Nano

Rating:
Summary: Not a great book, but It'll make a good movie
Review: A previous reviewer noted, quite correctly, that the science in this book is over-the-top. That is without question true. There were also a number of scenes that work on paper, but really don't hold up well when you stop and think about them.

I am convinced that *almost* everything in the book *could* happen. It is highly unlikely that all of it will come to pass, although I strongly suspect at least some of it will. My biggest doubts, though, are twofold. First, I doubt that some things can reasonably happen (the way Marlow describes the nanomachines, for example, makes it unlikely that they could do some of the things he claims they could do), or at least in the way he says they do (such as creating a redwood tree in a few seconds). Second, I don't think that all the applications of nano would be discovered or unleashed "simultaneously," as the book requires.

This book is by no means perfect, and it does seem almost more a polemic than a novel. But at least it argues that this brave new world, even if perilous, is also one of nearly limitless potential. [If it had argued that nano is all bad, I'd probably have given it two stars.] Given how likely it is this technology will change the world in our lifetimes, I would recommend this book to just about anyone.

Rating:
Summary: Good sci-fi
Review: A slick and fast paced novel. Though this novel is strictly science fiction there are some interesting facts about nano-technology and its future applications. A captivating novel not to be taken too seriously (considering the author's doomsday outlook). Great entertainment.

Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Riveting!
Review: Being a huge fan of The Matrix films, I never EVER thought I'd say this--but I've just experienced something better: NANO, by John Robert Marlow. I guess that's why Vernor Vinge is quoted on the back cover saying, "Could make a spectacular movie. Wachowski brothers, watch out!" This is a great book, and could be the next big-screen blockbuster. If you liked The Matrix, you'll love Nano.

Rating:
Summary: action-packed thriller
Review: During a press conference an assassin kills multibillionaire Mitchell Swain just prior to his announcing some incredible technological-scientific breakthrough that allegedly would change humanity forever. Technology reporter Jennifer Rayne saw the murder first hand. She decides to investigate the murder and learn what Mitchell was about to reveal.

Jennifer's inquiries take her to a weird recluse, scientific inventor John Marrek, who quietly received funding for his projects from the dead Mitchell. However, others including the government follow the same clues that led Jennifer to John. These groups want the journalist dead and the recluse captured or dead, but his work stolen. However, John uses his invention, a self-replicating nanotechnologically based machine that destroys his foes on the molecular level. As John and Jennifer flee, the government follows because they want to use his invention as the ultimate weapon while he wants to help mankind.

Though the tale may seem to pre-Governor Schwarzenegger, fans will be hooked by this action-packed thriller that never slows down until the final confrontation. The characters except perhaps John are two dimensional, but no one will care as the story line is the key to this exciting tale. Surprisingly, within all the killings, John Robert Marlow provides an undercoating cautionary reminder (emphasized in an afterwards) on the pros and cons of nanotechnology. NANO just takes the reader on one heck of a fast-paced ride.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: NANO - a wake-up call to the world
Review: If you haven't read Nano by John Robert Marlow, I strongly encourage you to add it to your list-at the top. It is plausible, scientifically accurate, and timely.

While I certainly believe it will be the next blockbuster movie, more importantly this exceptional work is a wake-up call for those who do not yet understand the tremendous potential (good and bad) of advanced nanotech. Marlow understands both the science and the politics governing advanced technologies, and accurately depicts several near-future potentials of nanotechnology.

Where Michael Crichton uses extremely unlikely and largely debunked theories as the basis of his latest novel (Prey), Marlow uses simple extensions of known science. Nano is a plausible, fast-paced technothriller, and is destined to become one of the best of the best. While Crichton fans will love this book, don't mistake John Robert Marlow for Michael Crichton; Marlow employs cutting-edge technology in a believable manner, describing science within the bounds of the generally-accepted. While Nano is techno-fiction, it could one day be techno-fact. While simple, the characters are entirely believable, as is the characterization of the various government organizations.

