Rating: 
Summary: A.I. - Absolutely Intriguing
Review: As far as I know this novel is the only collaboration between Harry Harrison and Marvin Minsky. And given the quality of this book I find that truly sad. Harrison is of course one of the most prolific writers in the field of Science fiction and Minsky is a scientist with MIT, working in the area of A.I., who is more used to writing scientific articles than fiction. The two together bring a great story to life in an extremely believable way.The "Turing Option" is set in the near future and concentrates on the experiences of a brilliant scientist who has just suffered a major brain trauma. His own cybernetic researches help doctors to bring him back to life and allow him to pursue his murderers. This pursuit leads him back to his research into artificial intelligence which it seems was the motivation behind the first attack. The plot and story telling, whilst top notch, are not what prompted me to include the book on this page. No, it was the A.I. or M.I. (Machine Intelligence), that I became fascinated with. As far as I am concerned, the concept of a robotic entity has never been explored so well as in this novel. (yes I have read all of Asimov's robot stories). If you are at all interested in this area of science, then this book must be read.
Rating:
Summary: Great! Easy way to be introduced to the society of mind
Review: Great book. I consumed it during a week in the middle of tax season (I'm a CPA). I have read the Society of Mind ("SOM") and this book provides a good intro to the concepts described in SOM (also a very good book, with many idea that mesh very well with what a person can observe in the development of their own children's intelligence).
I recommend both books. The novel is flawed with a lot of typos, but nothing that takes away from the read. Also, given its future setting, the $ amounts noted in the story are very low (even by today's standard).
Rating:
Summary: An excellent story and presents AI in an understandable form
Review: I have read a lot of science fiction, and I believe that this book tops the list for me. It was beautiful complex, knowledge permiated through this book, but most of all was if machines have a right to chose what OS they use, and I believe they say "I choose linux".
Rating:
Summary: the book was dynamite
Review: I have read a lot of science fiction, and I believe that this book tops the list for me. It was beautiful complex, knowledge permiated through this book, but most of all was if machines have a right to chose what OS they use, and I believe they say "I choose linux".
Rating: 
Summary: I didn't wait long enough...
Review: I own this book. If you open the cover and look inside it says "Christmas 1992. You better read this so I can borrow it." Thirteen years later I took this book off my shelf, dusted it off, and read it. All I can say is, I didn't wait long enough. This book could have been pretty good. I kept expecting a twist or surprise that never happened. It just kind of plodded along and then ended. Granted, technology has been chugging along so maybe some of it felt a little dated. But the characters just didn't engage me at all. I even enjoyed Prey more than this book (I think I even reviewed it here at Amazon) and that says a lot. I guess I'll put this back on my shelf with the other hardcovers. Or better yet, I'll mail it to my friend and force him to keep his promise and read it. Why should I suffer alone?
Rating: 
Summary: Too bad, it had potential
Review: I picked this one up at a second hand book shop -- Harry Harrison and Marvin Minsky? Wow, how could I go wrong! Unfortunately, the ideas are not backed up by very solid storywriting here. Very little characterization is used, and the interaction comes across as somewhat dull and empty. None of the characters seem much to act realistically to what happens to them, except possibly Shelly, and Brian's personality never seems consistent. As for the ideas, most are predictable and very straightforward extrapolations. The mecahnics of the AI is interesting, but comes across at times almost as textbook lecture, and many of the other more interesting ideas are left undeveloped. Well folks, this is just my comments. Personally, I was disappointed somewhat by the book, but didn't consider it a collossal waste, either. Your Mileage May Vary
Rating:
Summary: An excellent story and presents AI in an understandable form
Review: I was not really interested in reading a Sci-Fi book but when I turned to an arbitary page and read a few lines I was snared. This presented ideas and complex material in a manor that most anyone could enjoy. Being a Computer Science student working on my M.S. I found this to be interesting, exciting and not very predictable. I recommend this to anyone in computer related field that enjoys Sci-Fi writings. I like Clancy, but I loved Marvin Minsky. I am recomending this reading to all that I come in contact with. I obtained this book at the public library and must have it for my personal library.
Rating: 
Summary: THE TURING OPTION IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK
Review: MARVIN MINSKY MANAGED TO DISTILLATE VERY INTERESTING CONCEPTS ABOUT AI.
ALTHOUGH THERE WERE MANY TYPOGRAPHIC ERRORS IN THIS EDITION,
IT REMAINS READABLE...
I ENJOYED READING IT AND LOOK FOR THE SECOND VOLUME WHERE WE WILL PROBABLY LEARN HOW HORMONS INTERACT WITH CONSCIOUS DECISIONS.
I WAS AS ADDICT TO MY BOOK DURING 5 DAYS AS WHEN READING THE LAST FROM DAN SIMMONS.
Rating: 
Summary: Too much Harry Harrison, not enough Marvin Minsky
Review: This book had tremendous potential. Think of it - a fictional depiction of true artificial intelligence guided by one of the leading workers in the field, Minsky. Unfortunately, Harrison has a way of focusing on the evils of big government and the military. That along with a writing style which makes the gadgetry the central theme of the book - seemingly a trademark of Harrison - with the characters, tragically including the AI, just rather shallow bit players, seriously flawed my enjoyment of the story. I would really have liked a bit more insight into the world view of the AI and less excitement over it's supporting widgits. After all, widgits don't make a story, and they will likely be obsolete in less than two years anyway. People are what make a story, whether they're machines or the old fashioned kind
Rating:
Summary: Too much Harry Harrison, not enough Marvin Minsky
Review: This book had tremendous potential. Think of it - a fictional depiction of true artificial intelligence guided by one of the leading workers in the field, Minsky. Unfortunately, Harrison has a way of focusing on the evils of big government and the military. That along with a writing style which makes the gadgetry the central theme of the book - seemingly a trademark of Harrison - with the characters, tragically including the AI, just rather shallow bit players, seriously flawed my enjoyment of the story. I would really have liked a bit more insight into the world view of the AI and less excitement over it's supporting widgits. After all, widgits don't make a story, and they will likely be obsolete in less than two years anyway. People are what make a story, whether they're machines or the old fashioned kind
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