Date first published	1984
ISBN Number	0-586-05277-1
Page Count	847 p/b
h/b= hardback : p/b= paperback

Storyline

A group of retired and discarded generals have decided the world needs them to sort out it's problems. They plan a world wide coup.

A secret group in Washington know what is planned but are unable to act as the agents of Aquitaine have infiltrated all levels of government, the military and the Intelligence service. To get around this problem they engage a lawyer to act as a blind agent, in the hope of finding the evidence to destroy Aquitaine. So enter Joel Converse, former pilot, with a deep grudge against one of the Architects of Aquitaine.

What the group in Washington have not realised is that the Aquitaine project is in its final stages and that Aquitaine have already discovered the counter plot. Joel has the first meeting with an old friend and agrees to tackle Aquitiane, and then the blood begins to flow and the body count rises.

As Joel starts probing, anyone that comes into contact with him ends up dead, and with Joel accused of their murder. As time runs out can Joel stay alive long enough to get the answers he needs to destroy Aquitiane?

Review

I have very mixed views on the book. The first third of the book is plodding, and quite frankly boring, as converse meets with the Generals of Aquitaine, and tries to get the knowledge he requires. There is also quite a lot background on the central characters of Aquitaine which I feel could have been abbreviated quite considerably. There is also an expanse of legal jargon, with Converse acting as a condescending idiot.

Another aspect of the book that grates, is the use of the odd word, in whatever country Joel finds himself. It is as if Ludlum has learnt a bit of German or French and wants to show off - look I know some German. In fact it comes across as if he has and English German dictionary and has just looked up the words. I have on the few trips I've been to Germany never come across a German that speaks in English then throws in the odd smattering of German. In general if you find an English speaker (and it's hard not to) they talk to you in English.

The use of the foreign language is obviously a device to try and get you to realise that you are in the said country, but I found it just plain annoying (Am I getting old or something?). This seems to be a trend of American writers, Clancy is another that uses similar methods. Perhaps it works in the US but over here it just seems condescending and pointless.

OK. Having got that off my chest what about the rest of the book. It really picks up once Converse meets at Leifhelms house, and is taken for interrogation under drugs. From the moment he escapes the pace picks up, and becomes more frantic as he tries in desperation to avoid the police, intelligence services and the soldiers of Aquitaine, all of whom are quite happy to see him dead and buried.

Just when things seem to be slowing down, Converse is found and the chase starts again, with him running from friends and foe alike, not knowing which is which.

Characterisation as with most of his books is sparse, very little description is provided as to what Joel looks like. Initially he also comes across as a self indulgent, self centred prat. The feeling never really goes away, but by the end you do warm to him, but its' not easy. The reason given for his mental state does not really exonerate him.

The latter part of the book is reasonably good, fast moving with some decent action, it would rate higher, but is let down by the first third of the book which I found tedious, especially with all the pseudo legal talk. Not his worst but definitely not one of his best.

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