Nicholas Creel is a very powerful man. As CEO of one of the largest government defense contractors in the world, the Ares Corporation, he stands to gain or lose tens of billions of dollars by producing the latest and greatest weapons of war. Although he is wealthy beyond imagination, the end of the Cold War has had a negative effect on the bottom line. After all, a man who owns one of the largest and most spectacular yachts in the world, complete with a private submarine hidden in the belly, has set a higher standard of living than most.
Creel needs a war - one big enough to cause worldwide panic and loosen the old defense spending purse strings of not only the U.S., but the Russians, the Chinese, and other G-8 countries, as well. Since a war doesn't seem to be imminent, Creel takes matters into his own hands and hires a "perception management" firm to manufacture one, creating and launching an elaborate video that takes the Internet by storm. As China and Russia take the bait, political assassinations and terrorist strikes begin to dominate the world headlines.
It is up to the intrepid protagonist, known only as Shaw, to uncover the truth and prevent World War III. As a secret government operative, Shaw proceeds to connect the dots to unravel the complicated global plot before it's too late. Katie James is a disgraced journalist trying to drink her troubles away when she stumbles head-first into the story that could not only rescue her career, but make her a household name - if only she can live through the melee. * * *
My Two Cents Worth
Baldacci is a master in the political terror genre, and he is at his best in this modern day, high tech "Wag the Dog" thriller. He seamlessly introduces each character into the plot while the story unfolds at a head-spinning pace.
As a reader, you can appreciate Baldacci's ability to spin a complex and compelling story in the most efficient and visceral manner. He is clear and concise, allowing the reader to see the action with their mind's eye while at cruising speed, rarely hitting the brakes with confusing prose. In this respect, I equate his skill with that of Ludlum or Grisham.
This is a great book for those who, like myself, simply want to experience a great storyteller at work.
Paperback
516 pages, 6 hours
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