- Hardcover: 400 pages
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd; First UK Edition, First Printing edition (6 Oct 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1847372848
- ISBN-13: 978-1847372840
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 15.2 x 3.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 423,276 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
"Fascinating and pretty frightening stuff." --Frederick Forsyth, author, "The Cobra"
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Product Description
Cyber-warfare: the kind that brings nations to their knees, switching off energy lifelines, crippling the financial markets, starving leaders of authority. An old Russian nuclear reactor goes into Chernobyl-style meltdown while, on the other side of the world, the US Eastern Seaboard is plunged into darkness. No one knows - yet - who is responsible for the chaos. Hidden from view of the rest of the world, an extraordinary meeting of the US President, the Russian President and the British Prime Minister is about to take place. They have the weekend to save the world - and they must do it alone. Something serious is going on in Beijing. Military manoeuvres. Troops on the streets. It's as though the Chinese are preparing for the final thrust against their old enemies, bringing them to their knees in a war that will see not a single shot being fired.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Okay if you want a beach novel, not if you want something deeper,
By
This review is from: The Edge of Madness (Hardcover)
Cyber-war is ripe for depiction in a thriller and Michael Dobbs has clearly researched the field. Unfortunately, in a world where the most devastating cyber-attacks have originated from private groups or criminal organisations, he's chosen to frame the tactics in the geo-political sphere and a result, the plot strains credibility.
The villain is China which, under a nationalist leader envisages bringing his country to global dominance while settling old scores with Britain, Russia and the USA. The unseen Mao Yanming acts through Fu Zhang, who has brought together a group of techno-geeks to bring China's enemies to their knees. Unfortunately Fu Zhang has too much of the Fu Manchu about him - his overt evilness and ambition making it difficult to take him seriously (despite a nasty opening scene). You also wonder why China doesn't go for cyber-espionage instead to maximise commerce opportunities. China's initial attacks on nuclear facilities and medical systems have attracted the interest of British PM Mark D'Arby, who's arranges a secret meeting with US President, Blythe Harrison and Russian President Sergei Shunin in a remote Scottish castle to agree a strategy. Although the idea of the three leaders meeting in a remote spot without security is preposterous, the main problem is that nothing really happens. The leaders squabble and bargain but their talks have no impact on the plot's other events. Instead, Blythe mopes about her marriage break-up, Shunin bullies his son-in-law and D'Arby chats to Harry Jones, who as the hero is little more than an observer and driver until near the end when someone tries to sabotage the conference. If you suspend your disbelief however, this is an entertaining enough novel. Events rocket along nicely and the action bounces between different events. A scene where the Sellafield nuclear plant begins to go into meltdown without anyone realising is chilling and the car bombing of Shunin deftly portrayed. Although the characters are brush strokes at best, Harry is suitably world-weary and morally upright to keep you rooting for him. I cringed at the scenes involving the Queen only because fictionalising real people is a personal squick. There's some reference to events in THE LORDS' DAY but you don't need to read it to understand this. If you're looking for a decent beach novel, this is perfect but anyone seeking a thriller that examines the credible implications of the cyber-threat will find it wanting.
2.0 out of 5 stars
very poor,
By Aberter (Aberdeen) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Edge of Madness (Hardcover)
Very poor. A fair idea behind the book, but very poorly executed. Simplistic and in the end the storyline just fizzled out - a real damp squib. I wonder if the fact that such important people were together was supposed to make the book interesting? The cyber war part of the story was not given the attention it probably deserved. A shame. This was the first book I have read from this author - and I can see no reason to ever try another one!The main character is continually thinking back over his actions from previous times - a very poor way to try and show that a character "is" actually quite interesting!
4.0 out of 5 stars
A fast-paced thriller,
By
This review is from: The Edge of Madness (Kindle Edition)
I have been a big fan of Michael Dobbs since reading Winston's War which is a classic.Edge of Madness is a fast-paced thriller where once again our hero Harry Jones has a leading role. The author's experience is used to good effect and provides the reader with an intriguing insight into the machinations of international politics. Highly recommended
Alan Reynolds Author 'Flying with Kites'
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