Truth Machine

Rating:
Summary: A fascinating glimpse at the next century!
Review: Being a long time computer scientist, "The Truth Machine" appealed to me on many levels. I had to remind myself that I was not reading a non-fiction history book. The topic, writing style and attention to detail caused me to stay awake all night and finish in one sitting.

Rating:
Summary: Definitely in my top five.
Review: This was one of the best books I have ever read. You look at current events nowadays, and it's amazing how similar to The Truth Machine they are. The only indescrepancy is that they seem to be happening faster. Would you rather have that extra martini or be safe from pocket nuclear devices? That is part of the theme of this book, that we might have to give up some privacy and pleasures for safety. I could go on for hours supporting most of the ideas in this book, but I don't wanna get carpal tunnel. Great book, James. I can't wait to read your next.

Rating:
Summary: Maybe the best book I've read all year.
Review: I loved this book! I read it quite a while ago (around when it came out), and I'm looking forward to the movie as well as any of Halperin's future novels. Any Truth Machine fans feel free to mail me. I noticed some people said there were story faults/oddities in the book. Well, have you ever read Fahrenheit 451 or 1984? Both of them are now revered classics, but obviously not everything in the book is going to happen, or is even likely to happen in quite a while. One thing you must keep in mind, the book does look over 50 years into the future, more than most writers dare to go, and those that do usually write rather ridiculous stories about invasions of some sort. The only thing I didn't like was that there was no supervirus in the book. It didn't detract at all from a wonderful book, but if maybe around 2020 a supervirus outbreak which was stifled would have happened, the story might have been slightly more interesting. I'm kind of a sucker for medical thrillers, like The Andromeda Strain, Mount Dragon, and Replicator Run. This book was definitely in my top three of the year, perhaps even attaining number one status.

Rating:
Summary: A thought-provoking page-turner.
Review: This book was excellent. I believe Mr. Halperin accurately depicted the future based on known facts while writing a compelling story

Rating:
Summary: Truth be told: A thought-provoking read
Review: A wonderful, challenging first novel by a writer I suspect we will all be hearing from again...hopefully quite soon."The Truth Machine" works not only a wonderful read with rich characters and a stunningly simple plot-line, but as an interesting discussion piece on the nature on trust and the role that "the truth" brings to communication. Read this book, read this book, read this book!

Rating:
Summary: Great! Entertaining and thought provoking.
Review: I had to say something because this was a great book! The ending was somewhat predictable, but the chapters were short, realistic and exciting. I wanted to be a part of the group (in the story)

Rating:
Summary: Looking Forward to Truth Machine II
Review: I rarely read an entire book in one day like I read this one! Very interesting ideas being examined. Pete is wonderfully attractive as the main character. We need a sequel with more time devoted to society's acceptance of the "machine." What about those darker, more homicidal thoughts we all have

Rating:
Summary: Take those negative reviews to heart...
Review: I bought "The Truth Machine" on the basis of the majority of wonderful recommendations I read here; I am sad to report that I was sorely disappointed. Halperin comes up with an interesting concept but never develops it. I have never read such a one-sided piece of science/social fiction: the machine is presented as nothing less than the savior of society as we know it. Halperin neglects to explore the dark side of a truth machine, even when events in the story call its very legitimacy into question. Also, the essential question of privacy is dismissed in what seemed like a paragraph! While the book was overly long, the main characters suffer from a similar syndrome of being underdeveloped. The author wants us to admire David West, the gung-ho, wholesome co-hero, because of his moral behavior. But, this character acts this way in part because he anticipated the production of the "failsafe" lie detector. The ambiguities of "moral" behavior that is motivated out of the desire not to get caught are never addressed. Overall, this book contained an intriguing seed of a concept that failed to blossom. And yet it sounds like you'll be hearing more about "The Truth Machine": at the back of the novel is a survey asking you if which products (game, film, etc.) you'd like to see based on the book!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, thought-provoking entertainment
Review: I just finished reading the Truth Machine, and enjoyed it tremendously. I recommend the book to anyone who has not already read it. Although I have doubts about the possibility of such a machine being 100% foolproof, the possibilities for change in our society explored by the author are compelling. Just the possibility of being able to do away with the 'insanity defence' in violent crime trials would do much for justice. I also took the poll on the Website (http://www.truthmachine.com), and after looking at the results, I was amused to see the results: most respondents were in favor of truth machine testing for political candidates, professionals applying for licenses, and for criminal trials, situations that the average person would not find themselves in. However, when it came to whether employers should be allowed to use a truth machines during job interviews, the results were quite different! It seems most of us are in favor of a truth machine... for everyone else!

Rating:
Summary: You need to read this novel.
Review: I thought the book was excellent and I enjoyed it very much. I wish that the swift and sure crime bill were reality instead of fiction. I believe in the death penalty and I'm positive this would help our crime problem. I also think that world government is a great idea and eventually will become a reality. I think it would make a great movie. Who do you think should play Armstrong? How about Harrison Ford? Polls show that Americans trust him more than the current president! If you haven't read the book, you need to. It's important and provocative...I only wish that OJ Simpson could be put to the test...