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A master at combining historical and scientific intrigue with cutting-edge adventure, the New York Times bestselling author of Map of Bones and Black Order, James Rollins, returns with his most relentless, high-octane thriller to date--a terrifying story of an ancient menace reborn to plague the modern world... and of an impossible hope that lies hidden in the most shocking place imaginable: within the language of angels. |
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Latest News
Friday, May 09, 2008 New Judas Strain Trailer With the upcoming release of THE JUDAS STRAIN in paperback, the wonderful folks at HarperCollins have put together a video trailer for the book. It's up on YouTube, but you can view it here. I think it's way cool. A big thanks to Brady Hall's film and production studio in Seattle. It's sort of strange to see characters from the book brought to life on video. What do you think? The book will be out May 27th.
posted by James Rollins at 12:35 PM
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 Monday, May 05, 2008 Last Oracle Q&A The following is a question-and-answer concerning this summer's new Sigma novel: You very gently tread into an area that borders on the taboo: scientific experimentation with children. Are you afraid that you will awaken a firestorm in reaction? I don’t know about a firestorm, but I think it’s a topic well worth discussing openly. One of the best ways of evaluating a society is to judge how well they care for the weakest among us. Human experimentation has often been cloaked in the “greater good,” where the “ends justify the means.” All nations, including the United States, have participated in human experimentation, including involuntary experimentation. Are experiments going on today with children? In some corners of the world, I don’t doubt that they are. Especially with those children disenfranchised, like the poor, the mentally ill, or the disabled. Do other nations perhaps turn a blind eye to such experiments? I don’t doubt that, too, especially in today’s climate where the mantra seems to be growing that “the ends justify ANY means.” Tell us more about what sparked your fascination with autism, and the manipulation of savant talents? As you may know, I started my career as a veterinarian, and over the recent few years, I’ve been reading books by another veterinarian, named Dr. Temple Grandin. She also happens to be autistic. Her most famous book, titled Animals in Translation, deals with how she used her autism to better understand animal behavior. It was a fascinating treatise, which sent me delving into the topic of “autistic savants,” those rare individuals with extraordinary talent along a narrow focus. The generation of such Rainman-like talent still baffles scientists and has challenged our conception of human mental abilities. But what really set me on the course to write this book is one quote by Temple Grandin: “If by some magic, autism had been eradicated from the face of the earth, then men would still be socializing in front of a wood fire at the entrance to a cave.” It is her contention (one advocated by many historians and anthropologists) that pivotal advancements in human history have come about because of those rare individuals born with savant talents, whose unique way of looking at life have altered the course of mankind. So it made me wonder, what if someone gained control of that power? In THE LAST ORACLE, scientists around the globe are working to engineer the "next" Buddha, Jesus or Mohammed. Can a great prophet, a person whose touch and thought changes the world, be created by mere man? I believe we are not far off from this possibility (if we’re not already there). The new frontier of neurology is the exploration of the brain with more and more sophisticated electrodes, some so small that they can be inserted into individual neurons. Already neurologists have inserted silicon chips into the brains of quadriplegic patients that allow them to manipulate computers—to move a cursor, to surf the Internet—by their thoughts alone. So how long will it be until we learn to harness the brain’s full potential—and scarier, how long until we learn to control that in another person? Many of your concepts are pulled from the news, or from scientific journals -- what was the based-upon-fact genesis of THE LAST ORACLE? I spend the last few pages of every book separating fact from fiction in my novels. I talked about autism earlier, but here are a few of the interesting and factual tidbits that were incorporated into this novel: (1) Newest studies prove that men and women have the general ability to see three seconds into the future. How? We don’t know, but they’ve proven that we do! (2) Humans are “natural-born cyborgs.” (3) Einstein met an Indian woman who could solve a mathematical equation…even before he could finish asking the