil. In a way, one might call this book science fiction, as it deals with scientific developments in the future. But speculative fiction seems to fit better. There are no space ships flying around, and the future is very near indeed. The Truth Machine makes for a very satisfying read and is highly recommended.
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Summary: The Most Underrated Book in America
Review: The Truth Machine is the most wide-spanning book available today. It addresses topics ranging from technology to world government to the nature of truth itself. In a book based completely in the near future, Halperin does a wonderful thing by explaining the future as a progression of modern trends. Everything that is said is completely believable and extremely plausible. Instead of the all-to-common sci-fi future of extragalactic travel, Halperin makes everything sound logical, by staying firmly grounded in reason and truth. The story, which centers around a several key characters shares the spotlight with many bold yet subtle messages. You cannot go without reading this book, especially if you are public official.
Rating:
Summary: Great! I could not put it down.
Review: It goes on my list of great books. The Truth Machine is what great science fiction/science fact is all about. The characters were well written and the story was told in a very interesting fashion. I say "Higher! Stronger! Faster!" to the author, James L. Halperin. I can't wait for his next book!!! :)
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Summary: Inspiring.
Review: This is one of the best books I have read to date; in fact, the first book I *literally* couldn't put down. Sadly, my academics suffered temporarily as a result, but I intend to make up for that in moral philosophy papers inspired by the Machine.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting
Review: Even disagreeing with the author's very optimistic and simplistic view of the future, when I finished reading this book, I considered it thought-provoking and recommended it to my friends. I admit I expected more from this book, maybe the author should have explored more the implications of the "truth machine" on individuals.
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Summary: Maybe Heinlein's heir-apparent?
Review: In many ways, this book reminded me of some of the works of the late, great Robert A. Heinlein. That, by the way, is the highest compliment I can possibly pay a work of Science Fiction. Like Heinlein, Mr. Halperin has done a terrific job of predicting a plausible, thought-provoking future, and has outlined a number of innovations (including the Truth Machine itself) which may actually come to pass. The use of news reports to give the reader the flavor of the time in which the book is set was one of Heinlein's favorite literary devices; Halperin uses it very effectively, too. One minor flaw in The Truth Machine that I would like to point out is that the political predictions in the novel failed to take into account the probable effects of the current takeover of the Republican party by the soi-disant "Christian Right." From the way Garry Roswell and Travis Hall are described in the novel, I suspect that they would be unwilling to pay even lip service to the irrationalist, authoritarian belief system espoused by the Christian Right, and thus would be incapable of winning a Republican presidential nomination in the current political environment. If Mr. Halperin is predicting that the Christian Right's influence will wane by 2004, I can only hope that he is right, but I suspect that such a prediction is excessively optimistic. To all who enjoyed this book, I recommend that, while you're waiting for Mr. Halperin's next novel, you might check out Heinlein or Spider Robinson. Deathkiller, in particular, deals with a concept similar to the truth machine, but even more radical. Feel free to send me comments.
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Summary: What a profound idea!
Review: This novel was recommended to me by my Daughter, a big Vonnegut fan who also recognizes my penchant for Science fiction novels. After reading it once, I am going to pass it on to some people who could really appreciate it; then, when I get it back, I am going to read it again! What I also appreciated was that there were some "tongue in cheek" tidbits, like the one with O J Simpson, the Tobacco Companies, etc. sprinkled around the book even though the book's main point was not one to laugh about. I guess there's a little of Pete Armstrong in all of us! And that's the truth!!
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