Former Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen provides a Washington insider point of view in Collision , a gripping political thriller about the dangers of mining an asteroid.
Two gunmen open fire at an elite Washington law firm. One flees the scene with the laptop computer he and his partner have come to steal. The other plummets ten stories to his death, pushed by Sean Falcone, former National Security Advisor to the president of the United States.
When the firm’s managing partner learns of the laptop’s disappearance, he orders Falcone to quietly investigate. If word gets out that a computer containing confidential client information is missing, the firm could lose clients, staff, even partners. However, the future of the firm isn’t the only thing at stake. The stolen laptop contains vital information concerning an American billionaire, his secret Russian partner, and their attempt to mine an asteroid. This is a dangerous endeavor; even the slightest change in orbit might put the asteroid on a collision course with Earth. NASA and the White House are plunged into a race to prevent the destruction of all humankind.
This edition of the book is the deluxe, tall rack mass market paperback.
William Sebastian Cohen, a Republican, served as both a member of the United States House of Representatives and Senate, and as Secretary of Defense (1997–2001) under Democratic President Bill Clinton.
This author William S. Cohen it should be noted served from 1973 - 1979 as a Maine representative then from 1979 - 1997 as a Maine Senator and then from 1997 - 2001 as Secretary of Defense under President Bill Clinton. The book "Collision" deals with an billionaire's plans to mine an asteroid and some Russian's plans to use the asteroid as a threat and some good guys who believe both plans puts the planet in danger so they take steps to get the word out. The book seems a little slow at first but the ending was worth getting to.
I was not sure at all if I even wanted to read this book. I had a vague feeling t would be an update on Bruce Willis' Armageddon adventure. I admit that I was pleasantly surprised. 'Collision' is very well written, with a continuous suspense that will keep you going. Aside from finding out about the threats of asteroids, it is yet another insight into the wonderful world of politics, with a focus on Capitol Hill and its unique crowd. Collision is definitely a goof read.
The topic of asteroid danger is interesting, but the plot never grabbed me. One dimensional characters. I wanted to like the book more, because I have always respected Cohen.
I find that I enjoy each book in the series on Sean Falcone more than the last, and I am looking forward to the sequel to be published this summer. Since it appears to be picking up where Collision left off, it may resolve what has been my main complaint, that the stories seem to take a very long time to build up and then are resolved so quickly at the end. I do have one minor quibble with Collision: Who did the editing? There were at least four typos, and typos, distracting as they are, are non-negotiables when reading political thrillers.
I enjoy the author's veiled references to current movers and shakers (their initials, positions, etc), and it goes without saying, his many years in Washington lend credibility to his writing.
This was a very well written political thriller with a lot of back room Washington politics. The author does a fine job of weaving a complex tale with a lot of characters without losing the reader. Where the book lost it a bit, for this reader, was in its somewhat flat delivery. The action never really ratchets up but seems to stay at a kind of monotone level. That aside the book really does deliver and I felt pulled between 3 and 4 stars. Call it a three and three quarters review and I would be happy.
After laying the foundation for this story, the author appeared to rush to the finish line. I felt unfulfilled until I realized that there would be a sequel.
This was a fun read with a lot of realism. Cohen, a former U.S. Senator, knows how to put the right kind of realistic info into the geopolitical intrigue.