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Blasphemy Paperback – 4 Dec 2009

3.8 out of 5 stars 20 customer reviews

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Product details

  • Paperback: 555 pages
  • Publisher: Pan (4 Dec. 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 033044865X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0330448659
  • Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 3.4 x 17.7 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 870,558 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Product Description

Review

Praise for "Blasphemy": "This baby roars... the pages simply fly."--"Publishers Weekly"
"Highly recommended... Preston joins Michael Crichton as a master of suspenseful novels that tackle controversial issues in the realm of science."--"Library Journal"
"An unusually alarming and thoughtful thriller... Clever and terrifying."--"Kirkus" "A superb read! "Blasphemy" is both thoughtful and flat-out entertainment--a page-turning thriller about science and religion in which good and evil collide at the speed of light. You'll be up all night with this book."--Jeffery Deaver, "New York Times "bestselling author of "The Sleeping Doll"

"Science versus religion--the ultimate crunch. Douglas Preston has written The Novel of the Year, an extraordinary, unique, fascinating, wildly imaginative mix of thriller, satire, Sci Fi, and every other genre in the book. "Blasphemy"--you're going to love it."--Stephen Coonts, "New York Times" bestselling author of "The Assassin"

"Terrifyingly realistic. An electrifying page turner. Preston at his very best."--Nancy Taylor Rosenberg, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Revenge of Innocents""With "Blasphemy," Douglas Preston has finally gone too far. One way or another, I'm afraid he may burn for this book."--Lincoln Child, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Deep Storm" ""Blasphemy" takes the latest theories of physics and pits them against the ancient religious beliefs that they now threaten, in an explosive, hell-bent and finally deeply moving book that I doubt I will ever forget. It literally made me pace as I contemplated the ideas that crackle through these pages, and it gave me pause as I realized that the physics here is so close toreality that the face of God that appears in this book may soon be, in real life, before us all."--Whitley Strieber, "New York Times" bestselling author of "2012: The War For Souls" "In "Blasphemy," Preston rips the toga off God, and what remains is simply the answer to the most profound question of human existence...why are we here? A stunningly great read."--W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear, "USA Today" bestselling authors of "People of the Nightland" and the novels of North America's Forgotten Past

""Blasphemy" is one hell of a good book. I couldn't stop reading, and at the end I had to force myself to slow down!"--David Hagberg, winner of three American Mystery Awards and "USA Today" bestselling author of "Dance With the Dragon"

"Preston has taken a fascinating concept and implemented it brilliantly. It's one of those books you think and talk about after you've finished it. I loved the characters. Even the sleazy ones were well-done. Science meets religion with a side order of politics. The mixture is explosive!"--Larry Bond, "New York Times "bestselling author of "Dangerous Ground""Can science discover God? "Blasphemy "is a stunningly ambitious novel that lives up to its goals. The theme is nothing less than the question: Is science the new religion?"--Barbara D'Amato, Edgar Award Winner and author of "Death of a Thousand Cuts"

Praise for "Blasphemy":  "This baby roars... the pages simply fly."--"Publishers Weekly"
"Highly recommended... Preston joins Michael Crichton as a master of suspenseful novels that tackle controversial issues in the realm of science."--"Library Journal"
"An unusually alarming and thoughtful thriller... Clever and terrifying."--"Kirkus" “A superb read! "Blasphemy" is both thoughtful and flat-out entertainment--a page-turning thriller about science and religion in which good and evil collide at the speed of light. You'll be up all night with this book.”--Jeffery Deaver, "New York Times "bestselling author of "The Sleeping Doll"

"Science versus religion--the ultimate crunch.  Douglas Preston has written The Novel of the Year, an extraordinary, unique, fascinating, wildly imaginative mix of thriller, satire, Sci Fi, and every other genre in the book.  "Blasphemy"--you're going to love it."—Stephen Coonts, "New York Times"

