Goodreads | Digital Fotress

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Very good book	1	22	01/22/2008 02:33PM

Lydia rated it:

(review of isbn 0552151696)

10/12/07

bookshelves: partially-read, partiallyread

When I first read the DaVinci Code a couple of years back, I admit that it wasn't all that bad (at least for the first two-thirds or so), but in light of its content I found it significantly overrated... Upon reading this book, however, I am outright insulted that this man's success is inspiring documentaries on the History Channel...

I had the unfortunate luck to inherit this along with a box of other (and thankfully much more redeeming) books when a good friend of mine was leaving Japan. Af...more When I first read the DaVinci Code a couple of years back, I admit that it wasn't all that bad (at least for the first two-thirds or so), but in light of its content I found it significantly overrated... Upon reading this book, however, I am outright insulted that this man's success is inspiring documentaries on the History Channel...

I had the unfortunate luck to inherit this along with a box of other (and thankfully much more redeeming) books when a good friend of mine was leaving Japan. After getting about ten pages into it, I found myself almost in tears laughing at the downright, blatant lack of knowledge that Dan Brown has regarding central themes to his novel, namely languages, national intelligence, and... intelligence in the traditional sense. Brown's affected knowledge of, well, /anything/ in this so-called book is almost as equal in transparency as is the pretentious description of the lead male character:

"David Becker. The only man she’d ever loved. The youngest full professor at Georgetown University and a brilliant foreign-language specialist, he was practically a celebrity in the world of academia. Born with an eidetic memory and a love of languages, he’d mastered six Asian dialects as well as Spanish, French, and Italian."

Wow, Dan Brown outdoes himself. Not only has he managed to create an over-the-top Professor Superman in tennis shorts (complete with a sexy uber-genius side-chick to fawn over him), Brown has also successfully condensed all the languages of an entire continent into one, vast, super language called Asian, of which said Professor can speak... six dialects!

"His university lectures on etymology and linguistics were standing-room only, and he invariably stayed late to answer a barrage of questions. He spoke with authority and enthusiasm, apparently oblivious to the adoring gazes of his star-struck coeds. Becker was dark—a rugged, youthful thirty-five with sharp green eyes and a wit to match. His strong jaw and taut features reminded Susan of carved marble. Over six feet tall, Becker moved across a squash court faster than..."

Puke. I rate this book a one, despite not even having had the will to get through the first quarter of it, as my brain was threatening to stuff itself down my throat and asphyxiate me if I continued to subject it to such garbage.

And before you get all indignant on me, know this: Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't be put out of my way to knock a book so hard. I would simply toss it aside like all the other trash pulp fiction out there in the airport bookstores and never think of it again. But yet, America, you are snatching up millions of copies of this man's books, singing his praises, and casting A-list stars in big-screen productions of his non-original, factually inaccurate trash. Please, stop it. You're scaring me....less

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Lissa rated it:

(review of isbn 0552151696)

09/28/07

Oh Dan Brown, how I love to hate you. It seems a universal truth that when you have run out of all of the books to read that you’ve brought with you, it is impossible to find decent reading material wherever you are. In my case, I ran out of book in Ethiopia. And, unlike Tanzania and Nairobi, I was unable to find any reasonable English language bookstore. I suppose this is because unlike Tanzania and Nairobi, English is not an official language of the country. As I don’t read, nor speak, Ahm...more Oh Dan Brown, how I love to hate you. It seems a universal truth that when you have run out of all of the books to read that you’ve brought with you, it is impossible to find decent reading material wherever you are. In my case, I ran out of book in Ethiopia. And, unlike Tanzania and Nairobi, I was unable to find any reasonable English language bookstore. I suppose this is because unlike Tanzania and Nairobi, English is not an official language of the country. As I don’t read, nor speak, Ahmraic, I was stuck with the selection of books found at the Hilton and Sheraton Hotels.

The situation was dire, I tell you. DIRE. My choices included a fine selection of literature aimed at the people here working with developmental organizations. There are also the requisite Ethiopia picture books to be toted home as souvenirs, and some dry travel writing about exploring the Blue Nile. Please note that I actually greatly enjoy the travel writing genre, so for me to say that it is dry, it is very very dry. There were also multiple copies of Rich Dad, Poor Dad and several books on how to trap a man. In the novel category, there were simply rack upon rack of Dan Brown books (plus one battered copy of Black Beauty – not sure where that came from …).

Shamefully, I’ve actually read most of his books. I read Angels and Demons because someone recommended it to me. Though I found his writing to be extraordinarily poor, I found the story to be engaging enough to overlook that fact. I didn’t guess the ending, and it posited some fascinating ideas about history. I read The DaVinici Code because everyone was reading it and because I liked Angels and Demons. The DaVinici Code was written equally poorly, but I noticed a lot of similarities in the plots of the two novels. But it was still an entertaining read so I figured I’d forgive it. Then, on my way to Costa Rica, I realized that I didn’t bring enough books with me for the plan ride. I went to the bookstore in beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina and picked up Deception Point, yet another Dan Brown masterpiece. The plot of this book was “The DaVinci Code Goes Arctic”. That’s when I realized that Dan Brown came up with one good plot and he’s just recycling it over and over again.

