Signature

Signature by Ron Sanders
(Ron Sanders / 0-615-15653-3 / 978-0-615-15653-8 / September 2007 / 168 pages / $10.95)

Reviewed by Dianne Salerni for PODBRAM

In the future, in 1347, a trio of scientists rendezvous during a New Years celebration while making their way to the observatory of another famous scientist, Titus Mack. They have been invited by Mack so that they can share in an astonishing discovery he has made regarding racial memories and altered history. Mack has invented a program, which he names Solomon, capable of reading waveprints and magnetic profiles encoded in Earth’s gravitational field and thus recreating historic events in vivid imagery. Mack’s investigations have revealed that everything he and his fellow citizens have been taught about the world is wrong – that a massive governmental cover-up has erased and replaced human history.

Mack’s presentation to his three scientist friends is interrupted when his observatory is overrun by the lawless, insane inhabitants of a nearby “plague colony.” While Mack and his friends, thanks to Solomon, now know the real nature of the “plague” which infects these people, the savage colony has no interest in hearing their explanation.

Signature has received accolades from various review sources, naming it a worthy reading experience and an intellectual thrill ride. I didn’t find it as appealing. I was most interested in the technology which made viewing the past possible and the historic events and cover-up which were discovered by this invention. Unfortunately, these elements were not revealed through the actions of the characters and events in the book – they were presented in a lengthy lecture over the course of four chapters. The actual events of the book revolved around periodic chases, captures, and escapes as the scientists unwillingly explore the underground lair of their savage neighbors. I found these scenes repetitive and designed mainly to present an ever-worsening parade of bizarre characters.

The writing was technically competent, although I found the dialogue to be frequently confusing. The cover images are vivid and striking, but the title and author’s name could have been more professionally displayed. While not my cup of tea, this book would appeal to readers interested in religion, history, and dystopic futures.

See Also: The POD People Review
For Readers Only, a collection of Ron's best short stories