Books with author Ryan Beck

The future is data.All Maria has to do is think about a simple task, like turning on the lights, and it happens. It's not magic, it's SEER, the government-operated algorithm that makes life in the 22nd century so idyllic. By harvesting massive amounts of personal data, SEER can predict what a person will want the moment they want it.It's only when she's kidnapped by a group of anti-SEER rebels that Maria learns there's more to the algorithm than she knew. SEER is not just making people's lives easier; it's being used by those in power to control the public and stamp out potential opposition. At least, that's what Vincent, the leader of the rebel group, tells her.Vincent needs Maria's cybersecurity expertise to take SEER down. But can she trust him? If he's telling the truth, bringing down SEER could free the country from its oppressive control. Or it could be an act of horrific domestic terrorism, plunging the country into chaos.No matter what she chooses, associating with the rebels has already made Maria the target of an army of autonomous combat drones. An army that can predict what she'll do before the thought even crosses her mind. Surrounded by danger and deception, Maria's resolve will be tested if she hopes to prevent catastrophe, let alone survive.

The future is data.All Maria has to do is think about a simple task, like turning on the lights, and it happens. It's not magic, it's SEER, the government-operated algorithm that makes life in the 22nd century so idyllic. By harvesting massive amounts of personal data, SEER can predict what a person will want the moment they want it.It's only when she's kidnapped by a group of anti-SEER rebels that Maria learns there's more to the algorithm than she knew. SEER is not just making people's lives easier; it's being used by those in power to control the public and stamp out potential opposition. At least, that's what Vincent, the leader of the rebel group, tells her.Vincent needs Maria's cybersecurity expertise to take SEER down. But can she trust him? If he's telling the truth, bringing down SEER could free the country from its oppressive control. Or it could be an act of horrific domestic terrorism, plunging the country into chaos.No matter what she chooses, associating with the rebels has already made Maria the target of an army of autonomous combat drones. An army that can predict what she'll do before the thought even crosses her mind. Surrounded by danger and deception, Maria's resolve will be tested if she hopes to prevent catastrophe, let alone survive.

The incredible story of how one man inspired a nation of underdogs to achieve sporting greatness.It is late summer 2013. Ben Ryan, a red-haired, 40-something, spectacle-wearing Englishman, is given 20 minutes to decide whether he wants to coach Fiji's rugby sevens team, with the aim of taking them to the nation's first-ever Olympic medal. He has never been to Fiji. There has been no discussion of contracts or salary. But he knows that no one plays rugby like the men from these isolated Pacific islands, just as no one plays football like the kids from the Brazilian favelas, or no one runs as fast as the boys and girls from Jamaica's boondocks. He knows too that no other rugby nation has so little - no money and no resources, only basic equipment and a long, sad history of losing its most gifted players to richer, greedier nations.Ryan says yes. And with that simple word he sets in motion an extraordinary journey that will encompass witchdoctors and rugby-obsessed prime ministers, sun-smeared dawns and devastating cyclones, intense friendships and bitter rows, phone taps and wild nationwide parties. It will end in Rio with a performance that not only wins Olympic gold but reaches fresh heights for rugby union and makes Ben and his 12 players living legends back home.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2018The uplifting, feel-good autobiography of Ben Ryan, the coach of the Olympic gold-medal winning Fijian rugby team It is late summer 2013. Ben Ryan, a red-haired, 40-something, spectacle-wearing Englishman, is given 20 minutes to decide whether he wants to coach Fiji's rugby sevens team, with the aim of taking them to the nation's first-ever Olympic medal. He has never been to Fiji. There has been no discussion of contracts or salary. But he knows that no one plays rugby like the men from these isolated Pacific islands, just as no one plays football like the kids from the Brazilian favelas, or no one runs as fast as the boys and girls from Jamaica's boondocks. He knows too that no other rugby nation has so little - no money and no resources, only basic equipment and a long, sad history of losing its most gifted players to richer, greedier nations.Ryan says yes. And with that simple word he sets in motion an extraordinary journey that will encompass witchdoctors and rugby-obsessed prime ministers, sun-smeared dawns and devastating cyclones, intense friendships and bitter rows, phone taps and wild nationwide parties. It will end in Rio with a performance that not only wins Olympic gold but reaches fresh heights for rugby union and makes Ben and his 12 players living legends back home.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2018It is late summer 2013. Ben Ryan, a red-haired, 40-something, spectacle-wearing Englishman, is given 20 minutes to decide whether he wants to coach Fiji's rugby sevens team, with the aim of taking them to the nation's first-ever Olympic medal. He has never been to Fiji. There has been no discussion of contracts or salary. But he knows that no one plays rugby like the men from these isolated Pacific islands, just as no one plays football like the kids from the Brazilian favelas, or no one runs as fast as the boys and girls from Jamaica's boondocks. He knows too that no other rugby nation has so little - no money and no resources, only basic equipment and a long, sad history of losing its most gifted players to richer, greedier nations.Ryan says yes. And with that simple word he sets in motion an extraordinary journey that will encompass witchdoctors and rugby-obsessed prime ministers, sun-smeared dawns and devastating cyclones, intense friendships and bitter rows, phone taps and wild nationwide parties. It will end in Rio with a performance that not only wins Olympic gold but reaches fresh heights for rugby union and makes Ben and his 12 players living legends back home.