Terminal Man

I just finished Terminal Man written by Michael Crichton in 1972. The thing I like about Crichton is his ability to look into the future, so to speak, with his subject matter. Clearly, I am the late bloomer here since this book is close to 40 years old. Nevertheless, keeping the perspective of the time the book was written enchanted me. This was early Crichton.


Harry Benson is having seizures that cause violent outbursts injurious to those in the immediate area of their occurrence. This condition is rampant in the human condition and has previously been misdiagnosed. Finally, with scientific intervention, the brain can be wired to a computer that will control violent behavior using a neuro pacemaker similar to the one used for cardiac monitoring.


The problem begins when the rats start to over stimulate themselves to point of death. Similarly, Harry begins to enjoy the euphoria of stimulation, which is triggered by violent patterns in the brain. However, Harry, a computer genius, believes that machines are taking over the world. His psychiatrist thinks the concept of “mind control” is dangerous but the surgeons are convinced they are serving a greater good by using Harry as part of their ongoing research. The goal is to one day deliver the answers to diseases of the mind.


Crichton develops his knack for scientific information intertwined with fiction to create a plot that ends with the action and suspense characteristic of his future novels.


I am especially endeared to this story as it was so reaching in the area of brain science for its time. Moreover, of course, I am endeared to the subject of brain science. For those of you who are either brain science fans or Crichton fans, I recommend reading the book.

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Norton Roitman - November 26, 2007 8:58 AM

Tim, you might enjoy Skull Sessions by Daniel Hecht

http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?inkey=2-9781582344966-1

for a little dramatic insight about the mind set of OCD. It is a fiction horror in the end though, so if oyu do not like that genre ( I usually don't) skip it.

Tim - November 27, 2007 8:12 AM

Thank you Dr. Roitman, I am on my to the book store and will check it out.

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