Book Reviews - Page 2
The Passage by Justin Cronin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A well written and fascinating take on the end of the world genre. Thrilling and full of great characters, it rarely sags. Some reviewers complained about certain aspects of the plot and they are right. Cronin uses the same tricks a little too often. If you think about it some of the scenes near the end border on the ridiculous. But the thing is that Cronin makes it all so fun to read that this issues wash right by. When I finished I was sad it was over and that's my favorite feeling when reading a book.
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Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker by Kevin D. Mitnick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A fun autobiography by the famous hacker Kevin Milnick. While he is a little to easy on himself at times he gives you enough information to make your own decisions about the moral implications of his activities. While not an evil evil person, Milnick suffered from an obsession for exploring other people's computers that bordered on insanity. It certainly cost him years in prison. It is a thrilling and often funny story and you can't help rooting for him. You don't have to be a computer person to enjoy this one.
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Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love the way Dean Koontz writes. He tosses in a little mystery here, humor there and of course horror. There is a reason that there are three sequels to this story of a the 20 year-old-fry cook you can't help loving. As always, Koontz is able to write a refreshingly cynacism free book in a genre that wallows in it.
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The Big Lie by Anthony Bianco
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It is difficult ro rate a book when you have very serious issues with it but still enjoy it. I give it a four in a way of saying if the subject interests you it is worth a read. I would give it a two on objectivity. The thing is, this book feels like it was written as a vindication of Pattie Dunn, the deposed former board chair of HP, who was a scapegoat (accourding to the book) in HP's highly publicized spygate scandal. HP used a series of unseemly investigative techniques in undercovering a leaker on the board. The problem is that in his attempt to defend Pattie Dunn the reader is left with the impression that she is either a likable fool or a pathological liar. I suspect she is a little of both. But in the lineup of sleazy egomaniacs that litter this story you eventually grab on to her as the closest thing to a normal person. You may even find yourself rooting for her. While set in a big Silicon Valley company this is not about tech. Thisis a book about board politics and corporate shenanigans. It starts leisurely but about halfway through it takes off. I enjoyed it and I reccommend it but I just wish Bianco had not so obviously taken a side.
