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Veto
A woman as Secretary General of the UN? Diplomats laugh at the idea. But Pilar Marti rises above her limitations and takes on the job.
The big five, the security council – Russia, France, Britain, the US and China -- veto a proposal to help starving people in Somalia. Pilar responds by proposing to get rid of the big five. Logic is on her side – rule by five is undemocratic. However, power and money stand against her. The Washington elite react to her ideas with intrigue, diplomatic maneuvers, and ultimately attempts on her life.
The big five, the security council – Russia, France, Britain, the US and China -- veto a proposal to help starving people in Somalia. Pilar responds by proposing to get rid of the big five. Logic is on her side – rule by five is undemocratic. However, power and money stand against her. The Washington elite react to her ideas with intrigue, diplomatic maneuvers, and ultimately attempts on her life.
252 pages, ebook
First published April 11, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 2, 2009
Veto by Ed Griffin ISBN 9781425114398 Published by Trafford Publishing 2009.
Review by Chris Phillips
Within this book, Griffin takes a subject he has some definite ideas about. This is political thriller at its best. The subject is the UN and the first female Secretary-General has been elected with the backing of the US. The story begins as she starts taking initiative by becoming a true world leader.
Griffin’s purpose with the book is obvious; he wants the UN to be a true world government rather than just a debating organization. Pilar Marti, the first female Secretary-General, finds herself in the middle of international politics from her first day in office. Representatives are asking for help and support. Sometimes the help is from need, but other times it is from political ambition and favors being called in. Marti and the UN are effectively blackmailed into doing things that the member governments want. The most powerful player is the US, of course.
The plot twists around the active intervention of the US to coerce Marti, and thus the UN, into condoning and actually supporting US foreign policy. The hotbed of Somalia is the centerpiece. The story line keeps coming back to Somalia frequently. This works very well and is a good catalyst for the tensions within the plot.
After several attempts to stop Marti from making a real difference, she finally determines that she has to take on the project of converting the UN to a true government for the world. Then the efforts of those opposing her become more dangerous and lethal, even threatening those around her.
The characters are very well-developed and filled with a balance of reality and idealism that is seen in real people everyday. There are daily living problems, her mother’s estate is not settled, her biological time clock is ticking, getting enough rest, etc. that affect the major issues Marti is trying to contend with. There are some stunning portrayals through the interactions of the characters, particularly the dynamic between Marti and her bodyguard, Alex. Alex is an ex-police officer dedicated to keeping Marti safe as long as she is Security-General. Thomas Brennan is the US ambassador to the UN, and the antagonist to Marti’s heroine. He embodies all that is anti-UN in the US government and fills that role well. Stuart Taylor is a political advisor and Marti’s former lover. His role switches from time-to-time through the book, adding to the interpersonal tensions. Quan is the assistant Secretary-General and definitely not happy with his second place position. Anatole Zoungrana, is the President of Burkina Faso and a very strong advocate for Africa and the countries of that continent. As the plot develops and the characters interact, keeping the reader involved and interested in the story and its outcome.
Politically, this book advocates the premise that the world is much smaller now then it was in 1945 when the UN was formed. While there were several ideals that made the UN a strong organization with a good, clear purpose, at the time of its founding, Griffin contends that all that has changed so much that the UN needs to be restructured. That restructuring is the principle plot device and it is used well and believably throughout.
This is a book to be read by any one with an interest in political drama, as well as those that are interested in the UN and its potential.
($26.90 USD SRP/Amazon $26.90 USD) Reviewer received book from Trafford Publishing.
Review by Chris Phillips
Within this book, Griffin takes a subject he has some definite ideas about. This is political thriller at its best. The subject is the UN and the first female Secretary-General has been elected with the backing of the US. The story begins as she starts taking initiative by becoming a true world leader.
Griffin’s purpose with the book is obvious; he wants the UN to be a true world government rather than just a debating organization. Pilar Marti, the first female Secretary-General, finds herself in the middle of international politics from her first day in office. Representatives are asking for help and support. Sometimes the help is from need, but other times it is from political ambition and favors being called in. Marti and the UN are effectively blackmailed into doing things that the member governments want. The most powerful player is the US, of course.
