The Unincorporated Man

By: Dani Kollin, Eytan Kollin

Narrated by: Todd McLaren

Length: 23 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

The Unincorporated Man is a provocative social/political/economic novel that takes place in the future, after civilization has fallen into complete economic collapse. This reborn civilization is one in which every individual is incorporated at birth and spends many years trying to attain control over his or her own life by getting a majority of his or her own shares. Life extension has made life very long indeed. Now the incredible has happened: a billionaire businessman from our time, frozen in secret in the early 21st century, is discovered and resurrected, given health and a vigorous younger body.

Justin Cord is the only unincorporated man in the world, a true stranger in this strange land. Justin survived because he is tough and smart. He cannot accept only part ownership of himself, even if that places him in conflict with a civilization that extends outside the solar system to the Oort Cloud. People will be arguing about this novel and this world for decades.

©2009 Dani and Eytan Kollin (P)2009 Tantor

Good, albeit predictable

If you can make your way through the initial implausibility of the main character's ability to adapt to his new environs, and how he matter-of-factly handles his situation, then you are in for a compelling sci-fi/social commentary.
It's definitely not the greatest audiobook I've listened to in this category, but it's not bad, either. If you're familiar with the works of Robert J. Sawyer, you would feel right at home here. Dani and Eytan Kollin bring out that same kind of sci-fi folksiness as Sawyer does, which is good if you're not in the mood to have your mind totally blown but still want a compelling story.
When I read or listen to books about the future, I pay special attention to the uses and abuses of technology, and how probable the author's vision is in comparison with current technologies and trends. I would say that this book does a good job describing a nonotech-dominant future in great detail.
The human side of the story is unfortunately lacking in originality, but that shouldn't dissuade you from giving it a listen. Most sci-fi stories are inept at character development anyway ;)

One Of the Best "New Author" books EVER

I believe it was Lois McMaster Bujold that pointed out that Science Fiction should make you think - this title not only accomplishes that but gives you a full set of questions to think ABOUT.

The basic premise? In the future (350 years +) every human born is his own corporation - from birth. Into this cultural matrix comes a man from the present day - complete with all our culture's hangups and virtues - including a horror of having someone owning a part of them. While the book DOES give a logical reason for the custom to have arisen, this means that without ever attempting to be an irritant - he becomes a rallying point for the discontented. Since he's foresighted enough to have brought along items to give him a financial base - the corporations running things have a real problem. Especially since some highly placed anonymous person seems to be supporting his bid for independence . . .
No. I won't tell you what happens next - that's the narrator's job - but this book really is worth your time.

Fantastic.

love it. interesting politics. intruding new governments. good characters. fantastic world development. you owe it to yourself to read it.

better than enders game

love this book, it displaced my long time favorite, enders game on the top of my list of recommended reads!

Hmm

This is a difficult book to quantify.

Generally, when I'm listening to an audiobook and still find myself reaching for a magazine to read, it means that I'm finding the audiobook kind of dull. I found myself doing that a lot during this book, but I don't know if dull is exactly the right word.

The book is mostly exposition. There are characters, and it's a work of fiction, but most of the book isn't about telling the story of the characters, it's about describing how and why everything in the fictional world is the way it is.

If you've ever read State of Fear by Michael Crichton, you'll understand what I mean; essentially, you don't feel like you're being told a story about characters; you feel like you're being given a political/social/cultural message that has some characters added in an attempt to make the subject matter seem a bit less dry.

Given that the world the authors have created is kind of interesting, all the exposition isn't really 'dull', but it IS monotonous.

I liked the characters, liked technology, and enjoyed the idea of this future world, but I kind of wish I'd been shown rather than told. Still, it's not a waste of a credit, unless you're looking for an action-packed sf book.

Enjoyed the concepts, writing style ok

There are some plot holes and the writing style isn't great but I really enjoyed the concepts. The authors have inspiring imaginations.

My favorite contemporary series

I absolutely love the story in this, the pacing. The second book, The Unincorporated War is a completely different style, but they all tie in so beautifully. I love this book and I have been suggesting it to family and friends big time ever since.

The performance is fantastic. Todd McLaren did Halo: Fall of Reach as well and is fantastic.

Whether you like philosophy, sci-fi, or just a damn good story, you should check out this entire series.

Fantastic

I rarely ever write reviews for books because most people usually say what I want to say. I felt I needed to comment on this book.

Simply put, it was fantastic! Character development was well thought out, and well balanced. The story line was suspenseful and kept me engrossed. One of the best parts about this story was not only was I able to sympathize with the protagonist (a given) but at many times I also could sympathize with the antagonist. It's one of the few times that I've read/listened to a book and have actually wavered as to whether I wanted the protagonist to change his beliefs.

There are some unanswered questions but not anything that needed to be wrapped up by this book. I can't wait to see some of those questions answered.

Bullwinkle the Moose in space, good stuff

great concept, good listen. lead character misses here and there, some plot lines implausible...has a little Bullwinkle the Moose in space feel with all the dastardly characters and do-gooders but lots of fun. If describing this world takes over in place of a legit plot line that's ok by me. Really interesting.

great story meh writing

the premise of this book was great. the sci-fi concepts were engaging and in some instances horrifying. the characters had depth and the world seems immense. but the way the book was written was in my opinion subpar.

The author would write about a technology in the world than if you chapters later. forget exists. he makes a big point of in this world. there are no doors and you walk through the walls as they form around you. another sections he talks about characters going through doors. It's just inconsistent.

also, I'm a libertarian but his book got a bit too preachy even for me.