Here's what readers like you are saying about THE GOD MACHINE:
SF Danner @ Amazon.com
"'The God Machine' is both thoughtful and thought provoking. This novel manages to entertain while dispensing vast amounts of facts, often simultaneously. Tightly-paced in short chapters that become addictive. This plot progresses through the present with flashbacks to various points of the past, combing two millennia to examine ancient orders, belief systems, complex mathematics, theocratic machinations, historical event timelines, architectural advances, art mysteries, cipher coding, evolution of technology and electronics, computer science milestones, and quantum mechanics, (to name a few!), interspersed with geniuses like Benjamin Franklin, Leonardo da Vinci, George Boole and Nikola Tesla who come to life as their roles in this tale unfold.
"The plot chews up scenery across two continents and puts a reader into the minds and motivations of some truly remarkable and also some highly despicable people. Sandom creates multi-dimensional characters, often brilliant, sometimes warped, and women are just as likely as men to be heroes, villains, (or both!) sometimes to history-shaping proportions. I highly praise J.G. Sandom's 'The God Machine' and eagerly await another book from this great novelist."
mietzemiau @ Amazon.com
"I came across this book the last night of my stay in a vacation rental. As I had an early flight to catch the next morning I figured I'd just read myself into a good nights sleep. WRONG! The plot is captivating and every chapter leaves you wanting to devour the next without hesitation. By 4am I forced myself to put the book down. The next day I downloaded The God Machine to my kindle and enjoyed yet another night of great adventure and little sleep. J.G. Sandom has written a thrilling book packed with rich characters. I loved the weaving of historical figures with modern day characters. This book is so enjoyable that I am baffled as to why it has not yet been made into a movie."
M. Lambert @ Amazon.com
"Great read! I loved how the author built in all the history elements into the book. Looking forward to his next novel."
Elaine Townsend @ Reading Addict
"This book ties the great minds of the Masons like Franklin and daVinci into a thrilling race to create a portal to Heaven. Although I had trouble getting started and hooked on this book, by the time I got about 50 pages in, I was into it. I like the way the author used short chapters to hop between past and present story lines. It was an easy plot to follow even though the stories were told in a fragmented way. There were two big ideas that struck me and stuck with me. First, a lot of the hub-bub surrounding this portal to Heaven was because it gave a way to reunite with our loved ones who had passed on. Ben Franklin (as told by the story) spent his entire life trying to build this machine to be with his deceased son Franky. But after a lifetime of failing, Franklin realized he had lived his entire life focused on the past and never truly living. He had poured all of his energy into his experiments and thus created no relationships with anyone. He realized, like so many do who suffer great loss, there is not value in living in the past. The second point was regarding this idea of a portal to Heaven and thus a direct path to God. In the end, the hero of the story realizes that what God has been trying to tell us since the beginning of time is that we don't need a portal to Him because he is always with us. All we have to do is pray/talk to Him, and we are with Him. I think sometimes it is easy to forget that just because He doesn't always answer our prayers the way we want that He isn't listening."
John Murphy @ Goodreads.com
"I was introduced to J. Sandom and his early work, Gospel Truths, by chance. Intrigued by Mr. Sandom I decided to read the Gospel Truths but did so with some trepidation. As a Jesuit-educated history student I was concerned that the historical, theological underpinnings of Mr. Sandom's novel would lack the academic rigor I would expect even for a fictional writing. Not only did Gospel Truths exceeed my intellectual expectations, but I was impressed with the seamlessness with which Mr. Sandom chases history in the context a compelling love story. When it came to The God Machine, my trepidation returned. Why test fate? What if this sequel was not as good? I took a leap of faith and was not disappointed. Mr. Sandom confirmed his ability to interwine the continuing spiritual and emotional tribulations of Joseph Koster in a very granular and enticing examination of history, religion and morality. It is clear that Mr. Sandom has his own opinion and I congratulate him for having the courage to state it. But whether you agree or not with his point of view, your appreciation for the interplay between American history and American morality will be greatly enriched. He brings Ben Franklin to life. I found myself rooting for Ben on his odyssey and had to remind myself Mr. Franklin's story has already been told. That is because Mr. Sandom's Ben Franklin is not the well-known figure of American antiquity but, rather, a complex human being driven by love and desire for things large and small, who in the process made great history. It suggests that all of us could make great history and should. I highly recommend this God Machine."