The plot twists around the active intervention of the US to coerce Marti, and thus the UN, into condoning and actually supporting US foreign policy. The hotbed of Somalia is the centerpiece. The story line keeps coming back to Somalia frequently. This works very well and is a good catalyst for the tensions within the plot.
After several attempts to stop Marti from making a real difference, she finally determines that she has to take on the project of converting the UN to a true government for the world. Then the efforts of those opposing her become more dangerous and lethal, even threatening those around her.
The characters are very well-developed and filled with a balance of reality and idealism that is seen in real people everyday. There are daily living problems, her mother’s estate is not settled, her biological time clock is ticking, getting enough rest, etc. that affect the major issues Marti is trying to contend with. There are some stunning portrayals through the interactions of the characters, particularly the dynamic between Marti and her bodyguard, Alex. Alex is an ex-police officer dedicated to keeping Marti safe as long as she is Security-General. Thomas Brennan is the US ambassador to the UN, and the antagonist to Marti’s heroine. He embodies all that is anti-UN in the US government and fills that role well. Stuart Taylor is a political advisor and Marti’s former lover. His role switches from time-to-time through the book, adding to the interpersonal tensions. Quan is the assistant Secretary-General and definitely not happy with his second place position. Anatole Zoungrana, is the President of Burkina Faso and a very strong advocate for Africa and the countries of that continent. As the plot develops and the characters interact, keeping the reader involved and interested in the story and its outcome.
Politically, this book advocates the premise that the world is much smaller now then it was in 1945 when the UN was formed. While there were several ideals that made the UN a strong organization with a good, clear purpose, at the time of its founding, Griffin contends that all that has changed so much that the UN needs to be restructured. That restructuring is the principle plot device and it is used well and believably throughout.
This is a book to be read by any one with an interest in political drama, as well as those that are interested in the UN and its potential.
($26.90 USD SRP/Amazon $26.90 USD) Reviewer received book from Trafford Publishing.
June 26, 2012
Veto is a political drama/thriller about the United Nations. Pilar Marti is the first woman to have the title of Secretary-General to the UN. She gets a visit from a representative of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, a small country in the west of Africa, asking for assistance, particularly water and food. Pilar would like to give the aid to these beleaguered countries, especially after she visits Somalia and sees the horrible living conditions of the people. No matter what she wants to do she is not able to because of the unwillingness of other countries to help. She decides along with her staff that something needs to be done and that something is to change UN policies. She wants to see the UN become more of a democracy like the US. The idea is that the world is a much different place than when the UN was founded in 1945. The UN needs to be restructured. The more she tries to make these changes, the more dangerous her life and others around her become. Someone wants her stopped and will do whatever it takes to see that they are successful. After several attempts on her life, and after her assistant is killed instead of her, Pilar is more determined. So with the protection of her bodyguard, Alex, and the advice of a longtime friend and president of Burkina, Faso Anatole Zoungrana, she continues on with her plans.
I felt that the story was very well written; the characters well developed with lots of twists and turns and kept me interested until the end of the book. I felt that the author did a remarkable job telling this story and is very knowledgeable about the UN and foreign policies. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys reading political type thrillers, especially with a strong female character.
Review by Kathleen Kelly
I felt that the story was very well written; the characters well developed with lots of twists and turns and kept me interested until the end of the book. I felt that the author did a remarkable job telling this story and is very knowledgeable about the UN and foreign policies. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys reading political type thrillers, especially with a strong female character.
Review by Kathleen Kelly
June 22, 2015
Great storyline that needs better editing.
I read the Kindle version of this book. The plot is well thought out and character development is well done. The reading was a bit 'clunky' and there are numerous typos and grammatical errors that a good editor would have caught. This being said, the story is one that could be closer to reality than we would like to see! It is a fast-paced thriller with plenty of twists and turns.
I read the Kindle version of this book. The plot is well thought out and character development is well done. The reading was a bit 'clunky' and there are numerous typos and grammatical errors that a good editor would have caught. This being said, the story is one that could be closer to reality than we would like to see! It is a fast-paced thriller with plenty of twists and turns.
September 15, 2015
Capturing the political machinations in a world organisation, and strategizing to save it from redundancy, aren't easy even to a fertile mind! But Ed Griffin does it in style. Written with a sense of purpose. Recommended Read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews