America, China heading for a clash on high sea. Review on Altman Code, The - Robert Ludlum

Another day, another travel and another popcorn fiction in my hand. This time it was Robert Ludlum's The Altman Code.

The Essence

The essence of the story is in a cargo ship - 'The Dowager Empress' which loads up from the docks of Shanghai in China and heads toward Basra in Iraq. American intelligence gets unconfirmed reports that this ship contains chemicals to create biological weapons of mass destruction. So the American President Sam Castilla wants to stop this ship and destroy its contraband cargo before it reaches the seas of Iraq, but at the same time he is not in a position to jeopardize the human rights treaty which China is going to sign.

The Plot

The plot begins in the docks of Shanghai where the Dowager Empress is loading up its cargo.

A photographer manages to click a few photos of the cargo, but alas he is murdered even before he can set foot out of the dock.

The story then pitchforks to mainland China where covert agent Jon Smith is assigned the job of retrieving the manifest of the Dowager Empress from another agent already operating in China. Another shootout and Jon Smith is on his own without the manifest. His orders are to find the manifest at any cost!!

In the meanwhile, a subplot develops wherein American Intelligence gets to know that a prisoner languishing in Chinese jails for way too long claims to be the father of the US President. Ridiculous, as it may sound, American Intelligence begins an investigation to this end as well.

But America is facing other woes too. There are a large number of strategic planning which is getting leaked to media, businessmen and others. These leaks are threatening the very security of the American society. The leaks point to a filthy rich businessman Ralph Mcdermid of the Altman Group, a group on whose payroll are huge number of past and present Government executives including a past president. So an investigation by CIA is on progress as well on this.

On the other side of the fence, at Zhongnanhai the Chinese Standing Committee seems to be torn in the middle, with Niu Jianxing (The Owl) leading the chinese towards extended trade with the other countries, whereas the old and wily Wei Gaofan is still of the old school of Mao communism. The standing committee is watching the events around the Dowager Empress with increasing interest. The fiasco can seal the fate of the human rights treaty with America and probably Niu's dream of democracy and free trade with other nations.

So, Jon Smith, the covert one operative holds the key to the futures of two major nations America and China and possibly is the only person in a position to stop the beginning of another Cold War. How is the Dowager Empress, the prisoner claiming to be president's father and the Altman Group tied together? Will the chinese allow an Americans to stop their cargo ship on the high seas?

I am not telling you. :). If I reveal anything more of this plot believe me you would end up shooting me!! So I stop here and let the readers enjoy the novel.

The Book

Although the title of the book is 'Robert Ludlum's The Altman Code', the book was actually written by Gayle Lynds. Robert Ludlum is the creator of the covert one series and Gayle has written a book in this series and hence the title.

Gayle has some really good things going in this book:

1) The novel is very fast paced to begin with. There is hardly any dull moment in the book. There is both action on the intelligence front and the diplomatic front as well making the novel quite interesting.

2) The novel explores the cultural differences between America and China. How conservative the Chinese personal life and relationships are compared with the aggressive nature of american relationships. The study of the styles of Niu Jianxing and Ralph Mcdermid was good, reminded me of the Star Wars novel Shadows of the Empire where in the story compares the Warm Blooded vs. the Cold Blooded.

3) The description of the mainland china and the way he exploits it in his plot deserves a mention.

Also, I am impressed by the research and the quality of the writing in this book. This book touches upon a lot of nuances like the cultural differences which usually is missing in popcorn fiction. Also, the plot does not senseless wave from one contingency to another like the Doomsday Conspiracy.

Central Characters

Jon Smith - A covert one operative who is a qualified microbiologist which allows him to pass on as a scientist as cover for his operations. He holds the key to resolution of this problem.

Sam Castilla - American President who is interested in ending this impasse as soon as possible, so that the human rights treaty with China can go through.

Niu Jianxing - The Owl as he is known is known for his open views of trade with other countries, he is all for the human rights treaty. The Owl also is one of the highest political figures in china and is one of the eight Standing Committee members.

Wei Gaofan - Another heavyweight political figure in China and the member of the Standing Committee, but from the old school of thought.

Fred Klein - Jon's boss and the head of the Covert One operations. A close friend of president Sam Castilla.

Ralph Mcdermid - The owner of the Altman Group. Rolls on political contacts and business brainwaves.

Feng Dun - The highly accomplished problem solver of Ralph Mcdermid and someone special high up in China. Feng Dun lets his gun do the talking most of the time.

Asgar Mahmout - The head of the Uigher movement inside China, who becomes an efficient ally for Jon.

Summary

I must confess that after a real long time I have really sat back and enjoyed a popcorn fiction. So for the sheer pleasure I derived from the book, I give it a 4 star rating.