Product Description

The world is peering into the terrifying chasm of a new kind of conflict, where computers take over from missiles and global damnation comes at the click of a button. Cyber-warfare: the kind that brings nations to their knees, switching off energy lifelines, crippling the financial markets, starving leaders of authority. An old Russian nuclear reactor goes into Chernobyl-style meltdown, while on the other side of the world, the US Eastern Seabord is plunged into darkness. Nobody knows -- yet -- who is responsible for the chaos. Hidden from the rest of the world, an extraordinary meeting of the US President, the Russian President and the British Prime Minister is about to take place. They have the weekend to save the world -- and they must do it alone. Meanwhile something serious is going on in Beijing: it looks as though the Chinese are preparing for the final thrust against their old enemies, bringing them to their knees without a single shot being fired...

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #468713 in Books
• Published on: 2009-05-31
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

About the Author
Michael Dobbs is the author of 15 thrillers including the major bestsellers The Lords' Day, Winston's War, and House of Cards which became a hugely successful BBC TV drama. He lives near Salisbury in Wiltshire. Visit his website www.michaeldobbs.com

Customer Reviews

Okay if you want a beach novel, not if you want something deeper
Cyber-war is ripe for depiction in a thriller and Michael Dobbs has clearly researched the field. Unfortunately, in a world where the most devastating cyber-attacks have originated from private groups or criminal organisations, he's chosen to frame the tactics in the geo-political sphere and a result, the plot strains credibility.

The villain is China which, under a nationalist leader envisages bringing his country to global dominance while settling old scores with Britain, Russia and the USA. The unseen Mao Yanming acts through Fu Zhang, who has brought together a group of techno-geeks to bring China's enemies to their knees. Unfortunately Fu Zhang has too much of the Fu Manchu about him - his overt evilness and ambition making it difficult to take him seriously (despite a nasty opening scene). You also wonder why China doesn't go for cyber-espionage instead to maximise commerce opportunities.

China's initial attacks on nuclear facilities and medical systems have attracted the interest of British PM Mark D'Arby, who's arranges a secret meeting with US President, Blythe Harrison and Russian President Sergei Shunin in a remote Scottish castle to agree a strategy. Although the idea of the three leaders meeting in a remote spot without security is preposterous, the main problem is that nothing really happens. The leaders squabble and bargain but their talks have no impact on the plot's other events. Instead, Blythe mopes about her marriage break-up, Shunin bullies his son-in-law and D'Arby chats to Harry Jones, who as the hero is little more than an observer and driver until near the end when someone tries to sabotage the conference.

If you suspend your disbelief however, this is an entertaining enough novel. Events rocket along nicely and the action bounces between different events. A scene where the Sellafield nuclear plant begins to go into meltdown without anyone realising is chilling and the car bombing of Shunin deftly portrayed. Although the characters are brush strokes at best, Harry is suitably world-weary and morally upright to keep you rooting for him. I cringed at the scenes involving the Queen only because fictionalising real people is a personal squick. There's some reference to events in THE LORDS' DAY but you don't need to read it to understand this.

If you're looking for a decent beach novel, this is perfect but anyone seeking a thriller that examines the credible implications of the cyber-threat will find it wanting.

sound premise - caricature characters
Dobbs's past books have deep insights into the political world and current affairs. The premise of a cyberwar is plausible and topical and the book starts brilliantly. Then as various characters are being introduced they become caricatures - the one good guy is a (british) hero could can do no wrong, everyone else is an untrusworthy politician (british), uncouth and a drunk (russian) and suppremely arrogant (american) and this detracts from what is essentially a good read.

Great page turner
I am a huge fan of Michael Dobbs books and approached this one with great enthusiasm. The story entirely stand alone but a continuation of the key characters from the Lords Day altho Harry seems to have become more of a cardboard cutout 'good guy' and Blythe is a bit too indecisive as the American president.... altho that is a crucial part of the plot timing However the goings-on are extremely well developed and the book a real page turner. Somewhere about 3/4 of the way through the reader begins to wonder whether World War three can be averted and the pastiche of a drunken Russian president silenced. However all ends well [of course] although Dobbs isn't too kind to some of his charactures. I know lots of readers will think it all a bit predictable but the idea of cyber wars is horribly believable, and I loved it from start to finish. But no more Harry books please Mr Dobbs.