-Kirkus Reviews

"Big questions, grand themes, and prophetic warnings: all these characterize Algorithms. Another first-rate novel by Sid Balman Jr."

--Robert Zorn, award-winning author of Cemetery John: The Undiscovered Mastermind of the Lindbergh Kidnapping

"The third installment in the Seventh Flag Trilogy, Algorithms, perfectly combines the excitement of a post-apocalyptic thriller with a poignant coming-of-age story featuring an engaging heroine facing a very different 'American Dream.' Indeed, a page-turner . . . an important read for any citizen concerned about the reality of where our culture wars and politics are taking American society."

--Laura Payne, Dean, Jimmy D. Case College of Literature, Arts, and Social Sciences Sul Ross State University

"In Algorithms, Balman paints a vivid picture of an all-too-believable--and terrifying--future: a post-apocalyptic Western that is equal parts Cormac McCarthy and Larry McMurtry. Fans of . . . the Seventh Flag Trilogy--will enjoy this satisfying and entirely unexpected conclusion to the series. His research with the resilient indigenous people of Mexico and North America . . . lends an authenticity to what may be his main point: the survival of humankind rests on its indelible link with nature. In his vivid, descriptive prose, Balman captures the unique beauty of far West Texas as only one who has lived there could."

--Jill Gibson, editor of National Security Science magazine

"Sid Balman's Algorithms is a thrilling climax to his cross-generational West Texas saga. In the dystopian future, his tale of a technological and societal collapse is stunning, and--unfortunately--not implausible. The resilience of his heroes and the natural communities gives me some hope for our current times."

--Chris Wolz, CEO of Forum One

"Orwellian in scope and rendered in Balman's unique style, Algorithms balances a thrilling plot with deeper themes of resilience and universality. Balman is at his obsecrate best, weaving dire portents into a novel full of hardship, hope, and natural beauty. Algorithms is a captivating and fitting ending to the Seventh Flag Trilogy, sure to delight literary readers and dystopian fiction fans alike."

--James Wade, Spur Award-winning author of Beasts of the Earth