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- Factor Man Reviewed By Dr. Wesley Britton of Bookpleasures.com
Factor Man Reviewed By Dr. Wesley Britton of Bookpleasures.com
- By Dr. Wesley Britton
- Published March 26, 2018
- GENERAL FICTION REVIEWS
Dr. Wesley Britton
Reviewer Dr. Wesley Britton: Dr. Britton is the author of four non-fiction books on espionage in literature and the media. Starting in fall 2015, his new six-book science fiction series, The Beta-Earth Chronicles, debuted via BearManor Media.
In 2018, Britton self-published the seventh book in the Chronicles, Alpha Tales 2044, a collection of short stories, many of which first appeared at a number of online venues.
For seven years, he was co-host of online radio’s Dave White Presents where he contributed interviews with a host of entertainment insiders. Before his retirement in 2016, Dr. Britton taught English at Harrisburg Area Community College. Learn more about Dr. Britton at his WEBSITE
View all articles by Dr. Wesley Britton
Author: Matt Ginsberg
Publisher:Zowie Press (March 20, 2018)
ISBN-10:0999757113
ISBN-13:978-0999757116
https://www.amazon.com/Factor-Man-Matt-Ginsberg/dp/0999757113
Matt Ginsberg’s Factor
Man is a cerebral read that seems targeted for a selective
audience, namely techno-geeks and nerds, especially those
knowledgeable in advanced math and science. This is especially
true for the first third of the book where Ginsberg lays out the
background of what Factor Man can do, how he hides from the entire
planet, and just how important his factoring is. Ginsberg’s book
couldn’t be timelier with its use of e-mails and blog entries to
partially tell the story of online issues with security and privacy
and the powers of companies like Google and Apple.
The plot centers on the
world-famous “Factor Man” who claims he can break the 256-bit
encryption codes making online privacy and secrets completely
impossible. There’s lots to worry about if “FM” has really
discovered what computer scientists call “God’s algorithm.” The
evidence for his claims builds up as the unknown genius who solves
increasingly complex factor problems in a public countdown to the day
he plans to reveal his identity. Day after day, all sorts of
individuals including Will Wheaton, Sylvester Stallone, and Jimmy
Fallon submit long strings of numbers for Factor Man to factor—you’d
think every celebrity in the world was interested in complexity
theory.
Assuming FM can survive to the day he is willing to lose his anonymity is no sure thing. FM sets up a schedule to sell his technology first to the highest bidder, one year later to the U.S. Government, and finally make it available to everyone. The Chinese, with the most to lose, are deeply unhappy and send out an assassin to track him down. The FBI and NSA follow the lead of Congress who pass laws attempting to block FM from selling his tech to any private entity. So law enforcement agents conduct annoying surveillance on innocent citizens in the Texas desert while the Chinese agent kills two innocent Americans. Throw in an investigative reporter who also chases FM all over Europe, especially in Austria and Switzerland. It’s this section of the book where readers don’t need a math or science background to get into what is essentially an espionage thriller.
Along the way, we hear Factor Man telling his own story, including his clever journey to evade discovery and capture. Layered into the tale are the accounts of the reporter, Chinese operative, and officers from various government agencies and other characters sharing their roles in the hunt they tell in the first person.
When I said the book is timely, that’s on several levels. The story opens in 2017 and concludes in 2021. You’d think the short trip into the future would qualify the story as science fiction. However you classify the novel, Factor Manis an original work of fiction with subject matter that is fresh with a mostly lively approach and tone. I admit I could live without the interruptive series of numbers e-mailed to FM which all readers, I presume, will quickly skim over. I also admit I have a hard time buying into a large media event I can’t fairly describe here. On the other hand, the thrill-ride that leads up to this event is as suspenseful a chase as you’ll ever read. Best of all, we get a warm, positive ending. I love it when I’m not experiencing a dystopian future. I like it when the good guys win.