Truth Machine

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Summary: We NEED a truth machine.
Review: Part of my work takes me into courtrooms as an "Expert Witness", or as some states like to call us, "Opinion Witnesses". Some 'expert witnesses' with years of 'service' behind them - and retirement looming in the not to distant future, start accepting EVERY case that comes their way - meaning they must 'show' the jury how their client is fault free, and the other party is TOTALLY at fault. Listening to some of these 'experts' bend the truth to fit the situation makes those of us who would rather refuse a case rather than 'bend' some very basis principle sick to our stomachs. And, you can guess which group gets more work! It really is so much easier when you can bend the truth - BRING ON THE TRUTH MACHINE - NOW! --Jack Foultz

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Summary: FASCINATING AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING
Review: It is rare to find such a fascinating and thought provoking novel. I was engrossed throughout the entire novel. I believe it is one of the best books I have read in the last five years. I would definitely recommend this book because of the great discussions it could generate. Plus I believe this is a very important novel and I hope it will enjoy a wide popularity For every reason outlined in the book. A truth machine would allow us to stop hiding and hating and begin to learn to understand each other. A real truth machine could save our world. What other reason do we need? (I received an advanced readers copy from my place of employment, Page One Book Store in Albuquerque NM.) Russell Garcia

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Summary: THE TRUTH MACHINE CAN ALWAYS TELL IF ANY PERSON IS LYING.
Review: "The Truth Machine portrays a riveting dystopia/utopia; the book may well become a cult classic, if not more." --Howard Gardner, Harvard Professor and bestselling author of Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
"A fascinating look into the future; the ideas about health and longevity are truly ingenious. The Truth Machine is quite simply the most entertaining and thought-provoking novel I've read in years." --Larry North, Bestselling author and nationally syndicated fitness host, KRLD Radio & Prime Sports TV network.
"I loved The Truth Machine. Once I started the book, I couldn't put it down. Much, much better than the mindless fiction one reads." --Dr. Robert Sternberg, professor at Yale Dept. of Psychology, prolific author and widely quoted expert on intelligence research.
"Crime is our number one global national security threat, and The Truth Machine is the first piece of serious speculative fiction to tackle it head on. Not since Ayn Rand's The Fountainhead have we had a portrait of a great man that is as convincing and poignant as that of Pete Armstrong, whose life, sufferings, and achievements are simultaneously credible and moving. James Halperin has turned the future into a great read, projecting current trends about technology, business, government, and psychology into an utterly believable future. This is a novel to be discussed and debated by thoughtful readers for years to come." --Jonathan M. Winer, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Law Enforcement and Crime.

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Summary: Simultaneously fascinating, moving, and chilling.
Review: This new novel imagines a future in which a brain scanning device can distinguish perfectly between truth and falsehood. Although a mind boggling prospect, it's one I've been asked about repeatedly during recent months in response to a brain scanning study published by my colleagues and I that shows differences in brain activity during true and false recognition. Readers might find it fascinating to compare the current state of scientific research on brain scanning (summarized in Searching for Memory) with Halperin's evocative fictional depiction of the future possibilities. James Halperin has combined a visionary analysis of the future of brain imaging technologies with a compelling and deeply human story. The Truth Machine is simultaneously fascinating, moving, and chilling. Anyone interested in where society is heading should read this book. --Professor Daniel L. Schacter,Chairman, Department of Psychology, Harvard University

Rating:
Summary: Read this book!
Review: James Halperin has combined a visionary analysis of the future of brain imaging technologies with a compelling and deeply human story. This novel imagines a future in which a brain scanning device can distinguish perfectly between truth and falsehood. Although a mind boggling prospect, it's one I've been asked about repeatedly during recent months in response to a brain scanning study published by my colleagues and I that shows differences in brain activity during true and false recognition. Readers might find it fascinating to compare the current state of scientific research on brain scanning (summarized in Searching for Memory) with Halperin's evocative fictional depiction of the future possibilities. The Truth Machine is simultaneously fascinating, moving, and chilling. Anyone interested in where society is heading should read this book. --Professor Daniel L. Schacter, Chairman, Department of Psychology, Harvard University

