In this dawn of the twenty-first century, nearly all heads of state were tired of governing, frustrated by their own fruitless efforts to solve problems beyond their competence, and this sense of frustration filtered down through the public. So they organise a take-over, using the prestige of the Nobel prize - it's the 'Nobels' that make the official call for a change - and the sensible arguments they have. The premise (or what appears to be the premise) is quite clever: he posits that the international scientific community has come to the conclusion that the world's leaders are doing a very poor job of it, and that scientists could do things much better - indeed, that a scientific approach is all it takes to solve all the world's problems.

Pierre Boulle is a frustrating writer: bubbling over with ideas, he doesn't seem to have the patience to slowly use one (or a few) and build up a solid book around it (or them).ĭesperate Games is practically a case study in how not to run with an idea.

We acknowledge (and remind and warn you) that they may, in fact, be entirely unrepresentative of the actual reviews by any other measure. Similarly the illustrative quotes chosen here are merely those the complete review subjectively believes represent the tenor and judgment of the review as a whole. Please note that these ratings solely represent the complete review 's biased interpretation and subjective opinion of the actual reviews and do not claim to accurately reflect or represent the views of the reviewers. Boulle's forecasts, for he frequently drops clues like clangers.' - W.D.Redfern, Times Literary Supplement What is clear is the largely predictable nature of M. It is not entirely clear whether he is reactionary and shares the scientists' dismay at popular mindlessness, or a bleak comedian who views the scientific revolution as only a higher form of folly. Boulle is himself carried away in the gladiatorial scenes he is at his best in the worst.

General information | review summaries | our review | links | about the authorĬ- : interesting ideas, spins completely out of control Trying to meet all your book preview and review needs.

Pierre boulle books