Virus

by Bill Buchanan

In the 1990s, "smart" weapons have redefined how the military targets its enemies. In the near future, they will be replaced by "brilliant-class" weapons, controlled by artificially intelligent computers. Among these is a devastating breed of computer supervirus that is virtually unstoppable. And when it invades the United States' space-based defense technology, the world will burn in its fever.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0515120111
• ISBN13: 9780515120110
• Release Date: February 1997
• Publisher: Jove Books
• Length: 415 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Couldn't put it down...

Ignore the first reviewer of this book, the reader obviously didn't read the first chapter... The book starts with Wild Bill's death on the very first page, during Day 12 and then the story reverts back to Day 1 in the next chapter to start the whole plot from then on. It was a gripping read, believable and fascinating. Am now on a quest for more Bill Buchanan books.

Technology takes its freedom a little too far.

I had to read Virus for a technology unit in 8th grade. At first I thought I would not like it because the topic itself sounded boring, but when I was done my opinion was forever changed. The idea of a virus practically becoming a self-sufficient being was amazing in itself, but the idea of that virus completely taking over is incredible.

Great depiction of problems with technology advancment

Great book. It kept me reading. Buchanan really gets the techno babble going. This is a sure sign of possibilities to come. Man's technology becomes so advanced that it takes over man itself. Worth Reading!!

a wild, breathless 15-G ride through what the future is!!

This wonderfully written novel escorts us through a chilling nightmare which is all too plausible - that of PAM, an unstoppable computer virus, wreaking havoc and bringing the world to its knees. Bill Buchanan "introduces" the reader to the flight crew of a space ship whose stealth yechnology is useless against PAM. We also meet the military people who are crushed by what their own mighty forces are up against. Start early in the day - you won't stop 'til you finish it!!

This book is technically very believable.

As a computer journalist myself, I typically cringe anytime I see computers addressed in fiction. Almost without exception, I find great technical flaws, inappropriate terminology, or some other problem that lets me know that the author knows little about computer technology. In this respect, Virus is a refreshing change of pace. Not once did I find myself muttering, "Yeah, right." Sure, some of the technology seems far-fetched, but this is 20 years in the future. All of the technology was presented in a very believable manner. (I also found it amusing that everyone seemed to use UNIX systems, with no mention at all of anything from Microsoft.) Aside from technical merit, Virus pulled me in immediately and kept me reading, even though I had more "important" things to do. I finished this book in about a day and a half. Overall, I'd say it's one of the best books I've read in quite some time.