Rating: 
Summary: A great read, similar to a Frank Herbert short story
Review: A great book which instantly reminded me of a short story by Frank Herbert ("Dune" series), called "Ceasefire". Both stories share a similar premise, contemplating the inevitable paradigmatic shift that will come with this (un)earth-shattering development. From Ceasefire: "War will never be eliminated, battles instead being fought with horse cavalry, swords, crossbows & lances...augmented with modern innovations; poison gases, curarae-tipped crossbow bolts, bacteria...espionage, poison gas, germ warfare - all of these become a necessity! Violence is a part of human life. The lust for power is a part of human life. As long as people want power badly enough, they'll use any means to get it-fair or foul! Peaceful or otherwise!" At the conclusion of Herbert's story, a general hands to the inventor of the new technology a book: "The next generation will need to understand this", it being a copy of the works of Niccolo Machiavelli!
The Clarke collaboration is a heated, thrilling tale well worth the money I spent on it. Thought-provoking, intelligent, the only downside for me was its excessive length. Give it a go!
Rating:
Summary: Clarke & Baxter at the top of their game
Review: A group of scientists given free reign to explore their heart's desires are attempting to devise a tractor beam when they accidentally stumble upon emission of a field that detonates all explosives. The story tracks the political intrigue surrounding a discovery that will rewrite modern warfare, and the scientific refinements that play into this intrigue. Eventually, the Trigger gives way to the Jammer, which renders explosives useless without detonating them. Everyone seems happy with the exception of military warhawks, and domestic militia and gun rights advocates, who scheme in various ways to blunt the spread of the devices. In the chilling conclusion, a further refinement to the technology gives the controller the ability to kill any creature whose DNA is on file.
The Good and the Bad:
This is perhaps the best Arthur C. Clarke book I've read, with the possible exception of 2001, and I'm only saying that because 2001 is so famous. Clarke's vision of the science and the potential cultural impacts is apparent throughout, and that is completely entertaining. He's also somehow successfully integrated a lot of social-benefit philosophical arguments into the dialogue without it appearing to be too contrived, and that is entertaining. The attention to detail when presenting the inner workings of the scientist's lab and, especially, the military, are entertaining. I suspect his writing partner had a lot to do with the humanity of the characters; unlike his previous novels, this one read like a mainstream political thriller, and things like a love story were handled with a professional touch so that they didn't intrude on the storyline. All of those things were so well done that the book was a joy to read.
The drawbacks, however, were all the more glaring in this context. The gun advocates are all shown to be crazy and delusional by the end of the novel, resorting to murder in the face of a losing battle (there is an exception to this, but it proves the rule). This seemed more jarring at the tail end of a lot of intellectual discussion about the issues of gun control. The book also kind of leaves us hanging. One of the thing I liked about "The Lights of Other Days" is that the book projected far enough into the future that you got a very clear grasp of the furthest-reaching impacts of society. This is lacking here.
What I learned:
The issues surrounding gun ownership remain muddied. A scientist who creates an invention of military significance has virtually no chance of keeping the government out of dictating its use.
Rating: 
Summary: For the politicos or lawyers...not for the sci-fi fan
Review: I'm in agreement with some of the other readers...spends way too much time describing politics and not enough with the technology. In addition, in trying to describe the sociological effects of this "trigger" device (which is used to explode munitions containing nitrates) the author seems to overlook the fact that humans have been killing each other with edged weapons for thousands of years. This kind of lapse makes the story rather laughable as this component is not offered to display effects the trigger has on societies. In addition, it is offensive to see the gun lobby portrayed the way it is in this book. This book is clearly anti-gun and anti-American in the way it portrays our government and our established laws. Mr. Clarke, quit lending your name to works that don't deserve it!
Rating: 
Summary: Superb !!
Review: If you're looking for Clarke-style sci-fi because Clarke's name is on it, you'll be disappointed. If you're a hardcore physics buff, you'll probably be disappointed as well (the science part of things in this book is quite wishy-washy). However, this book is as superb a social commentary as you'll read, and a thought-provoking piece on the nature of science and scientific discovery, although considerably less so than the social aspect.The basic premise is that a group of scientists accidentally discovers a way to disable all conventional explosives. Even though the gun lobby has been portrayed fairly negatively and the gun debate is a little lopsided as a result, people with an open mind and any intelligence whatsoever should be able to appreciate the brilliance of the way in which the debate has been presented and to see both sides of the coin equally well. It is a mind-expanding discussion indeed. Of course, because of the strongly political nature of the debate, your reaction to the book might vary from disgust to ecstasy, but it is nevertheless a great book. The ending is classic Clarke: brilliant and open-ended. And again very mind-expanding.
