This one kept me hopping for a while. I liked it, and as Larry at TMI pointed out, not too heavy. A great weave of plot and intrigue. I could see ahead just as far as Follett wanted me to. Like when the Italian was really Mafia, you could just see how in the future that might be useful to Dickstein. I also could see him falling for Suza, although her falling for him was a surprise.

Each piece of the operation was detailed and acted out for us in the story, I found that to be especially enlightening. In most “spy” novels, there is a distinct lack of continuity of this type. The players simply do what they have to in short sentences and vague paragraphs. In this, Fopllett gives us Dickstein’s method and motive of action. Why he chooses the people he decides to exploit.

I also liked the opposite viewpoints he gave. I didn’t like Hassan’s actions, but I could understand his attitude once I understood the background and why that could motivate him to do what he does. And Rostov I found fascinating. He’s really a family man trying to do his best for his kids and the only way to do it is to sabotage Dickstein’s operation. Really a good device to make the reader care about the characters.

Also the behind the scenes at the top of the respective spy organizations was pretty good. You knew by the folly of the present Mossad head, that Dickstein would someday take over as he does in the end. And of course, he and Suza live happily ever after, although I’m not sure someone is considered Jewish if not born of a Jewish mother. The idea of changing the law is put forth, but I don’t think it was ever carried out.

Part 2 of our summer reading, this is a considerably better book than The English Assassin. But, it's still basically a spy novel and probably not very interesting to someone who's not into the genre. ( )

Follett's book was a good read but written in the 60's and in Israel's favor. As usual. Though he sometimes takes note of the suffering people of Palestine it is only fleeting.

We American's never consider the dignity and respect due the Arabs and Muslims. Only now are we waking up to this fact. ( )

Not as good as Eye of the Needle but a reasonable thriller. ( )