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AWE - a technothriller. Synopsis:

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Pic de Lucrète and his expert team at a bleeding-edge research institute, discover that a climate tipping point will be reached far sooner than anticipated. They must supercharge AI to sniff out fake news and prevent a global catastrophe. But adversarial interests in the fossil fuel industry, led by a psychopath with ties to Putin and his oligarchs, will stop at nothing to prevent them from succeeding – from virulent disinformation to murderous violence. From Silicon Valley to Tokyo, St. Petersburg, Moscow and Beijing, AWE is a fast-paced and prescient technothriller crackling with… all sorts of intelligence.

AWE is an Amazon *Bestseller * in Multiple Categories!

Editorial Reviews

When Pic de Lucrète, project director at the Palo Alto Research Institute and leader of a group of exceptional scientists, is summoned to Tokyo to sound out a new project—building a potential space elevator—his team is tasked with finding an appropriate anchor location for the elevator on Earth. To find the expertise he needs, including a nonlinear systems master mathematician, Pic seeks out the brilliant Lily Lee, a virtual unknown currently working at her family’s nail salon. With his team in place, Pic takes on the concern of climate change and its impact on the elevator’s anchor—leading them to shocking research results that predict complete climate degradation decades sooner than expected.

With that news, and a climatologist’s projection that “the Arctic may be entirely ice-free starting in the summers of the 2030s,” the race is on to prevent a planet wide catastrophe, pitting Pic and his team against the fossil fuel industry and the wiles of Galileo Olrik, a psychopath and bigwig in the oil sector, with a vested interest in pleasing his old acquaintance, Vladimir Putin. Schwob brilliantly portrays the struggles of scientists combating climate change and dangerous misinformation through Olrik’s powerful social media campaigning aimed at undermining Pic’s team and destabilizing democracies around the world—backed, of course, by Putin.

The social commentary is timely, and Schwob milks that angle to the max, while delving into the intricacies of scientific discovery and research for thoughtful readers. Pic’s priorities understandably change in response to Olrik’s dealings, prompting him to develop an AI tool that can “defang [the] fake news,” otherwise known as AWE (Artificial Wisdom Engine)—which channels the entirety of human wisdom to defeat climate change in time. Readers will savor the astonishing detail in this brainy debut, and, after delivering a precise assessment of the world’s priorities, Schwob builds momentum to a satisfying conclusion.

Takeaway: Brainy technothriller of scientists facing climate change and disinformation.

Comparable Titles: Kim Stanley Robinson’s The Ministry for the Future, Neal Stephenson’s Termination Shock.

Official OnlineBookClub.org review by Sean Patrick Tracy

5 out of 5 stars

"AWE: A Novel" by Pierre R. Schwob delves into the pressing issue of climate change through a multi-faceted narrative involving various protagonists and antagonists. The story follows Galileo Olrik, a troubled but brilliant psychology student with a violent past, and the endeavors of the Palo Alto Research Institute (PARI), led by Baud Van Eyck and Dr. Pic de Lucrète. As PARI embarks on a groundbreaking project to address climate change, they seek expertise from around the globe, including chaos theory expert Lily Lee, whose involvement brings personal and professional challenges.

Amid their research, the team uncovers alarming evidence of rapid climate change with potentially catastrophic temperature rises. They form the Climate International Organization (CLIO) to combat this threat, gaining support from international leaders and organizations. However, their efforts are endangered by Olrik, now a financial operative for Vladimir Putin, who sees the project as a threat to his interests and resorts to extreme measures to undermine it.

What I truly admire about "AWE" by Pierre R. Schwob is its intricate weaving of personal narratives with the overarching theme of climate change. The novel's blend of thrilling plot elements and profound scientific discourse keeps readers engaged while also enlightening them about critical environmental issues.

I also like how Schwob expertly develops his characters to reflect the larger struggles of humanity against climate change. For instance, Galileo Olrik’s transformation from a troubled youth to a significant antagonist in the story illustrates the dark side of human ambition and greed. His malicious actions, such as the kidnapping of Lily and Nana, highlight the lengths to which individuals might go to protect their interests, even at the cost of global well-being. These intense, dramatic moments add depth and urgency to the narrative, making the threat of climate change feel immediate and personal.

The novel also excels in illustrating the power of global collaboration. The establishment of the Climate International Organization (CLIO) and the inclusion of diverse stakeholders, from Yamashita to Xi Jinping and the IMF president, reflect a realistic approach to solving global crises. This cooperative effort culminates in a successful campaign to educate the world about climate change and promote renewable energy, driving home the message that collective action is crucial.

I don't have anything to point out as a flaw in this book, so I'll rate it 5 out of 5 stars. It has also been exceptionally well edited, as I didn't find a grammar error in it.

"AWE" is most suitable for readers who enjoy a blend of scientific insight and high-stakes drama. Environmental enthusiasts, science fiction fans, and those who appreciate well-developed characters and intricate plots will find this book particularly engaging. The novel’s realistic depiction of climate change challenges, combined with its thrilling narrative, makes it a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in the future of our planet.

