The Labyrinth Key [Paperback]

In "The Labyrinth Key", Dr. Hendrix traces the idea of an informational universe back to the medieval Cabalists who, in their quest to understand God through the manipulation of numbers, may have stumbled upon the key that would allow man to actually become God. In their battle for informational superiority the U.S. and Chinese governments and their covert secret organizations, locked in a rapidly intensifying political and military confrontation, race to exploit these ideas in their attempt to create the ultimate informational weapon -- a quantum supercomputer, that could crack and control any information system, and therefore take total control of the planet. In this masterfully crafted tale that combines suspenseful whodunit mystery with medieval philosophy, speculative science, and the intrigue of international conspiracy, the disappearance and presumed death of a top scientist leads investigators through a tangled web of technology, politics and philosophy to what might become the fulfillment of the dream of the ancient Cabalists, or perhaps their worst fears come true.

Unlike many of Hendrix's previous works, "Labyrinth" is set in a world of technology that seems close enough to happen today. Indeed, many of today's top theorists argue that the future of humanity lies in the fusion of human biology with informational technology, and some -- but by no means all -- even argue that such a fusion is not only possible, but even an absolutely necessary step for the survival of humanity. Modern philosophy of mind has become obsessed with the idea that the brain is some kind of computer, and it is only a matter of technological evolution before the brain can actually become a computer. However, others would say that human survival depends upon maintaining a barrier between what is essentially human and what is essentially machine; that the whole point of evolution (or creation, either way) was to insure that the human mind did not become an oversized calculator. This is the underlying conflict played out in "Labyrinth," with each point of view represented by its own secret society and covert government operations, each trying to outmaneuver the other for control of the world's information systems, and ultimately for the control of humanity itself. But what if the ancient Cabalists were right? What if such a biotech fusion were to grant access to the very fabric of reality itself? You will have to read "Labyrinth" and decide for yourself whether humanity's obsession with technology -- to the point of wanting to become that technology -- leads upward to a Heaven of unimaginable bliss, or straight down the gravity well of psychotic delusion to the Other Place.

Filled challenging ideas and a fast-moving plot with a number of surprising turns, "Labyrinth Key" is a multi-dimensional thriller that should please not only fans of science fiction, but those interested in the philosophical aspects of technology, and those who just like a good suspense story. It even includes a question and answer section at the end, in which the author explains many of the ideas developed in the story. If you want a fascinating read that will leave it up to you whether the "good guys" of the "bad guys" won in the end, you won't want to miss out on this one.