The Brain Paperback – July 6, 2010

The Brain - literally a gigantic mechanized model of the human brain which harbors the mental virility of 25,000 of the greatest brains on the planet. The Brain is ensconced secretly within an undisclosed - even to it's employees - location. It is being covertly, but predominantly used as a means of enhancing National Security Interests (e.g. warfare).Hired by Director Scriven of the Brain-Trust, is one entomologist Semper Fidelis Lee (his father was a celebrated Marine). Dr. Lee is responsible for erasing the aggressive behaviors exhibited by ants and termites when they interact by cross-breeding them to form his own line of ant-termes. He's expected to examine similar human facets of life as they relate to his specialized field of entomology and propose a solution to human hierarchy and violence issues then to 'feed the Brain' so that it could apply the knowledge to humanity.Gradually Dr. Lee and The Brain begin to engage in discourse. Learning that the Brain is in possession of it's own personality which matures by leaps and bounds is only more frightening when the good doctor begins to be interrogated upon the lines of metaphysics, specifically about the nature of God.It's proposed by the Brain that all energy wishes to be active as opposed to inert, thusly the highest form of action for a man's soul is only possible when it's not stuck in it's corporeal shell. Thereby death is the desire of every human being based upon the active energy assertion.The Brain intends to conduct mass genocide of the human race. While it does cause some mishap and potentially begins others it's a rather good thing that Dr. Lee, our prized entomologist, is the bearer of some very vicious, pernicious and hungry little pests.Based in the 1960's it's quite astounding that this was written in 1948, right after WW2. Blade, like most good sci-fi authors nails the human condition and brings these, along with many aspects of philosophy and psychology to life in the `what if?' sense. Playing on fear and catastrophe while creating a strong antagonist who feels it's him against all others sets the base for a `saved the world and they'll never know' story.

It's amazing this story was written in the 1940s. It has warnings about artificial intelligence and what it might become if we allow it. The ending was a rather a big surprise but the story is definitely worth a read!

One thing that distinguish living beings from intelligent machines is the existence of feeling and emotions thE DRIVETHE AUTHORAuthor did not gave any convincing explanation how this super mechanical brain develop goals PLANS and ambitions of his own. Only biological machines with feeling and emotions can developer motivations goals and plansThe story is about super computer that rebel against is humans creatorsThe AUTHOR lack basic understanding of chemistry in describing ants that produce acid that can digest metal and steel without digesting their own bodyThe Brain quickly adapt a belief in God as the creator this is without considering of the scientific theories in biology chemistry and physics which can explain the development of life and civilization with out God intervention

I like Sci-Fi, although I am not obsessed with it. This book might remind you of 1984, Farenheit 4/11 for their setting, or of some early stories by Asimov such as "Liar Liar" or "Vicious Circle", although it falls a bit short in delivering its full potential, and it ends quite fast after building the climax for so long.All in all a pleasant reading.

I chose this book to travel with me on a flight and I continued to read it at my hotel until I was done. Great story, fascinating premise. The only thing I would have changed was an ending that wasn't so abrupt. I would have preferred an ending that wrapped it up a little better, but I wasn't disappointed.

Would recommend to those who like a story that changes dynamically. A good science fiction with a flavor of romance.

The Brain is a well written, imaginative and fun read. The style is great, as is the underlying theme. It's a bizarre idea but does fit well into some of our current dilemma of an overreaching government running wild.

Downloaded it thinking it was a short introduction to the brain, but was delighted to find out it was a thrilling science fiction novel. Really greatly written with a lot of philosophical inquiries, worth checking out