by Robert Mason
|
See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.
|
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Product Description
Review
A sort of goofy, sort of charming, completely obvious techno-thriller about an artificially intelligent robot sent to Nicaragua, who decides his mission against the Sandinistas is wrong and sides with a village full of colorful campesinos. A secret government military project, Solo, was designed as the perfect weapon. Modeled on a human to allow use of existing equipment, outfitted with massive strength, A.I., and programed with libraries of military information and strategy, Solo is the prototype for the ultimate American soldier. Against the advice of his developer and programer, however, the Army prematurely sends Solo into the field to be tested against a human target. The result: thinking for himself, and weighing the value of human life, Solo refuses to fight but deserts instead. Encountering the village of Las Cruzas, he befriends the peasants and helps them when they're attacked by contras. After the C.I.A. tracks Solo to Las Cruzas, they hold his friends hostage, but Solo outwits the Americans, saves the village, and escapes into the wilds of Nicaragua to study insects and commune with nature. With the exception of Solo himself, the characters here are from central casting - oafish general, arrogant C.I.A., brutish contras, noble peasants, etc. Solo's appealing, though. Mason (the nonfiction Chickenhawk, 1983) aimed for Frankenstein, glanced off Pinocchio, and hit Robocop. Meanwhile, the science is superficial and full of holes, sure to disappoint sf readers familiar with the robot subgenre (though Mason offers a compensatory afterword on A.I.), and the cliched plot has few surprises. Still, overall, this is pleasant enough entertainment - fluid and fast-moving with some good details. (Kirkus Reviews)
A sort of goofy, sort of charming, completely obvious techno-thriller about an artificially intelligent robot sent to Nicaragua, who decides his mission against the Sandinistas is wrong and sides with a village full of colorful campesinos. A secret government military project, Solo, was designed as the perfect weapon. Modeled on a human to allow use of existing equipment, outfitted with massive strength, A.I., and programed with libraries of military information and strategy, Solo is the prototype for the ultimate American soldier. Against the advice of his developer and programer, however, the Army prematurely sends Solo into the field to be tested against a human target. The result: thinking for himself, and weighing the value of human life, Solo refuses to fight but deserts instead. Encountering the village of Las Cruzas, he befriends the peasants and helps them when they're attacked by contras. After the C.I.A. tracks Solo to Las Cruzas, they hold his friends hostage, but Solo outwits the Americans, saves the village, and escapes into the wilds of Nicaragua to study insects and commune with nature. With the exception of Solo himself, the characters here are from central casting - oafish general, arrogant C.I.A., brutish contras, noble peasants, etc. Solo's appealing, though. Mason (the nonfiction Chickenhawk, 1983) aimed for Frankenstein, glanced off Pinocchio, and hit Robocop. Meanwhile, the science is superficial and full of holes, sure to disappoint sf readers familiar with the robot subgenre (though Mason offers a compensatory afterword on A.I.), and the cliched plot has few surprises. Still, overall, this is pleasant enough entertainment - fluid and fast-moving with some good details. (Kirkus Reviews)
Tag this product(What's this?)Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items. |
Customer Reviews
There are no customer reviews yet. Create your own review
| |||
Video reviews
|
 |
Customer Discussions
Beta (What's this?)|
This product's forum
(0 discussions)
Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Active discussions in related forums
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
Fun for Everyone |
More From Robert Mason
Chickenhawk by Robert Mason A stunning book about the right stuff in the wrong war. As a child...
Read more
|
Up to 53% off Braun Series Shavers |
Treat Someone
With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is). |
|||||||
| |||||
Your Recent History
(What's this?)|
You have no recently viewed items or searches.
After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session. |
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers
| ||||
Amazon Home | |
| International Sites: United States | Germany | France | Japan | Canada | China | |
| Business Programs: Sell on Amazon | Fulfilment by Amazon | Join Associates | Join Advantage | |
| Customer Service | Help | View Basket | Your Account | |
| About Amazon.co.uk | Careers at Amazon | |
| Conditions of Use & Sale | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates |