Cyborg

Although it's been many years since I read this, I remember lending it to several of my friends in college, and they loved it so much that I eventually never got it back. This book was, of course, the basis for the popular cheesy '70s show "The Six Million Dollar Man". But this book is anything but cheesy. Steve Austin is an astronaut/pilot involved in the very real, very dangerous and exciting NASA "lifting body" program of the late '60s and early '70s, a program devoted to finding an acceptable design for the Space Shuttle. Martin Caidin, the author of this book, was a doctor who actually participated in this program, and he was actually at Rogers Dry Lake bed when Bruce Peterson plowed his M2-F2 into the turf in a terrible accident--the very same wreck that we saw at the beginning of every "Six Million Dollar Man" episode. Steve Austin, who similarly crashes and is seriously injured, gets "enhanced" artificial limbs and an eye (although the eye really only functions as a camera; when this book was written, an actual "seeing" eye was WAY too farfetched), and he is enlisted by the government to perform special missions, including stealing a Russian MIG from a base in the Middle East. Austin's problems with his new "freakish" nature and with his being used as a pawn of the government are quite realistically portrayed. Caidin delves much farther into the psychology of a "bionic" (which is actually a misnomer) man than the TV series ever did. A very fun, fascinating, exciting read, if you can find it. One of my favorite books of all time.

I didn't read it that long ago, actually, I somehow found it in a local library. I was very pleased of it's action, drama, and even suspense. I've read other books about "cyborgs" or whatever, and none of them even came close to the realism in this particular novel by Martin Caidin.

Cyborg by Martin Caidin I first read this book in the mid-seventies when I was a great fan of the Six Million Dollar Man TV series. It was probably the first adult (in the non-pornographic sense) book that I had read. It is an enjoyable and informative read (although the science will now be hopelessly outdated) but at the time what impressed me most were the differences from the TV show. Austin loses his left rather than his right arm; the bionic eye cannot see and is 'merely' a miniature camera; the governmental atmosphere is less cosy with Oscar Goldman a shadowy figure and Oliver Spencer (featured only in the pilot TV episode) the major protagonist. Interestingly the early episodes of the TV show did reflect some of Austin's resentment at being transferred into a government superspy. It's both a pity and somewhat surprising - in view of the TV show - that this title is no longer available. I would certainly like to read it again even though it had such an impact on me that I remember parts of it very well. Terence Teevan

Caidins' Cyborg books was the most interesting I have ever read. Even if you didn't like the Six Million Dollar Man TV show that were based on the books and or consider yourself a true Sci Fi fan read at least the First book "Cyborg", you would very happy you did. The others are High Crystal, Orperation Nuke, and Cyborg 4. The only oter book I have read that I liked almost as much is Polhs' Manplus, another great read.

Lieutenant - Colonel Steve Austin of the United States Air Force was a brilliant aviator and test pilot for NASA until the day he was savagely crippled during a test flight accident, in California. Barely alive, suffering from trauma, unable to use his legs, right arm, right eye and suffering from damaged organs and bones, Steve was ready to give up on life until he was proposed to undergo a top secret, government/military funded operation which would enable him to regain his lost capabilities. An operation which would make him better, stronger and faster than any man alive. He would be the 1st Bionic Man ever created, the perfect weapon for covert operations. I enjoyed reading this novel. I found it fast paced, exciting and interesting, especially on the scientific subjects such as Bionics and Cybernetics. It should provide for some good entertainment. This novel was the basis for the 70s tv series, " The Six Million Dollar Man ", which starred Lee Majors as Steve Austin.