Rating:
Summary: An interesting idea...
Review: Personally, I found this book to be very thought-provoking. The views of our society and political system are interesting, and the science behind how the Trigger works was intriguing to me. I had never thought of the universe that way. Even though the book does get a little preachy at some parts, the message behind this book is a good one. Some of the gun advocates do come across as a bit overdone and maybe even a little villainous but it doesn't detract from the story, and you can still understand both sides of the argument. It also offers a somewhat bleak view of our future. While the idea of something that could render a gun useless is a reassuring one, its implications are a bit frightening. What could be next? All in all, I thought it was a good book.
Rating: 
Summary: Not One of Clarke's Better Efforts
Review: This book has some interesting what if situations, based on the invention of a device that triggers all weapons within a specified range. This invention virtually renders all conventional weapons (guns, bombs) useless. Where the book lacks is in character development and plot. Instead of writing this book, Clarke could have choose to write an political essay on the plusses and minuses of using the technology introduced in the story.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting...
Review: This collaberation between Clarke and Kube-McDowell takes a simple 'what if?' question and develops it in a logical manner to its eventual cyclical conclusion. In this case the 'what if?' is 'What if we were able to render all nitrate-based munitions impotent?' What would the global, political and social consequences be?
In 'Trigger' our authors seek to pursue this to its ultimate conclusion with a massive dose of cutting edge physics and mathematics thrown in along the way.
The story focuses on the Terabyte corporation, whose bright young spark, Dr Jeffrey Horton, experiences scientific serendipity one day and discovers that he has created a machine that destabilises any nitrate-based compound, effectively acting as a detonator. Not only that, it has a range that is dictated only by its power. Inevitably, the realization occurs that this can act as an invisible shield as all known munitions simply explode or decay on contact with the edge of the shield thus paving the way for a fiercely debated topic as to the constitutional legitimacy of effectively removing the second act of the US constitution.
Very quickly, Horton and his boss, Karl Brohier, decide to release the discovery to the US government and President Mark Breland authorizes the development of the Trigger, thus loosing all the inherent issues that come with it. Over the next few hundred pages we are treated to debate at the highest level, amongst all forums possible as to the constitutionality of the trigger, its global impact and the social upheaval that it brings. This debate in its various forms dominates most of the book, Senator Wilman and Senator Trent taking it to its personal conclusion.
As the politics and debate rage, the Trigger continues to be developed, version 2 giving some ability to control a 'beam' and then the discovery that a Jammer can be developed that takes the initial 'hammer' effect that the Trigger version 1 has and convert it to a tool that safely disables all munitions. This is based on the scientific realization that the universe is simply a set of information instructions that binds energy and that if you change the instructions you can change anything. In a lot of respects, it's the ultimate alchemical answer - lead can truly be turned to gold.
The book's lengthy conclusion has Horton being kidnapped by a group demanding to know how to shield themselves from the effects of the Trigger and his final rescue before the final logical scientific step is taken in the last pages when they realize that as DNA enables them to isolate any specific individual then any single person can be uniquely targeted for expiry. So, by the end, we have come full circle and discovered that the ability of universal alchemy not only gives the means to save lives, but also to take it away.
I found this an intriguing piece of science fiction from the acknowledged master of the genre and Clarke's co-authorship with Kube-McDowell is written in a manner that makes compulsive reading. Laced throughout with the necessary debate that such an invention would engender, this is another fine effort.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting...
Review: This collaberation between Clarke and Kube-McDowell takes a simple `what if?' question and develops it in a logical manner to its eventual cyclical conclusion. In this case the `what if?' is `What if we were able to render all nitrate-based munitions impotent?' What would the global, political and social consequences be?
In `Trigger' our authors seek to pursue this to its ultimate conclusion with a massive dose of cutting edge physics and mathematics thrown in along the way.
The story focuses on the Terabyte corporation, whose bright young spark, Dr Jeffrey Horton, experiences scientific serendipity one day and discovers that he has created a machine that destabilises any nitrate-based compound, effectively acting as a detonator. Not only that, it has a range that is dictated only by its power. Inevitably, the realization occurs that this can act as an invisible shield as all known munitions simply explode or decay on contact with the edge of the shield thus paving the way for a fiercely debated topic as to the constitutional legitimacy of effectively removing the second act of the US constitution.
