The Scorpion's Gate

A rather dizzying novel from Richard Clarke, who spent most of his adult life working in national security and intelligence, culminating in being the counterterrorism head for Clinton and the second Bush, until he resigned over the Iraq war.

So one reads this book with an understanding that this comes from someone who knows geopolitics all too well.

A coup has deposed the ibn Sauds in Saudi Arabia, and the country is now called Islamyah. Some involved in the coup had been Al-Quaeda operatives, and so the new government is highly distrusted by many, and the target of many who want to use Islamyah's weakness to their own advantage. U.S. intelligence analysts find out the Chinese are supplying missiles to Islamyah. Meanwhile, it seems the show more Iranians are up to something, but it isn't clear what. A trio consisting of one of the best U.S. intelligence analysts, an admiral in the U.S. navy, and a British intelligence agent are determined to find out who is doing what and prevent a multi-sided war from breaking out.

It is a thrill ride of a book, though it gets confusing sometimes as to who are the bad guys and who are the good guys, and that is part of Clarke's point... that in a complex world, it can be hard to tell, and that there are factions within governments that often work against each other.

One can also suspect that the irrationally hawkish parts of the fictional executive branch of the U.S. government express some of Clarke's animus to the Bush administration's war in Iraq. In fact one might see the novel as a wish-fulfillment fantasy of Clarke's, that a few dedicated people can stop an unjust war.

Overall, a surprisingly good novel from a man who has an amazing knowledge of the world and how it works... or doesn't work. show less

Written by the former head of counter terrorism to the US government the book was interesting due to its references to government and military personnel involved in the Gulf. Author of "Against All Enemies" Clarke had warned the Bush administration about al Qaeda but was ignored and here he warns that arrogance could happen again. US personnel take it upon themselves to halt the foolish actions of a few administration officials, the Iranians, and the Chinese. A bit stilted w shallow characters but realistic and a good read. Not Tom Clancy but I am glad of that.

Certainly has faults that make it clear that it was written by a first-time novelist. Fascinating to get an accurate view of certain aspects of intelligence work from someone who know's what they're talking about. The writing style was fine, but the plot was weak, especially at the end. The characters were compelling, but there were a few too many to keep track of with so little text. The affair mini-plot was completely unneccesary and detracted from the book. The A-Team style shenanigan's at the end were even more of a problem, though.

Quit on page 214 of 328. Got bored. Regretted reading it as long as I did. It has too much technobable and not a good clear suspenseful plot. There is some good Iran/Iraq information which kept me going as long as I did. If he could have made the story work it might have been a great book.

found it in a charity shop. its from 2005 but is very actual and the scenario is hopeful, will there be a change at the persian gulf?
can this ulcerating wound of the world be healed?
a great novel.

NA

Un colpo di stato ha creato una nuova repubblica islamica in Arabia Saudita, cacciando il regime degli sceicchi. In palio ci sono immensi giacimenti di petrolio e da ovest e da est emergono strategie segrete per ottenerne il possesso. Falchi della politica di ogni fede e governo e avidi uomini d'affari stringono impensabili alleanze ma ognuno di loro ha un suo piano segreto. Gli integralisti iraniani e un gruppo di irriducibili imperialisti all'interno del governo americano sembrano avere un comune obiettivo: il caos da cui nascerà un nuovo ordine. Solo pochi uomini, da una parte e dall'altra comprendono la natura e la pericolosità di un complotto che potrebbe degenerare in un'ultima e definitiva guerra totale.