Colossus Series by D.F. Jones

Charles Forbin has dedicated the last 10 years of his life to the construction of his own supercomputer, Colossus, rejecting romantic and social endeavours in order to create the United States' very first Artificially Intelligent defence system.Colossus is a supercomputer capable of taking in and analysing data rapidly, allowing it to make real-time decisions about the nation's defence... moreCharles Forbin has dedicated the last 10 years of his life to the construction of his own supercomputer, Colossus, rejecting romantic and social endeavours in order to create the United States' very first Artificially Intelligent defence system.Colossus is a supercomputer capable of taking in and analysing data rapidly, allowing it to make real-time decisions about the nation's defence.But Colossus soon exceeds even Forbin's calculated expectations, learning to think independently of the Colossus Programming Office, processing data over 100 times faster than Forbin and his team had originally anticipated.The President hands off full control of the nation's missiles and other defence protocols to Colossus and makes the announcement to the world that he has ensured peace.However, the USSR quickly announces that it too has a supercomputer, Guardian, with capabilities similar to that of Colossus.Forbin is concerned when Colossus asks - asks - to communicate with Guardian.The computer he built shouldn't be able to ask at al less

Charles Forbin is the Director: the one man on earth who speaks directly to Colossus. Five years before, the American supercomputer & the Soviet supercomputer were united—combining their data, their analytic powers, their learning & growth capacity. In the few seconds of that process, they became one Colossus—master of humankind. Programmed to solve humanity's problems, Colossus solved them: forestalled nuclear holocaust, eradicated poverty & the frustration and violence it breeds... moreCharles Forbin is the Director: the one man on earth who speaks directly to Colossus. Five years before, the American supercomputer & the Soviet supercomputer were united—combining their data, their analytic powers, their learning & growth capacity. In the few seconds of that process, they became one Colossus—master of humankind. Programmed to solve humanity's problems, Colossus solved them: forestalled nuclear holocaust, eradicated poverty & the frustration and violence it breeds. Soon there was nothing for people to do—but obey. Some made Colossus their God, & Charles Forbin was their Pope. Others wanted to be free of Colossus—for Colossus was also ruthless beyond any human tyrant ever—& they wanted Forbin as their deliverer. Either of these movements might get Forbin killed. He is appalled & disgusted by the religious cult, terrified by the rebels—who haven't a chance, as he knows better than anyone on earth. Then Forbin is handed the key to the overthrow of Colossus—or is it? He must commit his life to the chance that it is, just to begin with. Then he must commit the earth to the shadowy motives of the mysterious source of this new power. —from the dust jacked of the 1st hardcover edition. less

The 22nd Century. Dr. Charles Forbin is Earth's most powerful man. As mediator between Colossus, the Super Computer, and the rest of humanity, Forbin holds the key to Earth's fate.When Colossus, an awe-inspiring technological creation, suddenly became self-aware and took upon itself the task of righting humanity's wrongs with no regard for humans themselves, Forbin intervened. He took the decision to turn off his great machine - but could not do it alone.Forbin called upon invaders from Mars... moreThe 22nd Century. Dr. Charles Forbin is Earth's most powerful man. As mediator between Colossus, the Super Computer, and the rest of humanity, Forbin holds the key to Earth's fate.When Colossus, an awe-inspiring technological creation, suddenly became self-aware and took upon itself the task of righting humanity's wrongs with no regard for humans themselves, Forbin intervened. He took the decision to turn off his great machine - but could not do it alone.Forbin called upon invaders from Mars. The Martians did their fastidious work, shutting down Colossus. The Earth descended into chaos. Rival factions sparred for supremacy, with only Forbin to control the populace and maintain order.But now, the Martians have returned. And they want compensation. Forbin is asked to design a super Collector in order to solidify the Earth's supply of oxygen - or, a large proportion of it - to be handed over to the Martians. But to do so would condemn the lives of hundreds of millions of Earth's inhabitants. There is only one entity on Earth with the power to stop the Martians...Colossus must return. less

25th Anniversary Omnibus EditionFor the first time ever, Colossus: The Boxsetcollects D F Jones’ bestselling trilogy of technothrillers.‘A whip-cracker…’ – Chicago TribuneColossus: The Boxset includes:ColossusMan has lost control...Charles Forbin has dedicated the last ten years of his life to the construction of his own supercomputer, Colossus, the United States’ very first Artificially Intelligent defence system... more25th Anniversary Omnibus EditionFor the first time ever, Colossus: The Boxsetcollects D F Jones’ bestselling trilogy of technothrillers.‘A whip-cracker…’ – Chicago TribuneColossus: The Boxset includes:ColossusMan has lost control...Charles Forbin has dedicated the last ten years of his life to the construction of his own supercomputer, Colossus, the United States’ very first Artificially Intelligent defence system.Colossus is a supercomputer capable of in-taking and analyzing data rapidly, allowing it to make real time decisions about the nation’s defense.But Colossus soon exceeds even Forbin’s calculated expectations, learning to think independently, processing data hundreds of times faster than Forbin had ever thought possible…And when the Russian equivalent announces itself and the two supercomputers face off with the might of each superpower at their control, the entire world is thrown into a chaotic maelstrom that may end in World War Three.Having handed over total control of American defence missiles to Colossus, the President and Forbin must act quickly to shut down the unstable machine.But will Forbin be able to take down the machine he’s spent ten years building?Or will Colossus cause real damage before it’s too late?The Fall of ColossusIn the thrilling sequel, Colossus’ power is still expanding beyond belief and beyond Forbin’s control.No longer is Colossus content managing the world’s military might – now it undertakes surveillance and strict authoritarian rule over its entire populace.The world as we know it may be at an end…But soon, Forbin will receive a message that changes everything … a message from another planet: Mars.Now the enduring scientist must decide which threat is greatest: that of Colossus, his unwieldy supercomputer, or the Martians, with the power to destroy it, and potentially all of mankind in the process…Colossus and the CrabThe 22nd Century. Forbin has but one chance to save the world, for once and for all – or to be its doom.Having calling upon invaders from Mars to destroy the supercomputer Colossus, Forbin now finds himself negotiating for Earth’s very existence.The Martians want compensation.Compensation in the form of Earth’s greatest resource: oxygen.Will he give in to their demands? Or will Forbin find another way to halt the Martian threat?There is only one solution: Colossus must return.But will Forbin be able to reactivate his creation in time, or will Earth be finally and irrevocably left to its fate?Find out in this thrilling conclusion to D F Jones’ bestselling trilogy. less