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Summary: This novel will absolutely NOT bore you!
Review: Each chapter of this book begins with a series of "news clips" - some from the actual past, some from the potential future. The book is worth reading for those alone; they range from horrifying to hilarious. No doubt a good many of them spring from the author's research into futuristic studies. Like the novel's computer narrator, they weave a broadcloth background against which the events of the plot flicker like images on a movie screen. Randall Petersen Armstrong starts out as a genius without a cause. Now, the world tends to be cruel to smart people, so before long Randall racks up an awful lot of miserable memories, despite the best efforts of his loving parents. At twelve, he enters Harvard. There a professor invites him to attend "Theology as Social Science," a class renowned for its brilliant discussions. During the course, Randall decides to invent a Truth Machine (foolproof lie-detector). Devoting his entire life to the pursuit of Truth through the medium of technology, Randall largely ignores his social life, which consequently does not develop very well. As a side-effect of his search, he also invents a number of good and worthy programs and gadgets which improve the quality of life for many people. While this does wonders for his bank account and reputation, it doesn't do much to make him a more balanced person. Like many geniuses, Randall never learns how to judge people, and in the end this proves his downfall. Society never fails to exact a brutal penalty for the mortal sin of Not Fitting In. Randall's lack of judgment leads him from one disaster to another, each compounding the previous ones and setting the stage for the next. Through all this he manages to carry on a parody of a happy life. He also manages to save the world, probably several times over but at least once for certain, not quite by accident. This does not quite save him. The Truth Machine preserves the human race, but in the process it totally destroys its creator - like many of the best inventions. Even so, you need to read this book. It is brilliant and gripping fiction; you may disagree violently with some of the ideas presented, you may want to scream and throw it across the room, but you will not be able to ignore it. This book will shoot your suspension of disbelief in the foot, causing it to yelp and suspend itself in midair, where it will remain long after you have put the book down. You see, behind the fiction lies a disturbing amount of science: some people are actually working to invent a real live perfect Truth Machine in our world. So read this book, consider what happens to Randall Petersen Armstrong, and decide whether or not you agree with the author's premises. For my part, the conclusion of The Truth Machine made my skin crawl right under the bed. This is one gadget that I devoutly hope shall remain forever in the realm of science fiction. I trust that most highly-intelligent and nonconformist readers will share my reaction, so I don't feel that recommending the book will do any harm - and it truly is an excellent story. The characters leap off the page in stark, three-dimensional contrast to the background and each other: Randall stands out as a unique and vivid person. The plot lines slither and snarl and reach out to strangle unwary characters. The setting flows seamlessly from the past to the present to the projected future, and matches the characterization with consummate precision. Every question, every conflict hums with tension, the potential energy of fiction. The miracle of literature lies in the fine line dividing the good from the bad, the brilliant from the boring. The one thing a good book must not do is bore the reader. You can read a good book and love it. You can also read a good book, even a great book, and disagree with it violently, even detest it. You read a bad book, though, and you don't care one way or the other. You don't remember it a day later; you may not even finish it. The Truth Machine may delight you, or it may bother you as much as it bothered me (and just because it bothered me didn't keep me from enjoying the story), but it absolutely will not bore you.

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Summary: "The Truth Machine" best when posing questions.
Review: When "The Truth Machine" first began receiving rave reviews, I was pleased that a science-fiction work was garnering praise from audiences that might not traditionally have reviewed books from this genre. But then I pushed the praise aside and waited a few months before reading Halperin's first book for myself. Too often I find myself comparing my experiential reading to someone else's critical reading, often to the detriment of the work. But when I found myself wondering about what I was going to read next, "The Truth Machine" leaped out at me. And I must say that I am glad that I waited. I found the premise of "Truth" to be a bit simplistic; what would happen to society if everyone were compelled to tell the truth? It was a question that I have often pondered. And I thought that the resulting society that was created to be interesting, if a bit dull. The plot of the novel, which involves the creation of the machine and the desperate actions of its creator to avoid having the machine turned upon his own lies, was also interesting, although I wouldn't say that it was compelling, as most great pieces of science-fiction are. No, what I find compelling about Halperin's work are the questions that such a society would produce. Halperin rather casually deals with the question of truth. He doesn't answer or at least I didn't find a satisfactory answer for the subjective nature of truth. How can one who is shaped by a lifetime of subjective perceptions conform to a notion of objective truth? And, how could a society possibly cope with those questions that have no objective measurement of truth? Matters of faith, for example. Oh, Halperin assigns the spiritual health of the world to the Unitarians, but one cannot just wish away other religious leaders by presupposing that they are liars. Again, I was brought up by that niggling subjective truth perception. But while these questions would seem to indicate that I saw flaws with the book, I really enjoyed it simply because it prompted questions, and more importantly probably to Halperin and other futurists, it prompted conversations. I felt compelled to share with others the suggestions that were made in the story and my objections or reactions to them. I want Halperin to write more about this society, just so he can answer some of my questions. Like, if people are compelled to truthfulness, what happens to racism? I'm not sure that some racists would change their views just because they are exposed. And, if all is known about abusive behavior, as is postulated by the diagnostic abilities of the truth machine, what will that do to fashion? Literature? Theatre? And, .... Karen Turner

