Excerpt:

Philosopher, entrepreneur, and former National Geographic and New York Times correspondent Zoltan Istvan presents his bestselling visionary novel, The Transhumanist Wager, as a seminal statement of our times.

Scorned by over 500 publishers and literary agents around the world, his indie philosophical thriller has been called “revolutionary” and “socially dangerous” by readers, scholars, and religious authorities. The novel debuts a challenging original philosophy, which rebuffs modern civilization by inviting the end of the human species–and declaring the onset of something greater.

Set in the present day, the novel tells the story of transhumanist Jethro Knights and his unwavering quest for immortality via science and technology. Fighting against him are fanatical religious groups, economically depressed governments, and mystic Zoe Bach: a dazzling trauma surgeon and the love of his life, whose belief in spirituality and the afterlife is absolute. Exiled from America and reeling from personal tragedy, Knights forges a new nation of willing scientists on the world’s largest seasteading project, Transhumania. When the world declares war against the floating city, demanding an end to its renegade and godless transhuman experiments and ambitions, Knights strikes back, leaving the planet forever changed.

From the Author

Q & A with author Zoltan Istvan: Why did you write The Transhumanist Wager? My main goal was to inspire readers with a powerful artistic statement that would challenge their ideas of life and death. The rapid advancement of life extension science and technology will drastically change everything in our society far sooner than most people realize.

Your novel is quite controversial. Why is that? The primary reason is that the novel’s subject matter challenges virtually everyone. And since The Transhumanist Wager is an indie book, neither publisher nor editor was able to temper its content in the name of political correctness, religiosity, or commercialism.

Did your journalism career influence the writing of the novel? Yes, definitely. Many of the central characters and scenes in the book are directly taken from places I’ve visited and stories I’ve covered, especially for the National Geographic Channel.

Will there be a sequel? Absolutely.

My Review :

I’m going to start off by saying this book is Brilliant without a doubt! Its a good read that’s will get you thinking about things that probably never crossed your mind before. I know it did for me. It explores the the philosophical implications of attempting to live forever, become immortal. The book has action blended with philosophy and symbolism. its just different. Unlike anything I have ever read before. It crosses the line between fiction and non fiction .

I really liked Jethro Knight in the beginning until Zoey entered then I related more with her then him, Jethro seems psychotic a lot of the time and Zoe is so Zen, in control and not afraid to die, she just seems at peace with herself, I leaned more towards Zoe and her beliefs then Jethro which I think are unrealistic to a point. To be fair I never even heard of Transhumanism until this book. which of course then I had to make sure I looked it up and knew exactly what I was reading about, since the book is fiction but seems to have really hit the world like its non fiction.

My favorite scene in the book and I think really powerful Is when Jethro and Zoe are on the mountain top and its raining and cold and she tests him to the point of almost going over the side of the mountain and really not caring if she did. But Jethro saves her. He is in Love with her as she is with him , which really makes a odd couple with such different beliefs in my opionion.

But he leaves her after all this to resume his around the world trip on his sailboat and finish his work but she is clearly on his mind so he pushes her away, and out of his mind with his work. He believes she is just a distraction basically. How can he be with someone who clearly views life so differently? you’ll have to read the book to find out what happens with them.

But its really not about them at all, its not about relationships, its all about transhumanism in common society. About ending sickness and diseases, becoming immortal.

You have your corrupt religious official ,Reverand Belindias who is nothing more power hungry and the need for control somewhat like Jethro but to a different extreme,Jethros a scientist ,a minority which they believe and wish to achieve. immortality. whereas the Reverand is really nothing more then a leader in terrorism.

So really you have two extremists, one religious and one ideologist who both want to rule the world so to speak . So here you have your religious crazies that will anything to stop transhumanism and people who are convinced they can become immortal create their own little universe, fighting against each other.

I suggest you buy this book and read it if you are interested in finding out what transhumanism is about. There are so many powerful scenes in this book that I didn’t even touch on. Its very interesting and challenging . I think Zoltan really took a chance writing this book . there is so much controversy surrounding it that is just makes it that much more interesting.