Even so, faced with the prospect of Rich Dad, Poor Dad or He’s Just Not In To You, I picked up Digital Fortress. I do think his writing is getting better, but I had the ending of the book figured out within the first ten pages. I didn’t even have to read the ending first to know what was going to happen. Maybe I’ll register Digital Fortress on bookcrossing and send it out into the world.
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Seizure Romero rated it:

(review of isbn 0312995423)

12/18/07

bookshelves: fiction, shite, zzzzznrk

Read in January, 2005

There's a reason why everyone talks about The DaVinci Code and not about this book. I have no idea what that reason would be, because I thought Angels & Demons was mediocre so I never bothered to read the The DaVinci Code. Anyway, I was bored and a copy of this was sitting at the library for a quarter and I thought "WTF, mate, I'll give it a go."

The first page of chapter 1 starts with Susan Fletcher waking from a romantic dream to the ringing of the telephone:

"Susan, i...more There's a reason why everyone talks about The DaVinci Code and not about this book. I have no idea what that reason would be, because I thought Angels & Demons was mediocre so I never bothered to read the The DaVinci Code. Anyway, I was bored and a copy of this was sitting at the library for a quarter and I thought "WTF, mate, I'll give it a go."

The first page of chapter 1 starts with Susan Fletcher waking from a romantic dream to the ringing of the telephone:

"Susan, it's David. Did I wake you?"
She smiled, rolling over in bed. "I was just dreaming of you. Come over and play."
He laughed. "It's still dark out."
"Mmm." She moaned sensuously. "Then definitely come over and play. We can sleep in before we head north."

That is not a transcription typo, or the manifestation of my unfocused rage. It really does read '"Mmm." She moaned sensuously.' Please feel free to vomit if you need to; I'll wait.

David then proceeds to postpone their plans to celebrate their six-month engagement due to something hush-hush, like maybe his being a big homo. C'mon, what sort of man is going to pass up some sweet, sweet lovin' before disappearing on a mystery mission? The kind who likes other men, that's what kind. A handful of pages later, it becomes clear that Dan Brown has read too many Clive Cussler novels as we're treated to a description of David Becker:

"Becker was dark--a rugged, youthful thirty-five with sharp green eyes and a wit to match. His strong jaw and taut features reminded Susan of carved marble. Over six feet tall, Becker moved across a squash court faster than any of his colleagues could comprehend. After soundly beating his opponent, he would cool off by dousing his head in a drinking fountain and soaking his tuft of thick, black hair. Then, still dripping, he'd treat his opponent to a fruit shake and a bagel."

Is it just me or does this read like Dan Brown was typing this with one hand? Why does Mr. Stud have the same initials as the author? Why would anyone want a sharp green wit? And is 'fruit shake' some sort of code for gay sex? Is that why he is still dripping?

So then, after all this ran through my immature little mind, I remembered I had other books to read--books that didn't suck horrifically within the first ten pages. Yay for other books!

Oh, and I sold it to a used book shop for a dollar, so it was worth the quarter. Yay for used book shops!...less

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J. rated it:

(review of isbn 0552151696)

05/31/08

This is the first of his works that I have read. I know…I know…The Da Vinci Code is supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread, but I just wasn’t buying into the hype. My wife on the hand, has been devouring his books like, pardon the cliché, they are going out of style. It was at her insistence that I picked up Digital Fortress.

I read the back of the book and let out a sigh.
“What?” my wife asked.
“I get it. The government let’s the NSA run uncheck...more This is the first of his works that I have read. I know…I know…The Da Vinci Code is supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread, but I just wasn’t buying into the hype. My wife on the hand, has been devouring his books like, pardon the cliché, they are going out of style. It was at her insistence that I picked up Digital Fortress.

I read the back of the book and let out a sigh.
“What?” my wife asked.
“I get it. The government let’s the NSA run unchecked and someone has decided that they are evil.”
“Evil, huh?”
“Yeah, you know…big brother and all that. They play a game of computer chess and in the end, it turns out that the NSA is ran by a team with a heart of gold and good intentions. Hooray for the heroes!” I laughed.
“You know what they say about judging books by their cover…”
“It wasn’t the cover it was the back.” I turned the book over in my hands a few times and then opened to a random page. I had estimated the page to be about 1/3 of the way into the story. Surely to god, by that point, the story ought to be in full swing. Page 162 caught my attention from the first line. His fat fingers groped every inch of her body. She fell on top of him and moaned and writhed in false ecstasy. As he rolled her over and climbed on top of her, she thought she would be crushed.

For the sake of this review, allow me to skip to another paragraph. Suddenly, without warning, the German’s body arched, stiffened, and almost immediately collapsed on top of her. THAT’S ALL? She thought, surprised and relieved.

I am sure that you are thinking, as was I, that it really wasn’t all and you wouldn’t be disappointed. I decided to give it a chance.

I absolutely devoured this book. I actually took away from my writing time so that I could read. Those of you who know me will realize the importance of that statement. I wouldn’t say that I am exactly OCD, but I do like to keep a fairly rigorous schedule. My routine allots so many hours a week for reading, so many for writing and so many for all other activities. It’s a good system, (for me at least).

Lies, betrayal, misdirection, mixed signals and not knowing what was going to happen next; this book gave me horrible flashbacks to my first marriage. All kidding aside, I loved this book. It hit the ground running and rarely stumbled at all. Dan Brown…you have a new fan. I can’t wait to get my greedy little hands on his other books. I guess every once in a while, the work does live up to the hype.
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