What could the Shroud of Turin, a conservative Southern senator, and an entrepreneurial researcher have in common? Politics, religion, and bioscien...
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reviews
Dec 19, 2008
melydia
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(unabridged audiobook read by George Guidall): Dr. Daniel Lowell has discovered a new stem cell procedure to cure many currently terminal diseases. Senator Ashley Butler publicly opposes all such research but secretly offers to become Lowell's guinea pig to cure his Parkinson's Disease before his illness is discovered by the public. The rest of the book is a tangle of intrigue involving the mafia, the Catholic Church, the Shroud of Turin, organ harvesting, and US politics. It's a great set-up, r
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Dec 23, 2011
Nancy
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I think that my brain checked out somewhere in the middle of this book. The beginning concept of the book, embryonic transplant cells to cure or alleviate Parkinson’s disease, is in itself an interesting concept. That is where the good part of the story ended. Why Dr. Cook needed to throw in the Mafia and a religious angle made no sense. Neither of them was fully explained and neither of them added to the overall storyline.
In what is purported to be a collision of power, religion an More...
In what is purported to be a collision of power, religion an More...
Jul 22, 2010
Jerry
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Great Cook story: gripping suspense, humor, & ethics issues...
We've read all of Cook's medical "thrillers" (even his Egyptian mystery, the "Sphinx"), and would argue that some are a lot better than others. But along comes "Seizure", just possibly his best ever! A current affairs-type premise finds two intellectual doctors trying to save from impending financial ruin their stem-cell research company with a promising technology to grow disease-curing c More...
We've read all of Cook's medical "thrillers" (even his Egyptian mystery, the "Sphinx"), and would argue that some are a lot better than others. But along comes "Seizure", just possibly his best ever! A current affairs-type premise finds two intellectual doctors trying to save from impending financial ruin their stem-cell research company with a promising technology to grow disease-curing c More...
Mar 05, 2010
Anne Hawn
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For a book that has no good guys, this was surprisingly good. Dr. Daniel Lowell has developed a procedure for using stem cells in curing Parkinson's disease which shows great promise in lab animals. The powerful Senator Ashley Butler is one of the foremost opponents of stem cell research, but has been diagnosed with Parkinson's. In a secret meeting, he has promised that the bill to ban stem cell research will not proceed out of his committee if Dr. Lowell will use him as his test subject. Bo
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Mar 04, 2010
Mimi
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"It's the story of two titans, in their own separate arenas, yet strangely similar in their hubris, who had achieved greatness but suffered tragic faults. Senator Butler's was a love of power, which had evolved from a means to an end and of itself. Dr. Lowell's, I'd guess, was a desire for financial recognition and celebrity status appropriate in his mind to his intellect and contribution. When these two men collided by conspiring to use each other for their own purposes, their tragic fault
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Dec 08, 2008
Jane
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Typical Robin Cook book combining medical technology, human greed, and ego. Lots of unbelievable connections between politics, organized crime, the Catholic church and cutting edge and stem cell research. A good distraction during commute into town.
Jun 10, 2010
Sharon
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 29, 2008
Kara
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This is a medical thriller and although I like it, the characters are flat in the way House is flat. They all play specific parts without going out of those roles. For an entertaining medical thriller without high expectations, it will do.
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Sep 21, 2011
Suby
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This is a relatively new book by Robin Cook published in 2002. Understanding of stem cell research has advanced to a point when it is being considered for treating brain degenerative diseases like Parkinson's. Only in this book the author adds an extra dimension by adding fragmented DNA from the Shroud of Turin to the tissue culture to be injected in to the affected parts of the patient's brain. The book has enough medical thrills, mafia intrigues, politics over stem cell research and the financ
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Sep 27, 2008
This was a pretty wild ride, another suspenseful medical thriller by Robin Cook. Some of the same characters that were in Shock were featured in this book.
Daniel and Stephanie are part of a start-up biotech company on the cutting edge of research. When their research threatens to get banned by politicians, the future of their company and careers are at stake. So when a powerful politician asks for their help with the promise of helping their company survive, they jump at the chance in spit More...
Daniel and Stephanie are part of a start-up biotech company on the cutting edge of research. When their research threatens to get banned by politicians, the future of their company and careers are at stake. So when a powerful politician asks for their help with the promise of helping their company survive, they jump at the chance in spit More...
May 20, 2011
Craig
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This book was half medical science, (stem cells) and half Christian mysticism, (shroud of Turin) with a dash of mafia. Cook seamlessly blended the action together and it made for an enjoyable read. I spent most of my time cringing in anticipation of preachy rhetoric about the controversial subject matter which never materialized. Cook's feelings aren't really shown until the Author's Note at the end and they are well thought out and interesting.