Michael Weis @ Amazon.com
"I had read Gospel Truths and enjoyed it, so was looking forward to The God Machine and wasn't disappointed. Intricate and mysterious - Sandom is some kind of polymath - so much, about so many things, crammed into a good page-turner, from chips to church. I've heard that Sandom and Dan Brown both went to Amherst at the same time. It makes me wonder whether Brown might have been inspired by Sandom, since Sandom's was published first. But Sandom's works are much more intricate and complex. And, those 1 star reviews. What's with that? Maybe they're Church people or wish they were. Anyway, buy it."
Betty @ Goodreads.com
"A fast-paced thriller of a ride which kept this reader on her toes. With side by side search and chase sequences more than two centuries apart, the pace and mystery do not waver. A tremendous amount of research must have gone into this book, and into the hands of an author who knew what to do with it. J.G. Sandom has written previous thrillers, but this was my first introduction. It won't be my last.
"The story is historical fiction written with a factual base. It touches on several levels of fear, legend, and historical religion. Exhilarating, penetrating, even while switching between centuries as far back as A.D.33, it does not lose its focus. But there are many red herrings, who does one trust? Is anyone who or what they seem? Is even the quest what it seems? These are but a few of the questions that must be solved.
"This work of fiction will have the reader asking many questions along the way. Such luminaries as Benjamin Franklin, Leonardo da Vinci, and Thomas Edison are among the many seekers and inventors in this story. The search is purported to follow clues to the hiding place of The Book of Judas, but the action mushrooms as the search changes direction. The God Machine is claimed to be a machine, a direct line to God. Does it work? I recommend this book to readers of action, historical fiction, mystery, suspense and thrillers."
Etienne @ Etienne's Blog
"At the heart of this book's story there is Gnosticism. It is believed that in the beginning of Christianity there were many sects with different beliefs. One of these sects was the Gnostic sect. From the beginning, the church tried to suppress Gnosticism because according to Gnosticism and the Gnostic texts a person can personally reach God without needing the church. Due to obvious reasons the church never approved of the Gnostic and their texts.
"One of the Gnostic texts is the Gospel of Judas. In this Gospel, Judas is not a villain but a hero. He is the man who truly understands Jesus' mission on Earth and who is asked by Jesus to 'betray' him and give him to the Jews and the Romans in order to die for mankind.
"This story is a quest, a quest for diagrams which in the beginning are thought to form a map to find the Gospel of Judas. However as the protagonists start finding the pieces they start to realize that they do not resemble a map but a circuit. Different people including Benjamin Franklin and Da Vinci possessed these diagrams. However, the circuit is not complete until Savita, one of the main characters, goes into a trance and starts drawing the final piece.
"Put together these pieces form the circuit for the God machine, a machine which allows you to communicate directly with God and see the after life. Without their knowing the main characters, especially Koster, are being used by the Masons who believe in Gnosticism. The protestant and catholic church join forces to try and steal the diagrams from them and so build the machine themselves and avoid another scandal.
"The story in the book is good, interesting and very flowing. It is hard to put the book down as every chapter leaves you wanting for more. It is also interesting how the author develops the romantic story between the two main characters as he did in his previous book Gospel Truths. I think that romance between the main characters makes the story more exciting and the characters more real. In addition to this I personally find the book more interesting because it includes the Knights of Malta who had a major influence in the history of my country.
"Great credit has to go to the author for conducting vast historical, mathematical, and scientific research to include in the book's story. One question I would like to ask him is whether all the historical data is correct. I am looking forward to the sequel to this book, and I recommended the author to include a section in the beginning or end of the book outlining what is fact and what is fiction in the story although I know that some authors do not do this just to let the readers themselves research and discover what is true and what is not."
Dave Dafilou @ Amazon.com
"The God Machine is a fast reading fun book. The plot unfolds rapidly and there is constant action. I like the characters in the book. The main character has appeared in previous Sandom books, and although I have not yet read these books, it was easy to follow the references and keep on track with the plot. I also thought Sandom did a good job of setting the scene for the book regardless if it was pre-revolutionary Philadelphia or modern day California. With a few well chosen sentences, the author made you understand the key features of where the scene takes place. That is important for a story that moves across the US and Europe and through differnt time periods. This was my first Sandom novel and I have already bought my next."
Matt @ goodreads.com
"Great read. Fast paced and exciting. Really interesting concept; very thought provoking. Joseph Koster is a great main character, smart and deductive. A thriller you'll have a hard time putting down."
