review by Brian Lowen on recorded show December 2011
Michael Dobbs was the author of the TV series entitled House of Cards about the sordid life of MPs behind the scenes in government. I thoroughly enjoyed that series so was looking forward to reading this book, but I was disappointed.
It has a good basis for a great thriller – World War 3 is a cyber war without weapons, only victims. When a few taps on a keyboard can bring the world to its knees.
It begins with small things – power failures, blackouts, transport breakdowns. A plane that falls out of the sky, a US warship steers off course into Iranian waters.
These are just warnings. A test for what is to come. The real war hasn’t started yet. When it does there will be madness, as millions die, governments fail and the world collapses into chaos. So goes the blurb on the back of the book. Sounds interesting I thought, but Oh no!
A quite farcical situation is created when the British Prime Minister gets together with the Presidents of Russia and America, all alone apart from one aide each, in a remote Scottish castle with only a housekeeper and a small boy to look after them. They spend all weekend trying to work out how to countenance this threat of world dominance by China. It could have much easier been done over the telephone.
The British Prime Minister has taken along our hero, Harry Jones, who has to save the world from total chaos, but all he does actually is save them from the flames when the castle catches fire.
I suppose some people will enjoy it, but it did not have enough action for me. Not a good page turner and not recommended.
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Michael Dobbs. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Michael Dobbs. Sort by date Show all posts
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Michael Dobbs - The Reluctant Hero
review by Brian Lowen on show 2nd June
An excellent thriller from the writer of Pack of Cards – the TV series some years ago about corruption in our Government which I remember was very good – “You may think that but I couldn’t possibly comment”.
The story involves Harry Jones and is one of a series featuring the ex SAS soldier, &
maverick politician.
Somewhere in the central Asian republic of Ta’argistan, in an underground prison cell
an innocent man is facing imminent death.
Harry Jones is planning the audacious rescue of his friend Zac Kravitz from the prison in Ashkek, the capital city of this crime ridden and backward republic.
He manages to get a place on a government group visiting the republic on a fact finding mission in the foreign aid programme.
When he arrives in Ashkek, he starts making enquiries after his friend Zac. Government Officials in charge of their group deny any existence of his friend but locals tell him that he is in the maximum security section of the prison where he is under the death sentence for allegedly being found in bed with the President’s wife! Harry is unaware of the depths of corruption and conspiracy his clandestine intervention will uncover.
This is a great story, fast paced with good characters, difficult to put down due to the suspense as we follow Harry’s attempt to rescue Zac, his friend from way back who saved his life in one of their joint operations.
The love interest involves Martha, a cold, career girl, a fellow member of the group, who puts her life on the line to help Harry in his mission. The description of the decrepit country they are operating in is excellent and brings to life the terrible conditions existing in this backward republic.
An excellent book – thoroughly recommended.
An excellent thriller from the writer of Pack of Cards – the TV series some years ago about corruption in our Government which I remember was very good – “You may think that but I couldn’t possibly comment”.
The story involves Harry Jones and is one of a series featuring the ex SAS soldier, &
maverick politician.
Somewhere in the central Asian republic of Ta’argistan, in an underground prison cell
an innocent man is facing imminent death.
Harry Jones is planning the audacious rescue of his friend Zac Kravitz from the prison in Ashkek, the capital city of this crime ridden and backward republic.
He manages to get a place on a government group visiting the republic on a fact finding mission in the foreign aid programme.
When he arrives in Ashkek, he starts making enquiries after his friend Zac. Government Officials in charge of their group deny any existence of his friend but locals tell him that he is in the maximum security section of the prison where he is under the death sentence for allegedly being found in bed with the President’s wife! Harry is unaware of the depths of corruption and conspiracy his clandestine intervention will uncover.
This is a great story, fast paced with good characters, difficult to put down due to the suspense as we follow Harry’s attempt to rescue Zac, his friend from way back who saved his life in one of their joint operations.
The love interest involves Martha, a cold, career girl, a fellow member of the group, who puts her life on the line to help Harry in his mission. The description of the decrepit country they are operating in is excellent and brings to life the terrible conditions existing in this backward republic.
An excellent book – thoroughly recommended.
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