The God Project

by Stan Lee

Politicians, a televangelist, and Malcolm Keyes, of eidetic memory, encounter a CIA project that will permit the government to send forces into a foreign country without any public repercussions at all, but the Project has disappeared

Genres: Fiction, Espionage

407 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber) was an American writer, editor, creator of comic book superheroes, and the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics.

With several artist co-creators, most notably Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, he co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Thor as a superhero, the X-Men, Iron Man, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Silver Surfer, Dr. Strange, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Scarlet Witch, The Inhumans, and many other characters, introducing complex, naturalistic characters and a thoroughly shared universe into superhero comic books. He subsequently led the expansion of Marvel Comics from a small division of a publishing house to a large multimedia corporation.

Reviews

[Nev Murray · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is published by Brash Books.

This book by Stan lee appears to have been originally published in the 90’s but is set for re-release. Not sure if it is only in the UK or not but due on 2nd February.

The plot – according to the blurb it involves an aide to the newly elected president having a photographic memory and being sent to investigate something called “The God project” which is a secret weapon the previous administration developed but have since lost. It promises laughs, intrigue and thrills.

The plot – according to the 20% I managed to read before giving up? No idea. I didn’t laugh, I wasn’t thrilled and I would change intrigue to utter confusion. I am holding up my hands and admitting whole heartedly I have no idea at all what this book is about. It starts with page after page of political speak during the election. Confusing for someone not in the know and…..eh……boring. It then follows our supposed hero as he starts his journey to find the weapon. He goes to meet a disgraced politician in jail. All of a sudden there are 4 people in the conversation. The following conversation was so confusing I had to give up. It was like the 4 characters were all talking to themselves.

Someone, somewhere will enjoy this book. In fact if it did so well in the 90’s and is being re-released it must have done pretty well. Not for me I’m afraid.

A very confusing 1 star…….I think.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up for a political/spy thriller, set in the US in the 1990s. This book has President elect Richard Halliday enlisting Malcolm Keyes to be his human tape recorder, because of Malcolm's phenomenal memory. Halliday assigns Malcolm to find out more about a secret project known to very few people.
The "God Project" is an unbelievable scheme of artificial intelligence to be used for ruthless purposes. How he manages to uncover this secret project, in spite of being attacked, makes for an interesting thriller with a romance as a side plot. This was part of a four book set from kindle unlimited.
The Vice President, Madeleine Sansom, works with Malcolm. She is a cool customer, at one point she is having sex on her desk when her phone rings. She answers calmly and concludes VP business without a break in her voice.

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

Elmer only felt at home in Washington in the summertime. It was empty as Congress wasn’t in session. The Democrats were all in New Orleans at their presidential convention . The Republicans were on the way to the coronation of President McKay. The president himself was still on his ranch in Arizona Elmer was the director of Central Intelligence. Elmer didn’t want to see Stonewall run against President McKay Malenki was out then he was surprised when Elmer walked in . Malenki was an unusual Russian . His parents had immigrated to Brooklyn when Malenki was six months old. Then Malenki was eighteen when his parents emigrated back to The Soviet Union. It meant Malenki could talk and think like an American. Malenki’s biggest failure in America had been that he hadn’t discovered the nature of the new Pentagon project, a satellite had picked up upon it at first : a large compound in Colorado and for once American security held and you couldn’t get near it by land. President McKay was a fanatic and risk taker and it could mean mortal trouble for the Soviet Union. Victories made Elmer sweat as all victories had to be protected. Elmer said to Nye who was with him that they had to worry about over confidence in the White House.
I think I might have picked this one out on accident I couldn’t get into this although I did try I didn’t realize it was a political type story. I read about 1/3 of this and just couldn’t get any farther it just didn’t hold my interest in any way. I sure someone will really love this just wasn’t for me.

[Gill's likes reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is probably a great book but I could not finish it. So why have I given it 3 stars? I am sure it would be a 4 star book for me had I been able to enjoy the politics because it is well written with the promise of a great story, BUT, and here is where it was not for me: - it is an intricate tale woven through with American Politics (with a capital 'P') and politics is just not my thing. The Scifi part, having peaked further on was something I would have enjoyed. The Politics is an integral part of the plot which needs to be absorbed to feel the apprehension of what was going to happen and I just couldn't

Having only read relatively short portion of it I needed to quantify that I could not fault the writing, only that it was not my style of reading - simple as that.

I am grateful to the Publisher to have given me an opportunity to look at this book.

[Jay Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

No matter how cynical you may be about the state of the American government, this book will take you further. The story is very imaginative and very enthralling. The characters are true to life and have their foibles. The author truly understands how government works, and displays both the activity and the philosophy in explicit detail. Among the characters are a president we will never have, a preacher we need, and a CIA director who seems to exemplify the current state of government. Although the book lays bare all the dirty stuff, it offers little hope for change. The best I could hope for is people will read, come to an understanding, and actually get involved in the process. That said, this is a very good book on many levels and I have no hesitation in recommending it for pure entertainment.

[Philip Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only in America? And only in D.C.? One has to wonder just how much factuality is buried in this tale of politics, deceit, ladder climbing and back stabbing, (well that is all part of politics). Add in some humor, a bit of sex, some spy spoofing and this book seems to have it all. A good plot made improbable by the very scenario described, huge area, heavily guarded (think Area 51) and only a few “insiders” in the know. Pot shots at every agency, CIA, FBI, Secret Service, no one is immune as the author artfully blends elements of the press, religion, politics, National Defense and the numerous characters and personalities providing the make-up of the “heart of our nation”. Enter an individual possessing an eidetic mind and no more fear of leaked documents. If it seems I have not told much of the story it is deliberate. Why ruin it? This is a book review not a book report.

[Patricia Moren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complex story which paints a very bad picture of the US government. Is it really like that? The story line was very interesting and not beyond the realms of possibility, which terrifies me. Sounds as though Halliday would make a better President that recent incumbents. Not a book which left me with a strong impression

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

There is no doubt that Mr Lee has an absolute understanding of American politics and the system however, I started to feel that this book became so embroiled in explaining certain concepts so intimately that the whole point of the plot was lost. I found I was skipping pages to try and find the story and any relationship to any of the characters, well, I just didn't care.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I agree with most of Mr Lee's political leanings in The God Project, the first three quarters of this story were slow going. I received this story early to do a review on it and if not for that I wouldn't have even finished it.

[Beverley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a free copy from NetGalley. I only finished this book because I needed to write a review for it. It was dull and couldn't seem to get to the point. Living near DC it was too much typical politics. The AI part of the book seemed interesting but was so much in the background that saying this was science fiction seems to be a stretch. I can't remember the last time it took me this long to read a book. Find something else.

[Mark Easter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehhh