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CYBERTERROR is the first fictional novel by C.J. Pineiro. CYBERTERROR explains the threat that cyberterrorism presents on everyday life. Shortly after the events of 9/11 a terrorist is using computers to wreck havoc on America. Computers control American culture; they control dams, subways and other conveniences in day to day life. Tom Grant has joined this new agency assigned to protect America from such a threat. He is a CIA agent with a lot of field experience, not all of which was successful. Although not the most computer suave person, he is able to hold his own and help anticipate the actions of the “new” terrorist. He must track down the terrorist before specific individuals and America in general can be destroyed. CYBERTERROR is well written, in the sense that he uses complete sentences and proper grammar. Pineiro also writes intelligently about computers and the power computers have over our everyday life. The preface was informative regarding the unexpected threats surrounding the world and led the reader to believe the rest of the book would be as informative. The book did not live up to this promise. The plot is one dimensional and very flat. Unlike truly great authors, there are no hidden depths. The book presents a world, where black and white and good vs. evil are apparent. If one had to categorize this book, it would fall into the Tom Clancy action genre. Lots of testosterone, lots of violence and lots of lustful thoughts about those around him; plus the abused child going forth to protect his beloved country. Also the “bad guy” is a terrorist from Afghanistan and by just existing threatens American ideals. The book is overly political, and at times Pineiro was a politician, in the sense he used scare tactics and paranoia to get his point across. This homage to Tom Clancy is even more evident in the fact this is a post-9/11 novel and builds on the hype and threat that this event posed for Americans. The best way to explain the drive of the story is that Ares Kulzak, the villain, almost castrates Tom Grant, the hero of the book. This is a literal allusion to the uproar the male leaders of our country created after 9/11 (i.e. they now felt the need to prove their masculinity). The most ironic part of Tom’s situation was that a bunch of women kept their cool and came to his rescue. Although the message at the very heart of the book is valid (cyber terrorism is mostly ignored and not taken as a true threat), the stereotypical male action adventure consumes the message until it can no longer be seen. Although CYBERTERROR was an … interesting look at the terror America held after 9/11, the book was over all just another Tom Clancy novel. If you are a fan of his novels, then you would enjoy this book. If you do not enjoy that type of novel, the intriguing premise (cyber terrorism) does not overcome the paranoia of the author.
Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, February 2003
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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