The Turing Option (Questar Science Fiction)

Harrison, Harry; Minsky, Marvin

ISBN 10: 0446364967 / ISBN 13: 9780446364966

Published by Grand Central Publishing, 1993

About this Item

PUBLISHED BY WARNER BOOKS. COVER HAS READING CREASES ALONG SPINE WITH LIGHT SHELF WEAR. PAGES HAVE LIGHT WEAR. SCIENCE FICTION. 4.25'' X 7''. WE USE BUBBLE MAILERS.

Seller Inventory # 005936

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Turing Option (Questar Science Fiction)
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Publication Date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0446364967
• ISBN 13: 9780446364966
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Condition: Good
• Weight: 7 ounces
• Seller catalogs:
  • SCIENCE FICTION

About this title

Synopsis

After gunman storm his high-security laboratory and put a bullet in his head, Brian Delaney reconstructs himself with the nerve reprogramming techniques that he invented and sets out to regain the scientific knowledge he has lost. Reprint.

From Kirkus Reviews

Clich‚d, melodramatic, and thuddingly plotted--but, still, this novel by a Grand Old Man of sf and the world's leading expert on artificial intelligence contains some of the best extrapolation on the nature and creation of AI ever offered in fiction. In 2023, Brian Delaney, under contract to Megalobe, has just achieved a breakthrough in AI when someone engineers the theft of his research and murders all involved. Brian alone survives, but a bullet has destroyed much of his brain. Using Brian's own research, neurosurgeon Erin Snaresbrook grafts an advanced computer into his brain, reintegrating neural pathways, allowing access to memories to the age of 14. Brian learns to interface with the CPU, and downloaded databases become part of his memory. While the army keeps him a virtual prisoner for security and searches for the perps, the new, improved Brian creates a new, improved AI, named Sven. Meanwhile, a criminological AI named Dick Tracy begins to uncover clues to the raid and, once integrated with Sven, sports a new product--a robot gardener--that's programmed with Brian's AI code. Brian finds a clue to his would-be murderer's whereabouts in the programming and engineers his and Sven's escape. Travelling to his native Ireland, Brian then discovers that he can interface directly with Sven. Having found the criminal mastermind, he reveals Sven's existence to the world--and goes back to work a free man. While the authors offer a difficult and realistic resolution- -Brian's machine/mind interface makes him progressively less human- -they also remind us that it's the future with lines like: ``Nostalgia music played quietly in the background, ancient classics by the antique old-timers U2.'' -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.