Everybody Wants to Rule the World

As Ronald Reagan and Soviet general secretary Mikhail Gorbachev prepare for a historic nuclear summit in Geneva, what happens in Atlanta might change the course of the Cold War, the twentieth century, and Peter Bennett’s freshman year of high school.

Well! If this is not a novel for Gen X, then I don’t know what is. I absolutely loved all the music, tv shows and restaurant references. This brought back so many good memories!

Peter is not taking no for an answer. He knows something is up with his mother and her boyfriend. This young man is a mess and I was here for it. His escapades are not to be missed. And let me tell you…they lead to the discovery of a nest of spies. Yes! You heard me SPIES!

This novel does have a lot of show more characters. I was a bit worried at first (y’all know this is a pet peeve!) But, Ace Atkins kept each one distinctive and unique. And the narrator, MacLeod Andrews, did his job well!

Need an intricate, fast paced 80s spy tale to get you through the day…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. show less

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WHAT'S EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD ABOUT?
The year is 1985, and apparently, there are USSR spies everywhere. At least in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, GA. Reagan's push for his "Star Wars" program is strong, and the KGB wants to know all it can about it before a summit between Gorbachev and Reagan. Tensions are high, cards are set up, and one teenaged boy is about to send them toppling over.

Because his mom is dating a jerk and Peter has an active imagination fueled by pulp novels and sensationalized "news." He becomes convinced that his mom is dating a Russian agent and tries to enlist the show more help of a mostly failed novelist (and his drag queen buddy, a retired NFL player) to expose the boyfriend.

Meanwhile, a KGB officer defects so he can reunite with the love of his life; an actual Russian agent (who may, or may not be the boyfriend) has killed someone; the FBI is investigating that death, and another Federal agent wants to run away with an exotic dancer and is trying to leverage that defector to help him do that.

There's gotta be another storyline or three that I didnt't squeeze into that paragraph, too.

The point is, there's a lot going on. Few of the people involved are properly qualified to deal with it. And the direction of the Cold War hinges on what happens over the next few weeks.

It should be noted that this is a comedy.

WHY DID I PICK THIS UP? WHY DID I KEEP READING?
It’s Ace Atkins—the last decade has taught me that I’m likely to enjoy a book he writes. Also—a comedic take on Russian deep cover agents in the 80s is right up my alley. Put the two of those together…

I stuck with it because that’s exactly what was delivered. A great plot with more twists than a corkscrew, a great voice, and an oddball cast of characters.

WHAT DOES THIS BOOK SAY ABOUT HUMANITY?
There is a deep thread of self-deception going on throughout the book—the stories we tell ourselves about who we are, how others regard us, and what we think we’re capable of.

There are a couple of major characters who are honest about themselves—and largely understand others. But the rest are deluded to one degree or another—how heroic they are, how things will go when they reunite with an old flame, how their life will be better when they ditch their wife and kids for someone new (who any rational person will see isn’t that into you), how the world is against them, and so on.

Some of these are understandable—the teenage male tossing aside common sense because a hot stranger seems into him. Some are relatable, maybe even admirable—the writer who hasn’t sold anything in ages continuing to try. But the others are kind of sad once you stop to think about them—but you do have to force yourself to stop and think about them, because Atkins has you too focused on jogging to keep up with the book and chuckling at their foibles.

THE 80S OF IT
There are a couple of ways to approach the time setting of the 80s. One way is to go over-the-top like The Wedding Singer or That 80s Show. The other way is restrained—like The Americans or Mad Men (different era, but same idea).

Atkins mostly stuck to the restrained approach, it is an 80s story with 80s concerns and ideas and the setting is appropriately depicted.

But every now and then, in the spirit of the book’s flavor, I do think he went a little over-the-top with the references in a Sandler-esque way. And I loved each time he did that. Over all, Atkins goes for realism and restraint—but when he indulges himself (and/or the reader), it’s just a treat.