Praise for "Blasphemy" "This baby roars... the pages simply fly."--"Publishers Weekly"
"Highly recommended... Preston joins Michael Crichton as a master of suspenseful novels that tackle controversial issues in the realm of science."--"Library Journal"
"An unusually alarming and thoughtful thriller... Clever and terrifying."--"Kirkus" "A superb read! "Blasphemy" is both thoughtful and flat-out entertainment--a page-turning thriller about science and religion in which good and evil collide at the speed of light. You'll be up all night with this book."--Jeffery Deaver, "New York Times "bestselling author of "The Sleeping Doll"

"Science versus religion--the ultimate crunch. Douglas Preston has written The Novel of the Year, an extraordinary, unique, fascinating, wildly imaginative mix of thriller, satire, Sci Fi, and every other genre in the book. "Blasphemy"--you're going to love it."--Stephen Coonts, "New York Times" bestselling author of "The Assassin"

"Terrifyingly realistic. An electrifying page turner. Preston at his very best."--Nancy Taylor Rosenberg, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Revenge of Innocents""With "Blasphemy," Douglas Preston has finally gone too far. One way or another, I'm afraid he may burn for this book."--Lincoln Child, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Deep Storm" ""Blasphemy" takes the latest theories of physics and pits them against the ancient religious beliefs that they now threaten, in an explosive, hell-bent and finally deeply moving book that I doubt I will ever forget. It literally made me pace as I contemplated the ideas that crackle through these pages, and it gave me pause as I realized that the physics here is so close to reality that the face of God that appears in this book may soon be, in real life, before us all."--Whitley Strieber, "New York Times" bestselling author of "2012: The War For Souls" "In "Blasphemy, " Preston rips the toga off God, and what remains is simply the answer to the most profound question of human existence...why are we here? A stunningly great read."--W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear, "USA Today" bestselling authors of "People of the Nightland" and the novels of North America's Forgotten Past

""Blasphemy" is one hell of a good book. I couldn't stop reading, and at the end I had to force myself to slow down!"--David Hagberg, winner of three American Mystery Awards and "USA Today" bestselling author of "Dance With the Dragon"

"Preston has taken a fascinating concept and implemented it brilliantly. It's one of those books you think and talk about after you've finished it. I loved the characters. Even the sleazy ones were well-done. Science meets religion with a side order of politics. The mixture is explosive!"--Larry Bond, "New York Times "bestselling author of "Dangerous Ground""Can science discover God? "Blasphemy "is a stunningly ambitious novel that lives up to its goals. The theme is nothing less than the question: Is science the new religion?"--Barbara D'Amato, Edgar Award Winner and author of "Death of a Thousand Cuts"

"This baby roars... the pages simply fly."--"Publishers Weekly"
"Highly recommended... Preston joins Michael Crichton as a master of suspenseful novels that tackle controversial issues in the realm of science."--"Library Journal"
"An unusually alarming and thoughtful thriller... Clever and terrifying."--"Kirkus" "A superb read! "Blasphemy" is both thoughtful and flat-out entertainment--a page-turning thriller about science and religion in which good and evil collide at the speed of light. You'll be up all night with this book."--Jeffery Deaver, "New York Times "bestselling author of "The Sleeping Doll"

"Science versus religion--the ultimate crunch. Douglas Preston has written The Novel of the Year, an extraordinary, unique, fascinating, wildly imaginative mix of thriller, satire, Sci Fi, and every other genre in the book. "Blasphemy"--you're going to love it."--Stephen Coonts, "New York Times" bestselling author of "The Assassin"

"Terrifyingly realistic. An electrifying page turner. Preston at his very best."--Nancy Taylor Rosenberg, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Revenge of Innocents""With "Blasphemy," Douglas Preston has finally gone too far. One way or another, I'm afraid he may burn for this book."--Lincoln Child, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Deep Storm" ""Blasphemy" takes the latest theories of physics and pits them against the ancient religious beliefs that they now threaten, in an explosive, hell-bent and finally deeply moving book that I doubt I will ever forget. It literally made me pace as I contemplated the ideas that crackle through these pages, and it gave me pause as I realized that the physics here is so close to reality that the face of God that appears in this book may soon be, in real life, before us all."--Whitley Strieber, "New York Times" bestselling author of "2012: The War For Souls" "In "Blasphemy, " Preston rips the toga off God, and what remains is simply the answer to the most profound question of human existence...why are we here? A stunningly great read."--W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear, "USA Today" bestselling authors of "People of the Nightland" and the novels of North America's Forgotten Past

