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Love the story about The president making an 11th hour pardon to free the treasonous (if I recall correctly) Joel Backman. The CIA escorts him out... (show more)
The Broker
In his final hours in the Oval Office, the outgoing President grants a controversial last-minute pardon to Joel Backman, a notorious Washington power broker who has spent the last six years hidden away in a federal prison. What no one knows is that the President issues the pardon only after receiving enormous pressure from the CIA. It seems Backman, in his power broker heyday, may have obtained secrets that compromise the world’s most sophisticated satellite surveillance system.
Back... (show more)
In his final hours in the Oval Office, the outgoing President grants a controversial last-minute pardon to Joel Backman, a notorious Washington power broker who has spent the last six years hidden away in a federal prison. What no one knows is that the President issues the pardon only after receiving enormous pressure from the CIA. It seems Backman, in his power broker heyday, may have obtained secrets that compromise the world’s most sophisticated satellite surveillance system.
Backman is quietly smuggled out of the country in a military cargo plane, given a new name, a new identity, and a new home in Italy. Eventually, after he has settled into his new life, the CIA will leak his whereabouts to the Israelis, the Russians, the Chinese, and the Saudis. Then the CIA will do what it does best: sit back and watch. The question is not whether Backman will survive—there is no chance of that. The question the CIA needs answered is, who will kill him?
From the Hardcover edition. (show less)
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Reviews (See all 1,252) Write a reviewfor this
It's a hit!
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I have been waiting for things to happen for over 100 pages. That I concider a long time for a Grisham´s book. The story speeds up and becomes one ... (show more)
I have been waiting for things to happen for over 100 pages. That I concider a long time for a Grisham´s book. The story speeds up and becomes one of those great not downputable once! Which I love. Getting to know Italy a bit was really nice as well! Nonetheless, the feeling at the end is empty and shallow. Reading this book gave me some nice days full of expectations, which was great at the time. But when the story ends my eyebrows rose and a big question mark sustained until today. The book is certainly readable, but not one of the best by Grisham I must agree with some other reviews here. Going to pick up an other Grisham book soon anyway! (show less)
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I've always been a bit skittish when it comes to reading courtroom dramas, which is what Grisham is known for. But, when I read the jacket of "The Broker", and having been a fan of the espionage novel, I thought I'd give this a shot. I'm glad I did.
It's a fun read, for sure. As Grisham admits, he's no author of spy books, and this was something "different" for him. So, don't read this expecting the all-out, gun-toting action of Ludlum, or the piercing character developme... (show more)
I've always been a bit skittish when it comes to reading courtroom dramas, which is what Grisham is known for. But, when I read the jacket of "The Broker", and having been a fan of the espionage novel, I thought I'd give this a shot. I'm glad I did.
It's a fun read, for sure. As Grisham admits, he's no author of spy books, and this was something "different" for him. So, don't read this expecting the all-out, gun-toting action of Ludlum, or the piercing character development of LeCarre.
If you're a fan of fun summer reads, this will do very nicely. It's well-written, and doesn't make you feel too smart, or too dumb like some other books tend to do.
The one thing that actually sticks out for me, is that Grisham points out a LOT of setting points. Italian customs, weather almanac, that sort of thing. So, you actually feel like you're sitting in an Italian cafe, or learning Italian.
All in all, a really good book, though not fantastic. People who love Italy will love it most.
Happy Reading!! (show less)
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If my memory serves me right, this is John Grisham's first foray into espionage and spy thrillers and it is a commendable effort for an author known for his legal and courtroom Southern US background novels.
Tha main character: Joel Backman - a powerful Washington Broker was put to jail after a questionable transaction with some of the World's government but suddenly granted a Presidential pardon during his last day in office - is a complex and flawed man.
The book acknowledges that. His numb... (show more)If my memory serves me right, this is John Grisham's first foray into espionage and spy thrillers and it is a commendable effort for an author known for his legal and courtroom Southern US background novels.
Tha main character: Joel Backman - a powerful Washington Broker was put to jail after a questionable transaction with some of the World's government but suddenly granted a Presidential pardon during his last day in office - is a complex and flawed man.
The book acknowledges that. His number of wives, children who abandoned him yet he still cared for his 90 year old mother. The transformation Backman made from a Power broker to a man on the run is well written and in usual Grisham style easily accessible to every reading group.
What The Broker lacks though is suspense like The Pelican Brief and numerous twists like The Firm. But simply nothings perfect - even in the literary world.
Still a commendable effort - for I learned in this book - power dealings in Washington DC and the Italian transport system. (show less)Already read
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