Very quickly, Horton and his boss, Karl Brohier, decide to release the discovery to the US government and President Mark Breland authorizes the development of the Trigger, thus loosing all the inherent issues that come with it. Over the next few hundred pages we are treated to debate at the highest level, amongst all forums possible as to the constitutionality of the trigger, its global impact and the social upheaval that it brings. This debate in its various forms dominates most of the book, Senator Wilman and Senator Trent taking it to its personal conclusion.
As the politics and debate rage, the Trigger continues to be developed, version 2 giving some ability to control a `beam' and then the discovery that a Jammer can be developed that takes the initial `hammer' effect that the Trigger version 1 has and convert it to a tool that safely disables all munitions. This is based on the scientific realization that the universe is simply a set of information instructions that binds energy and that if you change the instructions you can change anything. In a lot of respects, it's the ultimate alchemical answer - lead can truly be turned to gold.
The book's lengthy conclusion has Horton being kidnapped by a group demanding to know how to shield themselves from the effects of the Trigger and his final rescue before the final logical scientific step is taken in the last pages when they realize that as DNA enables them to isolate any specific individual then any single person can be uniquely targeted for expiry. So, by the end, we have come full circle and discovered that the ability of universal alchemy not only gives the means to save lives, but also to take it away.
I found this an intriguing piece of science fiction from the acknowledged master of the genre and Clarke's co-authorship with Kube-McDowell is written in a manner that makes compulsive reading. Laced throughout with the necessary debate that such an invention would engender, this is another fine effort.
Rating:
Summary: Biased gun debate players won't like it but all else will
Review: This is a sensational masterpiece of fiction that has you asking questions as it goes along and wondering what if this were true? This analyses the gun debate from both sides of the story. If read with an open mind you'll get more out of this novel then if you read with a tunnel very pro gun or very anti gun vision. This is one of the greatest books ever written and is about twice the size of a normal novel so is extremely good value for money. If you want a work of fiction that debates the issue of society without guns while taking you along for a fast paced thrill ride from cover to cover then this is for you. Warning though, once you start you won't be able to put this masterpiece down so buy some blank tapes because you won't be watching TV for a while. Jeffrey Horton working for Terabyte Laboratories unwittingly invents a device that makes bullets and any other explosive devices explode when 'the trigger' is turned on thereby making guns or terrorist bombs useless in an area covered by the machine. At first this seems like the greatest invention in mankind's history with cowards no longer being able to use guns to rob, murder or even intimidate society. Not everyone however is pleased by this. Not only are there gun totting rednecks who think it is their constitutional right to have guns but the US army can see they will be at a disadvantage to more populous countries without being able to use bombs and guns. The Trigger asks the question will society really be better of without these sorts of weapons? Will Horton be able to manufacture and get his product out world wide before those who oppose it stop him? He soon realises his life will be short lived if he can't get develop, test and get this machine to everyone who needs it before it is too late. Sensational novel, just buy it!
Rating:
Summary: Biased gun debate players won't like it but all else will
Review: This is a sensational masterpiece of fiction that has you asking questions as it goes along and wondering what if this were true? This analyses the gun debate from both sides of the story. If read with an open mind you'll get more out of this novel then if you read with a tunnel very pro gun or very anti gun vision. This is one of the greatest books ever written and is about twice the size of a normal novel so is extremely good value for money. If you want a work of fiction that debates the issue of society without guns while taking you along for a fast paced thrill ride from cover to cover then this is for you. Warning though, once you start you won't be able to put this masterpiece down so buy some blank tapes because you won't be watching TV for a while. Jeffrey Horton working for Terabyte Laboratories unwittingly invents a device that makes bullets and any other explosive devices explode when 'the trigger' is turned on thereby making guns or terrorist bombs useless in an area covered by the machine. At first this seems like the greatest invention in mankind's history with cowards no longer being able to use guns to rob, murder or even intimidate society. Not everyone however is pleased by this. Not only are there gun totting rednecks who think it is their constitutional right to have guns but the US army can see they will be at a disadvantage to more populous countries without being able to use bombs and guns. The Trigger asks the question will society really be better of without these sorts of weapons? Will Horton be able to manufacture and get his product out world wide before those who oppose it stop him? He soon realises his life will be short lived if he can't get develop, test and get this machine to everyone who needs it before it is too late. Sensational novel, just buy it!
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