Customer Reviews

Soviet Sources

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Great book, it is not often that an author can come up with such a comprehensive book as this on his first try. This had it all, a great story, good characters, wonderful action and a quick pace. This is an exciting book. It really made me happy reading the book; it was like a great game of treasure hunt where you find everything. Each time I was ready for a plot twist, action of drama it was there. The characters just explode in your memory - you do not get them out of your head. Overall great effort.

I first read this book years ago when it was first published and always thought it was one of the best, and most realistic, stories of the cold war period. Having spent a lot of time in Moscow during those years, I felt that the author really captured the ambience of that world. I am glad to see it has been re-published; I will order another copy. More than most, it really made the reader feel in and familiar with the Russia of that time.

This is the first of a trilogy (hopefully more) by Author Cullen, who obviously has weaved this factional novel based on his actual experience in the former USSR. Altho dated now, it can be very entertaining if the background is accepted as pre-"Fall of Communism" USSR. The main theme in this as well as the two sequels featuring journalist Colin Burke, is the utter squalor and corruption of the Russian society, and the autocratic government, which, as made clear in the sequels, certainly hasn't changed much from then to present. The plot and writing are lively and interesting, and the descriptions of the Russian society and government are very enlightening, if anyone has had a different impression of Russia.