B. Moore @ Amazon.com
"I love to read, read a great deal, but will drop a book I don't find interesting anywhere from the first page to well into the book. I want to be engaged by the plot, the characters, or both. The God Machine has a complicated, engaging plot, and is intelligently written, with vast amounts of historical detail. It moves right along and certainly kept me enthralled. It is a book that is far, far better than many of those on the best-seller lists. And J.G. Sandom is a far better writer than many of those best-selling authors who churn out books like widgets on an assembly line. He deserves a wide audience."
Moni @ Amazon.com
"J.G. Sandom's first novel, Gospel Truths, was called "the thinking man's Da Vinci Code." Now, with the publication of The God Machine, Sandom has secured his position as the premier writer of theo-thrillers, outdoing even Dan Brown . . . I LOVED this book! It doesn't pander to readers, and, like with Gospel Truths, I learned all kinds of interesting things about the Gnostics, an early Christian sect labeled heretics by the Church, plus a host of real historical characters: from Da Vinci and Ben Franklin, to electrical geniuses Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison...I also loved the fact that the book features a smart and beautiful woman of color, Savita Sajan, Koster's partner. It's rare to read books where such characters are truly 3-dimensional, and not just thrown in as exotic love interests. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys religious thrillers and mysteries. It's fast-paced, well-written and fun. Plus, as with all of Sandom's books, you'll not only be entertained, but learn something new and interesting too."
Thriller Crazy @ Amazon.com
"While checking out a new novel by Steve Berry, I came across this new religious thriller by J.G. Sandom called The God Machine. A quick scan revealed that the book features a heroine named Savita Sajan. As a woman of Indian descent, it's rare to see such characters in popular fiction, and so I snapped it up.
"I am so glad I did. I LOVED this book. It's a roller-coaster of a ride that flits back and forth in time, from the days of Benjamin Franklin (a central character in the book), to today. Without giving away too much of the plot, the book involves the quest for a lost Gnostic gospel (the Gospel of Judas) once owned by Ben Franklin, and thought heretical by the organized Church. If uncovered, the presence of the gospel might completely undermine the Church because it features a version of Christ's teachings that are contrary to what we have come to believe today.
"But the book is so much more. This particular version of the gospel features a strange drawing, a part of which was first rendered soon after the time of Christ by one of his followers, and then expanded over the centuries by Leonardo Da Vinci, Franklin himself, and later by other electrical inventors, from Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison, to Savita herself. (Savita actually attended Edison High School!)
"Too often in novels when Indian women are depicted, they're either subservient bystanders or exotic sex kittens. But in The God Machine, Savita Sajan is actually the head of a very successful high-tech company in Silicon Valley. (I couldn't help thinking of Padmasree Warrior, the CTO of Cisco Systems.) Brilliant, often funny, deeply religious, passionate, and, yes, beautiful, Savita Sajan is someone all girls (Indian or not) can look up to. I also liked her male counterpart, the hero of the novel, Joseph Koster, who suffers from a mild form of Asperger's syndrome, a kind of autism.
"The book is set primarily in New York, Philadelphia and Washington DC, but Savita and Koster also travel to England and France in their quest, places where Franklin lived and worked during his career as a statesman. And wherever they go, they're trailed by a Columbian killer nun who assassinates the enemies of the Church by strangling them with her rosary beads. Really creepy!
"While the book succeeds brilliantly as a thriller (I couldn't put it down), it's also chockfull of interesting tidbits about Biblical history, chip technology, the Knights of Malta, Freemasonry and, of course, the life of Ben Franklin. It also explores the connection between religion and science, things based on faith versus things based on reason. I loved that about it because it really made me think in new ways about science.
"I recommend this book to anyone who likes religious thrillers, historical thrillers (for the parts that take place in the 18th century) and for those readers who actually like to learn something while they're being entertained. It's kind of like Dan Brown meets Michael Crichton. Buy it. You won't be disappointed."
Ed Lute @ Reading Experiences
"A very good thriller...(with a) very well developed plot...(and) a strong Gnostic message...The book has made me curious again about Ben Franklin. Recommended!"