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Summary: Great story - meta theme should remind you of Ender's Game
Review: Both of Halperin's books that I've read (this and The first Immortal) are winners. Of the two, I probably prefer The Truth Machine. Is everything he describes in this book plausible? Probably not, but if you can suspend disbelief just a little, you should enjoy this.
The book centers around one man's invention of a perfect lie detector, eventually made so small and imperceptible that every person everywhere can always have on a wearable version. The overriding themes are the effects that not being able to lie have on society and humanity, with people eventually forgetting how to lie and never even thinking of lying as an option. A little farfetched? Maybe, but still a good story.
The story follows Pete from his youth through adulthood, and his development of the truth machine. More important than the societal effects of not being able to lie, and what really makes this novel great, are the themes dealing with Pete's lie, the age old debate of ends justifying the means, and the question of punishment. In these respects, it bears striking resemblance to Card's "Ender's Game" (one of the top sci fi books of all time). Halperin did a great job of dealing with some of the same questions Card addressed but in a different and original setting.

Rating:
Summary: Surprise!!
Review: A very good read! I picked this book up knowing nothing about the author or the premise and subsequently, had trouble putting it down. I highly recommend it for one and all. While it probably falls in the science fiction category it's appeal transcends. I am not a big sci-fi reader but it ranks as one of my all-time favorites.



Rating:
Summary: Mankind's future?
Review: James Halperin's impressive vision of the future "The Truth Machine" is structured in an unusual format. It is primarily narrated by a computer, the Intel 22g CP-TLMos. This thought provoking novel is a treatise on world history commencing in 1991 until 2052 as seen through the eyes of 2 main characters, Randall "Pete" Petersen Armstrong and David West. Each chapter begins with a brief review of current events which signal a world which is becoming more uncontrolled and vicious.

West and Armstrong forge a close lifetime friendship which initiates as roommates at Harvard University. West a handsome, cerebral Texas schoolboy was a star athlete. He was noticed and sponsored for admission to Harvard by the CEO of a large electronics firm. Armstrong gained admittance as an unparalleled 12 year old genius with total recall. As a result of the tragic killing of Pete's younger brother Leonard, an association began with a sympathetic FBI agent, Marjorie Ann Tilly. Pete, a computer whiz, helped Tilly design some revolutionary software for the FBI. It soon became apparent that Pete's high level of intelligence and aptitude in computer software design was unsurpassed even at his tender age.

As both West and Armstrong's reputations grew in college, they were both invited to take the celebrated Professor Gaddis' Theology as Social Science course which was by invitation only. Gaddis encouraged only the finest student minds on campus to discuss world events. In 2003 the level of violence in the world had reached epic proportions. A Swift and Sure Crime Bill is proposed. It will allow a fair trial for violent crimes and one quick appeal followed by immediate execution. The students of the class proposed the creation of a truth machine which would be 100 percent accurate in detecting lies to enforce laws and keep mankind from ultimately destroying itself. Pete Armstrong actually believed that with his software design accumen, he can make it's construction a reality within 20 years.

The book proceeds mostly focusing on Armstrong's formation of the ATI Corporation, which while focusing on the evolution of the Truth Machine, developes an extensive array for software designed for the betterment of the world. ATI becomes the world's most profitable company and Armstrong the richest man in human history. With West, now a lawyer who has entered the political arena, at his side, they are among the most powerful men on the planet.

While building the Truth Machine, unpredictable circumstances force Pete Armstrong, the only human capable of bypassing the scrutiny of the machine, to perpetrate a fraud. This would be kept hidden for 25 years. When it finally became revealed, Pete would face judgement as the novel concludes.

Halperin raises many perplexing issues as he formulates his perception of the future. His well conceived solutions are both sensible and noteworthy. In fact, a truth machine might represent our ultimate salvation.