question. (4) There is a lake in Russia that is so radioactive that if you stand on the shore for an hour, you’ll be dead a week later. (5) And the prophecies of the Greek Oracle of Delphi did indeed change the course of human history. In your author's notes, you reference that the "Jasons," a global think tank of scientists, truly exist. How were you able to delve into the shuttered world of this secret organization? The Jasons formed during the Cold War to offer advice and counsel to the Department of Defense. They were initially a band that consisted of physicists, but today, their membership has expanded to almost every scientific discipline and into most branches of the military. Few Jasons would ever speak of their affiliation, and most of their projects to this day are shrouded behind the stamp of “top secret.” But slowly information has been leaking out. One journalist did an in-depth study and interviewed many members of the Jasons and wrote a book titled, The Jasons, the Secret History of Science’s Postwar Elite. This novel traces the Romani -- known as "Gypsies" from Delphi, into the Indian Continent and across the world. Do the members of this nomadic tribe truly hold the key to long-buried secrets? Considering the origin of the Romani people has only recently been determined by linguistics, I wager there are many secrets buried among a tribe of people who have been wandering across vast stretches of the world for so many centuries. A full descriptive history of these nomadic people has yet to be done. How many stories must be buried in the memories of those who have traveled continents and centuries? That knowledge alone is a vast treasure waiting to be tapped.
posted by James Rollins at 1:40 PM
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Sunday, April 27, 2008 Indiana Jones Interview Just wanted to pass on a heads-up that coming in the next few weeks there will be a revamped version of the website. It will debut some new features, including an online game and an exciting new trailer for THE JUDAS STRAIN. But until then, here's a copy of an interview that will appear on the International Thriller Writer's website concerning the novelization of the upcoming INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL. I thought I'd share it here too. Coming up in the next week, I'll also be posting a longer interview about THE LAST ORACLE. • So how were you chosen to write the novelization to Indy 4? Well, over the years, my books have been critically compared to Indiana Jones. I think mostly due to the historical or archaeological nature of the novels. In fact, one reviewer of my book, Map of Bones, described it as a cross between Indiana Jones and the The Da Vinci Code. To this day, I’m still not sure if that reviewer was insulting me or complimenting me. But I personally take any comparison to Indy as a compliment. And such reviews did eventually draw the attention of Random House who obtained the adaptation rights to the upcoming film. After that, my name got submitted, and I got the thumb’s up. • What does "Indiana Jones" mean to you? For me, Indiana Jones is the “every man” hero. He doesn’t have any super powers, nor does he have any cool gadgets like James Bond. He perseveres through both dogged willpower and the strength of his intelligence. He is scarred, weathered, and tempered by his experiences…not unlike the bullwhip he carries with him. Plus he doesn’t take himself too seriously, poking fun at himself with his wry humor as often as he does the world. Who wouldn’t want to be Indiana Jones…if only in their own imagination? • What was it like working on the book? It was an absolute blast! I first read the script back in the late spring of 2007. At that time, security was as tight as a bank vault, and to even read the script, it required a drive over to Lucasfilm studios in the Presidio of San Francisco. But over time, I was allowed access to the script at home and granted a key to a site where still shots from the movie were uploaded. So between reading the script, talking with the screenplay writer (the amazing David Koepp), and viewing the shots from the production department, I was able to begin working on the novel. • Did you have the right to change the story at all? The studio gave me a fairly free hand to adjust, re-frame, and even add several scenes. Also as screenplays mostly communicate via visual action and dialog, I was able to explore the “inner” Indiana Jones--his internal monologue, thoughts, and fears--which was a thrill. And by the time I was done the book, I had created about a dozen entirely new scenes that aren’t in the script or movie. • Are you authorized to say something about the story? Not at all. There’s an embargo on all story details until the movie’s release. For any questions about the plot, all I can say is “no comment.” • Last question, how do you feel about snakes? With a little ketchup, they aren’t bad.
