Let's hope this remains fiction
596763
A pleasant surprise to read a thriller by somebody who understands how crime can mix with international business and politics.  And a refreshing approach to have a main character who is a financial journalist and who is familiar with the types of characters involved in this story. The author has put to good use his experience as a foreign correspondent in Asia and as a professional observer of commodity and share markets.  He combines the personal dramas of the people involved with the effects of their actions on world markets, and produces an ending in several steps that include both tense personal confrontation and unfolding of results with international consequences.  Worth a read.
2724986
This book was fun enough to read, but it's really at the limit of believability. I mean if this stuff actually happened the world would be ridiculous, but it is fiction. Some of the technical details seem remarkably off for Tom Clancy as well. Perhaps this is a staff written book with less oversight.
345470
Some points of this book vary vastly as to what happened during the time period of the French Revolutionary War, but we must remember that this is a work of fiction. As a work of fiction, I find it quite good. Again, I wish for more accuracy, ahem, as in both in the bedroom and in the streets but overall the story was romantic enough.
4604996
This was a book of fiction, but, unfortunately the evil of sex trafficking is still going on in our world.  However, there are some modern day Miltons doing what they can to rescue these girls.
3856815
...and thankfully most of us do recognise it's not "real", in as much as..well..it is a work of fiction.
That said, it's quite entertaining in parts. I'd probably recommend you pick this one up at the library, rather than buy it.  And..I hate to drum this message in a little more..but, "folks, it's not factual.  It's not real".
Enjoy!
1116520
"Mann is well aware that much of the history he relates is *necessarily* speculative."  This says it all: speculation = non-scientific/unreliable.  And I starred the term "necessarily" because it describes the author's own view that he is consciously aware of writing what in all honesty is fiction.
2310861
Still working on this. Fortunately it is an interesting read. I only hope things work out nearly like the authors predict.
2301814
Fact or fiction?  I read this book over the course of two days, reading late into the night and using up a rainy day.  Who would imagine that 247 (or however many) days at sea could be so captivating?  I had to keep reminding myself that this was a work of fiction - a fantasy, almost - born of a writer's mind and delivered up in paper, not flesh and blood.  The enduring lesson is simply endurance; or maybe it's hope.  Or maybe - as the twist is delivered in the end - it's about how we shield ourselves from the unbearable by devising a more bearable, though surely less credible tale.  I found myself invested in the Life of Pi so much that I did not want to read the 'alternate' version he told to assuage the skeptical Japanese men.  How could I care so much?  This is, after all, just fiction...
3573003
Somewhat well written yet extremely unbelievable. If it was sold as a fiction story, it would be great, but who knows? For the most part, and entertaining break from reality--but: somebody please help me decide wether this book is fact or fiction. I have had intense debates with friends and  family members about the authenticity over this story. I am losing sleep! I  beg of you, your opinion, and if you wish, email me at miltonp729@home.com  --sincere thanks to all
4356572
It is a well written book with a very plausible concept. Not really a new concept mind you, authoritarian governments abound in dystopian fiction but this one strikes pretty close to home with it's essentially current-day setting. My guess is that it was pushed forward a few years to allow for the technology in the book to be close enough to real but just beyond what we have now.

The premise that we watch what we say so as not to offend anyone becomes government jurisdiction and that it becomes so aggressively enforce is plausible but just a bit of a stretch. I'm really curious to see <i>how</i> this came about. Was there some landmark case that set precedent legally for offensive behavior to be regulated in such a manner? How does this get over and above The First Amendment? What is Commissioner Lafferty's motivation? He indicates at loss but not much more is given.

Really it is a cleverly written premise. I found myself pondering the plausibility of it in real life. Could we ever restrict statements or behavior like this? Could I have just said what I said if this were the U.S. in the book?

It made me think and that is a very good thing.

I look forward to Book Two. Perhaps more backstory will be given.
2583305
the story seemed so implausable and it may well be an embellished story to say the least. i hope the truth is known one day.
3928607
I do not mind fiction but for me it has to have some semblance to reality.  For me it read more like a fairytale.
My opinion, for what it is worth!!!!
3922382
I thought the book was a good read, totally fiction, but keep my interest.
590416
Interesting read --- glad it is fiction or is it? Will keep reading sequels.
4775293
Recent investigative reporting has shown that the rape story in this book is completely fabricated.  So go ahead and read it if you like but treat it as a book of fiction.  To me, realizing that this story has no or very little basis in fact completely changes the book. This is a work of fiction and she should not be treated as actually haven  lived through these events.
2335243
In these times of government mistrust, it only makes sense to add the Federal Reserve to the list with the CIA and NSA! Excellent fiction, I hope.
I'd like to have this President in office. Write another book with more of this Presidents' no BS attitude. Maybe a 2016 candidate will take note!
3832958
This is supposed to be a biography of Sigmund Freud's daughter. It reads like one. But one keeps hoping it is really fiction. Otherwise, this girl was sexually abused by her father (at least her mind was bent) and I can't imagine that in these days he wouldn't be accused of incest of the brain--even though there is no such thing on the books...I don't think. It's rather creepy to read because of that but fascinating none the less. I couldn't read it all at once. I had to take it in small bits. But it is interesting to look at another view of Sigmund Freud. He needed a bit, quite a bit, of counseling himself, it appears to me!