Feb 27, 2010
Dustin Crazy little brown owl
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I thought this was better than Toxin. I enjoyed it as much as Acceptable Risk. Seizure is about theraputic cloning and the debate of biology and politics. I thought the story was very interesting and relative to abortion-based arguments. Seizure also deals with The Shroud of Turin, so reading this book was reminiscent of The Da Vinci Code (at least a little);interesting enough, both books were published in 2003.
Sep 07, 2010
Maggie
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Jun 21, 2010
Angela
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This book DRUG AND DRUG AND DRUG -- and I kept waiting for it to get better...and it NEVER did. I read (ok, I probably skimmed the last 100 pages or so) - but the big CLIMAX, was less than desirable, and it didn't happen until about page 420 -- the book only has 464 pages!!! and that wasn't even the CLIMAX, it was just what you were waiting the whole book to happen, and then it was just eh.
Aug 08, 2009
Alyn
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combination of personal greed, politics and a medical breakthrough. this one deals with genetic transmutation and a couple of neurological diseases, particularly Parkinson's.
Unlike other Robin Cook books, there is less of the action and more of the technical hooplah. the book has all type of characters: politicians, Italian mob, quack doctors, clerics, etc. Therapeutic cloning is explained in layman's term that is not hard to understand.
Unlike other Robin Cook books, there is less of the action and more of the technical hooplah. the book has all type of characters: politicians, Italian mob, quack doctors, clerics, etc. Therapeutic cloning is explained in layman's term that is not hard to understand.
Feb 08, 2009
Toni
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This book is not a medical thriller as some may expect from Cook but a novel full of actions that deals with hired killers dashing from country to country. I must admit the scenarios presented board the ridiculous at times and the ending left me totally disappointed. But in the whole this novel is mildly pleasant
Jul 18, 2008
Bouncingsoul24
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Zero stars! Don't waste your time. What do these three things have in common: shroud of Turin, stem cell research, and the mob? Answer: NOTHING!!!!!!
Overly difficult technical writing that only doctors would understand+ unlikable characters+ unrealistic storyline+ detailed descriptions of events that have no relevance whatsoever to the storyline= horrible book. Come on, Mr. Cook! Do we really need to read two pages about a character's justification in choice of shampoo while in a h More...
Overly difficult technical writing that only doctors would understand+ unlikable characters+ unrealistic storyline+ detailed descriptions of events that have no relevance whatsoever to the storyline= horrible book. Come on, Mr. Cook! Do we really need to read two pages about a character's justification in choice of shampoo while in a h More...
Dec 14, 2010
Kerry
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I used to love Robin Cook, and the plot was formed around a great idea, but the subplots were lacking. Characters were stock paragons and did nothing original. The ending, while I didn't expect it, was a nice wrap-up of the story. Overall, I was pretty bored with Seizure compared with other Cook works.
Jul 14, 2011
Sara
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I was very disappointed in this book. I was excited by the fast paced beginning but the plot slowed and started to drag quickly. I never liked any of the characters so it was hard for me to become to involved or care about them. This is one medical thriller I would not recommend!
Sep 02, 2009
Rebecca
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This was a good book, though a far cry from being realistic. It had interesting characters and fun twists. Even though it was totally unrealistic, I was entertained and wanted to keep reading to the end.
Mar 09, 2011
Laurie
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I can't wait to read the few books of his that I have not yet read! Each of his books are page-turners! I can't put them down once I begin.
Nov 08, 2010
David
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Really liked it but felt the narrative dragged a little at times and the sex scenes could have been left out. Cool idea and nicely plotted.
Nov 24, 2011
Sheldon
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Didn't like how he turned the characters from the last book into bumbling buffoons. They were calculating the previous story.
Aug 09, 2010
Books found 8-5-2010 by Susan’s Bed posted GoodReads 8-9-2010
Added to my “to Read piles”…
Added to my “to Read piles”…
Jan 05, 2010
Kara
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Great book. Robin Cook does a really good job writing about medical/science topics. Great surprise ending!
May 01, 2010
David
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Robin Cook dives into arena of bypassing all research ethics in this medical thriller. It's a good book to illustrate the need for institutional review boards and data safety and monitoring committees. Perhaps a little far-fetched at times but overall a good read.
Aug 03, 2011
Gmak
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Medical thriller dealing with the issue of stem cell research. This is another page turner. Finished it in two days.
Jul 28, 2011
It was okay because I needed a book to read but it's no Michael Crichton.
Apr 12, 2009
Kathleen
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I'm a little torn on this book, but it's interesting. Light entertainment - an easy read.
Sep 11, 2010
Jennifer
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Great read. Keeps your guess. One of the best medical-fiction-suspense writers.