Oh, and this is maybe a Content Warning I should give...you'll find yourselves thinking a lot about Prince and Phil Collins, possibly driven to listen to them...at the very least, you'll have a couple of songs acting as earworms for days.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD?
I wasn't thrilled with Atkins stepping away from the Spenser or Quinn Colson series, as curious as I was about what he'd do next. I'm still not—but if this is what he's doing instead? I'm getting over it quickly.

This was ridiculous fun. Fast-paced, not quite frantic (because Atkins doesn’t let it happen) filled with crazy coincidences, turns you cannot see coming, twists you think you see coming and are only right occasionally, real people doing stupid and human things—frequently illegal, too.

It is a comedic work, but that comedy is successful because none of the characters is in a comedy. They’re all deadly serious (though some will express that by being a smart arse), worried, scared, or scheming. The danger is real, the stakes are high, people get hurt, lives are changed—it’s a very straightforward thriller that way. But when you can see the whole board, see what they don’t know—it’ll bring a grin to your face and possibly a cackle from you.

A lot of social media/news media can make us all think that the world is ending (and, I’m not for a second suggesting that it might not be)—but this book reminds us that it’s almost ended before. And we’re now far enough away from the genuine, grounded, and realistic fears that we can laugh at them. Isn’t it nice to think that 40 years from now, someone can write a book about now to relieve some stress?

I expected to enjoy this book, I didn’t expect to have fun with it. I don’t know how readers who grew up post-Cold War will react to it. But readers of a certain age will have a good time with Everybody Wants to Rule the World. show less

For more reviews and bookish posts visit: https://www.ManOfLaBook.com

Everybody Wants to Rule the World: A Hilarious Cold War Thriller of Unlikely Heroes, Russian Spies, and High School Drama in the Heart of 1980s Suburban America by Ace Atkins is a nostalgic thriller, a mash up of espionage and 1980s nostalgia. Mr. Atkins is an award-winning, best-selling author, known for his southern noir novels.

Peter Bennett, a 14-year-old high-school student in Atlanta is convinced his mother’s new boyfriend is a Russian spy. Due to recent events, he is sure he’s interested in her because of her work at Scientific Atlanta, a defense contractor working on Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), nicknamed the Star Wars program.

The adults in show more Peter’s life think he’s imagining things, but Peter finds his favorite author Dennis “Hotch” Hotchner, and his best friend an ex-NFL player turned drag queen named Jackie Demure. Along for the ride is Sylvia Weaver, a young FBI agent investing the occurrences at Scientific Atlanta.

I have read many books by Mr. Atkins and frankly enjoyed them all. This one is a departure from his usual stories, but it’s still immensely enjoyable.

Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Ace Atkins is an espionage caper taking place in 1985, as the title implies. I enjoyed the snappy dialog and the references to my youth’s pop-culture. I am only two years older than Peter, the protagonist, so the nostalgia worked for me without fail.

The novel moves quickly, but I felt there were a few too many subplots which, for me, were a bit difficult to keep track of. The book moves smoothly from Peter’s story, which was reminiscent of The Goonies or Red Dawn, to the gritty FBI investigation, also a 1980s trope a la To Live and Die in LA.

Like every good movie, or book, done during the era, the novel requires a drop (or more) of disbelief, but the ending is satisfying and doesn’t leave any loose ends. However, the dissing of Robert Ludlum, one of my favorite authors, is only forgiven due to the propping up of lan Fleming.

The plot is a bit cluttered, the story chaotic – but damn it’s a fun read, full with humor and great characters. The narratives collide in a chaotic mix of Cold War paranoia and 80s pop culture. show less

Loved the wise cracking narration. A boy suspect his mom's boyfriend is a Russian spy. Th truth is even harder to believe.

Everybody wants to know why the Russians are in Atlanta. Teenager Peter and his friend may be on to something. Lots of great characters. Enjoyed all the why and who's who. Very good.