Schnell, spannend, Atem beraubend: In der Tat: Forsyth at his best! Wie immer schlüssig, originell, raffiniert und detailreich. Das kennen wir von Forsyth. Aber in puncto Rasanz und Spannung hat sich der Politthriller-Meister hier selbst übertroffen.

Good read, but certainly not one of his best. Trite, hackneyed and predictable, but good escape.

Cold war crop war.

A story involving Ukrainian anti-Soviet agitators, as well as a food crisis in the Soviet union. A crop disease leaves the Soviets with a serious shortage, and the US sees an opportunity to help out, while getting some things they want in return.

Politburo hardliners don't want to do this deal with the Western devil, advocating invading some European countries and taking it by force.

A plucky MI6 contact and a Russian woman he has a relationship with try to do something about it.

http://notfreesf.blogspot.com/2008/05... ( )

I don't think this book got as good a reception from critics or the book-buying public as Forsyth's first three novels. But I liked it better. It's as finely crafted as any suspense thriller I have read. The politicians' dilemma postulated by the subject matter is only part of the story. There's suspense all through it and things happened not as I expected. It's a big book and it kept me awake nights - much longer than usual. ( )

Russia faces famine. The Soviets are forced to pin their hopes for survival on the U.S. But as the KGB and the CIA watch in horror, the rescue of a Ukrainian freedom fighter from the Black Sea unleashes savagery that endangers peace -- and plunges leaders from Washington to Moscow into a web of overwhelming intrigue, terror, and suspense. Only two lovers can save the world from nuclear destruction. Yet every way out means certain death -- and the countdown has already begun.