Just so you know, this is book one in a trilogy of books outlined by JMS about the psi-Corps.
Great book well worth reading. It fills in a lot of the history behind the corps and the reasons for some of the policies. Also gives the orgins of Mr. Bester and it gives him a first name.
Anne, he's had a first name. Remember all the times someone called him Al? The chararacter was obviously named after author Alfred Bester, who wrote The Demolished Man.
Your right Brian I had brain cramp.
I just started reading this a couple of days ago, but I am having trouble putting it down. it is the most intense novel I've read since The Stand.
I just finished this book. Man, I'm not sure they really need the other two books! This was heavy [beep]!
I don't get this Kevin Vacit guy. Why would he name his grandson after his favorite, both first and last name? Of course, could you imagine being threatend by a Psi-Cop named Alfred Vacit?
In case you don't know, Alfred Bester the Psi-Cop is named after Alfred Bester, the Hugo award winning author of books like The Demolished Man.
This book was good, but I had a hard time following the parts with the telepaths with the nicknames (Money and the such) until the plot began to tie into the main story of Crawford.
I don't get this Kevin Vacit guy. Why would he name his grandson after his favorite, both first and last name? Of course, could you imagine being threatend by a Psi-Cop named Alfred Vacit?
Because he didn't want anyone to ever know that it was his grandson, not son BTW.
Not just The Demolished Man - but also one of the all-time SF giants: The Stars My Destination. (If you haven't read this book, RUN out to get it NOW!)
And, in fact, there's a reference to this book in either the 2nd or 3rd PsiCorps book. In reference to a person he is in conflict with, Bester mentions something along the lines of "rot you" - a direct quote from Gully Foyle's "rot you Vorga" in the terrific opening scenes of The Stars My Destination. I think Bester even has an inward chuckle at the joke that no one but he is getting.
It's kind of interesting that Crawford announces the creation of the Metasensory Regulation Authority on a late night show. Especially when you consider that it was written before Arnold Shwartzinegger (sp?) announced his run for the California governorship in the same manner. DiPeso is also unpleasantly reminiscent of Jay Leno.
I also find it a bit hard to tell whether Crawford is genuinely concerned about the welfare of telepaths or if he's just a very clever and opportunistic politician.