The Last Inauguration

Rating:
Summary: After 9/11, chilling.
Review: Before 9/11, I would have considered this book an entertaining if light read but just a bit comic-like -- the characters are a little shallow, and the plot (to kill ALL the members of the House & Senate and the U.S. President at the same time) would have seemed unrealistic. But 9/11 has shown us that the horribly impossible is frighteningly possible and, in today's context, "The Last Inauguration" is a tightly plotted and well researched, fast moving drama.

The novel starts with Saddam Hussein paying the terrorist Carlos the Jackal $50 million to kill all members of the U.S. government. The French caught Carlos in 1997 but by this time (in the novel) Carlos has trained 3 of Saddam's soldiers to be terrorists of his own capability and caliber. One of them insinuates himself into Washington life as a student at George Washington University and gains a part-time job at Kennedy Center - where the National Ball is to be held following the next President's inauguration. Carlos has designed an all-too believable method of killing 1500 people at one time - and it's only through some lucky coincidences that his protégé is stopped.

This book reminds me both of Tom Clancy's "Executive Orders" in which a 'plane is used as a missile to destroy the U.S. Congress and of the 1975 Robert Redford movie "Three Days of the Condor" in which Redford plays the sole survivor of a group of CIA analysts who do nothing more than read fiction to detect possible terrorist plots. Clancy's book shows us that truth can unfortunately emulate fiction -- so I hope that there are people working on anti-terrorism who really do read well-plotted dramas such as "The Last Inauguration." The book's post 9/11 credibility is further enhanced by the fact that Licthman has actually interviewed Carlos.

Rating:
Summary: AN ABSOLUTE PAGE TURNER!
Review: Lichtman's talent shines throught from the first page. He dreams up a suspence filled story line and puts the reader close to the story. I cannot wait for the release of "4."

Rating:
Summary: Fast-moning. Reality increased by using real names.
Review: The use of real names and actual locals makes this book move along extremely fast. It reads as though it is actually happening in front of your eyes. The story-line is excellent and believable.