The Rhinemann Exchange

Rating:
Summary: Another Exciting Ludlum Book!
Review: Ludlum has used a unique plot and a very original approach to writing this book. Both of the powers in World War II are in need of a product to have a sucessful war effort. The Nazis are in need of industrial diamond to finish Peenemunde and the Allies need a gyro guidance system in order to effectively bomb the Germans. The two sides are finally brought together and a deal is made. The two parties will meet in Argentina. David Spaulding an excellent agent in Spain is sent to Argentina by his government. He doesn't know the real purpose of the illegal transaction. The Nazis are going to trade the gyro system foe the industrial diamonds. In the meantime the Haganah(an underground Jewish group) brings Spaulding the real nature of the transaction. Spaulding is finally able to crash the deal. The Nazis lose thanks to Spaulding, with the help of the Haganah. This is a very good book that is definitely a page turner.Buy it,you will not be dissapointed.

Rating:
Summary: Didn¿t quite live up to potential.
Review: The Rhinemann Exchange features a fascinating fictional premise that Ludlum has dreamed up within the setting of the closing stages of the Second World War. Germany desperately needs shipments of industrial diamonds to perfect its rockets. The USA desperately needs functional high-altitude gyroscopes to perfect aircraft guidance systems. Both sides have what the other needs. And so unfolds "an exchange between enemies at the height of the bitterest war in the history of mankind" (p97), with Erich Rhinemann functioning as the liaison in the neutral territory of Buenos Aires to oversee the exchange. David Spaulding, the man from Lisbon, is the American agent released from his service in Portugal and commissioned on a secret mission to bring the gyroscope blueprints back to the USA. But he doesn't know the terrible secret of the diamond transfer which his country is giving up in exchange. And who is trying desperately to stop the exchange? And what role in the action does the fanatical Jewish group Haganah play? What unfolds is combination of action and suspense, in typical Ludlum style. But in the end the novel didn't quite live up to the potential that the premise offered, and the story lacked the heart-stopping action and suspense of Ludlum's better page-turners, and was burdened with too much confusing political dialogue, and unexplained loose ends. An interesting read, but newcomers to Ludlum would be advised to begin instead with some of his better books, such as (in my preferred order) The Bourne Identity, The Materese Circle, The Holcroft Covenant, and The Aquitaine Progression. -GODLY GADFLY

Rating:
Summary: Another Good Ludlum Book!
Review: This was another good book written by Robert Ludlum. You could use the term pageturner with the Rhinemann Exchange. The two nations at war during World War II are in a desperate need for certain products to make their war efforts sucessful. The Nazis are trying to get their rocket factory Peenemunde on line in order to have a good war effort. The Americans need to get a gyroscope design to help their bombers. For the Americans their main invasion Operation Overlord is in jeapordy.The Nazis need to obtain industrial diamonds in order to put Peenemunde on line. The Nazis have the designs for a gyroscopic guidance system. The Americans (the Aircraft Company) can produce the industrial diamonds. The trading of these two products are a must for both sides. A meeting is arranged in South America in Buenos Aires. David Spaulding who is an undercover agent in Lisbon is sent to represent America. He knows only of the designs. Into the picture enters the Haganah(Jewish underground group).After several attempts the Haganah finally shows Spaulding the other side of the excahnge. Spauldin springs into action and sabotages the master conspiracy. With the help of the Haganah David is able to bring a close to this evil plan. This is a must read book. Another masterpiece from Ludlum.

Rating:
Summary: a 5star book
Review: this was my first ludlum book and it certainly will not be my last.dont read any negative reviews of this book.action packed...fast ...racing couldn't ask for more.trust me.it is a very good book about the world war 2.