Firebird

by James Carroll

Firebird, the author's seventh novel, is about the most fateful act of espionage of the twentieth century. Set in the era of Hiss, Fuchs, McCarthy and the Rosenbergs, all of who feature in this story. It is a breathtaking political thriller. But unlike the best works of that genre - Carroll is often compared to Graham Greene - it is also a disturbing examination of our political and moral disenchantment. The time is 1949. When American officials learn that the Russians have detonated an atomic weapon, they realize that the most tightly held secret in the nation's history has been penetrated. HOw? By who? Is the traitor still in place? is the future of atomic research jeopardized? The FBi in its most urgent mission ever, is charged with finding out.

Genres: Fiction

1 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1989

About the author

James Carroll was born in Chicago and raised in Washington, D.C. He has been a civil rights worker, an antiwar activist, and a community organizer in Washington and New York. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1969 and served as Catholic chaplain at Boston University. Carroll left the priesthood to become a novelist and playwright. He lives in Boston with his wife, the novelist Alexandra Marshall, and their two children.

Reviews

[Cary Boswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great spy story with inside workings of Washington and the FBI in the 50's with the Communist scare. A p0ssible scenario that the Rosenbergs and Klaus Fuchs were scapegoats for the real leaker of atomic secrets.

[Brenda Hines · Rating 1 out of 5]

I actually stopped reading at chapter 10. Super slow book and I found it to be very boring and never caught my attention.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the only book I read of this writer it was okay never read any other.