Nano is crafted in such a way as to bring all the frightening potential of advanced nanotechnology to the mind's eye. I easily pictured the events as they transpired, and hung on every word and plot twist. Further, Marlow accurately details some of the ethics involved in the decisions we must begin making now, in order to minimize the potential downsides and maximize the benefits of nanotechnology.

Anyone who understands history will see that the politics he describes should be taken seriously. Anyone with even a modicum of understanding of nanoscale science and technology will rapidly come to the conclusion that this writer has done his homework. "Give me a lever and a place to stand, and I will move the earth," said Archimedes. Advanced nanotechnology is that lever, and Marlow's Nano describes the many ways in which it may be used.

From a "wake-up call" standpoint, this is the most important piece of fiction written to date.

Rating:
Summary: More a cautionary tale than a thriller
Review: It is quite difficult to review NANO. As the author clearly states, this is both a demonstration and a precautionary tale. It is what might be possible when nanotechnology reaches its potentially full fruition. The emphasis is, therefore, not on rich memorable characters but on way over the top science fiction like events. It is a relatively weak attempt at writing a competent thriller.
Jennifer Rayne, a journalist for a technological magazine, is a front row witness to the assassination of the world's richest man, Mitchell Swain, as he is about to announce to the world the development of a new technology which will alter the course of mankind and the universe itself. It appears that virtually nobody knows what Swain was about to say and Jen makes it her job to find out. She discovers that John Merrak worked closely with Swain and eventually finds him just as government agents do. She witnesses his resistance to arrest. Using nanoparticles, John manages to escape while the agents virtually disappear. So begins a wild journey as John and Jen fight off both the government and rogue agents anxious to be the first to harness the full power of nanotechnology. At stake is the universe itself.
Knowing full well his tale is way over the top, John Robert Marlow writes one of the longest afterwards I have read in quite some time in a fictional novel. He justifies his story as being well within the realm of possibility with future development of nanotechnology. Under the context of this information, the story is quite terrifying. However, in evaluating this book strictly as a thriller, it is quite lacking in both a plausible plot steeped in realism and fully defined characters. There is so much explanation in the book concerning the nanotechnology, that, at times, it reads like a scientific treatise and about as exciting. Even if nanotechnology is theoretically possible, it seems highly unlikely the events in this book will ever be even remotely possible.

Rating:
Summary: A Fairly Well-Written Book.
Review: Nano is a book on nanotechnology. Many might read the title, relate it to nanotech, and then discourage themselves from reading this book.

Starting out somewhat slow, the book doesn't explain much about nanotech. However, after at least the first chapter, Marlow picks up the pace and takes the reader on a rollercoaster ride.

This book explains the pros and cons of nanotech to the reader through fictious writing. I found that Marlow tends to be influent in his writing when he writes about the technological aspects of Nanotech. Even with this minor point, the book is still worth reading.

The plot is very exciting and intriguing, I only took 3 days to read this book and borrowed it from the library. However, I'm not sure if this is a book worth buying, I believe that would be up to the reader. If the reader is thrilled about nanotechnology then this would be an excellent book; also if the reader is a sci-fi addict, again this would be a good book. However, if the reader doesn't like many technical details, then he should avoid this book, or at least borrow it from his local library before buying it.

Another minus on this book is the ending. The ending I feel should have ended with the reader wanting more instead of wanting to put the book away. I felt that the end was 'cheesy' to say the least, other than that the book was great. It had twisting plots and of course, there was a 'love story'. I will most definately see the movie if they make one (as some have been wanting to do).

In the end, I would recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Great Read! Not to be missed!
Review: Smart, outrageous, well-written and generally just a fantastic read! Actually it was my husband's book and what started as a curious glance ended up in me finishing this book in one day! Enjoy, you won't regret it! Mary

Rating:
Summary: The "science" in Nano is irritating
Review: This book has a Vernor Vinge quote on the back cover and is about the coming technological Singularity (look it up using Google).

