Футурология. XXI век: бессмертие или глобальная катастрофа?

The book is praised as an excellent introduction to the field of futurology for the average reader. It effectively explains how predictions are formulated and identifies key topics within the discipline. Reviewers highlight its accessibility, noting that it provides a good starting point for understanding general terms, concepts, and prominent figures in the study of the future. The author also successfully analyzes past developments up to the book's publication, and its popular, journalistic style makes it an easy and engaging read for those new to the subject.

However, the book faces criticism when the author ventures into making specific predictions or proposing scenarios for future technological development. These sections are described as sometimes rushed, lacking a solid factual foundation, and occasionally bordering on wishful thinking. Reviewers point out that several of the book's forecasts regarding technological advancements have not come to fruition since its 2012 release. Furthermore, the book is seen as lacking a critical examination of potential crises and threats often popularized in speculative fiction, and its concluding thoughts on abstract, far-future concepts are considered overly speculative and conventional for the genre.

In summary, this book is best regarded as a broad overview of potential global development directions rather than a deeply scientific or critically analytical work. While it may not satisfy readers seeking rigorous, fact-based predictions or a critical assessment of future challenges, its strengths lie in its ability to introduce the fundamental principles and scope of futurology in an accessible manner. Therefore, it is particularly well-suited for general readers who are new to the topic and are looking for an easy-to-understand introduction to the study of the future.