""Blasphemy" is one hell of a good book. I couldn't stop reading, and at the end I had to force myself to slow down!"--David Hagberg, winner of three American Mystery Awards and "USA Today" bestselling author of "Dance With the Dragon"

"Preston has taken a fascinating concept and implemented it brilliantly. It's one of those books you think and talk about after you've finished it. I loved the characters. Even the sleazy ones were well-done. Science meets religion with a side order of politics. The mixture is explosive!"--Larry Bond, "New York Times "bestselling author of "Dangerous Ground"

"Can science discover God? "Blasphemy "is a stunningly ambitious novel that lives up to its goals. The theme is nothing less than the question: Is science the new religion?"--Barbara D'Amato, Edgar Award Winner and author of "Death of a Thousand Cuts"

This baby roars... the pages simply fly. "Publishers Weekly"

Highly recommended... Preston joins Michael Crichton as a master of suspenseful novels that tackle controversial issues in the realm of science. "Library Journal"

An unusually alarming and thoughtful thriller... Clever and terrifying. "Kirkus"

A superb read! "Blasphemy" is both thoughtful and flat-out entertainment--a page-turning thriller about science and religion in which good and evil collide at the speed of light. You'll be up all night with this book. "Jeffery Deaver, New York Times bestselling author of The Sleeping Doll"

Science versus religion--the ultimate crunch. Douglas Preston has written The Novel of the Year, an extraordinary, unique, fascinating, wildly imaginative mix of thriller, satire, Sci Fi, and every other genre in the book. "Blasphemy"--you're going to love it. "Stephen Coonts, New York Times bestselling author of The Assassin"

Terrifyingly realistic. An electrifying page turner. Preston at his very best. "Nancy Taylor Rosenberg, New York Times bestselling author of Revenge of Innocents"

With "Blasphemy," Douglas Preston has finally gone too far. One way or another, I'm afraid he may burn for this book. "Lincoln Child, New York Times bestselling author of Deep Storm"

"Blasphemy" takes the latest theories of physics and pits them against the ancient religious beliefs that they now threaten, in an explosive, hell-bent and finally deeply moving book that I doubt I will ever forget. It literally made me pace as I contemplated the ideas that crackle through these pages, and it gave me pause as I realized that the physics here is so close to reality that the face of God that appears in this book may soon be, in real life, before us all. "Whitley Strieber, New York Times bestselling author of 2012: The War For Souls"

In "Blasphemy, " Preston rips the toga off God, and what remains is simply the answer to the most profound question of human existence...why are we here? A stunningly great read. "W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear, USA Today bestselling authors of People of the Nightland and the novels of North America's Forgotten Past"

"Blasphemy" is one hell of a good book. I couldn't stop reading, and at the end I had to force myself to slow down! "David Hagberg, winner of three American Mystery Awards and USA Today bestselling author of Dance With the Dragon"

Preston has taken a fascinating concept and implemented it brilliantly. It's one of those books you think and talk about after you've finished it. I loved the characters. Even the sleazy ones were well-done. Science meets religion with a side order of politics. The mixture is explosive! "Larry Bond, New York Times bestselling author of Dangerous Ground"

Can science discover God? "Blasphemy "is a stunningly ambitious novel that lives up to its goals. The theme is nothing less than the question: Is science the new religion? "Barbara D'Amato, Edgar Award Winner and author of Death of a Thousand Cuts"" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description

The bestselling author of THE CODEX returns with another fast-paced electrifying page turner - Douglas Preston at his best --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Customer Reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars
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Top Customer Reviews

