Codewort: Pentagon.

by Anthony North (Pseudonym), Dean Koontz

This was an early novel about computer terrorism by hackers, though the term "hackers" was not yet in use. Veterans of Vietnam, one of them the son of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, cooperate in a plot to steal defense secrets and sell them to a foreign power. In the end, the lead finds himself incapable of treason and at odds with the other conspirators.

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Thriller

282 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1974

About the author

pseudonym of Dean Koontz

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Thomas Stroemquist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truth be told, I don't remember the finer details of this book. I do remember that I checked it out of the library for a second reading though, liked the straight forward and formulaic plot (but with an amazing twist: Data hacking - not even a term then - and data theft, in 1974!). However, I also remember thinking, even then, that it hadn't aged well - and I can only imagine how one would feel about it now.

The storytelling haven't aged well either - reminiscent of Alistair MacLean's 70's, the heroes are male, hard, strong and misogynic - the women are beautiful, wide-hipped and in need of saving.

[Ralph Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast read. Highly enjoyable.