Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #84713 in Books
• Published on: 2001-06-08
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 480 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
A man wakes up in ragged clothes in a back-alley with a headache, no memory and an equally shabby companion who assures him that this is an everyday occurrence. What distinguishes Luke, hero of Ken Follett's effective new thriller Code to Zero, is that he realises so very rapidly that the absence of any desire for alcohol means that he is being lied to. Smart and resourceful, but no superman, Luke's personal memories are gone, but his skills are still there--skills he realises he learned in WW2. Follett's sense of the conflicts and loyalties of the late Eisenhower 50s, with Sputnik in the sky and its American equivalent about to launch, is spot on; he is excellent on the game of shadows played by the early CIA men like Luke's old friend turned enemy Anthony, and the reasons why some people retained treasonable allegiance to Stalinism for so long. His management of shifts of time and viewpoint is slick and professional, but he also remembers what all this is for; the back story of Anthony, Luke, Luke's wife Elspeth and Billy, the woman whom Luke once loved and who holds the key to his mind, is intensely credible and moving. --Roz Kaveney

Synopsis
48 hours that could change the world's political landscape...A man wakes up to find himself lying on the ground in a railway station, his mind stripped bare of all recollection. He has no idea how he got there. He does not even know his own name. Convinced he is a drunken down and out. it isn't until a newspaper report about a satellite launch catches his eye that he begins to suspect all is not what it seems...The year is 1958, and America is about to launch its first satellite, in a desperate attempt to match the Soviet Sputnik and regain the lead in the space race. As Luke Lucas gradually unravels the mystery of his amnesia, he realizes that his fate is bound up with that of the rocket that stands ready on launch pad 26B at Cape Canaveral.

Customer Reviews

Ken Follett - once again the master story teller
I have read every book that Ken Follett has written, from the first book I read which was "A Dangerous Fortune", I then read "Eye of the needle", which to me is the best one, far better than the film version, and on to this one, every book is different and so well written. I wait patiently for his next one. Well done Ken.

I would even give it 6 stars if I could!
When I picked up the book at the station - I was a little concerned as it sounded to be an opening I had heard before. Then when I started into the book this feeling was dispelled. The plot is intelligent and well paced - I couldn't wait to get back to the story-line. The inter-twined lives of the main characters was told in segments from present day, past events and anecdotal passages. The characters are well sketched and believable. I was fascinated by the logic of Luke to understand aspects of his amnesia, and I enjoyed the quick pace.
I will read more by this author, he writes well, and recommend this book without reservation. Superb

Excellent, Thrilling and a Great Read!
I loved this book, which had excellent twists throughout. I couldnt put it down and i was very often up throughout the night reading it. It covers the themes of love, hatred and betrayal. I would definately recomend this book, and all others of Follets books!