Genre: thriller, fantasy
Book description: THE QUESTION invites readers to consider this premise: If you could have the answer to one question, and only one question, what would you ask . . . and who would try to stop you from asking it? To what extremes would they go?
My comments: This book is a mixture of sci-fi, fantasy, and a thriller, posing a universal and meaningful question. The Unity theory, where minds combine at the same time to form the same ideas and/or solutions, is being researched by the government although the President is pressured by a Mideastern power to stop the research.
The novel tends to be technical and therefore will appeal the most to a specific audience, one involved in underwater/submarine and other research in a military setting. Because of this, it was difficult for me to understand parts of the novel, though those involved in military research would find it very thought-provoking.
Recommended primarily for those interested in sci-fi/fantasy.
About the author:
R. Breuer Stearns is an investor and author.
Mr. Stearns graduated from Phillips Academy, Andover (1970), Harvard University (AB, 1974), University of Chicago (MBA, 1977), and DePaul University College of Law (JD, 1979). He rapidly ascended on Wall Street in the 1980’s, serving as Managing Director, Mergers & Acquisitions at Lehman Brothers and Head of Investment Banking (North America) at UBS Securities. While living in New York, he founded “Terrific Teachers, Inc.,” a foundation dedicated to identifying and rewarding the best of the best of the city’s public high school teachers.
Shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Mr. Stearns launched a private investment bank in the former Soviet Union. He spent the early 1990’s seeking to marry emerging science, primarily emanating from Russia’s Defense sector, with Western capital. During this period, Mr. Stearns made a small fortune, albeit from a larger one. The venture provided a remarkable lesson in hubris, a tremendous reservoir of internal strength, and first-hand source material for Mr. Stearns’ first book, Winning Smart After Losing Big (Encounter Books, Beijing University Press).
Subsequently, Mr. Stearns served as Chief Financial Officer of The Dial Corporation, Chief Financial Officer of Columbia/HCA Corporation, Chief Financial Officer of PacifiCare, Inc., President and Chief Operating Officer of Vascular Genetics, Inc., and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Quepasa Corporation (QPSA:Amex).
Mr. Stearns is a Founder of VestaPoint Capital LLC, a family of investment funds focused on real estate development. He lives in Arizona with his wife, two dogs, two cats, and a horse. He travels extensively and is intensely curious.
Harvee, The Question does sound very thought-provoking. I would have to give "my question" a lot of thought before selecting it. Excellent review!
ReplyDeleteI love the premise as described in the blurb.
ReplyDeleteI tend to like technical science fiction. Even if I do not understand what the author is talking about I usually just breeze over those parts and try to get the main point. With that, I can see how a book could get too bogged down with technical stuff.