Charisma

A powerful storyteller leads us into the murderous depths of an experiment gone wrongIt began as an experiment in techniques to teach high-risk children (i.e., the poor and minorities) the strategies that will allow them to succeed in life. And not just succeed, but overcome the odds and become prodigies. They chose as their model Alexander Marcus, a black man who raised himself up from poverty to become one of the weathiest, most powerful men in America. The imprinting is effective. The children become focused and driven. They are inventive, intelligent, and love learning. But there is a mysterious darkness to thema surprising ruthlessness. For Alexander Marcus had a terrible secret life. And that, too,6has been imprinted on more than a thousand children.Charisma tells the story of these children, and the danger they may represent, in a remarkable, compelling way. We get to know the children first, their dreams, hopes, loves, fears, and games. And then we learn that each one is a potential serial killer, a ticking time-bomb. Should they be eliminated? Can they be saved?Barnes, Steven is the author of 'Charisma', published 2002 under ISBN 9780312870041 and ISBN 0312870043.