And Vinge is right in what he says; the book will make a spectacular movie.

But oh man is it painful to read. Not because of the story line. Even if a bit predictable it's ok for Matrix type violent adventure.

The problem is the "science," or rather what is supposed to pass for science.

Nanotechnology is not magic and most of my complaints are about gross violation of conservation of mass, thermodynamics, mass flows, doubling times and the like. But that's not all the places it will irritate you. On page 133 the good guys are trying to see who the bad guys are by analyzing a depleted uranium bullet. "We should have a signature on the uranium by the end of the day; from there we'll have the nation and reactor core of origin."

I know what this story bit is imitating--Tom Clancy's "Sum of all Fears" where the origin of plutonium in a bomb is determined from impurities. But depleted uranium that's used for things like bullets never went near a reactor. It's "depleted" of the easy to fission isotope U235. This is the kind of error a knowledgeable editor should have caught.

The scenes with nanotechnology devices are every bit as bad. Toward the end of the book he has nano disassemblers eating away at a seaport city. In a short time they have created a hole where massive amounts of seawater is pouring in. So where did a fair fraction of a cubic mile of dirt go?

Early in the book the hero stops a car in seconds by growing a huge redwood tree in the middle of the street. Now, nanotechnology *can* grow redwoods a good deal faster than the natural way, but not *that* fast, not starting with a tenth of a cubic centimeter of nano machines. Eric Drexler makes a case for doubling in an energy- and material-rich environment of 20 minutes. Estimating a redwood at meter square by 100 meters tall, growing from a 0.1 cc is an expansion of a billion, 10 exp 9. Since 10 exp 3 is about 2 exp 10, we are talking 30 doublings, ten hours by Drexler's estimate.

And you don't even want to think about Marlow's understanding of thermodynamics. Someone told him that heat is a problem when making nano things fast. So he "solves" it thus:

"Thermal problems?" . . . . "If it becomes a problem you assemble water for evaporative cooling, then grab the atoms in the vapor and do it over again."

*Sigh.*

(Grabbing the vapor returns every bit of heat evaporation took away, and "assembling" water from atoms releases the searing heat of an oxy hydrogen flame.)

I am reminded of the first "chemistry" teacher I had in high school. First day he told us that boiling water was a chemical reaction that broke up the water into hydrogen and oxygen which was called "steam."

About half way into the first semester the FBI took him away. Fortunately for Mr. Marlow they don't do that for authors making such mistakes. <grin>

The shame is that with some advice on science and engineering the story could have been written so that it didn't violate physical laws and been just as exciting.

As Dr. Vinge says, it will make a spectacular movie. But if you know even a little about science or engineering reading the book will irritate the heck out of you.

Keith Henson

PS If you want an example of high adventure that does not violate physical laws try _The Revolution from Rosinante_ by Alexis A Gilliland. A bit dated (1981) but still it has an excellent treatment of computers that transcend humans and are starting to take care of humans the way humans take care of cats. Mr. Gilliland just gets science and engineering details *right.*

Rating:
Summary: Decent, but a couple of problems
Review: This book has some exciting action sequences and, as other reviewers have pointed out, will probably make for a fun movie. But it has two big problems that kept annoying me throughout. The first is that it's uncertain of its audience. It makes far too many references to earlier nanotech and science-fiction books, often without particularly explaining them. As a longtime follower of nanotech, I was familiar with most of them, but if the book is aimed at people who're already up on nanotech, it could have dispensed with a lot of the elementary introduction to the field. It was jarring to see repeated instances of basic explanations followed by obscure references that no newcomer could hope to get.

The second problem is more structural: this book has no real climax. It builds to an entertaining full head of steam early on, then repeats the "bad guys have the heroes right where they want them, but heroes wave a magic wand and the problem is solved in a way that'll look great on a movie screen" formula several times, each one no more suspenseful than the last.

Not an awful book by any stretch, but I think it'll work better on screen than it does in print.