posted by James Rollins at 10:51 AM
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Thursday, April 17, 2008 Touring Schedule in May Well, it's coming down to the wire on this summer's books. The novelization to Indiana Jones is slated for release May 20th. And the mass paperback release of The Judas Strain is set for May 27th.  I'll be doing a short tour at the end of May to support these books, and I hope to see as many of you there as possible! **Tuesday, May 27 – MINNEAPOLIS, MN Barnes & Noble 3225 W 69th Street Edina, MN 55435 Time: 7:30pm Reading, Talk & Signing **Wednesday, May 28 – ATLANTA, GA Wordsmiths Books 545 N McDonough Decatur, GA 30030 Time: 7:00pm Reading, Talk & Signing **Thursday, May 29 – PITTSBURGH, PA The Oaks Theater 310 Allegheny River Blvd Oakmont, PA 15130 Time: 6:30-7:00pm Movie introduction Books sold by: Mystery Lovers Bookshop
posted by James Rollins at 6:50 PM
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Friday, February 08, 2008 Award Nomination and a Sneak Peek Just a fast update. I learned today that THE JUDAS STRAIN has been nominated by the Audio Publishers Association for their annual "Audie" award in the category of best Thriller/Suspense. So hats off to Peter Jay Fernandez for his voice skills and talent and to the entire HarperAudio crew involved in the production of the unabridged audio version of the book. Here's a list of my fellow nominees in this category: Thriller/Suspense • Daddy's Girl, by Lisa Scottoline, narrated by Barbara Rosenblat, published by HarperAudio • Heart-Shaped Box, by Joe Hill, narrated by Stephen Lang, published by HarperAudio • The Judas Strain, by James Rollins, narrated by Peter Jay Fernandez, published by HarperAudio • No Time for Goodbye, by Linwood Barclay, narrated by Christopher Lane, published by Brilliance Audio • The Secret Servant, by Daniel Silva, narrated by Phil Gigante, published by Brilliance Audio • What the Dead Know, by Laura Lippman, narrated by Linda Emond, published by HarperAudio And for the first time, I saw the cover to the new Indiana Jones book. I think it looks great. So I wanted to share it with you all, too.  Until next time...all the best, Jim R.
posted by James Rollins at 10:52 AM
3 comments
Monday, January 28, 2008 New Day, Two New Books As promised in the previous post, it's high time I told you what books you'll be seeing from me this year...and yes, that was plural: books. First up, the rumor is true that I was indeed selected to write the novelization to the new Indiana Jones movie, INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL. It was an honor to be selected, as I've been a huge Indy fan (which you all might have suspected from my books...especially a certain character named Omaha Dunn). The novel was a blast to write, and I was even allowed to add several scenes that weren't in the movie, so that was pretty cool. The book is due to hit stands on May 20th. And trust me, I'll be first in line to see the movie! And in an odd bit of serendipity, here is a picture of a certain object that's been a shelved in the "Cabinet of Curiosities" at my house for the past few years (and no, it does not appear in the film). Is it just a strange coincidence...or something else?!?  And of course, as many of you may already know, there is a SECOND book coming out this summer, the next Sigma thriller. It's titled THE LAST ORACLE, and it's slated for release on June 24th. I'm very excited about this new novel...it was a challenge to bring together a novel of this scope and breadth. I'll reveal more details and hints about this novel over the coming months, but below is a brief description as noted in the publisher's catalog for the novel: What if you could bio-engineer the next great world prophet, to scientifically produce the next Buddha, the next Mohammed, or the next Jesus? Would it mark the Second Coming or initiate a chain reaction leading to the end of mankind? A thinktank of world scientists formed during the Cold War has discovered a way to manipulate and enhance autistic children who show savant talents - mathematical geniuses, statistical masterminds, brilliant conceptual artists - but a strange side-effect begins to arise. Before it can be analyzed fully, a rogue group of scientists begin their own secret experimentation with a cadre of the best children. They seek to create a world prophet for the new millennium, one to be manipulated to create a new era of global peace...a peace on their own terms. But such manipulation has grim consequences as a biological meltdown among the children begins to occur - turning the innocent into something frightening. Can Commander Gray Pierce and his elite SIGMA Force stop the experiments before they engineer the extinction of mankind? It will be a race against time to solve a mystery that dates back to the first famous oracle of history - the Oracle of Delphi... And while some of you might have read this description before, or heard the title, or perhaps even pre-ordered the book, no one has seen a picture of the cover...until now!  I hope you enjoy the story! Much more to come in the months ahead! all the best, Jim
