Kuchma's Dictum [Paperback]

Jacques Evans (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 11, 2001

Kuchma´s Dictum is the story of a Russian paratroop commander, Colonel Yuri Vitrenko, who attempts to terrorize the United States into withdrawing its troops from Europe so Russia can have a free hand in bringing the breakaway republics back into the fold.

Vitrenko is part of a military and civilian clique that includes Colonel General Alexi Kuchma. The general has a large following and is planning to run in the next presidential election. Vitrenko is convinced that getting American troops out of Europe will ensure Kuchma´s election. To this end, he devises a series of terrorist plots but does not involve any members of the clique for fear of retaliation against Russia.

Vitrenko starts his reign of terror by anonymously warning the Americans of his intentions if they do not withdraw their troops from Europe. The Americans do not heed his warning. As a result, Vitrenko executes a congressman and a senator. When his next warning is not heeded, Vitrenko downs a Boeing 747 with a Chinese Vanguard missile killing 230 passengers and crewmembers.

The American President counters Vitrenko´s moves. Both politicians' deaths are described as accidental and the downing of Aeroexpress Flight 120 is ascribed to a fuel tank explosion. The cover up almost unravels when an airport security guard and a retired Navy captain, investigating on their own, uncover evidence that a missile brought down Flight 120. Vitrenko, furious at the success of the cover up, smuggles a hydrogen bomb into the United States and the plot continues...

Editorial Reviews

Review

THE MOTHER OF ALL CONSPIRACY THEORIES - A taut and compact thriller with a plot that lets the reader know the author knows his stuff. Airplane buffs in particular will relish the detail. The main character is well drawn, an ex-cop so down on his luck he is working as a security guard, who stumbles on to something big and won't let go until he finds out the truth. The plot is plausible and well worked out. It could be in the headlines tomorrow. Web Reader 

MUST READ CONSPIRACY THEORY - A good thriller with an eerie resemblance to the crash of TWA Flight 800. The author weaves many of the unresolved facts from the Flight 800 case into his story and makes the saying that "facts are some times stranger than fiction", much more believable. Web Reader 

KEPT ME TURNING THE PAGES - If you're an aviation buff you'll like this book. Web Reader

 

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author

Jacques Evans retired from the U.S. Air Force and is a life member of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He has worked on numerous aerospace projects and spent years at Cape Kennedy as a member of the Apollo team. He is the author of adventure novels and screenplays that can be viewed at: JacquesEvans.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 108 pages
• Publisher: Xlibris; 1 edition (January 11, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738840203
• ISBN-13: 978-0738840208
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,622,305 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jacques Evans retired from the U.S. Air Force and is a life member of The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He has worked on numerous aerospace projects and spent years at Cape Kennedy as a member of the Apollo team. He resides in Southern California and is the author of action/adventure novels and screenplays. His URL is http://JacquesEvans.com and his favorite novelists are Nevil Shute and Patrick O'Brian.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kuchma's Dictum, February 19, 2001

By 

Jo Anne (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kuchma's Dictum (Paperback)

Kuchma's Dictum is the mother of all conspiracy theories. A taut and compact thriller with a plot that lets the reader know the author really knows his stuff. Airplane buffs in particular will relish the accurate detail. The main character is well drawn, an ex-cop so down on his luck he is working as a security guard, who stumbles on to something big and who just won't let go until he finds out the truth. The plot is plausible and well worked out. It could be in the headines tomorrow.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Short Story, June 18, 2001

By 

Bob Donaldson (Falls Church, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kuchma's Dictum (Paperback)

A good thriller with an eerie resemblance to the crash of TWA Flight 800. The author weaves many of the unresolved facts from the Flight 800 case into his story and makes the saying that "facts are some times stranger than fiction", much more believable.