Blasphemy

By: Douglas Preston

Narrated by: Scott Sowers

In Douglas Preston's Blasphemy, the world's biggest supercollider, locked in an Arizona mountain, was built to reveal the secrets of the very moment of creation: the Big Bang itself.

The Torus is the most expensive machine ever created by humankind, run by the world's most powerful supercomputer. It is the brainchild of Nobel Laureate William North Hazelius. Will the Torus divulge the mysteries of the creation of the universe? Or will it, as some predict, suck the earth into a mini black hole? Or is the Torus a Satanic attempt, as a powerful televangelist decries, to challenge God Almighty on the very throne of Heaven?

Twelve scientists under the leadership of Hazelius are sent to the remote mountain to turn it on, and what they discover must be hidden from the world at all costs. Wyman Ford, ex-monk and CIA operative, is tapped to wrest their secret, a secret that will either destroy the world…or save it.

The countdown begins…

©2007 Splendide Mendax, Inc. (P)2008 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Listeners are in exceedingly capable hands - Sowers never lets us down. He weaves together the complex subplots of what happens when science and religion collide.” —AudioFile

“When a talented reader narrates a spellbinding story by a consistently powerful author, great things happen in the audio world. Scott Sowers nails the suspense of Preston's latest novel; listeners will be grabbed from the very first line of this 'ripped from the headlines' story of science and religion clashing, with tragic results...Preston never fails to deliver a first-rate thriller, and with Sowers providing the outstanding narrative, listeners are in for a non-stop - and thought-provoking audio experience.” —Library Journal, starred review

Well, this was different

Not my favorite Preston book. This time I had no problem with the narration, just didn’t find the story that compelling. Sort of reminds me of the Pendergast novel that had a preacher as one of the pseudo-main characters, but this time turned to 11-12. It’s like reading a Christian novel, no offense intended, but not what I came for. Onward to Book 3.

Different

I really enjoyed this book. It was full of surprises and many plots. It gave me food for thought so to speak.

Its entertainment ...

I enjoy the pace and passion of this book. I agree with a few other reviewers that the characters are exaggerated for effect and could have been less stereotypical. However; this is entertainment, not a social commentary on the human condition. I have to give it a 5 as well to offset those who don't seem to get that. The over the top portrayal of the evangelist and real fears that the future is not covered in their "book" must hit to close to the bone for christo fascists. I can't believe someone actually thinks that scientist "try to disprove the bible". I think you have a twisted sense of your beliefs and absolutely no idea about real science. I bet these are the same people who think there is actually a debate with science and so called "intelligent design" and don't recognize that 0.01% of the fringe are being given 50% of the coverage by a sensationalist media. I am a scientist. Scientific method has everything to do with the physical world around us and nothing to do with the spiritual one. They are not mutually exclusive. Get over it and enjoy a good story.

A good read

Until I read the reviews, I was not completely sold on purchasing this book. After seeing the emotion evoked from as another reviewer described as "hypersensitive types" I couldn't help myself and had to find out. I found the story fast paced and highly entertaining. It had me chuckling and shaking my head at the absurdity of human nature that drives us humans into obsessive actions. So all I can say is if you take your religion seriously, then don't get your panties in a knot - it's just a story!!! - and an entertaining one at that!

Warning to Narrators

Like previous Preston books or Preston & Child books, they are what they are and you either like them or not. As audio books, however, I find some significant differences from book to book. This narrator did an adequate job of the reading - not brilliant but not the worst. However, I think ALL narrators have an obligation to research correct pronunciation before recording the book. I am not fluent in Navaho and neither is the reader so have neither expectations nor criticisms. However, all narrators should learn the correct/local pronunciations of locations - mountain ranges, cities, etc. It is like finger nails on a blackboard when they blow it badly.