Rating: 
Summary: A notch above the usual spy novel trash.
Review: When I read a spy novel by the likes of Frederick Forsythe or John Le Carré, the excellence of such a work reminds me how much trash is written by other authors in the same genre.Forsythe unfolds the events in the book's first half by switching back and forth between two timelines. The first, in the year 1999, finds the British Embassy in Moscow coming into possession of the "Black Manifesto". This document, written by Igor Komarov, reveals his secret plan for his rule of Russia once he wins the presidential election scheduled for January 2000. Since Komarov is far ahead in the polls, and his Manifesto espouses both military aggression against surrounding countries and genocide against certain Russian minorities, the Brits are understandably worried. The second timeline, from 1983 to 1994, follows the upwardly mobile career path of CIA officer Jason Monk, as he becomes case officer for several key spies within the Soviet military, intelligence and scientific communities. Over time, Monk watches helplessly as his agents are betrayed by the real-life CIA turncoat Aldrich Ames, and subsequently captured, tortured and executed by the sadistic KGB Colonel Anatoli Grishin. The second half of the book has Monk, separated from the CIA since 1994, returning to Russia in 1999 on behalf of Western interests to discredit Komarov and destabilize his campaign for the Russian presidency. In the process, he matches wits with Grishin, now serving as Komarov's Chief of Security. One of the strengths of this novel, besides the intricate plot and fine cast, is the (apparently factual) history of the Aldrich Ames betrayal, an absolute fiasco on the part of the CIA. This sort of background information adds immeasurably to any novel, yet is not a part of so many. In my mind, this writing technique is one of the reasons why Forsythe is at the top of his profession. The book's action proceeds at a crisp, clear and riveting pace. It was a book that was difficult to put down in deference to life's more mundane responsibilities. My only criticism, and one that prevents me from awarding 5 stars, was the heavy-handed ending lacking the finesse of what came before. It was as if Forsythe suddenly found himself faced with a publisher's deadline, and he had to achieve closure quickly. The final confrontation between Monk and Grishin was both clumsy and anticlimactic. Despite these closing flaws, however, the novel is top tier.
Rating: 
Summary: He's still the greatest
Review: To me this book was very original and creative. The same mystery and suspense as in all of his books, but this one is not based on actual history, it is predicting the future! Forsyth is still the best writer of our times, and I've read all of his books. I hope he continues writing for a long time to come. If you've never read one of his novels it's time to start, they're all great.
Rating: 
Summary: DROPPED THE BALL
Review: Forsyth droped the ball in this book. THe proof of this fact is that he wrote, after this book and after a long time, a book about a different genre that he's used to (PHANTOM of THe Opera. This book is much worse than "FIST OF GOD". The main character, Jason Monk, wracks havov in Russia with extreme facility, make "contacts" even in a easier way, and resolve all the problems of Russia almost single-handed. As always, the characters act like robots without personality, but this isnot the poin, because this is one of Forsyth's ingredients to success. The history is weak, that's all.
Rating: 
Summary: a primitive, if not naive view of Russia
Review: The Russia of this book is ridiculous. The author makes a pathetic attempt to deliver a story charged with ethical scruples, and drawing a sharp childish line between the Good and the Evil: consequently all characters are nothing but puppets, including the puppet masters. Today's Russia is a country very much in trouble, but it is unforgivable to dream, like the author seems to do, that the complexity could be resolved with a few coups de theatre, like restoring the monarchy in the country, or mounting a putsch through "skillful" disinformation and manipulation. Don't read it, even if you're stuck in an airport closed because of severe snowstorms.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK!
Review: This was the first Forsyth book i picked up and WOW. I was a big fan of CHARM SCHOOL by Nelson DeMille but this book is better. The plot is so engaging it grabs you and doesen't let go. Tragic and exciting at the same time. Read it.
Rating:
Summary: Great story
Review: I have just finished reading the Icon, and to me it was the master at his best again. I have read all of his books. Before writing my review, I had read some of the reviews that others had written; I had the feeling that some were disappointed that the Icon was not in the same class as The Fist of God or the Day of the Jackal. These people may have a point. Just remember that no-one can consistently deliver every time. For example, a very very good baseball player, or basketball player may once in a while, have an off day. I think Freddie did a great job. The research was tremendous and the plot was very interesting. The details and background to some of the events and the people was excellent. At some point, I was so scared as to whether Grishin was going to get his enemy, Jason Monk that I had to cheat and turn to the last pages to see what the outcome was. Only then, did I gather the courage to continue reading. To me, this is an excellent book. If it is true that this is Freddie's last novel, then I will truly miss him. Apart from him, I do not read any writers. Can anyone recommend any writer or two who is in the same class or even better than Frederick Forsyth?
Rating:
Summary: MAYBE I'M GROWING OLD...
Review: This book was a big deception for me... After the marvellous "Fist of God", this seemed written in a rush, contrary to all others Forsyth's books (I've read them all). The main character (Jason Monk) seems like a robot and everything seems so easy for him: travelling around the world, infiltrating the Russian Mafia, planning incredible plans. Maybe I didn't get the right spirit to read this book, but it seemed to me, by far, the weakest book by good old Freddie.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling
Review: I think it's ironic that this, the first Forsythe novel I read, should also be his last thriller. I read it on a long transoceanic flight a year ago and have become an avid Forsythe reader. This is my favorite of the books I've read so far, with Day of the Jackal a close second. I thought Forsythe's solution to the problem in the political system was intriguing, and the story was gripping.
Rating:
Summary: Great spine tingler
Review: I couldn't put this book down until I had finished. The places, dates and events brought History alive for me. Even the future events were vivid and realistic. I look forward to reading more of Mr. Forsyth's works. I give this work my highest recomendation. Read it, you'll like it, just as I did.
Rating:
Summary: If you want a book to keep you going this is it
Review: It is hard to close the book at night and go to sleep, it will keep you up to early hours of the morning. There are some slow bits, but overally it is Forsyth classic, one of his best, better then Fist of god or Deciever, it is there along with the Jackal and Dogs of war
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