Blood Ties [Kindle Edition]

Warren Adler (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

An arms-dealing family confronts a moral dilemma in the nuclear age. During a family reunion at their ancestral castle, the famed Von Kassel family arms dealers for over a hundred years suddenly find themselves in possession of stolen plutonium capable of creating the most destructive weapon on earth. Previously aloof from the moral implications of their business, the family is torn apart by the deadly potential of their recent acquisition. Family conflicts are ignited that had long been avoided in order to maintain solidarity and the insulation of wealth and power. Through fascinating and startling familial relationships, the reader is drawn into the web of power and intrigue that motivates people who once believed they were above moral or ethical considerations.

From the Inside Flap

During a family reunion at their ancestral castle, the famed Von Kassel family -- arms dealers for over a hundred years -- suddenly find themselves in possession of stolen plutonium capable of creating the most destructive weapon on earth. Previously aloof from the moral implications of their business, the family is torn apart by the deadly potential of their recent acquisition. Family conflicts are ignited that had long been avoided in order to maintain solidarity and the insulation of wealth and power. Through fascinating and startling familial relationships, the reader is drawn into the web of power and intrigue that motivates people who once believed they were above moral or ethical considerations.

As rivalries escalate and alliances form only to be broken, this powerful novel of family pride, personal ambition, and individual ethics moves to its compelling and ingenious climax.

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Product Details

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 398 KB
• Publisher: Stonehouse Press (April 17, 2002)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000FA5OB0
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #859,116 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

More About the Author

Warren Adler is a world-renowned novelist, short story writer and playwright. His 32 novels and story collections have been translated into more than 25 languages and two of his novels, The War of the Roses and Random Hearts, have been made into enormously popular movies, shown continually throughout the world.

Three short stories from his acclaimed collection, The Sunset Gang, have been adapted as a trilogy and shown repeatedly on the Public Television network.

Mr. Adler's blogs appear regularly in the Huffington Post and other sites throughout the world and his short stories appear in numerous anthologies.

Mr. Adler is a pioneer in electronic publishing. He was one of the first authors to acquire his complete backlist and to convert his entire library to digital publishing formats.

A product of the New York public school system, Mr. Adler graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School and New York University, where he majored in English literature. In 2009, he was honored by being chosen "Alumni of the Year" at NYU's School of Arts and Science. He has taught novel writing at honors seminars at NYU.

After graduating from New York University with a degree in English literature, Mr. Adler worked for the New York Daily News before becoming Editor of the Queens Post, a prize winning weekly newspaper on Long Island. His column, "Pepper on the Side," became a staple of a number of newspapers in the country.

During the Korean War, after basic training, he was recruited by Armed Forces Press Service to serve in the Pentagon as the only Washington Correspondent for the service. His Washington by-line went all over the world and was published in every publication put out by the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Middle of the road novel about family obcessions, March 24, 2005

By 

Peter LaPrade (worcester ma) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Blood Ties (Hardcover)

Warren Adler's "Blood Ties" is about a family of aristocrats that are masters of the arms trade that have their annual reunion just before the patriach dies from his heart condition. The Von Kessels are obcessed with blood, and see no reason for ethical reservations, but the son who is favored to take over the empire believes that nuclear weapons are too terrible and awesome not to have reservations about. While Albert von Kessel struggles with his dilemma, a mysterious woman comes to Aunt Karla, and threatens to reveal a secret that would change everything. And the Russian widow of a long-lost prodigal uncle comes to the gathering, but under suspiction of being a spy. This does capture the late 70's well, but I felt that the end was too rushed and the action was rather dull. For this, I will say it is quite average.

5.0 out of 5 stars Tranquil and colourful, October 22, 2011

By 

MHV "MHV" (Amsterdam) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Blood Ties (Paperback)

If you're intrigued by the concept of this novel as described by the publisher here on Amazon, you will probably not be disappointed. Even now, so many years after it was originally published, 'Blood Ties' endures. The story of the Von Kassel family and their arms dealing business feels strangely up to date; I don't have the actual numbers but it seems likely there are as many weapons being traded today as there were in 1979. Possibly even more, although this is just guesswork. Along with this original setting in international affairs come the beautiful location (a castle in a European mountain range) and a thrilling family history that is coming to its climax in the final pages. I enjoyed these colorful characters and their frustrations and obsessions. Warren Adler sketches them all with his usual skill. There is a darkness looming in 'Blood Ties' from the very first pages. This novel is not a fast ride but it is full of surprises if you like people with all their faults and idiosyncrasies. Come to think of it, that may be the main attraction of this novel: to follow the Von Kassel family members, to learn about their histories and to watch them close to the edge, and some of them even further. (And of course it helps to check who's talking because tastes differ. As for your reviewer: in general I'm a reader of both serious works by authors such as J.M. Coetzee, J.G. Ballard, Ernest Hemingway, and purely entertaining works by authors such as Warren Adler, Simenon.) I hope I've helped you make up your mind; the rest is up to you.