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RATING: |
Date of Release: July 2003 |
Publisher: Leisure Books |
Review Source: |
Iranian frogmen sink a U.S. amphibious assault ship. The Americans, in turn, destroy the oil facilities on Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf.
So far, your regular tit-for-tat on the world stage.
But then things really do heat up.
The Iranian retaliation this time is spectacular: an elite commando force infiltrates the US, first to raid the Marine base at Camp Lejeune, N.C., then to attack the White House and kill the president.
You still with us?? Hang on to your hat!
So audacious is the plan that Richard Welsh, an obscure civilian in a marginal Pentagon job, is the only one to take the threat seriously.
He tries to get the warning out. But no one will listen. He has to convince them all that the threat is real, before it's too late.
Christie establishes a convincing blend of religious zeal and combat professionalism in his characterization of the Iranians, particularly military leader Ali Khurbasi. He refuses all temptation to demonize them, but draws a clear picture of their motivations. Indeed, he often seems to have more sympathy with them, outnumbered and outgunned as they are, and yet resourceful, determined and daring to the point of heroism, than he does with his over-complacent countrymen. The strike on Camp Lejeune is all too credible in its details, and the climactic battle for the White House is a genuine page-turner.
Excellent read.