D.T. @ Amazon.com
"I picked up this book when it was recommended by Amazon. I am so glad they did. It was really a fun read. I love religious thrillers and this was one of the best I've read. Just as good as any Dan Brown's written. In fact I liked it a lot more than The Lost Symbol. The story caught me right from the beginning. I thought the main character, Joseph Koster, was really interesting. He suffers from a mild form of autism called Asperger's Syndrome that makes him socially inept but also really good at certain mathematical problems, which is why he's a good code breaker. I also liked the heroine in the story, an Indian woman named Savita Sajan. She's smart and successful and beautiful, all at once! Plus, one of the villains is a nun who kills people (get this) with her rosary! As a former Catholic school girl, I could really identify. The pace of the book is like a roller coaster. And while you learn a lot about things like the freemasons and the founding fathers (Franklin plays a role in the book) the story is so interesting that it never gets in the way of the plot. I finished the book in two sittings! I've never read anything else by this author but I plan to now. It was that good."
David Hall @ Amazon.com
"For those of us that need to view American history from a different point, this reader was not disappointed. The writer's research and description of Ben Franklin and his time is more than commendable. It must be applauded. The locations of early America are accurate. For a reader who has not visited historical London or Paris, this is for you. For those of us who are familiar with present-day New York City, you will find comfort. I suggest that a reader read GOSPEL TRUTHS first. That novel will give a good foundation for the GOD MACHINE...How the author keeps his history, location, personalities, and science in order is almost incomprehensible. The science alone will make a science buff scream with joy...Please give this well-written work a try. You will not have wasted your money."
Traveler @ Amazon.com
"I have loved Sandom's books in the past but, with this novel, he really hit it out of the ballpark. The history is rich, the characters real, and the clip irrestible. You won't want the story to end. Perhaps most memorable for me was Sandom's portrayal of Ben Franklin. I have long been fascinated with Franklin and I feel like Sandom personalized him for me in an unforgettable way. You will savor this book long after you finish. Enjoy!"
abdoggett @ Up in the Air and BN.com
"I really enjoyed this book! It is a cross between the DaVinci Code and National Treasure. It really should be made into a movie. I am looking forward to reading THE GOSPEL TRUTHS. If you are a fan of historical thrillers such as The Lost Symbol, you should definitely read The God Machine. It is a fast-paced, page-turner that keeps you hooked right up until the last page. A GREAT read!"
R.S. Beck @ bn.com
"The God Machine is perfect for night-time reading. The characters are accessible and the thrilling plot moves fluidly. Even if you think you know what is going to happen at the end, you keep reading to find out the conclusion. What Dan Brown has on Mr. Sandom, I do not understand. This book should be made into a movie."
George Smith @ Goodreads.com
"This is the best religious thriller I've ever read...Part historical fiction, I loved the way it brought Benjamin Franklin to life...The God Machine is perfect summer reading, a beach book that will shake you like a rag doll while you sizzle...The book is also a keen exploration of the relationship between science and religion, proof and faith, and how our culture has turned technology into a kind of 21st century deity...As well-researched and historically fascinating as Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code, as relentless and fast-paced as James Rollins's Doomsday Key, and as well-written as Paul Sussman's The Last Secret of the Temple, The God Machine has it all!"
Bazile @ Goodreads.com
"I really enjoyed this book, it was a thrill ride from beginning to end. One of the things I loved was the strong female character. So often in thrillers the women are either afterthoughts or literary candy, something tasty that's thrown in as a distraction. The female leads in this book cover the dark and light side of the spectrum. The women are well drawn out interesting people that highlight the protaganist Joseph Koster. I hate reviews that just reword the plot, so I'll just say get this book! It's a great summer read and this is an intelligent, well written thriller that doesn't insult your intelligence but it also doesn't make you run to look things up every five minutes either. If you like Dan Brown or James Patterson, you'll love J.G. Sandom."
David Lincoln Ross @ Amazon.com
"Sandom is a born story-teller...(THE GOD MACHINE) is a well-oiled and humming mystery, whose pages fly by in a flurry of action and suspense."
James Wynbrandt @ Amazon.com
"An illuminating, intelligent and gripping thriller...as relentless in its pace as it is rigorous in its plotting and satisfying in its payoff...Propelled by a gallery of unforgettable supporting characters drawn not so much from imagination as from a twisted parallel universe...Sandom has managed to make both the machine and his story as real, palpable, and alternately beautiful and terrifying as what we expect to find at the heart of the eternal battle between good and evil."
Mandi @ Entertainment Weekly (under The Lost Symbol review)
"Just finished reading another book The God Machine by JG Sandom that also has the masons. That one was good too."
