Book is in readable condition. Has been well read and is worn.
From Publishers Weekly: "Ludlum's 14th suspense caper has the earmarks of all his others: the mysterious cabal involved in global conspiracy; the surges of sudden violence; the careful veneer of local color to provide authenticity; and the rather graceless prose punctuated with breathless italicizing to keep the suspense going. The protagonist this time is Congressman Evan Kendrick, who secretly goes to Oman to rescue a large group of Americans held hostage there. Disguised as a terrorist and aided by the young sultan and a beautiful American-Arab agent, Kendrick succeeds so well that his anonymity is betrayed, and he becomes an instant hero back home, as well as a reluctant presidential candidate. After his cover is blown, however, he also becomes the target for terrorist assassination. Behind all the evildoing is a cabal headed by a man who calls himself the Mahdi, its purpose to acquire the power that money brings by selling arms to religious fanatics. And on this side of the ocean there are other secret forces at work, with awesome power at their command. While violence piles on violence, Ludlum does some high-flown moralizing. The story's underlying philosophy can be found, or at least sought, in the characteristically fuzzy statement: "The arrogance of blind belief led all the mendacities of human thought." Hardcore fans will have fun with this one, but it's not Ludlum's best by a long shot." Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal: "The American embassy in Oman is seized by terrorists who threaten to execute their hostages. Evan Kendrick, a Colorado congressman who had made a fortune as a builder in that part of the world, offers to help free the captives, but asks that his role be kept secret. His mission to Masqat alone would have been a thrilling novel for another writer, but for Ludlum it is only the start of this long, intricate, exciting story of conspiracies within conspiracies. A year after the rescue, Kendrick finds himself famous as the hero of Masqat. The secret group Inver Brass (from Ludlum's The Chancellor Manuscript ) has determined to propel him into the highest offices. Is Inver Brass behind the murders of people close to Kendrick? Are the terrorists, assisted by top government figures, seeking revenge? Once you start reading you just can't stop. BOMC main selection." Charles Michaud, Turner Free Lib., Randolph, Mass. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --
From Library Journal: "The American embassy in Oman is seized by terrorists who threaten to execute their hostages. Evan Kendrick, a Colorado congressman who had made a fortune as a builder in that part of the world, offers to help free the captives, but asks that his role be kept secret. His mission to Masqat alone would have been a thrilling novel for another writer, but for Ludlum it is only the start of this long, intricate, exciting story of conspiracies within conspiracies. A year after the rescue, Kendrick finds himself famous as the hero of Masqat. The secret group Inver Brass (from Ludlum's The Chancellor Manuscript ) has determined to propel him into the highest offices. Is Inver Brass behind the murders of people close to Kendrick? Are the terrorists, assisted by top government figures, seeking revenge? Once you start reading you just can't stop. BOMC main selection." Charles Michaud, Turner Free Lib., Randolph, Mass. Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --
The cover looks different but same isbn #.
Congressman Kendrick is trying to live out his term of office quietly when a political mole reveals to the world Kendrick's deepest secret--that he was an anonymous man in Masqat, the man who courageously freed the hostages held in the American Embassy by Arab terrorists, un unknown hero who had disappeared. Now, he is suddenly a living target for the terrorists he outwitted, and he must enter a deadly arena where the only currency is blood and where Kendrick's life and the fate of the free world may ultimately rest in the powerful hands of a mysterious and deadly figure known only as the Mahdi.
-back cover
-back cover
A timely book with past incidents of Arab terrorists, government secrets, and engrossing plotlines.
very good book set in an interesting background. good read.
Excellent book. I would definately recommend this book to any Ludlum fan.
Abridged EditionIf you enjoy the non-stop action of a James Bond film, you should be an instant candidate for becoming a fan of Robert Ludlum! He has a way of inserting life into the most thrilling and complex plots in such a way that you actually end up believing they are true. Is it Fiction or Fact????? Once you pop in the first cassette, you go from interested to absorbed in about 2 minutes! Ludlum pulls you in and gets you hooked like no other writer out there.This book/audio has all the hallmarks of a typical Robert Ludlum thriller - suspence, mystery, surprises around every corner, memorable characters and well researched locations. One obvious conclusion that you will come to is that Ludlum is NOT a practicioner of the KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) approach to writing! He can get a little long in the narrative.All in all, I think you'll really enjoy this audio, and if you happen to be a woman reading this - Ludlum always has a romantic interlude in his novels!Wiley Coyote
Another good one from Ludlum!