Format: Mass Market Paperback
This is a good yarn. You have to suspend disbelief and 'just go with it'. If you can do that, and you like thriller type books with a scientific and religious twist you will just find it enjoyable.
A group of scientists have built a massive supercollider (atom smasher) underground in the middle of the Arizona desert which by accelerating atomic particles close to the speed of light and smashing them together (they are trying to do this at CERN, Switzerland in real life) are creating conditions similar to those at the Big Bang which created our Universe. They are on the frontiers of science investigation and have the chance to 'look into the eyes of God'.
They find an amazing secret that they try to hide from the Authorities whilst they investigate further and ex CIA man Wyman Ford is sent in (ostensibly to liaise with the locals -Navajo Indians- who are unhappy and unsettled by the whole thing), but actually to find out what is going on. Of course, to add some sexual chemistry, one of the scientists just happens to be Ford's ex lover (huge coincidence I know, but just go with it).
Pretty soon a group of religious fundamentalists springs up and they see the scientists as Antichrist blasphemers who, by probing the 'beginning of the Universe' are denying God's existence and questionning all they have come to accept about God, religion and mankinds place in the cosmos.

Anyway, a tense thriller follows, with Politicians trying to find out what is going on, religious nutters who take up arms, locals who are protesting, scientists who lock down the facility to probe their amazing secret and our hero guy, Wyman Ford who is in the midst of it all.
It could be argued that what the book is missing is good characterisation and that the whole premise is a bit far-fetched.
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By NeuroSplicer TOP 500 REVIEWER on 26 Sept. 2009
Format: Hardcover
Writing is a lonely endeavor, yet Preston is one of those rare writers who thrive in collaboration but straggle when writing alone. When writing in tandem with Lincoln Child more often than not lightening strikes (THE RELIC, THE RELIQUARY, THE ICE LIMIT to name a few). In contrast, his previous solo efforts (THE CODEX, TYRANNOSAUR CANYON) fall just short of their mark. BLASPHEMY goes a bit further.

Isabella is the supercollider that American particle and high-energy physicists dreamed about (but congress killed in 1993). In this novel it is actually built, not in Texas but in Arizona. In an abandoned coal mine, under a Native American burial grounds. And if these were not ominous enough, when it is run at full power, all heavens seem to break loose.

Navajo medicine men and frothing tele-evangelists; a lonely pastor driven over the edge and a cynic ex-monk turned deniable-PI for the government; a president risking riots only to protect his legacy and a Nobel-prize winner scientist with a severe Messianic fixation. The science may be half-baked and the characters underdeveloped and monochromatic but the story will keep you turning pages well into the night.

A particle beam worth a ride.

RECOMMENDED.
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By C. Green TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on 17 July 2008
Format: Hardcover
On thing you can never accuse Douglas Preston of is writing books that lack ideas. As with his previous works such as Tyranosaur Canyon or the novels he writes with Lincoln Child, Blasphemy weaves a large number of pretty complex concepts, issues and and ideas into an accessible techno-thriller. In this specific case its concepts such as the nature of faith, issues such as the place of science and religion in modern western society and ideas such as how humankind would react when faced with possibility of direct communication with God.

All of which should make for a read that is both facinating and exciting. Unfortunately as a book Blasphemy doesn't really work. It nothing do with the writing style or the central concept of the book per se. The prose is good, dialogue feels real and the structure is sound. Preston is too experienced an author to produce a badly written novel.

The flaws, and to my mind they are pretty big ones, are the characters on display and the events that they cause to unfold as the story progresses. Put simply I found that I could not believe that the characters on display would a.) be placed in the positions they were given, b.) would react to events the way they did or c.) that events would spiral out of control in the fashion that they do.

Without giving away the plot Blasphemy relies far too much on hapenstance, coincidence and irrational human behaviours for it to really be believable. It feels as if the author has crafted people and events purely to service the ideas and issues he wishes to address, rather than creating an organic plot that develops naturally and feels believable. Blasphemy is like a functional, precise machine; it does what it is designed to do, but it lacks real emotion and soul in the way it does it.
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Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
The plot is outlined above so there is no need to get into details. The book presents some really contraversial thinking (hence th title), I am sure that anyone with serious religious convictions may even be offended by this book - but, IT IS FICTION, people take life too seriously!

The book flowed well and gave some insight into the current navajo way of life and the contributions that the navajo people have brought to the past (navajo whisperers in WW II). It is, as another reviewer put it, a very "good yarn". Keeps pace all the way through and has a good ending. Well thought out and enjoyable - give it a chance, read it! Blasphemy
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