In the near future, America and China go head-to-head in a battle of technological bluffs, setting in motion a chain of events that could lead to skyrocketing oil prices, the end of the dollar, the American way of life, and the republic itself. The only man who might have an answer in the midst of the international crisis is Patrick “Mac” McDaniels, a world-renowned physicist who wants nothing to do with the government. Has he been conducting revolutionary energy research in secret? And if so, will McDaniels be America’s salvation—or its ruin?
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
First of all, I am not one who read many political thrillers or espionage books. However, once in a while, I think it makes sense to read something that is a little bit different, and indeed this one was well worth the time invested in reading it!
From the very beginning, I was completely mesmerized in this book. It seems that whenever I read books like this, I tend to get just a little bit scared because it seems so real. And it does not help when you turn on the news and see things that remind you of the book you are reading! It always happens when I read books like this--probably because I am more "switched on" to what is going on in the world.
In addition to this, I also learned an incredible amount about China, the U.S., and the world in general. I found myself checking the facts and talking with friends and family members about what I was reading. It was really something to discover that the author's facts were "spot on." And when I looked up his background, I discovered that as an economist, he does know what he is talking about.
When it came to characterization, I enjoyed Mac and Ben. The camaraderie between them was phenomenal. I cannot say that the other characters (except the president) are painted quite as expertly. I did enjoy Lady as well! She was probably my favorite character.
I did grow tired of the profanity in the book, but I am sure the use of it was more than realistic. I did tend to become numb to it as I continued to read it, but I still could have done without it. I would not mark the book down for that, however. I was glad there were no bedroom scenes!
For the most part, I did not struggle to understand the scientific sections in the book, but on occasion, I felt a little bit lost. I did not spend too much time trying to figure it out. If I did not understand it, I merely skimmed it for a paragraph or two, and I got right back on track.
I can thoroughly recommend this book to just about anyone who wants a fairly quick-paced book that will definitely open your eyes to international issues. The author writes short chapters that keep the action moving. And since the author is a Pacific Northwest dweller, I was quite pleased to see all the action that occurred in my part of the country!
I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
Dan Romain is a nationally recognized business consultant who built one of the most successful insurance firms in the country. A graduate of the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a member of the Omicron Delta Epsilon International Economics Society, he currently resides in Seattle, Washington, with his wife, Lori, their two children, Danielle and Brian, and their black Labrador, Kona. He has been widely credited as one of the few who accurately predicted the economic melt down.
Hardcover
Publisher: Two Harbors Press
Price: $22.95
ISBN: 9781937293406
Pages: 375
Release: November 1, 2011
MyBookOrders.com Buy Link
Excerpt
The world’s economic pillars were crumbling. Ruin and worry, the ultimate economic plagues, consumed all in their path and hungered for more… America’s financial vascular system was now in full cardiac arrest. The collapse had begun.
In surreal contrast, the hours passed calmly for McDaniels aboard his anonymous craft in Boston’s inner harbor. There, he checked and rechecked all the provisions, lines and cables, plans and charts that would carry him away on Wednesday morning’s tide. Still, try as he would, he found no place to stow his worry as darkness consumed his soul.
Follow the entire tour here.
It is said that sea washes away sores opened along life’s journey. Men of the sea suffer a fine and pleasant misery under sail. Such was McDaniel’s hope; that the sea spray of dawn would, indeed, kipper his worries at first light.
The Quaker State Affair website:
http://www.thequakerstateaffair.com/
Dan Romain's business website:
http://www.brokerspath.com/
Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
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The Quaker State Affair blog tour site:
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When nightfall arrived on that fateful November Sunday, the financial markets in Asia began to erupt. Within an hour, the NIKKEI in Tokyo closed down. Taiwan’s TAIEX set moratoriums, eventually closing the exchange. In Korea, the KOSPI remained opened for almost two hours before crashing, while the Shanghai Composite and Shenzhen Indexes suffered the same market crash. In Hong Kong and Australia, the story was the same. The HANG SENG and ASX were flooded beyond capacity.
The contagion was spreading across the globe. By 10:00 p.m. that Sunday, Washington DC time, the Bank of Japan had suspended all transactions for the next twenty-four hours.
It had begun.
The seemingly overnight collapse, which had taken nearly a century to occur, had now, finally, come..
Americans did not know, as they prayed in those darkest of days, that their salvation had already set sail.
In surreal contrast, the hours passed calmly for McDaniels aboard his anonymous craft in Boston’s inner harbor. There, he checked and rechecked all the provisions, lines and cables, plans and charts that would carry him away on Wednesday morning’s tide. Still, try as he would, he found no place to stow his worry as darkness consumed his soul.
Follow the entire tour here.
It is said that sea washes away sores opened along life’s journey. Men of the sea suffer a fine and pleasant misery under sail. Such was McDaniel’s hope; that the sea spray of dawn would, indeed, kipper his worries at first light.
The Quaker State Affair website:
http://www.thequakerstateaffair.com/
Dan Romain's business website:
http://www.brokerspath.com/
Tribute Books Blog Tours Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tribute-Books-Blog-Tours/242431245775186
The Quaker State Affair blog tour site:
http://thequakerstateaffair.blogspot.com/
When nightfall arrived on that fateful November Sunday, the financial markets in Asia began to erupt. Within an hour, the NIKKEI in Tokyo closed down. Taiwan’s TAIEX set moratoriums, eventually closing the exchange. In Korea, the KOSPI remained opened for almost two hours before crashing, while the Shanghai Composite and Shenzhen Indexes suffered the same market crash. In Hong Kong and Australia, the story was the same. The HANG SENG and ASX were flooded beyond capacity.
The contagion was spreading across the globe. By 10:00 p.m. that Sunday, Washington DC time, the Bank of Japan had suspended all transactions for the next twenty-four hours.
It had begun.
The seemingly overnight collapse, which had taken nearly a century to occur, had now, finally, come..
Americans did not know, as they prayed in those darkest of days, that their salvation had already set sail.
Ruth, it says a lot when you bring up the book you're reading while talking with family and friends. I'm glad you really got into it. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it was a very interesting book. Reminds me of some books by Joel Rosenberg, specifically "The Last Jihad". Which actually came true! He wrote it and THEN Sept. 11th happened.. Talk about on the news for his book at that point.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very interesting book! I am going to add it to my summer reading list!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like an interesting book. I may pick it up and give it a read. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this with us!
ReplyDeleteRuth, thanks for this book review. I've not heard of this book before, but have a feeling my husband would really enjoy it. He's very much into politics. I think he'd be fascinated by the book. I'm like you. I get scared when the book resonates so much with what's actually happening in the world. These days, I can't help thinking of all I read in the Left Behind series. Scary stuff when you think about it. Anyway, I'm really enjoying your site. :) Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
~Rosann
I loved the Left Behind series, too. And sometimes I felt like this was an "end-times" book written from a secular point of view. Thanks for the comment!
Delete