Hacking Harvard (ISBN 1416936335)

It was good, I would definitely recommend it.:
I enjoyed this book a lot, but the plot is a bit unbelievable. I mean, how likely is it that three seventeen year old super-geeks would be able to hack into Harvard and get a complete slacker in? But even with that said, I still thought it was a very good book. The four main characters balance each other out nicely and I like the pace at which the author develops the plot. Overall, it was a good book that I would recommend.

An eye-opener to the world of college applications:
As a student not yet in high school, it was interesting to read about the whole application process to the best college in the country - Harvard. Basically this whole plot is about how three very intelligent boys try all the tricks up their sleeve to get one fully unqualified slacker into Harvard. From the beginning to the end, Robin Wasserman will keep you turning pages to find out what happens next. Wasserman also does a very good job making the three main characters in the book realistic and human. It made it easy for me to relate to the characters, especially Eric Roth. All in all, this book was eye-opening and funny. I would suggest it to any teenager from ages 12 and up. Happy Readings!

Sacking Hacking:
I was looking for something amusing about the whole overheated college admissions process. "Hacking Harvard" seemed a good choice. And, the first few pages, skimmed in the book store, seemed interesting. But the book slowly lurches downward. The characters, particularly the parents, are shallow. The point of view lurches about in a distracting and confusing manner - so much so that once or twice I had to page back to make sure I knew who was talking. The portraits of Harvard-associated adults - parents and admissions personnel alike are pointlessly exaggerated, cruel and unrealistic. Moral dilemmas are brought up and then tossed aside. And, finally, yes, the plot is unrealistic and based on the self-serving concept that a band of bright teens are much smarter than the entire Harvard admissions staff, and that said staff is completely unprepared for any hacking attempts. It's not unrealistic to imagine any one of the various stunts used working, but it is very unlikely to imagine so many of the succeeding. The plot also depends on nearly all the Harvard admissions staff being stuffy, boring, and easily hoodwinked by BS - and my knowledge of Harvard staff is very different. Now, all the unrealistic aspects of this book could be overlooked if it was a well-written and amusing romp - I think of "The Mouse that Roared" as a absurd concept that couldn't work but does. But a certain nasty undertone, cardboard characters, and poor writing make it impossible for this reader to enjoy "Hacking Harvard".

confusing:
I was very excited to read this book, but I had to reread the first chapter many times. And that was just the beginning of the confusion. It turned out to be an interesting book, but be prepared to work hard to get through it.

Hacking Harvard:
I loved Hacking Harvard. The plot wasn't anything spectacular, but there were a few twists that I didn't expect. What really made the book come alive for me was the characters. You could picture every scene in your head so clearly. Well worth the money and the time. Even though the outcome is pretty obvious, the journey to it will entrance.