The Book Revue — 5 star rating

Editorial Book Review:

By Matt Arnez

Pierre R. Schwob's "AWE: A Technothriller" boasts a fantastic story that deftly combines worldwide political intrigue with high-tech devices. The Artificial Wisdom Engine (AWE), a ground-breaking creation developed by a group of intelligent people seeking to prevent the environment from approaching a critical tipping point, is the core of this intriguing narrative.

Two people define the narrative: Pic de Lucrète, a multitalented genius with PhDs in computer science and Italian Renaissance literature, and Lily Lee, a brilliant young mathematician disturbed by her family's horrible background following the Tiananmen Massacre. Together, they choose the best location for the earth-anchor of a breakthrough space elevator. This is quite challenging work with plenty of logistical and scientific issues.

AWE must be excellent in lying as well as in technology; it is a dangerous work. A fierce opponent for the squad, an industrialist who enjoys killing and is psychopathic poses a serious threat to their efforts since he supports Putin. Even if it means disseminating lies and other illegal means of stopping AWE from carrying out its activities, this opponent will do whatever to safeguard his personal interests as well as that of his clients.

Readers are led on an intriguing journey from the Stanford University classrooms to the crowded cities of Beijing, Tokyo, and Moscow as the narrative unfolds. Emphasizing the importance of scientific rigor and international cooperation to address the most crucial problems in the world, Schwob deftly integrates intellect with action. Xi Jinping's participation and China's might help to emphasize in the book the need of people all around working together to address important issues.

Readers of political thrillers and science fiction will find "AWE: A Technothriller" to be a great read. Schwob has developed a convincing and complex universe where people and technology coexist, which is very amazing. The narrative moves fast and makes one consider things. Furthermore well-developed are the personalities.

Although this book is entertaining to read, it also makes one consider how political drama operates behind-the-scenes, how strong technology is, and how climate change influences actual life. This outstanding piece of work by Pierre R. Schwob distinguishes itself in its genre. It offers readers an interesting glimpse into a time when bravery and wisdom will be the best shields from catastrophe.

“Grounding its speculative elements in contemporary concerns, the technothriller AWE devotes focus to the myriad social and political hurdles that scientists face when it comes to persuading the world of their truths. … Celebrating deep research and the human efforts behind scientific breakthroughs, AWE is a triumphant thriller.” – Foreword/Clarion Reviews by Ryan Prado

“In Schwob’s high-stakes thriller, a team of scientists races to save the planet from climate disaster. … A layered, involving thriller that incorporates real-world issues. … Schwob adeptly blends climate science, technology, and character development in this geopolitical thriller.” – Kirkus Rewiews

Praises for AWE

I shared Pierre Schwob’s novel AWE with several of my Stanford colleagues. The reaction of all of us was similar; the novel is not only timely and informative but suspenseful. I could not put it down. The story is most intriguing, and each character is memorable and believable. I particularly liked the threads of science and explanations presented in a way that's conversational. The reader will come away both intrigued and more knowledgeable. Well done!

Peter F. Michelson, Luke Blossom Professor in the School of Humanities and Sciences

Pierre Schwob has written a fast-paced and well-informed technothriller in which a band of highly accomplished champions takes on modern climate change and atavistic evil. As the story unfolds, we are challenged to consider whether humanity’s best chance for surviving these twin threats lies in political leadership, civic abstinence, or individual intervention.

Roger Blandford, astrophysicist

In his enthralling novel, Pierre Schwob provides a unique, penetrating, and informed view of what many hope could be a near-term reversal of our present intellectual, moral, and environmental decay. It provides a rich and varied menu of "food for thought."

Bob Wagoner, astrophysicist

Due to his boundless curiosity, the author is welcomed into lecture halls, startups, non-profits, and workshops throughout Silicon Valley. In other words, he is knowledgeable about how the sausage of deals gets made. He uses his multicultural, lived experience, and his deep understanding of abstract mathematics to show us how it might look when the deal is about climate change. He tells a story that offers reason for optimism, amidst the doom and gloom that are the standard fare.

Jill Tarter, astronomer; founding member of the SETI Institute

Loved it!!!! Fascinating premise, exciting plot.

Steve Schmidt, Climate Reality Leadership Corps

Order this book at once - it is brilliant and absorbing. If you care about the future of our planet, if you enjoy science fiction when it's superbly written, wildly imaginative and unfailingly witty, this is the book for you. The author knows his stuff, and the impeccably researched journey through the ways in which our future can be saved from its currently terminal destiny are laid out through the adventures of an enthralling cast of characters, from the heroic to the demonic. This is a page-turner, stunningly inventive. AWE, the book's title, is not only what we are invited to feel in order to respect the miraculous universe of which we are a part - and only respect will ensure our survival as the universe's acolytes - it is what you will feel with respect to this wonderful book. Such superlative writing is a tribute to the capacities of life itself, celebrated to the full in Pierre Schwob's glorious fiction.

Archie Forrest, Amazon reviewer

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