posted by James Rollins at 2:33 PM
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Hello from a Stranger... Sometimes it takes a good cause to draw one out of hiding. More on that to follow, but first let me apologize for not posting anything new since mid-August. After this summer's six-week book tour, I had to put my proverbial nose to the grindstone in order to complete the year's two projects, and that left little time for anything but writing, eating, and sleeping. So first let me elaborate about that "good cause" that has drawn me out of seclusion. Today, over three hundred fellow authors are rallying around one of our own. As a board member of the International Thriller Writers, I was lucky enough to meet a whole slew of debut novelists in New York City during last summer's ThrillerFest. I've always been supportive of new writers (as I was equally supported early in my own career by the generous contributions by Charles Pellegrino, John Saul, Douglas Preston, and Lincoln Child). So I'm always happy to do the same when situations arise. Last month, it came to my attention that one of the debut novelists from the conference was diagnosed with cancer during the past year. And while she is in remission, the course of her treatment had left her unable to promote her debut novel, which is being re-released in paperback TODAY. In an attempt to help in some small way, a great cabal of authors from across the country and across the seas are blogging simultaneously about the situation, to use our own sites to promote her novel: THE LIAR'S DIARY by Patry Francis.  Here is a little about the novel and author: When new music teacher Ali Mather enters Jeanne Cross’s quiet suburban life, she brings a jolt of energy that Jeanne never expected. Ali has a magnetic personality and looks to match, drawing attention from all quarters. Nonetheless, Jeanne and Ali develop a friendship based on their mutual vulnerabilities THE LIAR’S DIARY (Plume / February 2008 / ISBN 978-0-452-28915-4 / $14.00) is the story of Ali and Jeanne’s friendship, and the secrets they both keep.You can also view a short trailer for the book here. I hope everyone checks out her book! I've already ordered mine today! And while I don't want to dilute this effort by mentioning my own books, I have received many emails inquiring about what those "two books" that kept me locked in a small room for these past many months. Suffice it to say, I will reveal details on BOTH of these books tomorrow! So order Patry's book today and come stop by here tomorrow for an early peek at the cover to this summer's new thriller. all the best, Jim
posted by James Rollins at 2:13 PM
1 comments
Monday, August 13, 2007 One more announcement for Monday, Aug 13th I thought I should mention here that I'll be featured tonight on All Things Considered on National Public Radio. I'll be speaking about one my favorite novels of all time during their segment "You Must Read This." It is a book that I still contend is one of the best thrillers ever written. If you want to know what that might be and hear me extol its virtues, tune in tonight. Starting tomorrow, you'll be able to read the essay on line. Here is a link: YOU MUST READ THIS To give you a hint of what that book might be, the essay's title is IN HONOR OF PULP AND POD PEOPLE (and no, it has nothing to do with iPods) Jim
posted by James Rollins at 12:54 PM
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A "different" author event... I mentioned earlier that I would relate some of my on-the-road experiences during this summer's book tour. The tour took be across the country, but also off into the multiverse that is the Internet. So I thought I'd start there. In a previous postings, I related how I was invited to do an author event in the digital world of Second Life. It was definitely a different and enjoyable (if not a bit disconcerting) event. If you missed it live, I've attached a link below where you can see me in my digitized form: SECOND LIFE APPEARANCE Thanks, Peggy, and everyone at Authors In Your Pocket on Second Life! Jim
posted by James Rollins at 12:35 PM
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