E.M.S. Cohen @ jgsandom.com
"Just read you for the first time. Thrilled! Enjoyed it."
A.G. (Gavin) Williams @ Amazon.co.uk
"The cross that anyone writing a book such as The God Machine must bear is the horrendous oversaturation of the thriller genre at the moment with Da Vinci Code similarities. (Note: Da Vinci Code was not the first of this type of book, but was the one most easily recognised.) So, it was with a lot of caution I started reading this book, and was fully prepared to go into "airport-lounge-rapid-page-flick" mode. I surprised myself by actually enjoying this. Good job by J.G. Sandom to keep some elements fresh. If you like that type of genre, it's a good book to buy."
Bonnie Brooks @ Amazon.com
"This gripping historic adventure mystery weaves through the past to the present and will keep you turning the pages."
Ted Gramkow @ Amazon.com
"The DaVinci Code and Angels and Demons were made possible by Mr Sandom's genre-breaking novel Gospel Truths published in 1992. Now with The God Machine, he has set the bar even higher for future religious thrillers...In The God Machine the reader gets it all: crafty intrigue, implausable situations, historical references all tightly woven and masterfully written...Before you head to the movies this summer and spend $12 for a ticket to see another lackluster Hollywood summer bummer like Angels and Demons, order The God Machine, pull out the beach chair, pop open the umbrella, dig your toes in the sand and have fun with this well-crafted thriller. It's well worth the time."
Douglas W. Randall @ Amazon.com
"One thing I liked about The God Machine is its historical detail. I spent hours looking up enlightening things from the book. It's a good read and a great story."
Ladybug @ Amazon.com
"I loved this book! It's not a difficult read, (and) you don't have to get too bogged down in any special knowledge; the author gives you what you need. The characters are likeable and believable...A fun read for vacation, when you don't want to overinvest!"
James T. Glover @ Amazon.com
"I bought this book and actually quit reading the book that I was presently reading at the time. Once I started I couldn't put it down. Excellent job keeping you interested and it never lets up. I don't remember a slow part in the whole book. Characters were great and the story was great. Kind of reminded me of Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol. Not that the plot was the same just there was a lot of stuff that was in both books. However, I found this book much better and better written. I would suggest this book to anyone who loves a historical thriller."
Karen Elley @ The Book Case
Re Nikola Tesla's recent 115th Birthday, Karen writes: "Tesla is in good companyâEdison, da Vinci, and Ben Franklinâin J.G. Sandomâs page-turning thriller, The God Machine, released in paperback in May 2009."
Marcia Zand @ jgsandom.com
"The perfect balance of history, intrigue and action to leave the veteran reader sated."
Jeff Einstein @ Amazon.com
"J. Sandom just keeps getting better. Who else can write in such delicious detail about religion, microchip architecture, Ben Franklin, the Freemasons and the Enlightenment -- all under one cover? And who else can dress it all up in the habit of a disarmingly gorgeous but sociopathic killer nun? The God Machine is terrific fun, and a great read. Buy it."
gracie412 @ Amazon.com
"I loved this book...fast-paced, easy to read, and kept me on my toes until the last page...If you like books with action, adventure and really smart plots, this is the novel for you!"
seagull49 @ BN.com
"One of the best books I have ever read. Right there with the great Dan Brown...Do your shelf a favor and buy it."
Muriel Falvey @ jgsandom.com
"I love history, I love religious thrillers, and 'The God Machine' is one of the best I've read...Who needs Dan Brown when you have J. G. Sandom?"
Adam Bierman @ jgsandom.com
"Highly entertaining, and yet you don't leave your brain at the front cover!"
John Moore @ jgsandom.com
"As good as any Dan Brown has written...I could not put it down."
Travis Deputy @ Amazon.com
"This novel can definitely stand on its own two feet amongst the crowded religious thriller genre; and not only does it stand, it shines among some of the best in the field. This one's got wheels, not feet! Definitely the best religious thriller I've read in a while...Better than The Da Vinci Code...I give it 5 stars out of 5, or 10 out of 10! It's a rarity in the world of fiction, especially amongst those of this ilk. Buy it now and prepare to be up for an allnighter!!!"
Amos Lassen @ Amazon.com
"This is quite a bookâso much so that I read this in one sitting. It is full of adventure and paced so that, for me, it was impossible to put down...The God Machine pulled me in and kept me hooked."
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