Search - Terminal Man

Harry Benson is a computer analyst who works for the DOD and thinks machines are taking over the world. On top of his delusions, Harry was in a car accident which resulted in brain damage. Harry suffers from seizures which make him violent and he is wanted by the police. Most of the medical staff at University Hospital think he's a perfect candidate for surgery - implantation of a computer in his brain to stop the impulses triggering these seizures. All except his psychiatrist, Janet Ross, who realizes that Harry is psychotic and will feel that machines really are taking over at least taking over him. It all spirals out of control when after the operation, the nurses neglect to give him his medication. Then the race is on.

With a premise like that, this should have been an excellent book. However, it really fell flat. There was too much medical and computer speak, as well as too much interaction with the hospital staff and their hopes and dreams for fame and fortune. Granted some of this is necessary but 2/3 of the book? The ending was intense (and upped my rating to 3 stars) but the book itself merely rated 2 stars. A real disappointment from Crichton. I listened to this on audiotape otherwise I never would have finished it.

Very good read.

this was when this author was still fascinating