The President's Brain Is Missing: A Tor.Com Original

First, readers should know that this isn't a book but rather a short story. By this time in his career, John Scalzi has developed several writing styles. The first most people come across is the slightly weary but still upbeat tone of 'Old Man's War' - similar to Haldeman's 'Forever War'. The second, is the bouncy irreverent tone used in books 'Android's Dream' and 'Agent to the Stars'. The last is the grim dark tone some have encountered (often to their dismay) in 'The God Engines'.This short story is clearly in the bouncy irreverent tone, but being a short story, it lacks the complexity of Scalzi's longer works in this tone. In fact, this is the story's or short book's or whatever's downfall. There isn't sufficient time to develop the complexity Scalzi uses in this sort of work so we're left with a rather empty buffet.The story starts out with the president's higher staff learning his brain is missing but the president is still walking around functioning as usual. This initially lays a bit of a trap for the author as readers, based on their bents, will say either 'This is Bush' or 'This is Obama' something the author probably realized. To escape this, the story has a rather odd insertion of election circumstances which would lead one away from thinking this is either president, but I'm sure some readers will see either as a president without a brain.In the end, the riddle of the functioning president without a brain is solved by a long speech from a player this violating the writing principle of 'show me, don't tell me'. Thus unlike any other Scalzi I've read, I left this one with a shrug.Two and a half stars rounded up.

Set-up: Somewhere: White House, Washington DC. Sometime: not disclosed. Somebody: POTUS and advisers and other critical players. Someplot: yes it is.If a (non-specific) President of the United States was to lose his mind, the joke would be made: "How can you tell?" But. There's always at least one "but", isn't there? But, what if a (non-specific) President was to lose his brain? That might be detectable and just could have some impact on things. I know, I know. "Perhaps."Scalzi has placed us with Alex as he tries to figure out how such a thing could happen. What Alex discovers is not something likely to be printed in Scientific American or even the Journal of the American Medical Association. I'm not sure what type of security breakdown allowed the story to be available as an ebook.This (specific) story (quite short) is humorous It is also thought provoking. It is (probably) not risky to read it, though it might make some readers light-headed (and I'm not talking about hair color).You do need a brain to read this story. Unless you are a (non-specific) President.

Story concluded more quickly than I expected, but what a conclusion! Definitely thought provoking. Our current president appears to have no brain (or a heart for that matter!), but I doubt there’s anything science fiction-related about it ;D

Scalzi is turning out to be a young master, in the mold of my favorite SF writer of all time, Heinlein. He always comes up with surprises and then makes them plausible. His books are either very well researched or he has a massive technical background of his own. I've read many of his other books, most of which involve the "Phoenix" universe, but this one is different and stands on its own. I would love to have a beer with this guy.

This is a cute little piece that could have been expanded into making a great novel, but Mr scalzi seems too enamored with the humor of his concept. In fact, the story could have been developed as a counter to Heinlein's Double Star.

Even though the title sounds like many pundits talking about today's politics, this novella was actually written in 2011. It's a lot of fun, though, and a great read... but we expect that of John Scalzi already, don't we? Highly recommend this one. <><

Reads like the kind of story one writes for a dare: "Like hey man. Bet you a pepperoni pizza you can't write a story about the Prez losing his brain, like literally man, and nobody notices! Ya havta make it plausible AND even like...plausible.""You're on dude!"I loved it. Best spare ten minutes I've spent this year.

Nust read. Smile and think about the day the president's brain went missing. Amusing. Smart and thought provoking. Another scalzi short worth the time to read.

Short, snappy in the usual stripped back Scalzi style, The President's Brain is Missing is a fun read but not one of his best. The humour is there; so too, is the repetitive 'he said', 'they said ', 'someone else said', which is fine written on a page but can be intrusive read aloud.P.J.Ochlan performs well as the narrator and the concept is a good one: the idea of the President finding it odd that he was unable to duck his head under water when having his morning swim, and feeling 'lightheaded' in the shower is delicious.John Scalzi never really disappoints, and this was fun.

I enjoy this authors work and whilst this is a short story it keeps to the usual high standards. Slightly expensive for what is approximately 20 minutes read time

Good short sci-fi story. Reads well & good price. Just from title alone wanted to give it a shot & it was well worth it. Nice concept & plays to it's conclusion well.

A bit pricey for such a short story.

good story built on a good idea a bit comical but you could believe it was true of some of our politicians.