Apr 23, 2005 06:44 PM
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(Updated Apr 23, 2005 06:44 PM)
Hey Friends,
This is another magnificent entertainer by Jeffrey Archer. He is a celebrated author who has written more that a dozen novels, almost all of them bestsellers. Shall we tell the President is another fine thriller with rising tension and drama. It has got all the ingredients of a satisfying and entertaining read, surely a book worth its cost.
The Story
Story is not very complex. Florentyna Kane is the first woman president of USA. She has introduced a bill in the Senate called Gun Control Bill. Because the rate of crime in USA is continuously going up, she thinks that it must be necessary for all gun owners to get their guns registered with state and carry a license for guns. It simply means that if you don’t have any license than you have no gun and the discretion to issue a license for carrying a gun or a fire arm is with the state.
We must note that in USA, it is not necessary for you to carry a license to own a gun. It includes hand guns, rifles and shot guns etc. Obviously you can not own an anti aircraft gun without a license!! It is for the small and medium sized weapons and now you need a license.
Some Senators who own a big chunk of the weapon companies are against the bill because if this is passed the sale of guns will come down considerably and they will have to suffer because net profits of their companies will come down. Also, as soon as the bill is passed the rate of shares of their companies in the stock market will also come down.
So, we can say that a bill if passed by the president will make some senators suffer very badly.
What solution to the problem the Senators have, now that the President has got enough majorities to make the bill a law? Kill the President before the bill is passed.
So, one of the Senator gets involved in killing the President.
Some how FBI comes to know this assassination attempt and now they have got only 7 days to stop the assassination.
The Characters
There are two main characters in story – Mark Andrews (Special Agent FBI) and H. A. L. Tyson or Halt (Director, FBI). These are two central characters in the story. The first woman President of USA, Florentyna Kane is an important character in story. Some other small characters are also there. The group of 5 people plotting to assassinate President including the mysterious Senator. Girl friend of Mark named Dr. Elizabeth Dexter who happens to be daughter of a Senator who is under suspicion. Some other smaller characters are also there but they need not be mentioned here.
The Proceedings
FBI comes to know of an assassination attempt on the President but then they get numerous of such tips everyday. So, every tip cannot be considered seriously otherwise FBI would always be busy investigating these things. Add to that the fact that more than half of such threats on President’s life are phony.
But this one turns out to be serious. Special Agents Mark Andrews and Barry Calvert are sent to look into this matter. Nick Stames is the head of Washington Field Office is the in charge officer. But something happens during the investigation and Calvert and Stames die. Now Mark reports to the Director of FBI, Halt and he has to work alone to uncover the assassins who are planning to kill the President. And he has got only 7 days.
The Final Verdict
I will not conceal anything about the story. 7 days is all they have to save the President and to make the Gun Control Bill a law. How they pull it off – read yourself.
I will tell you, though, that the story is fast, very fast infact and it makes for one magnificent read. It is approximately 250 pages, reasonable length for a novel. But what is amazing about it is that in 250 pages Jeffrey Archer has given a completely satisfying read with mounting tension and grip of steel. Story is never weak, it goes on at a nice pace. It has a very good climax.
At times in such short novels, the story comes to an abrupt end, it is not the case here. Every part of the story is nicely deal with and the ending is superb. It makes for a very fine bed time read.
It is good to read on weekends, to relax and enjoy.
It is 250 pages of complete entertainment.
Happy Reading,
Mr. Gautam
